Page 119 - 6688

119
associated with different possible expressions used within that event. For exam-ple, you arrive
at an important lecture, pull out your notebook to take notes, but discover that you don't have
anything to write with. You think that the person sitting next to you may provide the solution. In
this scenario, you are going to be 'Self, and the person next to you is going to be 'Other'.
Your first choice is whether to say something or not. You can, of course, rummage in your bag,
search rather obviously through your pockets, go back into your bag, without uttering a word,
but with the vague intention that your problem will be recognized. This 'say nothing' approach
may or may not work, but if it does, it's because the other offers and not because the self asks,
as in [3].

[3] Self: (looks in bag)
Other: (offers pen) Here, use this.
Many people seem to prefer to have their needs recognized by others without having to
express those needs in language. When those needs are recognized, as in [3], then clearly
more has been communicated than was said.

Say something: off and on record.
Even if you decide to say something, you don't actually have to ask for anything. You
can (perhaps after your search through your bag) simply produce a statement of the type in
[4a. ] or [4b. ].

[4] a. Uh, I forgot my pen.
b. Hmm, I wonder where I put my pen.
These, and other similar types of statement, are not directly addressed to the other. The
other can act as if the statements have not even been heard. They are technically described as
being off record. In casual descriptions, they might be referred to as 'hints'. Once again, an off
record statement may or may not succeed (as a means of getting a pen), but if it does, it will be
because more has been communicated than was said.
In contrast to such off record statements, you can directly address the other as a means of
expressing your needs. These direct address forms are technically described as being on
record. The most direct approach, using imperative forms such as those in [5], is known as
bald on record. The other person is directly asked for something.

[5] a. Give me a pen.
b. Lend me your pen.

These bald on record forms may be followed by expressions like 'please' and 'would
you?' which serve to soften the demand and are called mitigating devices.
It is tempting to equate the bald on record approach with all direct command forms (i. e.
imperatives). This would be misleading because imperative forms are often used by close
familiars without being interpreted as commands. Examples would be a friend of-fering
something to eat, as in [6a. ], or trying to help you, as in [6b. ].

[6] a. Have some more cake,
b. Gimme that wet umbrella.
Emergency situations also occasion the use of direct commands, regardless of who is being
addressed, as when danger prompts use of the expressions in [7].