scholarly journals Pragmatic Transfer in Advanced Saudi EFL Learners’ Refusals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jawaher Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Juraywi
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Baseline Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Similar Frequency ◽  
Pragmatic Transfer ◽  
Refusal Strategies ◽  
Data Group

The present study investigated pragmatic transfer in the refusals of advanced Saudi learners of English as a foreign language (SEFL) in terms of the frequency and content of the emantic formulas, and whether their refusals correspond more to those of Saudi native speakers of Arabic (NSA) or native speakers of English (NSE). A total of 45 female subjects participated in the study and were divided into three groups: advanced SEFL as the target group (n = 15), NSA as a baseline data group (n = 15), and NSE as a baseline data group (n = 15). The study employed a mixed-method data collection approach consisting of a Discourse Completion Test (DCT) and semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using the chi-square test and descriptive statistics. The results of the study revealed that pragmatic transfer was evident in the refusals of the SEFL group in both the frequency and content of semantic formulas. Moreover, the SEFL group’s realization of the speech act of refusal corresponded more to the NSA group than the NSE group. The analysis revealed that the SEFL group’s use of the direct refusal strategies, indirect refusal strategies, and adjuncts to refusals either resembled or approximated the NSA group’s use of the strategies to refuse all of the four stimulus types: requests, invitations, offers, and suggestions. Both the SEFL and NSA groups used the direct refusal strategies in a similar pattern; they used the direct strategies significantly less with interlocutors of a lower and higher social status, and significantly more with interlocutors of an equal social status. Furthermore, the content of the semantic formulas used by the SEFL group corresponded more to the content of the semantic formulas used by the NSA group in terms of the degree of specificity and the choice of the type of specific excuses. The SEFL group significantly approximated the NSA group’s use of both specific and unspecific excuses; they used three categories of specific excuses in a similar frequency: family, health, and personal preferences or needs.

scholarly journals Pragmatic Transfer in Advanced Saudi EFL Learners’ Refusals

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-85
Author(s):  
Jawaher Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Juraywi
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Baseline Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Similar Frequency ◽  
Pragmatic Transfer ◽  
Refusal Strategies ◽  
Data Group

The present study investigated pragmatic transfer in the refusals of advanced Saudi learners of English as a foreign language (SEFL) in terms of the frequency and content of the emantic formulas, and whether their refusals correspond more to those of Saudi native speakers of Arabic (NSA) or native speakers of English (NSE). A total of 45 female subjects participated in the study and were divided into three groups: advanced SEFL as the target group (n = 15), NSA as a baseline data group (n = 15), and NSE as a baseline data group (n = 15). The study employed a mixed-method data collection approach consisting of a Discourse Completion Test (DCT) and semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using the chi-square test and descriptive statistics. The results of the study revealed that pragmatic transfer was evident in the refusals of the SEFL group in both the frequency and content of semantic formulas. Moreover, the SEFL group’s realization of the speech act of refusal corresponded more to the NSA group than the NSE group. The analysis revealed that the SEFL group’s use of the direct refusal strategies, indirect refusal strategies, and adjuncts to refusals either resembled or approximated the NSA group’s use of the strategies to refuse all of the four stimulus types: requests, invitations, offers, and suggestions. Both the SEFL and NSA groups used the direct refusal strategies in a similar pattern; they used the direct strategies significantly less with interlocutors of a lower and higher social status, and significantly more with interlocutors of an equal social status. Furthermore, the content of the semantic formulas used by the SEFL group corresponded more to the content of the semantic formulas used by the NSA group in terms of the degree of specificity and the choice of the type of specific excuses. The SEFL group significantly approximated the NSA group’s use of both specific and unspecific excuses; they used three categories of specific excuses in a similar frequency: family, health, and personal preferences or needs.

scholarly journals A Sociolinguistic Study of the Realization of Refusals Among Yemeni EFL Learners

