Disagreement Strategies in Egyptian and American Political Debates

The study at hand contributes to the cross-cultural, pragmatic and cross-linguistic research on speech acts. An understanding of how disagreement is performed by the linguistically and culturally different speakers of Egyptian Arabic and American English can help them become more aware of their cross-cultural differences. Consequently, any potential pragmatic failure between interlocutors of the two cultures can be avoided leading to better communications and better relations. Furthermore, the study presents valid information about the effect of power, social distance, and ranking of imposition on linguistic expressions of disagreement and choice of politeness strategies.It also provides information not only about the linguistic realization of disagreement in both Egyptian Arabic and American English but also about the features specific of each of the two cultures.