FACE-THREATENING ACTS IN PROFESSIONAL VS. INFORMAL COMMUNICATION IN UZBEK AND ENGLISH.

Abstract

This study examines face-threatening acts (FTAs) in professional and informal communication in English and Uzbek, highlighting cross-cultural and context-dependent differences in language use. Grounded in Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness theory, the research investigates how speakers mitigate potential threats to the hearer’s face through strategies such as indirectness, hedging, honorifics, and politeness markers. Data were drawn from authentic written and spoken discourse, including workplace emails, professional meetings, casual conversations, and social media exchanges. The findings reveal that FTAs are realized differently depending on both cultural norms and communication context. In professional settings, English speakers tend to employ explicit yet mitigated strategies, balancing clarity with politeness, while Uzbek speakers rely heavily on context-sensitive honorifics and relational markers to preserve social hierarchy and interpersonal harmony. In informal settings, both languages demonstrate greater flexibility, but Uzbek communication still emphasizes indirectness and relational sensitivity more than English. These results underscore the significance of cultural and contextual awareness in managing FTAs and preventing miscommunication. The study offers insights for cross-cultural communication, language teaching, and professional interaction, highlighting the importance of pragmatic competence in navigating face-threatening situations effectively across languages and contexts.