Analyzing Words of Caution and Confidence in ES and KS Dissertations

Academic writing frequently utilizes hedges and boosters to convey caution and confidence and eventually enhance credibility in scholarly communication. Previous research has mainly focused on the frequency of these devices in journal articles, with limited attention to their usage in doctoral dissertations, particularly written by ESL/EFL authors. This study aims to examine how English-speaking (ES) and Korean-speaking (KS) authors in the fields of English Education (EE) and Biology (BIO) use hedges and boosters in their dissertation discussions, with a special focus on the contexts in which these devices are employed. Using a mixed-methods approach, we first conducted a descriptive analysis of 120 dissertations, equally divided between ES and KS authors across two disciplines and then identified top 10 most frequently used hedges and boosters in each group. A subsequent qualitative analysis explored the contexts in which the key devices were employed, revealing cross-linguistic, cultural, and disciplinary patterns. The findings showed that ES authors tend to emphasize possibility and open interpretation, which reflects a Western academic preference for acknowledging alternative perspectives. Conversely, KS authors prefer to deliver their findings directly and cautiously, highlighting the Korean cultural norms that favor both authoritative and humble statements. Regarding boosters, ES authors underscore notable results or unexpected findings, often in a narrative style that invites readers’ engagement, while KS authors employ boosters in contexts that require careful assertion of results, which is associated with the cultural values that emphasize modesty and reduce self-responsibility. After all, this study offers insights into how linguistic, cultural, and disciplinary factors shape those rhetorical strategies in dissertation writing, implying the need for specialized dissertation writing instruction, particularly for L2 writers, to address these contextual subtleties effectively.