The present study aims at scrutinizing the impoliteness types, causes, and purposes utilized by Iraqi English language learners when refusing marriage proposals. Thus, it attempts to answer the questions: (1) what are the impoliteness formulas used by the Iraqi learners of English in refusing marriage proposals?, and (2) What are their impoliteness triggers/causes and the purposes? The study is significant in bridging the gap that few linguistic types of research concentrate on studying intentionality and emotions allied with impoliteness. Data were collected from 35 Iraqi learners of English responding to 6 situations of marriage. The data were analyzed using Culpeper’s (2011) formulas of impoliteness and Bousfield’s (2007) impoliteness triggers and intentions. The findings revealed that the most regular impoliteness formulas were insults and pointed criticisms/complaints. Regarding impoliteness triggers, the Iraqi learners’ responses reflected anger and disapproval as the most common triggers of impoliteness. Lastly, impoliteness was utilized as an instrument of insulting, quipping, and showing grudge when refusing the marriage situations; however, some impoliteness occurred as a counseling technique. The study concludes with some recommendations for future works.
