What does this research mean for the field?

Gratitude is a complex emotion encompassing both positive and negative conceptualizations, and its linguistic expression varies significantly across different Arab cultures, challenging the assumption that it is a solely positive construct. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Investigate how gratitude is linguistically expressed and cognitively conceptualized in Algerian and Jordanian Arabic cultures across varying levels of social status, familiarity, and imposition.

September 5, 2026The International Journal of Communication and Linguistic StudiesOpen Access

The Lighter and Darker Sides of Thanks

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Authors

SMSoumia Mekahli AZAseel Zibin

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Overview

Comparative linguistic study reveals dual positive and negative cognitive dimensions of gratitude in Algerian and Jordanian Arabic speakers, highlighting complex emotional framing.

Key Points

Investigate how gratitude is linguistically expressed and cognitively conceptualized in Algerian and Jordanian Arabic cultures across varying levels of social status, familiarity, and imposition.
Administered an oral discourse completion task (DCT) to 80 participants (40 Algerians and 40 Jordanians).
Classified linguistic strategies using adapted taxonomies from Cheng and Al-Khawaldeh, analyzing conceptual models via Kövecses’s cognitive-cultural framework and prototype theory.
Algerians produced a higher total volume of strategies with religious formulae acting as the most frequent strategy, displaying pronounced sensitivity to high-imposition contexts.
Jordanians exhibited broader strategic variety—regularly incorporating appreciation, regret, and omission of thanking—with heightened sensitivity to higher social status.
Prototype models in both cultures featured positive elements (prayer, thankfulness, compliments) alongside negative emotional dimensions (indebtedness, imposition, apology, embarrassment, and regret).

Cite This Study

Mekahli et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd49d6b95aff0620ec74e https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-7882/cgp/a265

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September 5, 2026The International Journal of Communication and Linguistic StudiesOpen Access

The Lighter and Darker Sides of Thanks

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SMSoumia Mekahli AZAseel Zibin

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Comparative linguistic study reveals dual positive and negative cognitive dimensions of gratitude in Algerian and Jordanian Arabic speakers, highlighting complex emotional framing.

Key Points

Investigate how gratitude is linguistically expressed and cognitively conceptualized in Algerian and Jordanian Arabic cultures across varying levels of social status, familiarity, and imposition.
Administered an oral discourse completion task (DCT) to 80 participants (40 Algerians and 40 Jordanians).
Classified linguistic strategies using adapted taxonomies from Cheng and Al-Khawaldeh, analyzing conceptual models via Kövecses’s cognitive-cultural framework and prototype theory.
Algerians produced a higher total volume of strategies with religious formulae acting as the most frequent strategy, displaying pronounced sensitivity to high-imposition contexts.
Jordanians exhibited broader strategic variety—regularly incorporating appreciation, regret, and omission of thanking—with heightened sensitivity to higher social status.
Prototype models in both cultures featured positive elements (prayer, thankfulness, compliments) alongside negative emotional dimensions (indebtedness, imposition, apology, embarrassment, and regret).

Cite This Study

Mekahli et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd49d6b95aff0620ec74e https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-7882/cgp/a265

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