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 172
Author(s):  
Yasser Alrefaee ◽  
Naimah Alghamdi ◽  
Najeeb Almansoob
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Written Discourse ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Pragmatic Transfer ◽  
Pragmatic Failure ◽  
Completion Test ◽  
Native Speakers Of English ◽  
Refusal Strategies ◽  
Name Of God

The present paper attempts to study the realization of refusal responses to invitations and requests among Yemen EFL learners in equal, higher and lower social status. It also aims to find out the pragmatic failure resulted from negative pragmatic transfer. In order to do so, refusals of 40 Yemeni EFL (20 high and 20 low proficient) learners were compared with refusals of 20 native speakers of English (ENS) and 20 native speakers of Arabic (ANS). Data were collected using a Written Discourse Completion Test (WDCT) consisting of six refusals to invitations and requests in higher, equal and lower social status. This study finds out that Yemenis and Americans used different refusal strategies when refusing persons of equal and lower social status. ANS also used the adjunct of invoking the name of God which is religiously rooted and culturally specific to assert their excuses. Interestingly, Yemeni EFL learners showed a tendency toward the L1 pragmatic norms in the use of invoking the name of God and also in the use of more Direct strategies when refusing someone equal or lower in status. With respect to the content of refusals, Yemenis used general and vague excuses when refusing someone equal or lower in social status whereas Americans, on the other hand, were found to use detailed and clear excuses with persons of different social status.

scholarly journals Pragma-linguistic and Socio-pragmatic Transfer among Iraqi Female EFL Learners in Refusing Marriage Proposals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabarek Ali Qassim ◽  
Nawal Fadhil Abbas ◽  
Fatima Falih Ahmed ◽  
Sura Hameed
Keyword(s):  
Native Speakers ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Slight Variation ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Language And Culture ◽  
Pragmatic Transfer ◽  
Lower Status ◽  
Native Speakers Of English ◽  
Linguistic Transfer ◽  
Refusal Strategies

In the framework of this study, the phenomenon of transfer is probed pragma-linguistically and socio-linguistically concerning marriage situations among Iraqi EFL learners. The study also strives to look at the refusal strategies most commonly employed by Iraqi female English as a foreign Language (EFL) learners compared to their counterparts, American native speakers of English. The study involved 70 female participants who answered a Discourse Completion Task (DCT), which contained ten marriage proposals to be refused. Each situation entailed refusal of a person from a higher, an equal, and lower status. The researchers adapted Beebe, Takahashi, and Uliss Weltz’s (1990) taxonomy of refusal for analyzing the data comprehensively. The study’s findings indicated that Iraqi female EFL learners followed similar patterns of refusing marriage situations to American speakers. The most prevalent strategies used by the two groups were “reasons/ excuses and explanations,” followed by “statements of regrets,” and then “non-performative statements” with slight variation in frequency. However, the Iraqi learners’ native language and culture affected how they formulated their refusal; hence they manifested pragma-linguistic and socio-pragmatic transfer in particular areas. The areas of pragma-linguistic transfer included the literal translation of words, expressions, and structures into their refusal in English. As for the socio-pragmatic areas, the transfer occurred in certain Arabic culture features like elaboration, exaggeration, repetition, endearing terms, and many others in expressing the target language, English.

scholarly journals Pragma-linguistic and Socio-pragmatic Transfer among Iraqi Female EFL Learners in Refusing Marriage Proposals

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 521-539
Author(s):  
Tabarek Ali Qassim ◽  
Nawal Fadhel Abbas ◽  
Fatima Falih Ahmed ◽  
Sura Hameed
Keyword(s):  
Native Speakers ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Slight Variation ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Language And Culture ◽  
Pragmatic Transfer ◽  
Lower Status ◽  
Native Speakers Of English ◽  
Linguistic Transfer ◽  
Refusal Strategies

