(Im)politeness employed by multilingual Indonesian EFL learners in argumentative conversations

Politeness might lessen imposition in argumentative conversations which potentially result conflict. However, different conventions on politeness among cultures may cause problems for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners who often transfer their native communication preferences to target language usage. This article explores the (im)politeness employed by multilingual casual agreeing-disagreeing exchanges peers. Using explanatory sequential mixed method design, students’ utterances role plays were analyzed based Leech’s (2014) theory, Kakava’s (1993) disagreement strategies, well Locher’s (2004) mitigating strategies disagreement. It is found that with people of equal status and power, observance maxims more apparent than violation. indicates maintaining others’ faces essential irrespective age differences, even arguing conversations. The frequent use positive negative represents greater orientation others themselves. prevalence mitigated an appreciation preface also show priority good relationships. Those findings support view Asians collectivistic group whose primary concern membership. suggests awareness must be increased giving them perspectives from non-Asian cultures.