Human-Computer Etiquette

68 Human–Computer etiquette

of the model are also largely orthogonal. While there can be interac-

tions between the components of Brown and Levinson’s model, the

components can be evaluated separately. For example, power dier-

ence may have complex implications with social distance; consider the

situation in which one is friends with a superior. However, power and

social distance can be assessed separately, and their interaction repre-

sented outside of this model.

Brown and Levinson’s model has been criticized as overly sim-

plied, Anglo-centric, and not universally applicable (Eelen, 2001;

House, 2005). For example, it does well characterize sarcasm and irony.

However, its simplicity is also its strength when used in a computa-

tional model ...