Seybold Report ISSN: 1533-9211

Abstract

SPANISH AND MALAY COMPARATIVE LINGUISTICS STRATEGIES IN ACTS OF REFUSING INVITATION AND REQUEST


Radhiah Binti Ismailª*, Chaizani Binti Mohd Shamsuddinᵇ
ªDepartment of Languages and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia, ᵇEnglish learning Center, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia



Vol 17, No 10 ( 2022 )   |  DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7157275   |   Licensing: CC 4.0   |   Pg no:1567-1587   |   Published on: 07-10-2022



Abstract
This research aimed to compare the linguistic strategies used by the Spanish and Malay in the context of refusing invitation and request. The respondents consisted of 40 Malay postgraduate students and 40 Spanish postgraduate students. The instrument used to collect data was the Discourse Completion Test, or DCT. Spanish respondents answered DCT in Spanish and Malay respondents also completed the same procedure in the Malay language. Data were analysed using the Beebe declining model, et al. The unit analysed was the statement written by the respondent in response to the situation raised in the DCT. The researchers found that respondents of both countries used more indirect strategies than direct strategies in both refusing contexts. However, based on the frequency of direct strategies, Spanish respondents refused directly more frequently compared to Malay respondents. Thus, although both respondents used the same strategy to refuse invitations and requests, the frequency and percentage of frequency of each strategy were different between the two races. This implies that the perceptions and values of both nations towards such strategies are different based on the values and norms accepted in their respective cultures and societies. Thus, understanding how other national societies perform linguistic practices is essential to avoid conflicts in intercultural communication that could affect universal harmony.


Keywords:
Pragmatic; speech act; refusal; linguistic politeness; cross-cultural politeness



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