CROSS-CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF SPEECH ACTS IN DIVERSE COMMUNICATIIVE CONTEXTS
Keywords:
speech acts, cross-cultural pragmatics, politeness, directness, face-saving, intercultural communication, pragmatic transfer, communicative competence.Abstract
This paper investigates speech acts as central components of pragmatic communication, emphasizing that their realization is shaped by both linguistic systems and cultural frameworks. The study concentrates on directive, expressive, and commissive acts, examining how their use is conditioned by cultural norms, social hierarchies, and situational variables.Drawing on insights from pragmatics, sociolinguistics, and intercultural communication, the analysis identifies key parameters of cross-cultural variation, including degrees of directness, politeness strategies, and context-sensitive appropriateness. Particular attention is devoted to pragmatic transfer and to the role of speech acts in structuring interpersonal relations.
The findings indicate that speech act performance cannot be reduced to universal linguistic patterns; rather, it constitutes a culturally situated practice that reflects underlying value systems and communicative conventions. A deeper understanding of these differences enhances intercultural interaction and clarifies the role of language in constructing and expressing cultural identity.
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