A Gender-based Analysis of Indirectness in Mosuli Arab Parenting Interaction.

This study aims to investigate gender differences occurred during indirect speech acts in Mosuli Arabic interaction within the context of parenting. The study hypothesizes that men and women use indirect speech acts with their children, but they use them for different purposes. The study also hypothesizes that children with parents who use indirect speech acts are more likely to understand and interpret them correctly. The study analyses recorded data that have been collected from Mosuli Arabic speakers of both genders, with similar social backgrounds. The analysis is based on Holtgraves' speech act theory (2002) and Grice's cooperative principle (1975). The analysis includes 5 extracts that have been selected out of 35 recordings. The results of the study provide an elucidation to the role of indirectness in communication and contribute to the understanding of gender differences in language use within the context of parenting. Through the analysis of conversations between parents and their children, it has been found that fathers tend to use sarcasm and humour to prove their control over the conversation and may include themselves in criticizing their children's behaviour to teach them the importance of reforming their attitudes. Meanwhile, mothers take the act of regulation more seriously. The findings suggest that although parents have the power to set orders, indirect speech acts may be a more effective way of conveying messages and regulating their children's behaviour.