Descriptions of Difficult Conversations between Native and Non-Native English Speakers: In-group Membership and Helping Behaviors

Authors

Ray Young, Valdosta State UniversityFollow
William V. Faux II, Valdosta State UniversityFollow

Abstract

This study illustrated the perceptions of native English speakers about difficult conversations with non-native English speakers. A total of 114 native English speakers enrolled in undergraduate communication courses at a regional state university answered a questionnaire about a recent difficult conversation the respondent had with a non-native English speaker. A thematic analysis of their responses revealed that helping occurred when the non-native speaker was considered to be a customer, in-group member, or "fellow human being." Helping behavior was characterized by actions that fostered understanding between the interactants and aided the non-native speaker in completion of a task or goal. Non-helping occurred when the non-native speaker was considered to be an out-group member violating role expectations or cultural norms.

Keywords

Difficult Conversations, Helping Behavior, Group Identity, and Intercultural Communication

Publication Date

3-1-2011

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2011.1067

Recommended APA Citation

Young, R., & Faux, W. V. (2011). Descriptions of Difficult Conversations between Native and Non-Native English Speakers: In-group Membership and Helping Behaviors. The Qualitative Report, 16(2), 494-508. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2011.1067