Realization of the Speech Act of Gratitude by Saudi EFL Learners and Native English Speakers: A Cross-Cultural Study

Abstract

This study is a cross-linguistic study of the speech act of gratitude between Saudi learners as nonnative speakers of English and their United States counterparts. Many studies have shown that even those with high level of linguistic competence may face difficulties when expressing gratitude to a native English speaker (NES). Thus, a nonnative English speaker (NNES) may feel a lack of confidence and fail to express his or her feelings, causing a breakdown in communication. The purpose of this study is to measure the speech act of gratitude in English among NNESs and how this is similar to or different from those of NESs. The data have been collected via an open ended DCT and coded based on Cheng‘s (2005) taxonomy of gratitude strategies. The findings of this study show that NNESs and NESs used all gratitude strategies equally throughout fifteen situations. However, they are significantly different in length of speech. NNESs tend to use longer expressions to express gratitude in situations than do NESs. Also, formality, imposition, religious expressions, intensifiers, and expression of feelings have significant influences on the length of speech for NNESs. Finally, pedagogical implications that may serve as a guide for teachers in helping NNESs to develop expressions of gratitude like native speakers are suggested.