INTRODUCTION Mini Research(Updated)

8/10/2019 INTRODUCTION Mini Research(Updated)

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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

As part of our assessment for the subject Introduction to Sociolinguistics, our group

consisting of Nurul Zahidah binti Hassan PTM130723907, Zahidah Husna binti Zulkifli

PTM130723486 and Farhana binti Abdul Hadi PTM130723631 conducted a questionnaire

among third semester students of TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) code BE101

regarding Politeness and Address Forms.

Politeness in the English dictionary is defined as the quality of being civilized or well-

mannered and address forms are ways of addressing the people around us. According to Janet

Holmes An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, factors constraining the polite choice of address

terms are age group, gender, status, setting, title and solidarity.

Politeness and address forms play an important role in our daily lives, specifically our

target respondents who range from college students who study in an environment of different

people. They are inclined to interact with peers that vary from different age groups, genders,

statuses and titles in different settings.

Our questionnaire was conducted to investigate the factors that manipulate politeness

and the different ways others address their peers of different age groups. Our questionnaire

entitled, Degree of Politeness between Peers of Various Age Groups among BE101 Semester

3 Students in KPTMKL was distributed fairly among the third semester TESL students of Kolej

Poly-Tech MARA Kuala Lumpur. We received an appropriate amount of responds and

successfully drafted this report. This report contains the objective and findings of our

investigation.


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CHAPTER TWO: OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the study is to analyse the BE101 Semester 3 students perception of the

degree of politeness between peers of various age group. The more specific objectives of the

study are:

1. To identify the students perception regarding politeness between peers of various age

group

2. How does politeness influence the students behaviour towards their peers from different

group of age

3. The factors that influence the degree of politeness among students with their peers of

different age

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The fundamental questions addressed by this study are:

i. Does age group plays an important role in the degree of politeness between peers?

ii. What are the factors that determine the degree of politeness in different ages?


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CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

The instrument that is a questionnaire was developed to elicit answers to the research

questions was administered to the respondents who were BE101 students in KPTMKL. The

respondents were 30 students from KPTMKL. The questionnaire is divided into two parts. The

first part gathers the information of students personal data and consists of eight questions. The

first five questions require them to state their age, gender, age of their friends, do they have

friend who is older than their age and have they experienced a communication barrier with their

older friend. They were asked to write their answers in the space provided in the questionnaire.


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CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS

Background of respondents

GRAPH 1: Total Number of Respondents Based on Gender

In completing our research regarding the Degree of Politeness between Peers ofVarious Age Groups among BE101 Semester 3 Students in Kolej Poly-Tech Mara (KPTMKL),

we had gone through the questionnaires done by 30 students altogether, all of whom are

BE101 Semester 3 students in KPTMKL. In this small-scale research, the 30 respondents

mentioned above; is comprised of a total of 15 male and 15 female. Hence, we can say that the

number of respondents is this research based upon gender is equal; leading us onto a

percentage of 50% male to 50% female in regards of the total number of respondents in this

particular research.

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TotalNumberofRespondents

Gender

Total Number of Respondents based on

Gender

Male

Female


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SECTION A

QUESTION 1: How old are you?

GRAPH 2: Age of Respondents

In order to find out the age of our respondents, we created a question in our

questionnaire that can help us to determine the age of the respondents. Based upon graph 2,

13 of the male respondents are within the range of age 18 until 20 years old. The remaining 2

of the male respondents are within the range of age 21 until 23 years old. For the female

respondents, 14 of the female respondents are within the range of age from 18 until 20 years

old. Meanwhile, the remaining 1 of the 15 female respondents is within the range of age 21

until 23 years old. None of the respondents are within the range of age between 24 until above

26 years old. Overall, 27 out of 30 respondents are within the range of age from 18 until 20

years old and 3 out of 30 respondents are within the range of age of 21 until 24 years old.

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18-20 Years Old 21-23 Years Old 24-26 Years Old Above 26 Years Old

TotalNo.ofRespondents

Age

Age of Respondents

Male

Female


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QUESTION 2: How old are your peers?