In the framework of this study, the phenomenon of transfer is probed pragma-linguistically and socio-linguistically concerning marriage situations among Iraqi EFL learners. The study also strives to look at the refusal strategies most commonly employed by Iraqi female English as a foreign Language (EFL) learners compared to their counterparts, American native speakers of English. The study involved 70 female participants who answered a Discourse Completion Task (DCT), which contained ten marriage proposals to be refused. Each situation entailed refusal of a person from a higher, an equal, and lower status. The researchers adapted Beebe, Takahashi, and Uliss Weltz’s (1990) taxonomy of refusal for analyzing the data comprehensively. The study’s findings indicated that Iraqi female EFL learners followed similar patterns of refusing marriage situations to American speakers. The most prevalent strategies used by the two groups were “reasons/ excuses and explanations,” followed by “statements of regrets,” and then “non-performative statements” with slight variation in frequency. However, the Iraqi learners’ native language and culture affected how they formulated their refusal; hence they manifested pragma-linguistic and socio-pragmatic transfer in particular areas. The areas of pragma-linguistic transfer included the literal translation of words, expressions, and structures into their refusal in English. As for the socio-pragmatic areas, the transfer occurred in certain Arabic culture features like elaboration, exaggeration, repetition, endearing terms, and many others in expressing the target language, English.

scholarly journals Female university teachers’ realizations of the speech act of refusal

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1308-1328
Author(s):  
Dina Abdel Salam El-Dakhs ◽  
Jawaher Nasser Alhaqbani ◽  
Sofia Adan
Keyword(s):  
Native Speakers ◽  
American English ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Pragmatic Transfer ◽  
Cross Cultural Differences ◽  
General Preference ◽  
Saudi Arabic ◽  
Refusal Strategies

The current study investigates how university teachers decline students’ requests and examines the teachers’ refusal strategies from cross-cultural and interlanguage perspectives. To this end, 60 female university teachers at a private Saudi university participated in 10 role-plays which involved them in declining several students’ requests. The participants consisted of three groups; 20 native speakers of American English (NSE), 20 native speakers of Saudi Arabic (NSA) and 20 native speakers of Saudi Arabic who completed the role-plays in English as non-native speakers of the language (NNSE). The role-plays were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were coded using Beebe, Takahashi, and Uliss-Weltz’s (1990) refusal model and Trosborg’s (1995) model of internal modifiers. The results revealed the teachers’ general preference for the use of indirect over direct refusal strategies and the American teachers’ stronger tendency to use indirect and mitigating internal modifiers than Arab teachers. The results also showed that the cross-cultural differences between the American and the Arab teachers were limited and that there was no effect for negative pragmatic transfer for the NNSE. The results are interpreted in terms of relevant theoretical models and the existing literature.

Impossible requests: L2 users' sociopragmatic and pragmalinguistic choices in L1 acts of refusal

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 32-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Ewert ◽  
Katarzyna Bromberek-Dyzman
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Alternative Explanation ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Baseline Data ◽  
Pragmatic Transfer ◽  
Language Knowledge ◽  
Completion Test ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Native Speakers Of English

The study compares pragmalinguistic knowledge of the L1 in non-routine situations in L2 users and L2 learners, aiming to see to what extent pragmalinguistic behaviours in the L1 are influenced by exposure to the L2. The first part of the paper discusses the nature of bilingual language knowledge and transfer in multicompetence. In the experiment, refusals to untypical requests were elicited by means of a discourse completion test (DCT). The L2 users in this study appear to be “more native than the native speaker” (Cook, Iarossi, Stellakis, & Tokumaru 2003) in their choice of semantic formulas, as compared to monolingual speakers of their L1. Since pragmatic transfer is ruled out by the baseline data from native speakers of English, an alternative explanation is proposed, based on the L2 users’ increased sensitivity to interactional demands (Genesee, Tucker & Lambert 1975), more varied experience at social interaction and changed perception of their L1.

