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Article published In: Language and Dialogue
Vol. 15:3 (2025) ► pp.380–410

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How are suggestions formulated in Saudi Arabia and New Zealand?

A cross-cultural pragmatic study

 | Prince Sultan University
 | Prince Sultan University | Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington
Published online: 18 August 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/ld.00207.dak
Abstract
The current study compared the realization of the speech act of suggestion between Saudi Arabia and New Zealand. A total of 160 participants took part in the study, half of whom were Saudis (40 identified as males and 40 as females) while the other half were from New Zealand (40 identified as males and 40 as females). The participants performed a role-play task consisting of six scenarios which varied in social distance and dominance. Compared to New Zealanders, Saudis produced a significantly higher number of direct suggestion strategies, in the form of performatives, imperatives and negative imperatives. On the contrary, New Zealanders used a significantly higher number of conventionalized forms, including specific formula and “need” structures, compared to Saudis. Additionally, the two groups of participants were differently influenced by such variables as gender, social distance and social dominance. The results are discussed in relation to the existing literature and the Mixed Game Model.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Theoretical framework
    • 2.1Weigand’s Mixed Game Model
    • 2.2Martínez-Flor’s taxonomy of suggestions
  • 3.Literature review
  • 4.Methodology
    • 4.1Participants
    • 4.2Instrument
    • 4.3Procedure
    • 4.4Data coding
  • 5.Results
    • RQ1: How do New Zealanders and Saudis realize the speech act of suggestion?
    • RQ2. How similar are suggestion strategies in New Zealand and Saudi Arabia?
    • RQ3. What is the influence of gender on the suggestion behaviour of New Zealand and Saudi Arabia?
    • RQ4. What is the influence of social distance on the suggestion behaviour of New Zealand and Saudi Arabia?
    • RQ5. What is the influence of social dominance on the suggestion behavior of New Zealand and Saudi Arabia?
  • 6.Discussion
  • 7.Conclusion
  • References
References (36)
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