GRAPH 3: Group of Peers based on Age

In order to find out the age of our respondents peers, we come out with a question that

can help us to determine their age. Based on graph 3, 13 of the male respondents have a group

of peers within the range of age from 18 until 20 years old, while the other 2 of male

respondents have groups of peers within the range of age from 21 until 23 years old. For female

respondents, 12 of the respondents have groups of peers within the range of age from 18 until

20 years old whilst the other 3 of the female respondents have groups of peers within the range

of age from 21 until 23 years old. None of the respondents have groups of peers from the range

of age from 24 until above 26 years old. Overall, 25 out of 30 of the respondents have groups of

peers from within the range of age 18 until 20 years old, and; 5 out of the total respondents

have groups of peers within the range of age from 21 until 23 years old.

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18-20 Years Old 21-23 Years Old 24-26 YearsOld Above 26 Years Old


Age of Peers

Group of Peers based on Age

Male

Female


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QUESTION 3: Do you have friends who are older than you?

GRAPH 4: Respondents Opinion if They Have Friends who are Older than Them

In order to find out the respondents opinion if they have friends who are older than

them, we put it as a yes/no question in our questionnaire. Based on graph 4, 9 of the male

respondents say that they indeed; do have friends who are older than them whilst the other 6 ofthe male respondents say the opposite- which is: No. Equally, 9 of the female respondents also

say that they do have friends who are older than their age while, the other 6 of the female

respondents say no to the question. Overall, 18 of the total respondents says yes that they

have friends who are older than them while the other 12 says that they do not have friends who

are older than them.

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Yes No

No.ofRespondents

Responds

Respondents' Opinion if They Have Friends who

are Older than Them

Male

Female


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QUESTION 4: Have you ever experienced communication barrier due to differences in

age?

GRAPH 5: Respondents Opinion Regarding Experiencing Communication Barrier due to

Ages Differences

In order to find out if the respondents ever experienced communication or language

barrier when they communicate with peers who are older than them, we created a yes/no

question to help us get an answer for it. Based on graph 5, 9 of male respondents say that they

have experienced communication barrier which had occurred due to ages differences, whilst

the other 6 of male respondents say that they have never came across communication barrier

due to ages difference. For female respondents, 5 out of 15 respondents say that they have

experienced communication barrier due to ages difference whilst the other 10 of the female

respondents say otherwise.

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Yes No


Responds

Respondents' Opinions Regarding Experiencing

Communication Barrier Due to Ages' Differences

Male

Female


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QUESTION 4(A): If you do, please explain why.

GRAPH 6: Causes of Communication Barrier

This question is a continuation from Question 4 in Part A. In this question, we asked the

respondents who answered yes in Question 4 to give reasons why or what do they think are

the causes for them to experience language barrier with their older peers. Based on graph 6, 3

of the male respondents who have experienced communication barriers due to ages difference

say that they experienced such barrier mainly because of the age difference, especially ones

who are older than them. The other remaining 6 of the male respondents who have experienced

communication barrier due to ages difference say that they faced such experience because

they find it difficult to interact with those who are older than them.

They felt awkward because they felt that they cannot really relate to the way those who

are older than them communicate, hence; causing them to have difficulties in interacting with

those who are older. For female respondents, all 5 of those who have experiencedcommunication barrier due to ages difference basically have the similar reasons to the male

respondents: they experienced such barrier mainly because they feel the need to respect them.

From these, we can see that majority of male respondents faced such barrier because of

difficulties in interacting to those who are older, whilst majority of female respondents faced the

barrier due to the age difference.

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Age Differences Difficult to Interact


Causes

Causes of Communication's Barrier

Male

Female


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QUESTION 5: How do you address peers older than you?

