When a speaker uses a second language, the linguistic structures of his/her own language are some... more When a speaker uses a second language, the linguistic structures of his/her own language are sometimes unknowingly transferred to the target language. This is called pragmatic transfer. If the linguistic structures (speech acts) are not adequate or are unusual in the target culture, this could cause a native interlocutor to give a wrong interpretation of the intention of the speaker. Unawareness of the linguistic strategies that are typical of a different culture can cause misinterpretations on the intention of the speaker and even to provoke losing face, which in business might lead to a potential conflict in negotiation. The results of this study, thus, can be applied to the creation of guidelines to improve communication with and interpretation of people of different cultures. By knowing how each group transmits their cultural values in their speech, speakers can understand better the motivations of their counterparts communicate more effectively and avoid conflict.
This paper analyses the pragmatic transference of speech acts produced by native speakers of French (France) and Spanish (Spain) when they use English as a second language in the context of persuasive discourse in business negotiation. The 22 participants are all managers of a French company working at its branch in Barcelona (Spain).
In this preliminary study we’ll contrast both quantitatively and qualitatively the occurrence and frequency of speech acts in both groups in a sample based on written text (email) in English. Our hypothesis is that quantitative differences will indicate pragmatic transference from their own languages. For the qualitative analysis of pragmatic transfer we will take into consideration the variables of power and social distance that are reflected in the use of courtesy. Our findings will be contrasted with the proposals of Geert Hofstede, to assess whether there is a relation between each culture and these linguistic differences.
Results show that although there are differences in the way each group address the different interlocutors; being the participants in the group of Spanish language more direct in their productions while the French group tends to use strategies that put distance between them and the interlocutor.
Findings here show that there are certain visible correspondences between the distinctive characteristics of every language and the differences in scores found in the cultural dimensions of Hofstede. The results of this study could contribute to the creation of a communication and interpretation guide between people of different cultures which, by showing how each group transmit their cultural values in the discourse could help both parts to interpret successfully the intention of speaker, communicate in a more efficient way and avoid conflict.
When a speaker uses a second language, the linguistic structures of his/her own language are some... more When a speaker uses a second language, the linguistic structures of his/her own language are sometimes unknowingly transferred to the target language. This is called pragmatic transfer. If the linguistic structures (speech acts) are not adequate or are unusual in the target culture, this could cause a native interlocutor to give a wrong interpretation of the intention of the speaker. Unawareness of the linguistic strategies that are typical of a different culture can cause misinterpretations on the intention of the speaker and even to provoke losing face, which in business might lead to a potential conflict in negotiation. The results of this study, thus, can be applied to the creation of guidelines to improve communication with and interpretation of people of different cultures. By knowing how each group transmits their cultural values in their speech, speakers can understand better the motivations of their counterparts communicate more effectively and avoid conflict.
This paper analyses the pragmatic transference of speech acts produced by native speakers of French (France) and Spanish (Spain) when they use English as a second language in the context of persuasive discourse in business negotiation. The 22 participants are all managers of a French company working at its branch in Barcelona (Spain).
In this preliminary study we’ll contrast both quantitatively and qualitatively the occurrence and frequency of speech acts in both groups in a sample based on written text (email) in English. Our hypothesis is that quantitative differences will indicate pragmatic transference from their own languages. For the qualitative analysis of pragmatic transfer we will take into consideration the variables of power and social distance that are reflected in the use of courtesy. Our findings will be contrasted with the proposals of Geert Hofstede, to assess whether there is a relation between each culture and these linguistic differences.
Results show that although there are differences in the way each group address the different interlocutors; being the participants in the group of Spanish language more direct in their productions while the French group tends to use strategies that put distance between them and the interlocutor.
