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Library's collection Library's IT development CancelApologizing is very important in social interaction. Many linguists believe
that there are differences in the way people ask for an apology. Therefore, the writer
conducted this study in order to find out the different types of apology strategies used
by females and males and whether there are indeed any differences and/or
similarities in their use of these strategies. Furthermore, the writer also wanted to see
whether different levels of intimacy and degrees of offense play a role in the choice
of apology strategies used by female and male respondents.
In conducting this research, the writer used the descriptive approach to study
the various apology strategies made by 10 males and 10 females under study based
on the level of intimacy and the degree of offense. The writer used socio linguistic
approach as well. The writer collected data by using a written task mode consisting
of 12 situations. The writer asked her respondents to respond to the situations by
writing in what they would say. The data then were analyzed by classifying the
responses into the categories formulated by Trosborg.
The findings of the study show that female and male respondents have some
differences in choosing the appropriate way of apologizing. The findings show that
the greatest differences between females and males occur in the use of the strategies
of rejection and expression of concern for hearers. The second greatest differences
are in the use of acknowledgement of responsibility, minimizing the degree of
offense, and promise of forbearance. Females and males do not have great
differences in the use of explanation strategy. Gender differentiation can not be
found in the strategies of expressing an apology and offering repair.
The thesis writer then concludes that in general, men and women do show
differences in their use of language, in particular, in their use of apology strategies.
In addition to gender, the use of apology strategies is influenced by the degree
of offense, for example males and females have a tendency to use strategies of
rejection, minimizing the degree of offense, and acknowledgement of responsibility
in the situations resulting in serious damage. In mild damage, they most often use
promise of forbearance strategy. In slight damage, males and females use explanation
strategy and offer of repair strategy. As for the strategy of expressing an apology,
females use it most often in serious damage and least often in slight damage. The use
of this strategy by females is in contrast with males.
The level of intimacy also influences the use of apology strategies. Most of
the male and female respondents use rejection strategy or expression of apology and
offer of repair in dealing with strangers. Males and females most often use the
strategies of minimizing the degree of offense, expression of apology, and offer of
repair towards their classmates. Explanation and offer of repair are used most often
to close friends. For boyfriends/girlfriends, most of the male and female respondents
tend to use the strategies of acknowledgement of responsibility and promise of
forbearance.