Critical Strategies Featured on the “Arab Idol” and “American Idol” Shows

Authors

  • Ghaith Yousef Al-Jdayeh University of Jordan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1306.21

Keywords:

criticism, criticism strategies, speech acts theory, Arab Idol show, American Idol show

Abstract

This study assesses the strategies with which judges on the “Arab Idol” and “American Idol” shows offer criticism to contestants with a particular focus on the differences between male and female judges. To ensure a comprehensive behavioral examination, this study looks at 60 comments stemming from the audition phase of each program, resulting in a total of 120 comments. This study employs Nguyen’s (2005) coding scheme of criticism as the foundation of its analysis. The results show that female judges on both the Arab and American shows use more indirect strategies in their criticisms while male judges prefer direct strategies. Additionally, the results indicate that the direct strategies typically entail the ‘negative evaluation and identification of a problem,’ while the indirect strategies often provide ‘advice about change and suggestions for change.’

Author Biography

Ghaith Yousef Al-Jdayeh, University of Jordan

College of Foreign Languages

References

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Published

2023-06-01

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Section

Articles