Refusal strategies in a kabyle community of Bejaia

Abstract

Present research is a socio-pragmatic study exploring refusal strategies in the Kabyle Berber community, focusing on the effects of age, gender, and social status. The study was conducted in different settings within the Kabyle community of Bejaia. The data were collected through a DCT comprising 20 scenarios, including offers and invitations across various situations. 60 individuals constituted the participants of the study. Later, 3 of them were asked to answer interview questions to back up and clarify some patterns of data that have emerged from the DCT. The findings demonstrate that excuse/explanation and apology were the most commonly utilized refusal strategies. The results also indicate that age, gender, and social status, as well as culture, influence directness strategies and the type of politeness that moderates the situation. Women tend to refuse indirectly more than men by showing excessive respect to age categories and social status (High, equal, and low). Finally, thematic analysis of Kabyle refusal acts highlights five interconnected dimensions, which are Emotional impact, Strategy awareness, Cultural perception, Contextual variation, and relationship impact. Collectively, these themes clarify how Kabyle refusal strategies implement socially coded power, emotion, and ethical relationships negotiation. Kabyle Berber culture draws attention to collectivism and the interlocutor’s positive face contrast to the hierarchical collectivism of China and the individualist US.