Höflichkeitsverbalen
Höflichkeitsverbalen, often translated as politeness verbs or politeness markers, are linguistic devices used in many languages to express social respect, deference, or solidarity towards the interlocutor. They are not a specific verb category but rather a functional concept that can be realized through various grammatical and lexical means. These can include specific verb forms, auxiliary verbs, particles, or even entire idiomatic expressions. The primary function of höflichkeitsverbalen is to manage social relationships and to navigate potentially sensitive situations by softening requests, avoiding direct commands, or showing consideration for the other person's face.
The specific realization of höflichkeitsverbalen varies greatly across languages and cultures. For example, in Japanese, the