Discourse strategies used by status-unequal interlocutors expressing disagreement are discussed. The paper focuses on the influence of role relationships on semantic formulas. A comparative study of discourse strategies used by native speakers of Turkish and North American English in the same speech event is also reported. Data were gathered from 80 native Turkish-speakers and 14 native English-speakers in a written elicitation task, supplemented by observation. Each subject was presented with two status-unequal situations in a work context, one in which a higher-status individual disagrees with the idea of a lower-status individual, and one in which a lower-status individual disagrees with the idea of a higher-status individual. Frequency and type of semantic formulas (criticism, suggestion, use of positive statement to preface disagreement, expression of gratitude, expression of empathy, postponement of decision) and politeness strategies (positive preface, softeners, questions, mitigating devices, address terms) used in response to each situation were analyzed. Patterns of similarity and difference found across language groups and across situations are examined. Contains 24 references. (MSE)