Identifying Communities’ Perspectives on their Health Needs in Impoverished Villages to Guide Non-government Organizations’ Health Promotion Efforts in Guatemala

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 9-20
Author(s):  
Claudia Bale
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Personal Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Non Profit

Objective: The aim of this mixed-methods study is to capture and understand impoverished Guatemalan community members’ perspectives of their own health needs on a community level in order to guide Hope of Life (HOL) Non-Profit organization’s health promotion interventions in the villages they serve. Methods: A modified health needs assessment survey was conducted with 96 participants from four impoverished villages in the department of Zacapa, Guatemala. Survey responses were analyzed for significant differences in 4-item individual, family, and community health scores across demographic variables and significant correlations with reported personal health conditions and children’s health conditions. Five semi-structured interviews were also conducted with community leaders from three of the villages surveyed. Interviews were audio recorded and responses were transcribed verbatim and translated from Spanish to English. Thematic analysis using HyperRESEARCH qualitative analysis software version 4.5.0. was conducted to identify major themes. Results: The mean age of the 96 participants surveyed was 40.4 years and the majority were women, married or in Union, and have children. Women reported a significantly lower individual and family health score than men. The most rural village included in the study had significantly lower family health scores than the three sub-urban villages in the study. Among the personal health problems reported by participants, alcohol consumption, dental problems, and malnutrition were significant predictors of lower individual health scores. Themes that emerged from the interview analysis included the greatest community health needs, perceived negative community health behaviors, barriers to health care access, HOL’s impact, and suggestions for community health promotion.   Conclusion: The results of this study reveal many unmet health needs and barriers to healthcare that Guatemalan village communities face. Community-based participatory research using a mixed approach voices communities’ perspective on their perceived needs and is an important tool to guide non-profit aid and intervention serving impoverished communities.

scholarly journals The role of economic, educational and social resources in supporting the use of digital health technologies by people with T2D: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Turnbull ◽  
Patricia J. Lucas ◽  
Alastair D. Hay ◽  
Christie Cabral
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Social Resources ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Digital Skills ◽  
Care Support

Abstract Background Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a common chronic disease, with socially patterned incidence and severity. Digital self-care interventions have the potential to reduce health disparities, by providing personalised low-cost reusable resources that can increase access to health interventions. However, if under-served groups are unable to access or use digital technologies, Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) might make no difference, or worse, exacerbate health inequity. Study aims To gain insights into how and why people with T2D access and use DHTs and how experiences vary between individuals and social groups. Methods A purposive sample of people with experience of using a DHT to help them self-care for T2D were recruited through diabetes and community groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person and over the phone. Data were analysed thematically. Results A diverse sample of 21 participants were interviewed. Health care practitioners were not viewed as a good source of information about DHTs that could support T2D. Instead participants relied on their digital skills and social networks to learn about what DHTs are available and helpful. The main barriers to accessing and using DHT described by the participants were availability of DHTs from the NHS, cost and technical proficiency. However, some participants described how they were able to draw on social resources such as their social networks and social status to overcome these barriers. Participants were motivated to use DHTs because they provided self-care support, a feeling of control over T2D, and personalised advice or feedback. The selection of technology was also guided by participants’ preferences and what they valued in relation to DHTs and self-care support, and these in turn were influenced by age and gender. Conclusion This research indicates that low levels of digital skills and high cost of digital health interventions can create barriers to the access and use of DHTs to support the self-care of T2D. However, social networks and social status can be leveraged to overcome some of these challenges. If digital interventions are to decrease rather than exacerbate health inequalities, these barriers and facilitators to access and use must be considered when DHTs are developed and implemented.

scholarly journals In Their Own Words: Parents and Key Informants’ Views on Nutrition Education and Family Health Behaviors

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8155
Author(s):  
Katherine E. McManus ◽  
Adrian Bertrand ◽  
Anastasia M. Snelling ◽  
Elizabeth W. Cotter
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Family Health ◽  
High Body Mass Index ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Black African ◽  
Key Informants

