Refusals of invitations and offers in Persian: Genuine or ostensible?

Abstract

This study investigated instances of Persian genuine and ostensible (ritual) refusals produced in response to genuine offers and invitations. The data was collected through ethnographic observations and was analyzed in light of a modified version of defining properties and features of ostensible speech acts proposed by Isaacs and Clark (1990). Furthermore, cultural schemas and sociocultural norms underlying ostensible refusals in Persian were investigated through focus group interviews (FGI). The results revealed that although the features of ostensible speech acts proposed by Isaacs and Clark (1990) are present in ostensible refusals in Persian, they are not always sufficient to distinguish Persian ritual and genuine refusals. The results of the focus group interviews also showed that ritual refusals in Persian are complex speech acts strongly linked to Persian cultural schemas of tǎ’ǎrof (ritual politeness) and ru-dar-bǎyesti (feeling of distance out of respect). The findings indicated that the main factors motivating the production of ritual refusals in Persian are observing rules of politeness and enhancing the face of the speaker as well as that of the interlocutor. Therefore, the pretence in sincerity of the ritual refusals arise from the speakers’ concern for maintaining rapport.