<![CDATA[Interactions between speakers from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds require linguistic strategies to establish rapport and maintain social relationships. One such strategy is positive politeness, which is oriented toward satisfying the positive face of the hearer. This study aims to describe the positive politeness sub-strategies based on Brown and Levinson’s theory and to explain the pragmatic functions of their use by local Chinese speakers in Mandarin-language interactions with foreign vloggers on the Black in China YouTube channel. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach. The data sources consist of four videos, while the research data comprise utterances produced by local Chinese speakers containing positive politeness strategies. Data were collected through the observation method using non-participant observation, note-taking, and documentation techniques, and were subsequently analyzed using the pragmatic identity method. The findings reveal 39 instances covering nine sub-strategies, namely Notice, Attend to H (11 instances), Include Both S and H in the Activity (7 instances), Exaggerate (6 instances), Joke and Offer/Promise (4 instances each), Seek Agreement, Presuppose/Raise Common Ground, and Give Gifts to H (2 instances each), as well as Intensify Interest to H (1 instance). These strategies serve to establish rapport, support the hearer’s positive face, reduce social distance, and strengthen solidarity in cross-cultural interactions.]]>
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