GENDERED PRAGMATICS: CROSS-CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN MALE AND FEMALE SPEECH ACTS IN UZBEK AND ENGLISH

Abstract

This study investigates gender-based pragmatic differences in the production and interpretation of speech acts among Uzbek and English speakers. Drawing on cross-cultural pragmatics and gender linguistics, the research analyzes how male and female speakers from both linguistic communities use requests, refusals, compliments, apologies, and politeness strategies. Data were collected from natural conversations, online communication, and semi-structured interviews involving 60 participants. A comparative qualitative and quantitative analysis reveals systematic differences related to directness, mitigation, hedging, politeness markers, and culturally shaped expectations. Findings indicate that English speakers—especially women-tend to rely more on hedges, indirectness, and positive politeness, while Uzbek female speakers frequently employ honorifics, collectivist politeness markers, and relational appeals. Male speakers in both languages show higher rates of directness and assertive strategies, but cultural norms create distinct patterns in each group. These results contribute to gendered pragmatics, pragmatic typology, and cross-cultural communication studies.