Research Forum: Apologies in English by Japanese Learners

Page No.: 
75
Writer(s): 
Sachiko Narita, Kyoto, Japan; Richard Young, University of Wisconsin-Madison

What makes the pragmatics of a second language difficult is a
difference in the interpretation of certain kinds of behaviour
by different cultures. For example, an apology in one culture
may be interpreted as an expression of thanks in another culture, or a
polite request in one culture may seem rude in another. If a certain type
of behavior is interpreted the same way in first language (Ll) and second
language (L2) speech communities, then learners will have an advantage;
but if it is not, then it becomes dangerous for learners to always
rely on their L1 intuitions in an L2. Since L2 and L1 expressions may
have the same referential meanings but different social meanings learners
may misuse language by transferring the use of words in their native
language to the target language. Wolfson (989) calls this behavior pragmatic
transfer and defines it as "using the rules of speaking from one's
own native speech community ... when speaking or writing in a second
language" (p. 141).

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