Chapter 6 - (Im)politeness of Masked and Non-Masked Faces in the COVID-19 Pandemic : Japan and Australia

Summary

Abstract

This chapter examines how perceived social norms and moral concerns for self and others have shaped the discourses and practices of mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on how social norms and social identities are formed in online discussion forums in Japan and in Australia, the author thus argues that the topic of (non)mask wearing provides interesting material for the study of interpersonal language and (im)politeness.

Keywords: politeness, impoliteness, masks, social norms, online forum

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has been causing unprecedented disruptions all over the world, placing stress on people and society and triggering new behaviours in social life. The wearing of masks, which also symbolises and visualises the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic around the globe, is one such behaviour. Historical, sociocultural, and political factors seem to have an impact on the habit of mask wearing, which has spread quickly in some countries, not so quickly in others.

The decision-making process of wearing or not wearing a mask involves social actors’ consideration of “doing the right thing” in terms of perceived social norms, peer pressure, moral obligations, sense of security, concern for others, and public self-image. Therefore, the topic of (non-)mask wearing provides rich material for the study of interpersonal pragmatics and (im)politeness, which investigates interpersonal mutual evaluation and face work during a disruptive public-health crisis.

Online discussion forums illuminate laypersons’ attitudes and emotions about (non-)mask wearing. These places offer a platform where individuals can express their attitudes and emotions regarding the topics posted. Few studies to date, however, have explored meaning making in discussion forums representing lay perspectives on mask wearing. To examine the question of how social actors position themselves in relation to (non-)mask wearing, Ohashi (2021) analyses the discourse of (non-)mask wearing in an online discussion forum. The analysis demonstrated how participants evaluate (non-)mask wearing behaviours and form social identities and social norms through their comment making practices.

This chapter furthers that work by including a cross-cultural perspective, comparing popular social media platforms in Australia and Japan. In Australia, mask mandates varied from state to state. In Melbourne, the first region to mandate mask wearing, masks were made compulsory from July 23, 2020 and hard-line measures, including a 112-day lockdown, were taken to prevent a second wave of infections. Since then, wearing masks quickly became the norm.