Investigating Iraqi EFL Learners’ Ability in Realizing the Speech Act of Accusation

Abstract

Abstract

This study investigates Iraqi EFL learners’ ability to perform accusations. It aims at finding out the most common strategies employed by the learners to realise this speech act, shedding light on some of the cultural differences between the two groups (Iraqi EFL learners and English native speakers, henceforth ENS). A sample of Iraqi EFL learners are involved in the form of a production test to collect data about the strategies they utilize in realizing accusations. Their performance is then compared to that of a control group, ENS. A model is adopted to analyse the speech act strategies. The study concludes that EFL Learners use other strategies; hence, there are cultural and individual differences. Furthermore, EFL learners use politeness strategies more often in addition to emotive language.