Home The Effect of Study-Abroad on Pragmatic Transfer
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

The Effect of Study-Abroad on Pragmatic Transfer

  • Naoko Osuka

    Naoko Osuka is Professor of English (Linguistics) at Meiji University, in Japan. Her research interests include interlanguage pragmatics, language learning strategies, and second language acquisition.

Published/Copyright: April 20, 2021
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect that studying abroad may have on pragmatic transfer in requests, refusals, and expressions of gratitude, produced by Japanese learners of English. Twenty-two Japanese college students completed a multimedia elicitation task (MET) before and after studying in the US for one semester, together with twenty-two L1 English speakers and twenty L1 Japanese speakers as baseline data. The MET is a computer-based instrument for eliciting oral data. Unlike previous studies on pragmatic transfer, which often lack statistical evidence, this study includes statistical analysis. The analysis revealed that negative pragmatic transfer occurs within a limited range. The identified transfer includes pragmalinguistic transfer, whereby, assuming that their politeness levels are equal, learners directly translate L1 expressions into L2; and sociopragmatic transfer, whereby learners transfer L1 discourse patterns and functions. Resistance to L2 norms and increased fluency can be influencing factors. The results indicated that the effect of study-abroad is limited because most of the negative transfer which was identified before studying abroad remained after studying abroad. Thus, the necessity of explicit pragmatic instruction was proposed.

About the author

Naoko Osuka

Naoko Osuka is Professor of English (Linguistics) at Meiji University, in Japan. Her research interests include interlanguage pragmatics, language learning strategies, and second language acquisition.

References

Al-Issa, A. (2003). Sociocultural transfer in L2 speech behaviors: Evidence and motivating factors. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 27(5), 581-601.10.1016/S0147-1767(03)00055-5Search in Google Scholar

Bardovi-Harlig, K. (2011). Proficiency, length of stay, and intensity of interaction and the acquisition of conventional expressions in L2 pragmatics. Intercultural Pragmatics, 8, 347-384.10.1515/iprg.2011.017Search in Google Scholar

Barron, A. (2003). Acquisition in interlanguage pragmatics: Learning how to do things with words in a study abroad context. Benjamins.10.1075/pbns.108Search in Google Scholar

Barron, A. (2007). “Ah no honestly we ’ re okay”: Learning to upgrade in a study abroad context. Intercultural Pragmatics, 4, 129-166.10.1515/IP.2007.009Search in Google Scholar

Bataller, R. (2010). Making a request for a service in Spanish: Pragmatic development in the study abroad setting. Foreign Language Annals, 43(1), 160-175.10.1111/j.1944-9720.2010.01065.xSearch in Google Scholar

Beebe, L. M., & Takahashi, T. (1989a). Do you have a bag? Social status and patterned variation in second language acquisition. In S. M. Gass, C. Madden, D. Preston, & L. Selinker (Eds.), Variation in second language acquisition: Vol. 1. Discourse and pragmatics (pp. 103-125). Multilingual Matters.Search in Google Scholar

Beebe, L. M., & Takahashi, T. (1989b). Sociolinguistic variation in face-threatening speech acts: Chastisement and disagreement. In M. R. Eisenstein (Ed.), The dynamic interlanguage: Empirical studies in second language variation (pp. 199-218). Plenum.10.1007/978-1-4899-0900-8_13Search in Google Scholar

Beebe, L. M., Takahashi, T., & Uliss-Weltz, R. (1990). Pragmatic transfer in ESL refusals. In R. C. Scarcella, E. S. Andersen, & S. D. Krashen (Eds.), Developing communicative competence in a second language (pp. 55-73). Newbury House.Search in Google Scholar

Blum-Kulka, S. (1982). Learning how to say what you mean in a second language: A study of the speech act performance of learners of Hebrew as a second language. Applied Linguistics, 3(1), 29-59.10.1093/applin/3.1.29Search in Google Scholar

