On Appropriacy of Thanking: Dynamic Compensation and Adaptation

Abstract

Appropriacy is the paramount consideration of such an inherently polite speech act as thanking in its use. Traditional study of thanking focuses more on the quantitative investigation of its diverse forms and functions than on interpretation of the process in which it is used appropriately and adequately or not among English native or nonnative speakers. This paper particularly explores how to make the speech act of thanking appropriate and acceptable in dynamic context from the perspective of Chinese EFL learners who tend to respond in mute English or Chinglish in cross-culture thanking situation through analysis of the spoken discourse based on cognitive and cultural comparative approach. It contents that in foreign language learning environment, L2 contextual knowledge also comes into compensation for the lack of authentic context compatible with L2 use in the diachronic process of EFL learning as L1 contextual knowledge does. In a specific communicative situation, the learner has to manipulate his contextual cognition consciously and make an appropriate choice among linguistic or strategic forms activated by the two types of contextual knowledge stored in memory. The choice-making needs considering adaptation to dynamic context like the objects of gratitude, the benefactor's psychological state and the communicative social context as the most important parameters. Only in that way is appropriacy of thanking possible in cross-cultural communication.

Relating Efl Learners’ Grammar Knowledge to Their Use of Pragmatic Expressions

“…The use of the expressions definitely will depend on who our interlocutors are, and how the expressions are used is based on the community or social convention (Held, 1999). Therefore, the degree of politeness in expressing thanking between friends will somehow be different from expressing thanking to strangers (Liao, 2013). In this study, two of the students gave a well form gratitude which is only suitable for informal condition between friends, where one of them said "you're my savior, thanks so so so so much".…”

“…It is important for us to be able to use appropriate expressions in thanking based on the discourse. Inappropriate utterances to show our appreciation will result in negative social consequences and damage the relationship (Liao, 2013). EFL teachers should teach their students which expressions to show or to deliver in which situations.…”

“…EFL teachers should teach their students which expressions to show or to deliver in which situations. The ability to show that we are grateful is crucial to maintain the solidarity among interlocutors and to promote social contact within the community (Liao, 2013).…”

The Illocutionary Speech Acts in Students’ Public Speaking

“…In addition, the students' also present the information in their public speaking by giving the directive speech because the speech contains persuasive utterances. In line with this, Liao's (2013) speech act is one that attempts to persuade the listener to take action. In line with this, Morris (2013) states commanding, requesting, and suggesting are all roles of directive acts.…”

The Implied Meaning of Thanking Expressions in Students’ Drama Performance: “The Pursuit of Happyness “Drama

“…It provides a good sense at the end of the conversation. Furthermore, Liao (2013) argues that thanking expressions are polite in closing conversation and making a harmonious relationship between speakers and hearers. At the sametimes, the speakers represent their thanking to hearers.…”