Abstract:
This paper is based on the findings from a study that investigated the analysis of requests produced by
second language (L2) speakers (that is, 15 Afrikaans-speaking (L1) and 17 Sesotho-speaking (L1) learners) of
English and how these requests are received by English first language (L1) speakers. The aim of this study is to
compare the manners in which Afrikaans first language (L1) and Sesotho first language (L1) speakers make requests
when speaking English. The Cross Cultural Speech Act Realization Project (CCSARP) framework of Blum-Kulka
was utilized to analyze the requests made by these two groups. The outcomes revealed that Afrikaans speakers used
fewer politeness and alert markers as compared to Sesotho speakers who utilized more. The implications of these
findings are also discussed.
