Intercultural Pragmatics: An Analysis of the Politeness Strategies Employed in Imran Khan’s BBC Interview

Abstract

This study analyzes the politeness strategies employed by John Simpson and Imran Khan during a BBC interview, using Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness framework. Adopting a qualitative descriptive approach, utterances from the interview transcript were examined, focusing on bald on-record, off-record, positive politeness, and negative politeness strategies. Findings reveal that Imran Khan predominantly used positive politeness strategies, emphasizing solidarity by frequently addressing John Simpson by name and providing justifications. In contrast, John Simpson employed more negative politeness strategies, such as hedging and indirect questioning, to minimize imposition while maintaining journalistic rigor. Both participants also utilized bald on-record strategies during moments of heightened tension, and employed off-record strategies like metaphors and rhetorical questions to soften contentious remarks. The study highlights how professional roles, cultural backgrounds, and political sensitivities shaped their communication choices, offering insights into intercultural pragmatics and media discourse. These findings have practical implications for media professionals, language learners, and researchers.