Blum-Kulka, S. (1983). Interpreting and performing speech acts in a second language: A cross-cultural study of Hebrew and English. In N. Wolfson & E. Judd (Eds.), Sociolinguistics and language acquisition (pp. 36-55). Newbury House.Search in Google Scholar

Blum-Kulka, S., House, J., & Kasper, G. (1989). Cross-cultural pragmatics: Requests and apologies. Albex.Search in Google Scholar

Bodman, J., & Eisenstein, M. (1988). May God increase your bounty: The expression of gratitude in English by native and non-native speakers. Cross Currents, 15(1), 1-21.Search in Google Scholar

Chang, Y. -F. (2009). How to say no: An analysis of cross-cultural difference and pragmatic transfer. Language Sciences, 31, 477-493.10.1016/j.langsci.2008.01.002Search in Google Scholar

Cheng, S. W. (2005). An exploratory cross-sectional study of inter-language pragmatic development of expressions of gratitude by Chinese learners of English (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Iowa.Search in Google Scholar

Clankie, S. M. (1993). The use of expressions of gratitude in English by Japanese and American university students. The Review of Inquiry and Research, Kansai Gaidai University, 58, 37-71.Search in Google Scholar

Eisenstein, M., & Bodman, J. W. (1986). “I very appreciate”: Expressions of gratitude by native and non-native speakers of American English. Applied Linguistics, 1, 1-47.10.1093/applin/7.2.167Search in Google Scholar

Eisenstein, M., & Bodman, J. W. (1993). Expressing gratitude in American English. In G. Kasper & S. Blum-Kulka (Eds.), Interlanguage pragmatics (pp. 64-81). Oxford University Press.10.1093/oso/9780195066029.003.0004Search in Google Scholar

Færch, C., & Kasper, G. (1989). Internal and external modification in interlanguage request realization. In S. Blum-Kulka, J. House, & G. Kasper (Eds.), Cross-cultural pragmatics: Requests and apologies (pp. 221-247). Ablex.Search in Google Scholar

Félix-Brasdefer, J. C. (2004). Interlanguage refusals: Linguistic politeness and length of residence in the target community. Language Learning, 54(4), 587-653.10.1111/j.1467-9922.2004.00281.xSearch in Google Scholar

Félix-Brasdefer, J. C. (2013). Refusing in L2 Spanish: The effects of the context of learning during a short-term study abroad program. In O. Martí-Arnándiz & P. Salazar-Campillo (Eds.), Refusals in instructed contexts and beyond (pp. 147-173). Rodopi.10.1163/9789401209717_009Search in Google Scholar

Hassall, T. (2013). Pragmatic development during short-term study abroad: The case of address terms in Indonesian. Journal of Pragmatics, 55, 1-17.10.1016/j.pragma.2013.05.003Search in Google Scholar

Hill, T. (1997). The development of pragmatic competence in an EFL context (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Temple University, Japan.Search in Google Scholar

House, J. (1989). Politeness in English and German: The functions of please and bitte. In S. Blum-Kulka, J. House, & G. Kasper (Eds.), Cross-cultural pragmatics: Requests and apologies (pp. 96-119). Ablex.Search in Google Scholar

House, J., & Kasper, G. (1987). Interlanguage pragmatics: Requesting in a foreign language. In W. Loerscher & R. Schulze (Eds.), Perspectives on language in performance: Studies in linguistics, literary criticism and language teaching and learning (pp. 1250-1288). Narr.Search in Google Scholar

Ide, R. (1998). “Sorry for your kindness”: Japanese interactional ritual in public discourse. Journal of Pragmatics, 29, 509-529.10.1016/S0378-2166(98)80006-4Search in Google Scholar

Ishihara, N., & Tarone, E. (2009). Emulating and resisting pragmatic norms: Learner subjectivity and foreign language pragmatic use. In N. Noguchi (Ed.), Pragmatic competence in Japanese as a second language (pp. 101-28). De Gruyter Mouton.Search in Google Scholar

Kasper, G. (1992). Pragmatic transfer. Second Language Research, 8, 203-231.10.1177/026765839200800303Search in Google Scholar

