An Error Analytic Study of Phatic Communication as Used by EFL College Students in Tikrit University

Abstract

Many of the utterances negotiated by English speakers are composed of words seem to be different from that expected by hearers, but nevertheless, hearers go back to, and must remember that what is said is really intended to them. In this case those utterances are supposed to be phatic, otherwise a pragmatic failure may occur. This study supports a full description of phatic communication in English. A theoretical account is presented about the subject, then, a practical side clarifies to what extent our students have information about phatic communication, with a conclusion.