Sociocultural transfer in L2 speech behaviors: evidence and motivating factors

This paper examines the phenomenon of sociocultural transfer and its motivating factors within the realization patterns of the speech act refusal by Jordanian EFL learners. EFL refusal data were collected using a discourse completion test (DCT), which was designed and further developed based on observational field note data. The DCT was then followed by semi-structured interviews. Using semantic formulas as units of analysis, EFL refusal responses were compared with similar data elicited from native speakers of English responding in English and native speakers of Arabic responding in Arabic. The results show three areas in which sociocultural transfer is existent in EFL learners' speech: choice of selecting semantic formulas, length of responses, and content of semantic formulas. Each was found to reflect cultural values transferred from Arabic to English. Furthermore, and based on interview data, it was found that learners' pride of L1, learners' perception of L2, and religion possibly motivated sociocultural transfer. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.