Abstract:Abstract: This study explores why potential face threatening acts (PFTAs) serve as a discourse strategy favorable for speakers in light of Face Constituting Theory, in order to offer an alteration to interpret such an interactional behavior. Data analysis reveals that interactants manipulate relational tensions of various degrees to achieve different interpersonal effects in order to realize specific communicative purposes. Face Constituting Theory and its analytical perspective can enrich the conceptual understanding of potential face threatening act(s), and provide theoretical support to further explorations on some act-related interpersonal factors as identity and interpersonal relationships.
Key words: potential face threatening acts; discourse strategy; face constituting