A Pragmatic Analysis of Ostensible Lies in High-Context Cultures

This study investigates the pragmatic functions of the ostensible communicative act of lies in high-context cultures, focusing on the Jordanian culture, within the framework of the Joint Action theory (Clark, 1996). The study, which is based on thirty examples of ostensible lies, obtained by direct observation and informal interviews, shows that ostensible lies, in the Jordanian culture, have eight off-record functions, which are used for politeness purposes or protecting face. The findings of the study, which confirm Issacs and Clark?s (1990), features of ostensible lies, reveal that ostensible lies, in Jordanian Arabic, may cross-functions with Walton?s (1998) study, but ostensible lies can appear in situations where power relations are not equal, contra Walton?s (1998) argument.