Generic Move Structure Analysis of Bulgarian BELF Business Emails: A Comparative Perspective on BELF and Native-Speaker Norms
Generic Move Structure Analysis of Bulgarian BELF Business Emails: A Comparative Perspective on BELF and Native-Speaker Norms

Summary/Abstract: This study examines the rhetorical move structure of Bulgarian business emails written in Business English as a Lingua Franca (BELF), comparing them across three distinct groups: Bulgarian business professionals (experimental group 1), professionals from other non-native-English nationalities (experimental group 2), and native-English-speaking business professionals (control group). Using Swales’ (1990) genre theory and move structure analysis, the study identifies key structural patterns and their pragmatic implications. Findings reveal that both experimental groups (Bulgarian and other non-native English professionals) display unique genre adaptations influenced by cultural communication styles, particularly in openings, justifications, proposals, requests, and closings. These variations underscore the impact of cultural norms on business email conventions, contributing to a broader understanding of genre evolution in international business communication.

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