Interlanguage Pragmatics of the Apology

Learning a language goes beyond acquisition of a
linguistic system and includes the knowledge of when
and how to use linguistic forms appropriately in
varying socio-cultural contexts. Over the past
decade, the discussion of educational objectives of
language teaching and learning has placed a
particular emphasis on developing cross-cultural
awareness.
This book investigates the development of
intercultural pragmatic competence by American adult
learners of Russian in relation to both advancement
in linguistic proficiency and study abroad
experience, lending empirical support to the concept
of language learning as acquisition of both a
linguistic system and accompanying socio-cultural
knowledge. Communicative norms of contemporary
colloquial Russian are surveyed, including
gender-related and generational variations.
Recommendations for teaching and assessment are
provided, as well as suggestions for study abroad
planning.

This book will be useful to second language
professionals, researchers and teachers alike,
particularly those interested in interlanguage and
cross-cultural pragmatics, as well as those involved
in formulating study abroad policies.