Likely Comfortable And Appropriate Behaviors In Arab Cultural Interactions

This dissertation uses empirical (questionnaire & interview) data to contribute to the theoretical conceptualization of intercultural competence in foreign language learners. Specifically, this study describes and compares how native speakers (NSs) and non-native speakers (NNSs) of Arabic perceive a variety of cultural products, practices, and perceptions associated with Morocco. What is more, the study also explores the expectations that NSs and NNSs hold of themselves and each other in inter- and intra-cultural encounters. The study explores in depth the following assumptions that frequently shape pedagogical practices: (1) That NSs expect NNSs to comply with the NSs perspective when the NNSs interact with NSs; and (2) that NNSs feel obliged to adopt NSs norms of cultural appropriateness and furthermore desire to meet these obligations. The study included 52 Moroccan NSs of Arabic and 31 American college students learning Arabic in the first semester at a large Midwestern research university. Learners of Arabic rated 148 and Moroccans rated 117 items in surveys about cultural norms and projected & preferred behaviors; they also participated in face-to-face interviews. Findings included the following: (1) Learners reported inclinations toward cultural behaviors in Arabic that were significantly misaligned with the behaviors that Moroccans reported they would (or would not) engage in. (2) Moroccans made allowances with regard to the extent to which they expect Americans to conform to Moroccan cultural norms; however, they also wished that Americans learn about these cultural norms and refer to this knowledge in their interactions as part of their developing intercultural competence. (3) Learners when interviewed indicated a potential readiness to conform so as not to arouse offense but in their survey responses indicated that they would ultimately not be likely to do so. Instead, they preferred cultural behaviors that they found comfortable regardless of their compliance with Moroccan cultural norms.