Indirectness in Female Conversations: Exploring Differences in Interactions with Females and Males in Mosuli Arabic Conversations

Abstract

This study explores the use of indirectness in female conversations, specifically examining the differences in indirectness when interacting with females and males. The hypothesis posits that females employ indirectness differently based on the gender of their interlocutors and that politeness serves as the main motivation for using indirect communication. The research aims to investigate the patterns of indirectness in informal everyday conversations. Data were collected from Mosuli Arabic participants, aged 30-50, with similar social backgrounds but varying educational levels. The study adopts Holtgraves' speech act theory (2002) and Grice's cooperative principle (1975) as the theoretical framework for data analysis. The analysis focuses on 12 selected extracts from smartphone recordings of family, friends, and relative gatherings. Findings reveal that females employ indirectness in distinct ways when interacting with females and males. Politeness, particularly positive politeness, emerges as a primary motivation for using indirect communication in both contexts. In female-female interactions, the nature of the relationship between interlocutors plays a significant role, leading to indirectness being used for intensity, politeness, or even shaming. Cultural factors influence the occurrence of impolite and shaming messages among Arab females. Findings also reveal that in interactions with males, politeness remains prominent, but indirectness is also employed for criticism and defending others. The use of indirectness with males appears to be less influenced by the relationship or age between interlocutors. These findings highlight the complex nature of indirect communication, which is influenced by factors like politeness, dynamics within relationships, and cultural influences.