This study analyzes Laotian KSL(Korean as Second Language) learners'' linguistic ability in performing politeness expressions from a cross-cultural perspective. Its finding highlights cases both in pragmatic transfer and failure caused by Laotian linguistic cultural factors. To demonstrate this, this research adopts a written Discourse Completion Test(DCT), which consists of seven situations and also considers Relative Power(P) and Social Distances(D) together. To investigate the degrees of imposition for each situation, subjects are requested to mark their responses in a five-point Likert Scale. Finally, it conducted follow-up interviews to carry out an in-depth analysis as a qualitative research. The subjects in this study were Laotian and Korean students enrolled at Korean universities both in language schools and graduated schools.
The findings could be summarized as follow: The Laotian KSL learners tend to use avoidance strategy when they encounter a ''Face'' threatening situations. In unavoidable circumstances, they use several strategies to reduce the risk of Face Threatening Act(FTA). Firstly, they use endings with respectful expressions(honorific) such as ''-haeyo'' not only for superiors but also for friends; Secondly, they use apologetic expressions; Thirdly, the terms of address are used as a politeness marker; and Finally, they try to make literal translation from the Laotian language. Meanwhile, Laotian KSL learners often cause pragmatic failures when they use direct and conclusive utterances because of their lack of linguistic resources. Its result would provide good references to develop teaching materials, particularly focusing on politeness expressions, which help Laotians learn Korean language and culture together.