Apologizing Strategies of English Used by The Thai EFL Students of Mordindaeng Demonstration School of Khon Kaen University (Secondary Section School)

Abstract

This research aims to describe how distance and power influence apologizing strategies used by students. It focuses on apologizing utterances showed by Thai EFL students of Mordindaeng demonstration school. The data are collected by using the DCT which consist of two main aspects: power and distance. In checking the data validity, this research involves expert judgment. The data are analyzed by using the apologizing strategy of Trosborg (1995). The result shows that when the speakers are close-higher, they tend to use the combination strategies of explicit acknowledgment, offer of repair, and expression of regret. When the speakers are familiar-higher, they tend to use the combination strategy of explicit acknowledgment and expression of regret. When the speakers are unfamiliar-higher and also unfamiliar-equal, they tend to use the combination strategy of expression of lack of intent, and expression of regret. When the speakers are close-equal and familiar-equal, they tend to use the combination strategy of explicit explanation and expression of regret. When the speakers are close-lower and familiar-lower, they tend to use offer of Repair and expression of regret. Meanwhile, when the speakers are unfamiliar-lower, they tend to use the combination strategy of expresing concern to the hearer, and expression of regret.