Study Examines Cultural and Linguistic Differences in How People Apologise

A recent study investigating how culture and language influence apologies has highlighted distinct communication patterns between native Korean and Spanish speakers. The research examined how individuals take responsibility and experience emotions such as guilt and shame when apologising in both their first and second languages.

According to the findings, apologies are shaped by multiple factors including social power, distance, and the seriousness of an offence. The study involved 115 participants with at least an intermediate level in a second language. Participants completed an online questionnaire featuring twelve university-related scenarios requiring an apology, varying by social power and distance, such as addressing a close classmate versus a professor.

Researchers analysed nearly 3,000 apology strategies, categorising them into direct apologies, self-blame, explanations, and offers of repair. The results showed that Korean speakers frequently took responsibility directly using phrases like “it was my fault” alongside self-critical language. In contrast, Spanish speakers tended to soften responsibility through explanations, noting that an offence was unintentional, or using impersonal phrases such as “it slipped my mind”.

The study also explored the role of moral emotions. While guilt often encourages individuals to repair damage and make amends, shame can lead to avoidance or silence. Individualistic cultural contexts often emphasize guilt, whereas collective contexts place greater social weight on group harmony and shame.

Regarding language proficiency, participants generally experienced strong moral emotions in both their first and second languages. However, when interacting with individuals in positions of higher status, such as professors, participants expressed guilt and shame more strongly in their first language. The research suggests that language education should incorporate intercultural pragmatics to help learners understand the emotional weight and social appropriateness of expressions across different cultures.

"Understanding cross-cultural communication is increasingly vital for modern businesses operating in global markets. As enterprises expand internationally and build diverse teams, recognising how different cultures handle responsibility, apologies, and professional interactions can significantly reduce misunderstandings. Business leaders and entrepreneurs must take note that effective communication goes beyond mere translation; it requires a deep awareness of local norms, social hierarchy, and emotional context to maintain strong professional relationships." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes