Locher-Based Analysis of Advice Strategies in the Conflict-Ridden Communication of Couples in Three Plays by Radi

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Associate Professor of the Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities and Foreign Languages, Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This research analyzes advice strategies in three plays (The Blue Window, The Savior in the Damp Morning, and Hamlet with Seasonal Salad), by Akbar Radi, which depict damaged marital relationships leading to family breakdown. The theoretical framework is Locher's (2006) model, consisting of seven strategies (bonding, mitigation, criticism, sympathy, hedging, complimenting, and humor); the research seeks to answer 1) which face aspects are most threatened? 2) Which strategies are most frequently used by couples? And 3) are there significant gender differences in strategy use? It was found that in the critical atmosphere of family relationships, three strategies are most common: "criticism" (threatening positive face), "mitigation" (threatening negative face), and "bonding" (maintaining relationship appearance). Strategies requiring solidarity and non-hostile environments, sympathy, hedging, complimenting, and humor, are absent in these discourses. Additionally, women (81 instances, 79.5%) play a more active role in giving advice than men (21 instances, 20.5%), indicating greater involvement and effort to change the situation or express dissatisfaction.

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Main Subjects

Linguistic Studies: Theory and Practice

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 02 July 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 27 February 2026
  • Revise Date: 22 May 2026
  • Accept Date: 02 July 2026

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