Ambiguity related misunderstanding and clarity enhancing practices in ELF communication

Abstract

AbstractAs research into the use of English as a lingua franca (ELF) intensifies, questions on the implications of the findings for English Language Teaching (ELT) are increasingly being raised. In this regard, research on misunderstanding in ELF has much to offer ELT practitioners. Awareness of what causes misunderstanding means that learners can be trained to take relevant measures to avoid the triggers that contribute to the problem. Among these, ambiguity has been identified as a major source of ELF misunderstanding. This article investigates further the role of ambiguity in triggering misunderstanding and examines some of the practices speakers employ to increase the explicitness of what they say. Based on conversation analytic procedures, speakers were found to enhance the clarity of their talk through the use of a parenthetical remark that provides illustration, description, definition, and comparison of similarity or dissimilarity. Learning activities that provide learners with opportunities to use the aforementioned can contribute to developing in learners the ability to communicate effectively in lingua franca settings.