The Communicative Act of Ostensible Lies in Academia

Abstract

This study examines the pragmatic role of ostensible lies—communicative acts in which falsehoods are mutually recognized but strategically presented as truth—in academic interactions within Jordanian culture. The problem addressed is the limited understanding of these socially coordinated lies and their functions in educational settings. The study's significance lies in its contribution to uncovering how such lies facilitate communication, negotiation of authority, and social boundaries. Data were gathered through informal interviews where participants recounted experiences with ostensible lies in academic contexts. The analysis involved identifying these lies and interpreting their off-record pragmatic purposes. The results reveal that ostensible lies serve several key functions, including avoiding compliments, softening authority, issuing indirect warnings, promoting self-reliance, easing fears of repercussions, persuasion, and maintaining interpersonal boundaries. These findings offer insights into the intersection of cultural norms and pragmatic strategies, with future research needed to explore their effects on educational outcomes and cross-cultural comparisons.