A Study on the Use of Request Speech Act by Korean Native Speakers and Indian Learners of Korean.

This study explores the differences in request strategies between Korean native speakers (KNS) and Indian Korean learners (IKL) based on social context. Both groups completed a Discourse Completion Task (DCT). The results reveal that KNS preferred indirect requests, especially with higher-status individuals, due to the cultural significance of age and hierarchy. KNS also avoided direct requests when complying with the request imposed a burden on the listener. In contrast, IKL consistently used direct strategies. KNS adjusted supportive strategies to mitigate face threats, while IKL either avoided them or used them primarily for explanatory purposes. These findings emphasize the need to teach sociocultural aspects of Korean to improve communication and reduce misunderstandings among learners.