Speech Acts Bibliography:
Other Speech Acts

Thuy, M. T. (March, 2003). Criticizing in a second language. Paper presented at the American Association for Applied Linguistics Annual Conference, Arlington, VA.

This paper reports a study of the pragmatic strategies used by a group of L2 learners when criticizing in English with a view to shedding light on the pragmatic properties of this under-researched act. Data were collected from a random sample of five native speakers (NSs) of New Zealand English and five L2 low-intermediate learners, with mixed first languages, via eight role-play situations. A New Zealand interlocutor was also recruited to role-play with them. A total of 67 conversations was transcribed and analyzed in terms of four broad criticism realization strategies: direct criticism, request for change, hints and sarcasm, and opting out. Each strategy includes a number of sub-strategies. Data were coded independently by two coders. The inter-rater reliability coefficient was .80. Results of a Chi square test show that the L2 learners criticized in significantly different ways from the NSs (c 2 = 11.808 at a = .008). Unlike the NSs, who made quite regular use of all strategies, the learners relied predominantly on direct criticism and request for change. This may reflect their lack of knowledge of the language needed to perform more indirect strategies. The learners also opted out significantly less frequently than the NSs in those situations where the NSs found criticizing inappropriate. This can be explained by the learners’ non-target sociopragmatic competence. Furthermore, in the instances where learners used the same strategy as the NSs, they nonetheless differed in their choice of semantic formulas and mitigating devices.

Takami, T. (2002). A study on closing sections of Japanese telephone conversations. Working Papers in Educational Linguistics, 18 (1), 67-85.

The study used quantitative discourse analysis to examine how Japanese telephone closings are realized between intimates with three phases of the closing section: pre-closing, terminal exchanges, and leave-taking. The study found preferable and frequently-used patterns at all three phases.

Valeiras Viso, J. (2002). 'Deja tu mensaje después de la señal': Despedidas y otros elementos de la sección de cierre en mensajes dejados en contestadores automáticos en Madrid y Londres. In Placencia, M. E. & Bravo, D. (Eds.), Actos de habla y cortesía en español (pp. 209-32). Amsterdam, Netherlands: LINCOM Europa.

Answering machine messages provide interesting insight into cultural variation. This study systematically examines this variation through a comparison of the closing sections of 70 answering machine messages in British English, 70 messages in Peninsular Spanish, and questionnaires examining cultural perceptions of answering machines. In both language varieties, the length of the closing section was dependent upon the relationship between interlocutors. Even still, a great deal of variation was found in the particulars indicative of closings, expressions of future contact, and leave-takings. The British English speakers rarely used more than one particular for closing (e.g., ok, ok?, so, anyway, alright?), whereas the Peninsular Spanish groups tended to use a combination of two or more together (e.g., Vale?, Venga, Bueno, Pues nada, Eh?). Both groups also included expressions of future contact; however, the British English speakers demonstrated a wider variety of strategies usually referring to "speaking" soon. The Peninsular Spanish speakers tended to refer to "seeing" the interlocutor later. The most variation was found in leave-takings. The British English speakers used a total of 6 strategies whereas the Peninsular Spanish speakers utilized 21 different strategies. In general, the author concludes that a different perception of answering machines pervades in each cultural group. The British English speakers seem to see the messages as more of a threat to privacy and show ease and precision in closing. However, the Peninsular Spanish group tends to show more difficulty in closing due to the need to maintain solidarity.