DE LA COMPÉTENCE PRAGMATIQUE EN LANGUE SECONDE: UNE ÉTUDE DES RÉPONSES AUX COMPLIMENTS EN FRANÇAIS L1 ET L2 EN CONTEXTE CANADIEN

Abstract

This study examines the pragmatic competence of a group of Canadian English-speaking learners of French at the Intermediate level, focusing on the ways in which the participants respond to compliments in French L2. It was found that the L2 French Learners employ more complex compliment response patterns than simple ones; there was a noticeable tendency for the learners to use more expansive linguistic realization forms and more positive compliment response strategies. Major differences were found with respect to specific realization forms of compliment acceptance in French L1 and L2.