An An Exploratory Study in Cross-cultural Pragmatics on the Speech Act of Last-Minute Cancellation in Italian, European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract

This exploratory study investigates the discourse strategies employed by European Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, and Italian speakers when cancelling appointments, particularly at the last minute, in informal contexts. The analysis is based on 147 cancellations collected via messaging applications, supplemented by participants’ metapragmatic reflections. Two main patterns were identified: (1) an explicit structure centred on the cancellation sub-act and (2) an indirect strategy relying on justifications and apologies. Findings reveal a convergence in the use of both positive and negative politeness strategies, with cultural differences in the acceptance of last-minute cancellations. The results suggest a stronger orientation towards negative politeness in European Portuguese and Italian, contrasting with a positive politeness orientation in Brazilian Portuguese, which aligns with pragmatic patterns observed in other Latin American cultures. The theoretical framework of this study is grounded in research on Verbal Politeness and Cross-cultural Pragmatics, particularly the works of Brown & Levinson (1987), Blum-Kulka et al. (1989), Nuzzo & Cortés Velásquez (2020), Santoro (2017), Seara (2024).