Semiotic Units And Semiotic Means In Relation To Politeness: A Linguosemiotic Analysis

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between semiotic units and semiotic means in expressing politeness across linguistic and multimodal communication. Drawing upon linguosemiotic and pragmatic frameworks, the study argues that politeness is a semiotic phenomenon realized through the interaction of verbal, visual, audial, and kinetic signs. Semiotic units encode the conceptual meaning of politeness, while semiotic means actualize it contextually through tone, gesture, gaze, and design. The findings reveal that politeness operates as a multimodal semiotic construct that reflects cultural codes and communicative harmony across societies.