GRAPH 7: Ways in Addressing Older Peers

In order to find out on how the respondents address their older peers, we created this

question to help us determine if age and status play an important role in linguistic politeness and

address form. Based on graph 7, 9 of the male respondents preferred to address their older

peers according to their age or status which are: abang, kakak or bro; while the remainder 6

of the male respondents preferred to address them using their first name basis. For female

respondents, 10 of the female respondents preferred to address their older peers according to

their age or status- those which are similar to that of male respondents; while the other 6 of the

female respondents preferred to call their older peers using the first name basis. From these

findings, we can see that majority of male and female respondents preferred to use names

status when addressing their older peers.

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Name According to Age/Status First Name Basis


Ways

Ways in Addressing Older Peers

Male

Female


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QUESTION 6: Respect those who are older than you

Do you agree with this statement? If you do/do not agree, please explain why.

GRAPH 8: Opinions regarding Statement: Respect those whoare older than you

For this question, we give the respondents a statement Respect those who are older

than you to identify if the respondents agree or disagree with the statement. They also have togive reason(s) why they agree or disagree with the statement. Based on graph 8, 14 out of 15

respondents for both male and female respondents respectively agree to the statement:

Respect those who are older than you whilst the other 1 of both male and female respondents,

respectively disagree to the statement. Thus, we can see there that majority of male and female

respondents agree to the fact that people should respect those who are older than them, whilst

minority of 1 respondent respectively; from both male and female respondents disagree to such

statement.

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Agree Disagree


Opinions

Opinions regarding statement: "Respect thosewho are older than you"

Male

Female


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Reasons given by respondents for agreeing with the statement

GRAPH 9: Reasons to Agree to the statement: Respect those who are older than you

This graph represented those who agree with the statement in Question 6. Based on

graph 9, 8 of male respondents and 7 of the female respondents who agree to the statement

Respect those who are older than you described that they had agreed to such statement

because of their upbringing. They were taught and educated in a family which inclined them torespect people, especially those who are older than them despite whoever they are. Whilst 2 of

the remainder male respondents and 3 of the female respondents described that their culture

had moulded them onto respecting those who are older than them.

2 of the other male respondents and 3 of the female respondents described how they

respect people, especially those who are older than them; because of their religion. Their

religion had taught them to respect people, no matter who they are; what more those who are of

older age than them. Meanwhile, the last 2 of the overall male respondents and 2 of the overall

female respondents agree to such statement because of the age factor. For them; as long as

the person is older than them, they feel that they are obligated to respect them. From these

findings, we can see that majority of both male and female respondents agreed to the statement

because of their upbringing. Hence, we can say that for both male and female respondents;

upbringing factor plays a large role in making them agreed to the statement that People should

respect those who are older than them.

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Upbringing Culture Religion Age


Reasons

Reasons to Agree to the Statement: "Respect

those who are older than you"

Male

Female


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Reasons given by respondents who disagree with the statement

GRAPH 10: Reasons to Disagree to the Statement: Respect those who are older than

you

This graph represented those who disagree with the statement in Question 6. Based on

graph 10, we can see that the respective number of 1 respondent from both male and female

respondents does not agree to the statement that people should respect the other people who

are older than them because they feel that age is just a number. If they feel that the person

deserves respect from them, than they will gladly give it to those who deserved it. They

described that people should gain respect; not because of how old they are, but; who they are

as a person. Thus, we can see here that equal number of male and female respondent have

disagreed to the statement because they feel that age is just a number.

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Age is just a number

No.ofRespondents

Reason

Reasons to Disagree to the Statement:

"Respect those who are older than you"

Male

Female


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QUESTION 7:

A. Ali respects peers who are older than him.

B. Lisa does not give special treatment to peers older than her. She treats them equally.

C. Abu disrespects peers older than him.

Why do you think situation A, B and C occur? Explain.

GRAPH 11: Opinions Regarding Situation A, B and C.

For the final question for Part A in our questionnaire, we come out with a situation based

question. This question is created to find out the respondents opinion on three different

situations. Based on graph 11, 3 of the male respondents and 4 of female respondents

explained that situation A, B and C had occurred due to language barrier. They explained how

A, B and C might have occurred due to miscommunication and problems faced by the speaker

in interacting with peers who are older than them. 3 of the male respondents explained thatsituations above might have occurred due to politeness. They described how a certain person

have a higher level of politeness in comparison to the other, and this factor thus causes him or

her to behave the way they do to peers who are older than them.

