Compliment responses in Turkish: A Preliminary Case Study Based on Academic Status and Gender Difference

Öz

This study aims at investigating the compliment responses (CRs) of Turkish native speakers within the framework proposed by Holmes (1988, 1993). At this point, the main focus is directed through naturally occurring conversations and the random responses employed by Turkish speakers. The data of the present study is collected through 20 participants’ short interviews which contain certain situational settings such as appearance, possession and character to the two target groups, namely having equal and higher status in regard to the complimenter. Results from the current study discussed in two ways: whether being in the higher or equal status mark any different responses while employing different category or not. Additionally, it is questioned that whether gender differences have or have not a role in the number of selection of CR categories based on Holmes’ study. The findings of this study demonstrate that the participants in this study employed Accept strategies more, on the other hand they used fewer Reject strategies. Moreover, participants that have high status than the complimenter used more CR categories. Another finding is that there is also gender differences in the responses. Female participants used fewer compliment responses than male participants did. Although limited number of participants took part in this study, the findings of this study would add a new insight to the CR studies.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Compliment responses
• Turkish compliments
• Holmes’ CR categories
• status
• gender

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