COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SPEECH CULTURE IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK FORMAL COMMUNICATION

This study provides a comparative sociolinguistic analysis of speech culture in the English and Uzbek languages, focusing on formal communication contexts such as education, media, and public discourse. We examine verbal etiquette, discourse markers, and politeness strategies in each language, highlighting both similarities and differences shaped by sociocultural, historical, and linguistic influences. A qualitative methodology is employed, analyzing examples from real-life formal settings (classroom interactions, news media, official speeches) to illustrate how each language encodes respect, formality, and interpersonal cues. The analysis reveals that English formal communication often prioritizes globalized etiquette norms and indirect politeness, whereas Uzbek formal speech is deeply rooted in traditional etiquette, emphasizing respect, hierarchy, and emotional warmth in expression. Despite these differences, both languages share the fundamental goal of maintaining courteous relations and social harmony in formal contexts. This article contributes to cross-cultural pragmatics by detailing how English and Uzbek speakers navigate formal interactions, and by shedding light on the role of cultural values—such as English individualism and Uzbek collectivism—in shaping speech practices. The findings have practical implications for intercultural communication, particularly in educational and media settings, and suggest avenues for further research on speech culture across diverse languages.