Speakers’ Perceptions on Speech Style Convergence and Divergence in One to One Interaction

Abstract

This paper analyzes Saudi women’s perceptions on speech style convergence and
divergence in interaction. Speakers might convert their style towards others or perhaps diverge
their style away from others as a result of different social motivations. A questionnaire was
distributed among a total of 83 Saudi female speakers to investigate their perceptions towards
this linguistic behavior. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: close-ended, five-scale
statements related to the nature and motivations of style change and convergence; as well as the
nature and motivations of style maintenance and divergence away from others. The second part
of the questionnaire included a set of open-ended questions to further investigate this behavior.
Results of the study showed that women see themselves to adopt the style of others motivated by
the situation or as an attempt to be polite. The perceptions of Saudi women on the linguistic
behavior of style maintenance and divergence reflected that keeping one’s style while being with
close people and keeping style to gain respect are common, being motivated by educational aims,
keeping one’s identity and seeking success. Most participants realized that their choice of words
and level of formality is highly affected. Further investigation is recommended covering a wider
scope of participants from both genders and from different age groups to shed light on this case.