The Pragmatics of Sorry: A Cross-Linguistic Analysis of English and Macedonian Online Communication

Abstract

This paper examines the use of the lexeme sorry in English and Macedonian online communication, focusing on its multifunctionality beyond the conventional role of apology. While sorry is typically associated with expressions of regret, its pragmatic value extends to discourse management, mitigation, and even ironic or non-apologetic uses. The study outlines the theoretical framework of apology and discourse marker research, describes the methodology used to collect instances of sorry and its Macedonian equivalent forms, and analyses their syntactic and pragmatic properties. The analysis distinguishes three main functions: (1) sorry as a prototypical apology speech act, (2) sorry as a discourse marker that softens or manages interaction, and (3) sorry as a sarcastic or non-apology. Examples from English and Macedonian corpora are examined with attention to syntactic structure, frequency, and pragmatic implications. The findings suggest that English speakers employ sorry primarily to convey sympathy and regret in online contexts, often extending its use beyond explicit apologies. Macedonian speakers, however, tend to use sorry or the orthographically adapted sori to address minor offences, typically accompanied by explanations or justifications. The study also finds that the orthographic adaptation sori does not significantly affect the range or frequency of its pragmatic functions. Although limited in scope, the research identifies valuable patterns in the cross-linguistic use of sorry and highlights the need for further investigation on larger corpora to fully capture its role in online discourse and intercultural pragmatics