AI Models’ Pragmatic Capabilities in the Production of Speech Acts: Implications for EFL Instruction
Abstract
This study examines the pragmatic capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models. Four datasets were created from five AI chatbots and compared to native English speaker data, focusing on four aspects (requestive routine expressions, request perspective, and refusal/apology strategies and their variations). In terms of pragmalinguistics, AI-generated output closely resembles native speaker data. Regarding sociopragmatics, variation in certain strategies (e.g., regret, wish, for refusals; repair, thanking/appreciation, for apologies) across social variables indicates disparities between AI and human behaviour, suggesting the chatbots lack human-like judgment. The study provides practical recommendations for EFL teachers and researchers.
Submitted: March 27, 2026 | Accepted: July 18, 2026 | Published Nov. 5, 2026 | Language: en
Keywords GenAI • Speech acts • Requests • ChatGPT • EFL • Interlanguage pragmatics • Apologies
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