Kasper, G., & Rose, K. R. (2002). Pragmatic development in a second language. Blackwell.Search in Google Scholar

Keshavarz, M. H., Eslami, Z. R., & Ghahraman, V. (2006). Pragmatic transfer and Iranian EFL refusals: A cross-cultural perspective of Persian and English. In K. Bardovi-Harlig, G. Kasper, C. Félix-Brasdefer, & A. Omar (Eds.), Pragmatics and language learning (pp. 359-403). University of Hawaii PressSearch in Google Scholar

Klein, W., Dietrich, R., & Noyau, C. (1995). Conclusions. In R. Dietrich, W. Klein, & C. Noyau (Eds.), The acquisition of temporality in a second language (pp. 261-280). Benjamins.10.1075/sibil.7.09kleSearch in Google Scholar

Kobayashi, S., & Rinnert, C. (2003). Coping with high imposition requests: High vs. low proficiency EFL students in Japan. In A. Martínez, E. Usó -Juan, & A. Fernández Guerra (Eds.), Pragmatic competence and foreign language teaching (pp. 161-184). Servei de publicacions, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.Search in Google Scholar

Maeshiba, N., Yoshinaga, N., Kasper, G., & Ross, S. (1996). Transfer and proficiency in interlanguage apologizing. In S. Gass & J. Neu (Eds.), Speech acts across cultures, (pp. 155-187). De Gruyter Mouton.10.1515/9783110219289.2.155Search in Google Scholar

Matsumura, S. (2007). Exploring the aftereffects of study abroad on interlanguage pragmatic development. Intercultural Pragmatics, 4(2), 167-192.10.1515/IP.2007.010Search in Google Scholar

Miyake, K. (1993a). Kansha no imi de tsukawareru wabi hyougen no sentaku mekanizumu: Coulmas (1982) no indebtedness ‘ kari’ no gainen kara no shakaigengogakuteki tenkai [The mechanism of choosing apology expressions to express gratitude: Sociolinguistic development from Coulmas ’ s (1982) conception of indebtedness]. Tsukuba Daigaku Ryuugakusei Center Nihongokyouiku Ronshuu, 8, 19-38.Search in Google Scholar

Miyake, K. (1993b). Shiten no kanten kara mita ‘ kansha’ to ‘ wabi’ : Kanyouhyougen to tomoni tsukawareru hyougen: Nichiei hikaku [“Gratitude” and “apology” from the perspective of a viewpoint: Comparison between English and Japanese]. Toyo Daigaku Tanki Daigaku Kiyou, 25, 203-214.Search in Google Scholar

Nakai, M. (2004). Pragmatic transfers in interlanguage expressions of gratitude in the age of World Englishes. Gogaku Kyouiku Kenkyuu Ronsou, Daito Bunka University, 21, 167-184.Search in Google Scholar

Nakai, M., & Watanabe, Y. (2002). Too many “thank you very much”: A study on the interlanguage expressions of gratitude by Japanese speakers of English. Gogaku Kyouiku Kenkyuu Ronsou, Daito Bunka University, 19, 153-170.Search in Google Scholar

Olshtain, E., & Cohen, A. D. (1989). Speech act behavior across languages. In H. W. Dechert & M. Raupach (Eds.), Transfer in production (pp. 53-67). Ablex.Search in Google Scholar

Osuka, N. (2017a). Development of pragmatic routines by Japanese learners in a study abroad context. In I. Kecskes & S. Assimakopoulos (Eds.), Current issues in intercultural pragmatics (pp. 275-296). John Benjamins.10.1075/pbns.274.13osuSearch in Google Scholar

Osuka, N. (2017b). Pragmatic development by Japanese learners of English in a study abroad context (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Lancaster University.Search in Google Scholar

Otani, M. (2008). Shazai kenkyuu no gaikan to kongo no kadai-nihongo to eigo no taishou kenkyuu wo chuushin toshita kousatsu [A review of research on apology: Japanese and English cross-cultural comparisons]. Gengo-bunka to Nihongo Kyouiku, November Special Issue, 24-43.Search in Google Scholar

