Question

What term is used to describe behaviors that a speaker uses to preserve their reputation and/or to avoid embarrassment?

a) Linguistics
b) Social cues
c) Face-saving strategies
d) Public speaking techniques

Answer 1

The term for behaviors used to protect one's reputation or avoid embarrassment is 'face-saving strategies'. These are part of pragmatics within linguistics, serving to maintain dignity or standing in social situations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term used to describe behaviors that a speaker uses to preserve their reputation and/or to avoid embarrassment is c) Face-saving strategies. These strategies are a part of pragmatics, a subfield of linguistics that studies how context contributes to meaning.

For example, when a speaker realizes they have made a potentially embarrassing error, they might employ a joke or an apology as a face-saving strategy to maintain their dignity or standing in the eyes of listeners.