40
With this list of strategies and types of contents that would be classified under them, the second part of the data collection could proceed. To summarize, each article would be read first, for coding each value sentence into A, B, X or Y and the types of factors and the levels they belong. Each of them would be read a second time to see if there is any strategy being used. That is to say, the data would be of two types but those collected in the first reading could be used to gather data in the second reading. Thus, the two sets of data are inter-related. Any trace of one of these strategies would be noted to see if there are any specially popular ones. Also they would be noted for their variety against the situation to see if any evidence of facework is in sight.
Findings
Positive Evidence For A Nation's Face
Altogether, there are 3,782 value sentences in the sample. After coding, the figures for all variables are cross-tabulated to facilitate observations on the level of face (Tables 6 to 10). It is found that the majority of the value sentences depict face-situations at individual level (cf. Table 6). The Y-axis is the level, individual (athletes) or collective (delegation, people, country and government), of the factors and/or attributes that the value sentences concern.
TABLE 6. Level of Reference for the Factors & Attributes of Face
No./% of Total Athletes 2791/82.35% S/P/M of Reactions to Attributes of 250/45.37% 84/35.90% Delegation 396/11.68% 210/38.11% 34/14.53% People 31/0.91% 31/5.63% 31/13.25% Country 67/1.98% 12/2.18% 51/21.79% Government 7/0.21% 2/0.36% 11/4.70% Others 97/2.86% 46/8.35% 23/9.83% Total 3389 551 234Legend: S/P/M = Status, performance and/or moral behaviour