Excuse Me and I'm Sorry

Abstract

In this paper we examine two different but often functionally similar phrases, excuse me and I'm sorry. We discuss the use and effect of these phrases in particular social situations, with reference to two basic definitions: (1) a definition of excuse me as a formula to remedy a past or immediately forthcoming breach of etiquette or other minor offense on the part of the speaker, and (2) a definition of I'm sorry as an expression of dismay or regret at an unpleasantness suffered by the speaker and/or the addressee. In the light of these definitions, we examine reasons for the inappropriateness of some uses of excuse me and I'm sorry on the part of non-native speakers of English, and we point out the importance of cultural knowledge for the accurate interpretation of generalizations about these formulas. We review how excuse me and I'm sorry are treated in current ESL texts, and describe a teaching unit that is compatible with the assumptions and assertions of this paper. Finally, we argue that, in the current enthusiasm for developing communicative competence, the use of basic linguistic research in preparing materials for teachers and students should not be ignored.