DefinePK

Abstract

The present study attempts to investigate basic apology semantic formulae used by Kashmiri speakers in Urdu language. It also elaborates preferences of the participants of study regarding selection of different strategies. The informants are 250 university students, doing MA in Urdu language. A modified version of Discourse Completion Test (DCT) proposed by Blum-Kulka and Olshtain (1984) is used for data collection. The current version of DCT consists of 15 situations and data collected is analysed by using taxonomy proposed by Blum Kulka et al., (1989). While, the data collected through observations and interviews is used either to verify or contradict DCT data. The results of the study not only emphasise claimed universality of apology expressions but also reinforces culture-specific aspect of language use by exploring some more expressions being used for apologizing in Urdu language by the population under study.Significance of the study lies inits contribution for promoting global understanding regarding speechact of apology as is perceived and executed in Kashmir.