Investigating an EFL Learner’s Request Speech Act

Abstract

This paper reports on a native Chinese speaker’s request speech act production in English in four different scenarios in an attempt to provide a glimpse of Chinese EFL learners’ request performance. The research participant is a native male Chinese, in his early thirties, who has about 20 years’ English learning experience. Performance data were elicited by using role plays including four scenarios in which the variables of social power and relations were varied. By using the CCSARP project analytical framework, the author analyzed the data collected in terms of directness level, semantic formulas and modifications. Based on the research result, the author reached the conclusion that the pragmatic production of the participant is the result of lack of pragmatic instruction and is clearly an indication of his less than favorable language proficiency.