In this situation four male participants use reason explanation to respond prompt one. It can be seen by the phrase “I have to do …” and “I have an
appointment …” in their responses. The use of expression “ I have to do …” indicates
that they tried to give explanations or reasons why they could not accept the order request given by the interlocutor. The participants tried to be truthful by stating their
reasons that they could not do the request because they have had a promise or other plans. Differ from the third participant, he tends to use positive opinion by using
expression “I’d be glad to …” . By giving that respond, he wants to show that he actually interested to do the request from the interlocutor. He also says something
nice in order to show that he is aware to the positive want of the interlocutor. In this situation three female participants use reason explanation to respond
the prompt. Similar to the strategy that mostly used by male participants above, the female participants also use expression, “I have something to do …” and two other
participants choose positive opinion use expression “Actually I would like to do …” to respond the prompt one. In this case, the positive opinion is more focus to express
the interest of the subjects to the request. Moreover, this strategy is also an attempt to make the refusal acceptable to the interlocutors.
4.2 Responses to prompt 2
The prompt two presents an informal situation which is between casual friends, and H has low social distance and equal power. This situation included in
solidarity politeness because it shows the solidarity and camaraderie between the
speaker and hearer. The refusal strategies that should be used to respond this situation are inquiry to third party, direct refusal, token agreement, criticism, positive opinion,
promise of future acceptance, and promise to comply. In order to realize this situation, four male participants use the same strategy
that is giving suggestion, comment and choices. Mostly, they add phrase “I think” in responding the situation. The expression “I think” uses as an attempt to show that the
participants try to give suggestion and opinion; they also give choices in responding the situation. In this case, the interlocutor will have another solution if heshe is
rejected. Differ from third participant, he uses direct refusal in responding the prompt two by using the expression “No way”. The direct refusal shows that the participant
refuse the request directly, the lower social distance they have the more direct refusal
they used.
In this situation three female participants in the second prompt choose thanking for refusing as their strategies. The expressions “Thanks for trusting me”,
“Thanks for choosing me” and “Thanks for giving this chance to me” use as an
attempt to show that the participants express the refusals in polite way. In the other word, by using this strategy the participants try to minimize the threat to the positive
face of the interlocutor. Two other female participants choose giving suggestion, comment and choices as their strategies. They use expression “It would be better …”
as an attempt to show that the participants try to give suggestion in responding the situation. So, the interlocutor will have another solution if heshe is rejected.
4.3 Responses to prompt 3
The third prompt provides the participants an informal situation and H has equal power and low social distance. Based on Scollon and Scollon 1983: 169 this
situation included in solidarity politeness. Solidarity politeness establishes the camaraderie and solidarity between the speaker and hearer. The refusal strategies that
should be used in responding this situation are inquiry to third party, direct refusal, token agreement, criticism, positive opinion, promise of future acceptance, and
promise to comply. Here, three male participants choose giving suggestion, comment, and
choices as their strategies. They use expressions “You better do your homework by yourself”
and “Ask mother to help you” in responding the situation. The expressions show that the participants try to give suggestion to the interlocutor. Differ from two
male participants, they choose direct refusal as their strategies. The expression “Not this time”
and “I’m busy” showed that the participants refuse the request directly. In this situation three female participants choose giving suggestion, comment
and choices as their strategies. The expressions “You can try it by yourself first”, “Please do it by yourself first”
and “Can you ask Mama or Dad to help you?” are used as an attempt to show that the participants try to give suggestion in responding
the situation. Two other female participants use positive opinion as their strategies. The expressions “I wish I could help you sister” and “I’m happy to help you sister”
are used as an attempt to show that the participants actually interested to help the
interlocutor. This strategy is also an attempt to make the refusal acceptable to the interlocutor.
4.4 Responses to prompt 4
