Arabic Compliment Responses: A transfer of Strategies?

Abstract

This study aims at finding out whether Arabic speakers transfer their L1 strategies in responding to compliments when complimented by Native American speakers. Gender- based differences are also taken into consideration. The data is collected by means of DCTs (discourse completion tasks). The subjects are native Arabic speakers, from a variety of Arabic speaking countries, who have been living in the United States for at least two months. In general, the participants did not show much of a transfer of L1 strategies and more use of the typical American compliment responses.The results are discussed and analyzed from a cross- cultural and sociolinguistic point of view.  Theyare also looked upon in terms of highlighting cross- cultural and pedagogical implications.