POLITENESS STRATEGIES MANIFESTED IN REFUSAL IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE

Abstract

Based on the theories of speech act, Politeness Strategies, this thesis attempts to analyze the PSs in refusal in English and Vietnamese. The data used in this study are collected via two questionnaires: the metapragmatic questionnaire (MTQ) and discourse completion task (DCT) questionnaire. The former is to help test the validity and reliability of the act of refusing in English and Vietnamese in particular situations. The later is designed for Politeness strategies analysis in the influences of relations. In addition, the informants’ social parameters such as age, gender, marital status, occupation, and living area are also taken into consideration. The findings of the study are compared and contrasted to show the major similarities and differences in the ways ENSs and VNSs refuse the others. The writer hopes to help interlocutors avoid communication breakdowns in Vietnamese - English communication in the investigated areas and situations.