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Language Barrier Politeness Personality Perspective Environment

TotalNo.ofRespo

ndents

Opinions

Opinions Regarding Situations A, B and C

Male

Female


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7 of male respondents and 5 of female respondents explained that such situations

occurred due to the personality of the speakers- in which are moulded by the persons religion,

culture and background in terms of his or her family. 2 of the remainder male respondents

explained how situation A, B and C might have occurred due to their different perspective in

regards of how they view the peers who are older than them. Whilst, 6 of the remainder female

respondents explained how situations above might have occurred due to their environmental

factor. The people they interact with and the place they stayed in might have influenced them to

behave the way they do to peers who are older than them. Hence, based on the findings, we

can see how majority of the male respondents think that situations above might have occurred

due to the personality of the speaker. Meanwhile, majority of the female respondents think that

situations have occurred due to environmental factor.


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SECTION B

QUESTION 1: Does your culture or religion teach you to respect people who are older

than you?

GRAPH 12: Opinions if Religion and Cultures Teach Respect to People Who are Older

In order to find out what are the factors that determine the degree of politeness, we

come out with section B in our questionnaire which consists of 5 questions to help us determine

the factors. For Question 1 we asked the respondents whether their religion or culture teaches

them to respect people who are older than them. Based on graph 12, the equal number of 14

respondents; respectively from both male and female respondents, have agreed that religions

and cultures indeed; teach respect to people who are older.

Meanwhile, 1 respondent; respectively from both male and female respondents

disagreed that religions and cultures teach people to respect those who are older than them.

From the findings, we can see how majority of both male and female respondents agreed that

religions and cultures indeed teach ones to respect people who are older than them.

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Yes No


Responds

Opinions If Religions And Cultures Teach Respect

to People Who Are Older

Male

Female


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Cultures Educations


Reasons

Reasons in Choosing to Respect the Older Peers

Male

Female

QUESTION 2: Why do you choose to respect peers who are older than you? Explain.

GRAPH 13: Reasons in Choosing to Respect the Older Peers

For Question 2, we asked the respondents the reasons behind their choice to respect

their older peers. Based on graph 13, 13 of the male respondents and 12 of the female

respondents described that they chose to respect those who are older than them because their

cultures have moulded them to do so. On the other hand, 2 of the male respondents and 3 of

the female respondents described that they chose to respect peers who are older than them

because they have been educated to respect people regardless of who they are, because of

that; they chose to respect peers who are older than them. Thus, from the findings, we can see

how majority of male and female respondents described that they chose to respect peers who

are older because of their cultures teaching.


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QUESTION 3: Do you think environment can affect the degree of politeness?

GRAPH 14: Opinions if Environment can affect Peoples Degree of Politeness

For Question 3, we want to find out if environment affect peoples degree of politeness.

IN order to do so, we asked our respondents to give their opinion about this matter. Based on

graph 14, all 15 respondents from respectively male and female respondents agreed that

environment can affect peoples degree of politeness. None of the respondents from neither

male nor female respondents disagreed that opinions can affect peoples degree of politeness.

Hence, based on the findings; we can see that majority of both male and female respondents

agreed that environment indeed can affect peoples degree of politeness.

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Yes No


Opinion

Opinions if Environment can Affect People's

Degree of Politeness

Male

Female


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QUESTION 4: If you do/ do not think so, explain.

GRAPH 15: Reasons on Why Environment can Affect Peoples Degree of Politeness

This question is continuity from Question 3. For this question, we asked the respondents

to give reasons why they say yes or no in Question 3. Based on graph 15, 8 of male

respondents and 9 of female respondents described that ones surrounding can always affectpeoples degree of politeness. They explained how ones surroundings- cultures, family, society,

religion- affect ones degree of politeness. If their surroundings emphasized politeness in their

everyday life; then there is a high probability that they are going to be people with high degree

of politeness as they grow up.