Robinson, M. (1992). Introspective methodology in interlanguage pragmatics research. In G. Kasper (Ed.), Pragmatics of Japanese as native and target language (pp. 27-82). University of Hawaii at Manoa, Second Language Teaching and Curriculum Center.Search in Google Scholar

Rose, K. R., & Ono, R. (1995). Eliciting speech act data in Japanese: The effect of questionnaire type. Language Learning, 45(2), 191-223.10.1111/j.1467-1770.1995.tb00438.xSearch in Google Scholar

Sasaki, M. (1998). Investigating EFL students ’ production of speech acts: A comparison of production questionnaires and role plays. Journal of Pragmatics, 30(4), 457-484.10.1016/S0378-2166(98)00013-7Search in Google Scholar

Schauer, G. A. (2004). May you speak louder maybe? Interlanguage pragmatic development in requests. In S. H. Foster-Cohen, M. Sharwood Smith, A. Sorace, & M. Ota (Eds.), EUROSLA yearbook, vol. 4 (pp. 253-273). John Benjamins.10.1075/eurosla.4.12schSearch in Google Scholar

Schauer, G. A. (2009). Interlanguage pragmatic development: The study abroad context. Continuum.Search in Google Scholar

Shimizu, T. (2009). Chuukangengo goyouron gairon [An introduction to interlanguage pragmatics]. 3A Corporation.Search in Google Scholar

Siegal, M. (1994). Looking east: Learning Japanese as a second language in Japan and the interaction of race, gender and social contexts (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of California, Berkeley.Search in Google Scholar

Takahashi, S., & DuFon, M. A. (1989). Cross-linguistic influence in indirectness: The case of English directives performed by native Japanese speakers (Unpublished paper). University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu.Search in Google Scholar

Takahashi, T., & Beebe, L. M. (1987). The development of pragmatic competence by Japanese learners of English. JALT Journal, 8(2), 131-155.Search in Google Scholar

Takahashi, T., & Beebe, L. M. (1993). Cross-linguistic influence in the speech act of correction. In G. Kasper & S. Blum-Kulka (Eds.), Interlanguage pragmatics (pp. 138-157). Oxford University Press.10.1093/oso/9780195066029.003.0008Search in Google Scholar

Thomas, J. (1983). Cross-cultural pragmatic failure. Applied Linguistics, 4(2), 91-112.10.1093/applin/4.2.91Search in Google Scholar

Usó-Juan, E. (2010). Requests: A sociopragmatic approach. In A. Martínez-Flor & E. Usó-Juan (Eds.) Speech act performance: Theoretical, empirical and methodological issues (pp. 237-256). John Benjamins.10.1075/lllt.26.14usoSearch in Google Scholar

Wang, J., & Halenko, N. (2019). Longitudinal benefits of pre-departure pragmatic instruction for study abroad: Chinese as a second/foreign language. East Asian Pragmatics, 4, 87-111.10.1558/eap.38216Search in Google Scholar

Wannaruk, A. (2008). Pragmatic transfer in Thai EFL refusals. Regional Language Centre Journal, 39(3), 318-337.10.1177/0033688208096844Search in Google Scholar

Woodfield, H. (2012). “I think maybe I want to lend the notes from you”: Development of request modification in graduate learners. In M. Economidou-Kogetsidis & H. Woodfield (Eds.), Interlanguage request modification (pp. 9-49). John Benjamins.10.1075/pbns.217.02wooSearch in Google Scholar

Yu, M. -C. (2011). Learning how to read situations and know what is the right thing to say or do in an L2: A study of socio-cultural competence and language transfer. Journal of Pragmatics, 43, 1127-1147.10.1016/j.pragma.2009.09.025Search in Google Scholar

Published Online: 2021-04-20
Published in Print: 2021-03-26

© 2021 FLTRP, Walter de Gruyter, Cultural and Education Section British Embassy

Downloaded on 27.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/CJAL-2021-0001/html
Scroll to top button