Thai University Students’ Understanding of Mock Politeness in English

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Published: Jul 19, 2023
Keywords:
English language learning mock politeness politeness strategies pragmatic competence

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Siriporn Lerdpaisalwong
Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University, Thailand
Chamaipak Maiklad
Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University, Thailand
Hendi Pratama
English Department, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia

Abstract

Even though linguistic or grammatical competence has been of paramount importance for language development and research in English language teaching and learning, other related competence types (i.e., pragmatic competence and sociolinguistic competence) should not be neglected. The objectives of this paper were to investigate Thai university learners’ understanding of mock politeness expressions in English, comparing English major and non-English major students, and to discern the factors influencing their understanding. The data were collected from a stratified purposive sample of bachelor degree English majors and non-English majors enrolled in a public university in Bangkok. A mixed method approach was used; the quantitative data were collected from a mock politeness judgement task while the qualitative data were obtained from individual interviews. The qualitative findings revealed that the majority of both English majors and non-English majors seemed to understand English mock politeness without much difficulty, yet details of each individual’s understanding differed in details. As for quantitative findings, an independent sample t-test revealed no significant differences between the accurate answers of majors and non-English majors, while a one-way ANOVA test revealed no significant differences in the accuracy of answers among the four years of study/enrollment of both majors and non-English majors. The participants’ understanding of mock politeness in English is shaped by their differences in English proficiency, anxiety levels, and views regarding the importance of understanding English mock politeness, opinions about cultural influence, and strategies used for learning mock politeness. This study sheds some light for language teachers and policymakers, highlighting pragmatic or implicit meaning in English language use in general, and promoting appropriate strategies for teaching and learning different types of politeness and impoliteness in communications, including mock politeness. This enables learners to become more successful in understanding and using the English language accurately.

Article Details

How to Cite
Lerdpaisalwong, S., Maiklad, C., & Pratama, H. (2023). Thai University Students’ Understanding of Mock Politeness in English. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 16(2), 291–310. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN/article/view/266948
Issue
Vol. 16 No. 2 (2023): LEARN Journal (July-December)
Section
Research Articles
Author Biographies

Siriporn Lerdpaisalwong, Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University, Thailand

A lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages of the Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University, Thailand. She obtained her Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA, and her M.A. in English as an International Language (International and Interdisciplinary Program) from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Her research interests include general linguistics, second language acquisition, and phonetics.

Chamaipak Maiklad, Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University, Thailand

An associate professor in the Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University, Thailand. She obtained her Ph.D. in TEFL from the University of Exeter and is in charge of teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses with particular interest in teacher and learner psychology, and pragmatic and sociolinguistics of the English language.

Hendi Pratama, English Department, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia

A lecturer at the Department of English at Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia. His main research interest includes pragmatics and immersive language learning. He has recently examined second language learners’ ability to learn English Implicatures, and the integration of second language classroom, equality, and science.

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