Meanwhile, 3 of male respondents and 6 of female respondents described that peoples

level of education, in a way; affect their degree of politeness towards the other people. They

explained how ones level of education more often than not; affect their degree of politeness.

They described how people of lower education usually got less exposure on the importance of

politeness and certain degree of politeness that one person should be aware of; hence leading

them onto having lower degree of politeness. Nevertheless, based on the findings above, we

can see how majority of respondents- male and female- has come onto an understanding that

surroundings is the reason why environment can affect peoples degree of politeness.

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Surroundings Level of Education


Reasons

Reasons On Why Environment Can Affect People's

Degree Of Politeness

Male

Female


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QUESTION 5: What factors do you think affect the way you communicate with your

friends who are older than you?

GRAPH 16: Factors that may affect the Way of Communicating with Friends who are

Older

In order to find out what are the other factors that can affect the way people

communicating with older peers, we asked the respondents to provide other reasons that they

think can affect the way they talk to their older peers. Based on graph 16, 4 of male respondents

and 5 of female respondents think that culture is the factor that affects the way they

communicate with friends who are older than them. Meanwhile, the other 5 of male respondents

and 4 of female respondents think that age is the factor which affects the way they

communicate with their friends- ones who are older than them. Whilst the remaining 6 of both

male and female respondents respectively; think that their upbringing which is comprised of

religion, culture and family background- affect the way they communicate with friends who are

older than them. Based on the findings; obviously, majority of the respondents, from both male

and female; think that their upbringing is the factor that affect the way they communicate with

friends who are older than them.

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Culture Age Upbringing

T

otalNo.ofRespondents

Factors

Factors That May Affect The Way Of

Communicating With Friends Who Are Older

Male

Female


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CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSIONS

The main objective of this research is to identify what does the student think about

politeness and how does it influence the students behaviour towards their older peers. On the

whole, the findings of this mini-research show that age for both male and female does play an

important role in the degree of politeness between peers. However, female respondents display

higher degree of negative politeness towards their older peers compared to male respondents.

This is because female has higher number of older peers compared to male as shown in Graph

3 from our findings. According to our findings, female address their older peers by their age

status such as kak or abang while male are more comfortable addressing their older peers by

first name basis. This is shows that female displays negative politeness more than male as

shown in Graph 7 from our findings.

The second objective of this research is to identify what are the factors affecting degree

of politeness in different age group. The first factors that we find are religion and culture. Based

on our research, both male and female respondents agree that religion and culture are the

factors that affect their interaction with older peers. This is because religion and culture in

Malaysia emphasise on respecting older people. This factor is supported by our findings in

Graph 12 and Graph 13. The second factor affecting the degree of politeness is environment.

This is because environment can make us change the way we speak to anyone we came in

contact with. This statement is supported by our findings in Graph 14. According to Graph 16,

other factors that may influence a persons degree of politeness are culture, upbringing and age.

The factors however, are not in accordance with what Janet Holmes claimed in her

book. The only factors that are the same as the theory are older or age and marked setting.

Based from our understanding, we all agree that the factors affecting the degree of politeness

may be different from the theory is because the factors that are represented by Janet Holmes is

based on the British society. In Malaysia, we are made up of several different races and

sometimes culture and religion really plays an important role in address form.

In order to improve our research, we think that this mini-research could be extended to

include the respondents race and religion in order forus to get more accurate result regarding

the factors.


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CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION

Based on the objectives stated at the beginning of the research which in in Chapter One

and the findings and discussion presented in Chapter Four and Chapter Five, here are some

recaps on what we have learned from our research.

We found out that female show more negative politeness towards their older peers compared to

male because ?????

We also found out that the factors may be different from what we have learned or

expected. Even though we manage to determine whether age group does play an important role

in the degree of politeness between peers and finding the factors affecting the degree of

politeness, the result for this mini-research is still inconclusive. This is because the number of

respondents who answered the questionnaire is not enough to support our theory regarding this

matter.

INTRODUCTION Mini Research(Updated)

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