Findings here show that there are certain visible correspondences between the distinctive characteristics of every language and the differences in scores found in the cultural dimensions of Hofstede. The results of this study could contribute to the creation of a communication and interpretation guide between people of different cultures which, by showing how each group transmit their cultural values in the discourse could help both parts to interpret successfully the intention of speaker, communicate in a more efficient way and avoid conflict.
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Papers by Monica Alvarez
If the linguistic structures (speech acts) are not adequate or are unusual in the target culture, this could cause a native interlocutor to give a wrong interpretation of the intention of the speaker.
Unawareness of the linguistic strategies that are typical of a different culture can cause misinterpretations on the intention of the speaker and even to provoke losing face, which in business might lead to a potential conflict in negotiation. The results of this study, thus, can be applied to the creation of guidelines to improve communication with and interpretation of people of different cultures. By knowing how each group transmits their cultural values in their speech, speakers can understand better the motivations of their counterparts communicate more effectively and avoid conflict.
This paper analyses the pragmatic transference of speech acts produced by native speakers of French (France) and Spanish (Spain) when they use English as a second language in the context of persuasive discourse in business negotiation. The 22 participants are all managers of a French company working at its branch in Barcelona (Spain).
In this preliminary study we’ll contrast both quantitatively and qualitatively the occurrence and frequency of speech acts in both groups in a sample based on written text (email) in English. Our hypothesis is that quantitative differences will indicate pragmatic transference from their own languages. For the qualitative analysis of pragmatic transfer we will take into consideration the variables of power and social distance that are reflected in the use of courtesy. Our findings will be contrasted with the proposals of Geert Hofstede, to assess whether there is a relation between each culture and these linguistic differences.
Results show that although there are differences in the way each group address the different interlocutors; being the participants in the group of Spanish language more direct in their productions while the French group tends to use strategies that put distance between them and the interlocutor.
Findings here show that there are certain visible correspondences between the distinctive characteristics of every language and the differences in scores found in the cultural dimensions of Hofstede.
The results of this study could contribute to the creation of a communication and interpretation guide between people of different cultures which, by showing how each group transmit their cultural values in the discourse could help both parts to interpret successfully the intention of speaker, communicate in a more efficient way and avoid conflict.
If the linguistic structures (speech acts) are not adequate or are unusual in the target culture, this could cause a native interlocutor to give a wrong interpretation of the intention of the speaker.
Unawareness of the linguistic strategies that are typical of a different culture can cause misinterpretations on the intention of the speaker and even to provoke losing face, which in business might lead to a potential conflict in negotiation. The results of this study, thus, can be applied to the creation of guidelines to improve communication with and interpretation of people of different cultures. By knowing how each group transmits their cultural values in their speech, speakers can understand better the motivations of their counterparts communicate more effectively and avoid conflict.
This paper analyses the pragmatic transference of speech acts produced by native speakers of French (France) and Spanish (Spain) when they use English as a second language in the context of persuasive discourse in business negotiation. The 22 participants are all managers of a French company working at its branch in Barcelona (Spain).
In this preliminary study we’ll contrast both quantitatively and qualitatively the occurrence and frequency of speech acts in both groups in a sample based on written text (email) in English. Our hypothesis is that quantitative differences will indicate pragmatic transference from their own languages. For the qualitative analysis of pragmatic transfer we will take into consideration the variables of power and social distance that are reflected in the use of courtesy. Our findings will be contrasted with the proposals of Geert Hofstede, to assess whether there is a relation between each culture and these linguistic differences.
Results show that although there are differences in the way each group address the different interlocutors; being the participants in the group of Spanish language more direct in their productions while the French group tends to use strategies that put distance between them and the interlocutor.
Findings here show that there are certain visible correspondences between the distinctive characteristics of every language and the differences in scores found in the cultural dimensions of Hofstede.
The results of this study could contribute to the creation of a communication and interpretation guide between people of different cultures which, by showing how each group transmit their cultural values in the discourse could help both parts to interpret successfully the intention of speaker, communicate in a more efficient way and avoid conflict.