B‘s response is the form of a self-defense. He defends himself that he has done his best in finishing the report in order to indirectly refuse the request from A.
f The Statement of a Principlephilosophy
In this category, the refuser will use his principle which he has followed for a long time. An example of statement of a principle is presented in the
conversation below:
A: You will gain a lot of profits if you join my business. B: I never do business with friends.
A asks B to join his business. However, B does not want to join his friend business. In order to refuse A‘s offer, B states his principle about doing a business
with friends.
In addition, the refuser can use a philosophy to indirectly refuse the refusee. For example, the statement of philosophy Things with shapes eventually break is
stated by the refuser when he refuses to accept some money from a cleaning man for a broken vase.
g Set a Condition for Future or Past Acceptance
Phuong 2006: 36 states that in a promise to the future or past acceptance the refusers aim to direct the refusals to situation when it is better if the requesters
have asked in advance. An example of setting a condition for future or past acceptance can be seen in the statement I could help you if you have asked me
earlier. The speaker of the statement is a part time worker. He is asked by his friend to exch
ange the shift. However, the speaker has to refuse his friend‘s request because he is too busy. In order to refuse the request, he makes
hypothetical condition of the past. This strategy is indicated in If you have asked
me earlier. Another example is in the statement If your birthday party is held on weekend, I will come to your party.
I have to go to my friend’s wedding this Tuesday. In this example, the refuser is invited to a birthday party. However, the
refuser refuses the invitation because he has to attend his friend‘s wedding. He
explains that he will come to the refusee‘s birthday party if it is held on weekend. Hence, in this example, the speaker refuses the request by setting a condition for
future acceptance.
h Wish
In this type, the refuser refuses the refusee by using any statements which indicate a wish. An example of this strategy is presented in the statement I wish I
could help you finish this project. In the example, someone asks the refuser to help him finish his school project. However, the refuser has an assignment to be
done. In refusing the request, the refuser shows his desire to help.
i The Acceptance that Functions as a Refusal
i Unspecific or Indefinite Reply
By using an indefinite reply, the speaker‘s intentional message remains vague, uncertain, or undecided Felix-Brasdefer, 2008: 75. An example of giving
unspecific or indefinite reply can be seen in the conversation below: A: You should join us in the next trip.
B:
I’m not sure if I can join it or not.
In the example above, B gives an uncertain or undecided answer to A. B‘s
uncertainty is indicated in the expression I’m not sure.
ii Lack of Enthusiasm
In refusing, the refuser will show his lack of enthusiasm towards the offer, suggestion, request, or invitation. An example of lack of enthusiasm can be seen
in the conversation below: A: This kind of t-shirt is very hot lately. You should buy one
B:
I’m not interested in fashion.
The example above shows A who suggests B to buy a new t-shirt. In order to refuse A‘s suggestion, B shows his lack of enthusiasm about the latest fashion by
saying I’m not interested in fashion.
3 Adjuncts to Refusals
Takahashi and Beebe 1987: 139 explain that adjunct is formula which, if
standing alone, does not constitute a refusal. Adjunct must be combined with
another refusing expression if the speaker intends to use it in performing refusals. Adjuncts to refusals are used in order to express the solidarity between the
interlocutors.
a The Statement of Positive Opinionfeeling of Agreement
The refuser gives statement of positive opinion such as That’s a good idea
and I’d love to before refusing. The examples are in the conversation below:
A: stating his idea B:
That’s a good idea, but we have decided the concept for this project.
The statement That’s a good idea indicates the statement of positive opinion.
Meanwhile, the statement following the statement of positive opinion functions as a refusal.
b The Statement of Empathy
Before refusing, the refuser shows his empathy to the refusee. An example of the statement of empathy is when the refuser says
A: asking for help B: I realize you are in the difficult situation but I also need money to
pay for my apartment rent.
The statement of the empathy is indicated in I realize you are in the difficult
situation. Meanwhile, the refusing expression is shown in I also need money to pay rent for my apartment.
c Pause Fillers
Pause fillers such as Oh…, Well…, and Uhm… can also be used to refuse the
refusees‘ request if they are followed by refusing expression, for example: A: Can I borrow your book?
B:
Uhm…I don’t think I could lend you my book because I have an exam tomorrow.
In the example above, pause filler is indicated in Uhm. On the other hand, the statement
I don’t think I could lend you my book because I have an exam tomorrow is the refusing expression.
d Gratitudeappreciation
The statements indicating gratitudeappreciation are spoken before the main refusals. The examples of refusals by using gratitudeappreciation can be seen in
the statement Thanks, but I have an important meeting today. The expression of gratitude is expressed in the statement Thanks. Meanwhile, the statement
following the expression of gratitude is the refuser‘s main refusal. Statement I appreciate you for speaking up your idea, but your
idea is against the company’s
policy is another example of refusing by showing gratitude. Statement I appreciate you for speaking up your idea
shows the refuser‘s gratitude toward the refusee‘s idea. However, the idea opposes the company‘s policy. Hence, the
refuser must refuse it. The statement following the expression of gratitude is used to refuse the suggestion.
b. The Functions of Refusals
Chen, Ye, and Zhang 1995: 121 state that refusals are responses to an initiating act and they are considered as speech acts by which a speaker fails
to engage in an action proposed by the interlocutor. Edmonson in Amy Lynne VonCanon‘s Just Saying no: Refusing Requests in Spanish as a First and Second
Language 2006: 9 also states that the action proposed by the interlocutor is called initiating act and it typically takes the form of one of the followings:
request, invitation, offer, suggestion. Furthermore, Sadler and Eroz 2002: 56-68 mention that refusals are responses to refuse the request, invitation, suggestion,
and offer. An example of initiating acts presented in the conversation below:
A: This bag is for you. B: This is too expensive for me.
