The Use of Pragmatics by Second Language Learning of English

Authors

  • Senka Ena Majetic

Keywords:

pragmatics, e-mail requests, NNS, NS

Abstract

The current paper provides results of a study that investigated the use of pragmatics by non-native speakers  (NNSs) of English when making e-mail requests. Initial data from the study show that NNSs differ from native speakers (NSs) in politeness and perlocution (i.e. the effect that an utterance has on its recipient) of their English e-mail requests. The data also show that NSs and NNSs differ in the specific pragmatic strategies related to structure and content used in their e-mail requests. Additional data from this study indicates that explicit instruction can positively affect the perlocution of NNS e-mail requests and the long term usage of pragmatics features found in the e-mail messages of NNSs, although the greatest effect is observed in the appropriate usege ofstructural features. The result of this study support the need for instruction of e-mail pragmatics to second language learners and reaveal the possible benefits of such instructions.

 

Author Biography

Senka Ena Majetic

SENKA MAJETIC holds an MA in English and is a member of the Research Area in Languages and Culture. She was born in Zagreb and currently works at the University of Bihac. She was the Head of English Language and Literature Department and lectured several courses Introduction to Linguistics, English Language Teaching Methodology, ESP at Computer studies depatrment, Syntax, Lector's exercises 3,4,5,6. Her interests include film, popular literary generes, EFL curricula design, and interculturality in education.

References

Bardovi-Harling, K. 2001. Evaluating the empirical evidence: grounds for instruction in pragmatics? In K. Rose and G. Kasper (Eds.), Pragmatics in language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Blum-Kulka, S., House, J., Kasper, G., 1989. Cross-cultural pragmatics: Requests and apologies. Norwood: Ablex Publishing.

Brown, P. and Levinson, S. C. 1987. Politeness: Some universals in language usage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Chen, C. F. E. (2001) Making e-mail requests to professors. St. Louis: Taiwanese vs. American Association for Applied Linguistics.

Hacker, D. 2003. A Writer’s Reference (5th ed.). New York: St. Martin’s.

Hall, J. K. 1999. The prosaic of interaction: The development of interactional competence in another language. In E. Hinkel (Eds.) Culture in second language teaching and learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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Published

2013-05-09

How to Cite

Majetic, S. E. (2013). The Use of Pragmatics by Second Language Learning of English. Asian Journal of Education and E-Learning, 1(1). Retrieved from https://ajouronline.com/index.php/AJEEL/article/view/6

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2013): April 2013

Section

Articles

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