Parents, health professionals, and communities are integral in the development of nutrition behaviors that reduce children’s risk for high body mass index (BMI) and chronic disease. The aim of this study was to conduct formative evaluations with key health informants and parents to understand the specific strategies that families use at mealtimes to promote their family’s health, along with the barriers they face in attending current nutrition education programming. Focus groups (in English and Spanish) were conducted with parents (n = 22; 63.64% Black/African American, 13.64% Black but not African American, 18.18% Hispanic/Latinx) whose household was located in a community where 50% of residents’ gross income was ≤185% of the federal poverty level. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six key informants with expertise in family health and nutrition. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify themes across interviews. Six general themes emerged from the interviews including perceptions of health, relationships, health behaviors, facilitators, barriers, and desired changes. Across the six themes, participants responded with suggestions for community-based health promotion programs such as incorporating a broader definition of health to better address the individual and systemic barriers that perpetuate health inequities and make healthy eating difficult. Participants identified stress reduction, health literacy, and cooking knowledge as areas of interest for future programming.

scholarly journals O enfermeiro e a questão da adesão do paciente ao tratamento da hipertensão arterial sistêmica [Nurses and patient adherence to treatment for systemic arterial hypertension] [El enfermero y la cuestión de la adhesión del paciente al tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial sistémica]

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. e37193
Author(s):  
Anna Luisa de Oliveira Salles ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Peres Sampaio ◽  
Leonardo Dos Santos Pereira ◽  
Nickson Scarpine Malheiros ◽  
Renan Araújo Gonçalves
Keyword(s):  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Patient Adherence ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Adherence To Treatment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Systemic Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Health Strategy ◽  
El Sistema ◽  
Family Health Strategy

Objetivo: identificar os recursos utilizados pelo enfermeiro da estratégia saúde da família (ESF) para estimular a adesão do paciente ao tratamento da Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica. Método: abordagem qualitativa. O projeto foi aprovado por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. A coleta de dados ocorreu no período de abril a agosto de 2017, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com 10 enfermeiros atuantes em unidades de ESF localizadas no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Os depoimentos dos sujeitos foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: os enfermeiros realizam consultas de enfermagem garantindo a adesão dos participantes em atividades educativas de grupo, como palestras e orientações de enfermagem. Conclusão: o sistema utilizado na adesão ao tratamento é similar entre as unidades de ESF mantendo um padrão preconizado pela literatura.ABSTRACTObjective: to identify the resources used by Family Health Strategy (FHS) nurses to encourage patient adherence to treatment for Systemic Arterial Hypertension. Method: qualitative approach. The project was approved by the research ethics committee. Data were collected between April and August 2017, through semi-structured interviews of 10 nurses working in FHS units in Rio de Janeiro state. The transcriptions underwent Bardin content analysis. Results: the nurses held nursing appointments thus fostering participants’ adherence in group educational activities, such as talks and nursing guidance sessions. Conclusion: the treatment adherence system used is similar among FHS units, maintaining a pattern recommended by the literature.RESUMENObjetivo: identificar los recursos utilizados por el enfermero de la estrategia de salud familiar (ESF) para estimular la adhesión del paciente al tratamiento de la hipertensión. Método: enfoque cualitativo. El proyecto fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación. La recolección de datos ocurrió en el período entre abril y agosto de 2017, por medio de entrevista semiestructurada junto a 10 enfermeros que trabajan en unidades de ESF ubicadas en el estado de Río de Janeiro. Las declaraciones fueron sometidas al análisis de contenido de Bardin. Resultados: los enfermeros realizan consultas de enfermería garantizando la adhesión de los participantes en actividades educativas de grupo, como charlas y orientaciones de enfermería. Conclusión: el sistema utilizado en la adhesión al tratamiento es similar entre las unidades de ESF manteniendo un patrón preconizado por la literatura.

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