There are different ways to express positive emotions and feelings when people come across happy occasions. The present study investigates how people pragmatically express congratulations. One hundred and sixteen participants were recruited to answer a DCT which was used as a tool for uncovering the strategies of congratulations and answering the questions: (1) what are the main pragmatic strategies for congratulations? (2) what are the differences in using these strategies when it comes to males and females? (3) pragmatically, what are the positive politeness strategies used in expressing congratulations? And (4) are there any differences between males and females in using these positive politeness strategies? Among the findings revealed seven pragmatic strategies of congratulations saying congratulations, giving good wishes, expressing happiness, using jokes, mentioning the reason, asking for information or details, and giving compliments and encouragement.
Keywords: Speech Act, congratulations, give gifts, politeness strategies
