Descriptions of difficult conversations between native and non-native English speakers: in-group membership and helping behaviors

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 co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Qualitative report 2011-03, Vol.16 (2), p.494-508
Main Authors: Young, Ray, Faux, William V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Beliefs
Communication Skills
Communicative Competence (Languages)
Competence
Conversation
Empathy
English (Second Language)
English language
Georgia
Grounded Theory
Group Dynamics
Group Identity
Group Membership
Helping Behavior
Helping Relationship
Influence
Intercultural Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Language Proficiency
Nationalism
Native Speakers
Questionnaires
R&D
Research & development
Research Methodology
Society
Speech Communication
Studies
Teaching Methods
Undergraduate Students
Verbal communication
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Summary: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. Key Words: Difficult Conversations, Helping Behavior, Group Identity, and Intercultural Communication
ISSN:1052-0147
2160-3715