Coursework Theories

Language and Power Fairclough 2001
The first theory is Norman Fairclough's language and power theory which looks at how language is used to assert power over others and how it can be used to gain  power over those who may oppose a certain person. This is relevant to my investigation as I will be able to look at how different managers use power language features in order to gain the respect of those in the press conference rooms and how they may deploy power language features to reply to any FTA's that may be said or how they may avoid them.  An example of this may be a manager may try to interrupt the media during questions if they feel that his team may come under criticism for how they may have played and by using these features may win the room over regardless of result or performance.

Brown and Levinson-Politeness Theory
The second theory is Brown and Levinson's Politeness Theory. This is relevant to my investigation as I am looking at different ways that football managers deal with FTA's during press conferences after games. Not only this but this theory will allow me to dive into how managers of different prestige and nationality deal with these.  For example, a manager from a lower league team and from England may be more inclined to be more polite when facing an FTA, whereas a foreign from a high level team may be more impolite when facing a FTA as he may see his team as on e to be respected at all times.

Wareing 1999
The third theory is Wareing's theory of the three types of power within language which are political, personal and social group. For my investigation the most relevant one is Personal power because a manager will have power due to his occupation. This may come in use for my investigation as manager may use this type of power to keep the media from using any FTA's as his occupation means he should be respected and he shouldn't need to be treated in this sort of way.