Language, (impoliteness) and diplomacy: The Zinoviev letter affair

Face is a paramount consideration in diplomacy (Berridge 2002), for which a specific linguistic repertoire of expressions has evolved (Nicolson 1950). The Zinoviev letter affair in autumn 1924 involving the UK and Soviet Union governments is an exemplary case of diplomatic face (mis)management, which has remained unexplored in a linguistic or discourse perspective. After setting the context in which the incident unfolded, this essay seeks to shed light on the role played by language and politeness in its outcome, adopting Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness theory. Analysis of the first two diplomatic notes exchanged between the UK and the Soviet Union over the letter shows that in spite of adopting quite different politeness strategies, a common disregard for each other’s face wants contributed to a severe worsening of relations.