The Role of Culture and Social Relationships in Apology Strategies by Iban ESL Learners in Sarawak

Abstract

SSince young, the concept of apologising for one’s own actions has been ingrained in our heads. When one commits a mistake, intentionally or unintentionally, one is required to say the magic word ‘Sorry’. This is done not only to acknowledge one’s mistakes but most importantly, to restore trust and further enhance good rapport between individuals.  This study investigated the apology responses given by a group of Iban speakers of English in Sarawak as well as to address important issues and implications for English language teaching in Malaysia. Adopting a qualitative research design with two sets of DCT (Discourse Completion Task), the study collected data from 28 Iban undergraduates who responded to both scenarios in both English and Iban.  Participants were required to write down their responses based on what they would say in reality. The findings of this study concludes that the Iban ESL learners employed various apology strategies when communicating in both Iban and English. However, certain factors such as the seriousness of the offence, social distance and social status influenced the frequency of certain strategies. Some strategies appear to be more prominent than others in specific contexts. These findings hold significant implications for language educators and curriculum designers. It is important to raise awareness regarding the importance of apologies in English communication and provide targeted instruction on appropriate apology strategies. Integration of culturally sensitive materials and interactive activities into the curriculum can enhance students’ understanding and utilisation of apologies. Additionally, incorporating authentic communicative tasks that involve real-life apology situations can foster the development of pragmatic competence and instil confidence in employing apology strategies effectively.