Awareness and Use of Politeness Strategies for Female EFL Learners at the University of Jeddah

Abstract

This research investigates females’ awareness of politeness and politeness strategies and their use of those strategies in the English department at the University of Jeddah. The researcher used a quantitative method to collect the data. A questionnaire with three sections was designed and distributed to 25 participants at the University of Jeddah. The results of the questionnaire showed that female students have awareness of the importance of politeness and its strategies. It also showed that those students have a higher tendency to use negative politeness strategies compared to the other strategies. The study concludes by suggesting that applying this study in different settings would help to gain a deeper understanding of the use of politeness strategies and would compensate for the body of knowledge.