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Article published In: Language and Dialogue
Vol. 15:2 (2025) ► pp.262–281

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The realization of apologies in a second language

 | Izmir Democracy University
Published online: 14 February 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/ld.00194.gec
Abstract
This study examines intercultural pragmatic competence in the way advanced Turkish learners of English realize the act of apologizing in English. The data were obtained from six dialogic scenarios of apologies that the students acted out in class. The main objective was to explore the role of gender and directness in the use of apology strategies (AS) in English as a foreign language (EFL) within the framework of the Mixed Game Model. In this dialogic model, the situation-based act-outs were video-recorded, transcribed, and coded either as direct or indirect AS use. The use of illocutionary force indicating devices as a direct AS and assuming responsibility and offering repair as indirect AS use stood out for both groups. Males were more indirect in their AS than females. The paper concludes that directness, rather than gender, is a key predictor in realizing apologies in a second language.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
  • 3.Method
    • 3.1Instrument
    • 3.2Procedures
    • 3.3Participants
    • 3.4Data coding
    • 3.5Data analysis
  • 4.Findings
    • 4.1Apology strategies across genders
    • 4.3The interaction between gender and directness in AS use
  • 5.Discussion
  • 6.Conclusion
  • References
References (70)
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