Abstract
Abstract In this paper, we explore how robots can be used to study pragmatic strategies across a number of languages. Robots can assume many of the roles played by human interaction partners in a range of situations. They can be programmed to produce specific behaviours, each time repeating a behaviour in an identical way for as often as necessary. Thus, robots can be useful tools for investigating human behaviour in certain situations and even in cross-cultural contexts. We explore this use of robots in two case studies – one which investigates the delivery of bad news in Danish, German and English, and one which examines the giving of feedback in Danish, German and Polish. In both studies, systematic intercultural differences become apparent in the pragmatic strategies that are adopted. On the basis of the results, we discuss the advantages, potential pitfalls and possible solutions of using robots in the study of contrastive pragmatics.
Highlights
The study of social practices can be problematic as these practices are contingent on many contextual factors – in addition to the general difficulties posed by cross-linguistic studies
Robots can be useful tools for investigating human behaviour in certain situations and even in cross-cultural contexts. We explore this use of robots in two case studies – one which investigates the delivery of bad news in Danish, German and English, and one which examines the giving of feedback in Danish, German and Polish
We propose that, by using robots to experiment with different behaviours, the interactional, interpersonal and behavioural effects of linguistic choices (Fischer, 2016a) can be identified
Summary
The study of social practices can be problematic as these practices are contingent on many contextual factors – in addition to the general difficulties posed by cross-linguistic studies (cf., for instance, Blum-Kulka et al, 1989). The results show that there are significant differences between the two conditions across the four language groups, namely the empathetic delivery of bad news was rated higher with regard to friendliness (F(1, 371) = 21.986, p < .001) (see Figure 5); warmth (F(1, 371) = 7.579, p = .0062); politeness (F(1, 371) = 12.34, p = .00049); and engagement (F(1, 371) = 6.458, p = .0112).
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