Factors contributing to the use of conversational silence in academic discourse among Malaysian undergraduate students
Asians are said to use silence in academic situation more than other learners from Europe and America. With the increased need for students’ oral participation in the language learning classroom and other academic situations, the Asian silent behavior has been considered a problem. The aim of this...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2018
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/12901/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/12901/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/12901/1/21376-85224-1-PB.pdf |
| Summary: | Asians are said to use silence in academic situation more than other learners from Europe and America. With
the increased need for students’ oral participation in the language learning classroom and other academic
situations, the Asian silent behavior has been considered a problem. The aim of this study is to investigate
factors that contribute to the use of conversational silence by Malaysian science and non-science
undergraduate students in academic discourse. Seventeen undergraduate students from a local university in
Malaysia participated in a focus group interview which required them to respond to questions related to the
beliefs of their culture on the use of silence, the extent to which the participants practice silence in academic
discourse, and factors that contribute to the use of conversational silence. There were two groups each from the
Departments of English and Computer and Communication System who informed the research. The study was
underpinned by Brown and Levinson Politeness Theory, which is tied to the concept of ‘face’ as something that
is highly valuable, and must be guarded in interaction. The findings suggest that some factors such as sociocultural
upbringing, personality and intimidation by the environment play a role in the use of silence by the
informants of this study. |
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