REFUSAL STRATEGIES OF MALAY SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH AND NATIVE SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH

Abstract

Refusing is not an easy task since saying “no†is a dispreferred response as an initiator would expect an interlocutor to accept the offer/request/invitation made in an initiating act. In Malaysian context, performing this act is very difficult particularly when having to decline in their second/foreign language. Inability to say ‘no’ appropriately may result in negative emotion such as embarrassment, anger, resentment and guilt as they struggle to contradict their interlocutor’s expectation and at the same time maintaining their interpersonal relationship. This study aims to discover the types and the contents of refusal strategies of the Malay ESL university students (MSE). Findings of the MSE are compared to the English native speakers from an international school (NSE). Data were collected using open role plays based on an offer initiating act i.e. declining a scholarship offer from their institution. Results indicate that both groups employed almost similar refusal strategies; preference for indirect strategies, employment of lesser degree of directness and utilization of positive opinion. However, the contents of their indirect strategies show the impact of culture on their employment of the strategies; the MSEs reflect the eastern values while the NSE the western values.