Refusal Strategies in Emirati Arabic: A Gender-Based Study

Abstract This study explores how Emirati Arabic speakers refuse requests, with a special focus on how men and women differ in refusal strategy use. While researchers have studied refusal strategies in different Arabic dialects, there has been little investigation into Emirati Arabic – a dialect shaped by Gulf Arab traditions, trade interactions, and religious influences. This study aims to fill that gap by analysing the specific linguistic and cultural factors that shape refusals in Emirati Arabic. To achieve this, the study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Data were gathered through a written discourse completion task, which presented participants with eight real-life refusal scenarios involving various interlocutors. The refusal strategies were classified using Beebe et al.’s (1990). John Benjamin Publishing Company) framework, which categorises refusals as direct, indirect, or adjunct strategies. The results showed that indirect refusal strategies were the most common, followed by direct refusals and adjunct strategies. Among the major strategies, the findings indicated variegated use of sub-strategies based on gender and situation. Female participants were more likely to suggest alternatives or make promises, while male participants were more inclined to assert principles, avoid confrontation, or discourage the request, indicating a more direct approach. Situational variations also played a role. The highest number of refusals occurred in response to wedding and dinner invitations, emphasizing the cultural importance of such gatherings. Meanwhile, refusals to requests from mothers showed the lowest use of direct strategies, underscoring the significance of familial respect and obligation in Emirati culture. This study includes practical implications for cross-cultural communication, language education, and sociolinguistic research on Arabic dialects.