Abstract
Abstract
The current study reports on a variational pragmatic comparison of compliments and compliment responses between
Egyptian and Saudi Arabic. Data were collected by using Discourse Completion Tasks from 443 Egyptian and 428 Saudi undergraduates,
and were analyzed using adaptations of
Yuan’s (2002)
and
Herbert’s (1986)
models. The results reveal significant differences in politeness management between
Egyptian and Saudi youth, particularly with Egyptians producing more explicit compliment strategies and Saudis showing stronger
preference for implicit compliment strategies and combination patterns. Less difference is noted in compliment responses with only
Egyptians exhibiting higher use of additional strategies. The findings are interpreted in light of politeness theory and the
interplay between cultural values and linguistic behavior.