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Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on CALL Vol. 17, No.12. July 2026 Pp.182-197
Department of English, College of Education for Humanities, University of
Anbar11000 Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq
Department of English, College of Education for Humanities, University of
Anbar11000 Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq
The present study examines the use of apology strategies in the responses of artificial intelligence and Iraqi learners of English as a foreign language. The primary research question is whether artificial intelligence is pragmatically competent like language users in producing apology responses. The study aims to compare and contrast similarities and differences in the use and distribution of apology strategies according to Cohen and Olshtain (1981) and politeness theory by Brown and Levinson (1987). This study is significant in assessing the feasibility of artificial intelligence as a framework for developing pragmatic competence and its application to cross-cultural communication. This study employs a comparative approach using a discourse completion task comprising fourteen situations that prompt apologies. Seven hundred responses were generated by artificial intelligence, and seven hundred responses by Iraqi EFL learners of English. The responses are analyzed in terms of primary apology strategies such as explicit apology, acceptance of responsibility, explanation, offer of repair, and promise of forbearance, and politeness strategies associated with power and social distance. The analysis shows structural similarities but differences in emotional and contextual nuance. This study suggests the need for future research into pedagogical applications.
Mohammed, S.H., & Turki, H.Y. (2026). A Comparative Pragmatic Analysis of AI-Generated and Human Apologies in Iraqi EFL Learners.Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on CALL 17. (12).182-197.
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Sumaya Hameed Mohammed is a Master’s candidate in English Language at the University of Anbar, where she also completed her Bachelor’s degree in English Language. She currently serves as a teacher at the Iraqi Ministry of Education. Her academic interests focus on English linguistics, language studies, and humanistic research. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8282-5670
Dr. Hutheifa Yousif Turki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at the College of Education for Humanities, University of Anbar, where he has served since 2005. His research specialization is Socio-pragmatics, with scholarly interests in Semantics, Grammar, and Discourse Analysis. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3423-7754.