Gender Difference in Using Refusal Speech Act Strategies by Saudi Arabian Parents in a Natural Context

This paper is an intralingual study that explores the similarities and differences in refusal speech acts by native Saudi Arabian parents in a family domain in a natural setting. Specifically, it investigates both direct and indirect refusal strategies used by both genders (mothers vs. fathers) and the most frequent sub-refusal strategies used by both parents in response to their daughters’ requests. The data were collected through phone calls and were recorded between participants (students) and their parents. A total of 9 MA students who contacted their parents (9 mothers and 9 fathers) via phone calls joined the study. The results show that both genders (the parents) rarely opt for direct strategies to turn down requests. The results are also consistent in terms of the frequency of use of indirect strategies such as attempting to dissuade the interlocutor and avoidance. Such findings oppose other studies’ results, which indicated that Saudi males are more direct than females. This contradiction in findings may be attributed to the contexts in which the studies were conducted. The study’s data also showed the common and frequent use of religious expressions as adjuncts on the part of both parents. Adjuncts are politeness markers used to avoid any kind of offense or hurt in natural contexts. This study also includes some recommendations for further research in the field of pragmatics in general and conversational pragmatics more specifically.