LINGUOCULTURAL ASPECTS OF GREETINGS IN ENGLISH AND RUSSIAN COMMUNICATION

Abstract

Greetings are culturally shaped communicative practices rather than simple linguistic formulas. This article presents an extended analysis of the linguocultural characteristics of greetings in English and Russian communication, emphasizing how cultural values, social norms, and interactional expectations influence linguistic choice and behavior. Using a qualitative comparative approach, the study examines verbal and non-verbal greeting practices, degrees of formality, emotional involvement, and sociocultural factors such as status, age, and familiarity. The findings demonstrate that English greetings are largely ritualized, politeness-oriented, and emotionally restrained, whereas Russian greetings are more context-dependent, socially sensitive, and emotionally meaningful. The study highlights that greetings function as culturally embedded communicative practices rather than simple linguistic routines. It concludes that understanding these differences is essential for effective intercultural communication and for developing communicative competence in foreign language learning.