Apologies in Arabic and English: An inter-language and cross-cultural study

Abstract

This paper focuses on the investigation of English apology strategies as employed in various social situations by Arab learners of English studying in India. These strategies are compared and contrasted against the strategies elicited in the same situations from Indian English speakers, American English speakers, and British English speakers. Pragmatic transfer from Arabic is also examined. The study findings reveal that the religious beliefs, concepts and values are responsible for many deviations in the Arab learners’ language from that of the native speakers. Moreover, Arabs using English are more keen on taking on responsibility, whereas the English native speakers are more keen on formulaic offers of repair or verbal redress. Interesting similarities in the selection of arrangement patterns of the major apology strategies are found between the Arab learners’ data and the data elicited from Indian English speakers. This is interpreted as a result of some aspects of cultural similarities. Finally, some pedagogical implications are highlighted.