Al-Gahtani-Roever2018

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Al-Gahtani-Roever2018
BibType ARTICLE
Key Al-Gahtani-Roever2018
Author(s) Saad Al-Gahtani, Carsten Roever
Title Proficiency and preference organization in second language refusals
Editor(s)
Tag(s) EMCA, Interactional competence, Second language pragmatics, Refusals, Interlanguage pragmatics, Conversation Analysis
Publisher
Year 2018
Language English
City
Month
Journal Journal of Pragmatics
Volume 129
Number
Pages 140–153
URL Link
DOI 10.1016/j.pragma.2018.01.014
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
Chapter

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Abstract

This study investigates the development of second language (L2) learners' interactional competence, specifically how their dispreference marking in refusals changes as their general target language competence and interactional competence increase. 30 L2 speakers of English with L1 Arabic at three proficiency levels and 10 native English speakers conducted dyadic role plays involving requests and refusals. With increasing proficiency, learners' range of interactional methods for implementing refusals as dispreferred actions also increase. Low-proficiency learners showed little delay or mitigation of refusals, whereas intermediate proficiency learners employed “yes but” constructions and other refusal turn formats and showed incipient ability to delay the refusal by sequential means. Advanced learners exhibited more active recipiency, implemented sequential and lexical resources more precisely and conventionally, and had a larger range of methods at their disposal. English native speakers used additional methods, not found in the learner groups, most notably the prefatory particle “well”. We attribute learners' changes in interactional competence to their greater ability to formulate responses while still listening to the interlocutor, and their extensive practice with methods of conveying refusal without damaging social solidarity. We note remaining gaps in even advanced learners' competence, which may require focused instruction.

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