Peculiarities of Interlocutors’ Verbal Communicative Behavior in Apology Situation

Institute of Linguistics and Cross-Cultural Communication, Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, Russia

^* Corresponding author: ttufanova@mail.ru

Abstract

The article discusses the situation of apology, which plays an important role in maintaining the communicative balance in daily social interaction. The research aims at analyzing the peculiarities of interlocutors’ verbal behavior in the situation in the context of the communicative-pragmatic approach. The structural parameters of the situation and the mutual influence of its components are described. The study investigates the functional features of linguistic politeness in the communicative situation. As indicated by the data, collected cooperative communicative behavior in apology situation is associated with the use of etiquette fixed formulas and free statements, acting as an apology in typical situations, which promotes effective interaction. Based on the analysis carried out, the traditional (etiquette) view of the situation is specified. In particular, the findings show that interlocutors’ verbal communicative behavior in apology situation, reflecting their psycho-emotional state, the level of culture, personal characteristics, may be not only cooperative but also conflict-oriented. In cases when the intentions of interlocutors collide the situation reorganizes and acquires a conflict nature.