Abstract
The acquisition of language as well as the acquisition of social consideration, or politeness, are two sets of separate skills. However, the lack of language knowledge by an English language learner can result in social mistakes that can be perceived as impolite by native speakers. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between English language proficiency and politeness in making requests at retail shops, specifically focusing on Saudi students in the United States. There were five participants in this study: two Saudi ESL students with low English proficiency; two Saudi Ph. D. students with advanced English proficiency, and an American waiter who speaks English as a native language. The study was conducted by using a qualitative research method in two phases. The first phase included observing all participants during interaction, and the second phase included interviewing a server at one of the restaurants where the students visited. The main findings revealed that there was no strong correlation between politeness and English language proficiency in making requests. However, there were some factors found in this study that contributed to politeness level, such as intonations and the use of politeness markers.
Highlights
The aim of language is to understand another’s message through verbal communication
The main findings revealed that there was no strong correlation between politeness and English language proficiency in making requests
When there is a conversation between a native English speaker from America and nonnative English speaker from Saudi Arabia, both varying in their linguistic ability and their cultural backgrounds, do we expect them to communicate the same way American speakers do with each other? Do we expect the same level of politeness and respect from native-to-native communication as we do between native-and-nonnative communication? In this paper, I will explore the relationship between English language proficiency and politeness in making requests for Saudi students who study in the United States
Summary
The aim of language is to understand another’s message through verbal communication. People share ideas, information, and feelings when they interact (Saville-Troike & Barto, 2006). People who have different linguistic abilities with a specific language may lead to a misunderstanding (Varonis & Gass, 1985). Some misunderstanding might happen owing to the different linguistic ability whenever there is an interaction between native and nonnative speakers of the language (Bolden, 2012; Hosoda, 2006; Park, 2007). When there is a conversation between a native English speaker from America and nonnative English speaker from Saudi Arabia, both varying in their linguistic ability and their cultural backgrounds, do we expect them to communicate the same way American speakers do with each other? I will explore the relationship between English language proficiency and politeness in making requests for Saudi students who study in the United States When there is a conversation between a native English speaker from America and nonnative English speaker from Saudi Arabia, both varying in their linguistic ability and their cultural backgrounds, do we expect them to communicate the same way American speakers do with each other? Do we expect the same level of politeness and respect from native-to-native communication as we do between native-and-nonnative communication? In this paper, I will explore the relationship between English language proficiency and politeness in making requests for Saudi students who study in the United States
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