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DIFFERENCES IN POLITENESS ACROSS LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
Muhammadiyeva Halima Saidahmadovna
Associate Professor of Namangan State University
Mahmudjonova Gulsanam Ikromjon qizi
Student of Namangan state university
Annotation: This article explores the differences in politeness across various
languages and cultures, highlighting how social norms, traditions and linguistic
structures shape the expression of politeness. By comparing examples from different
cultural and linguistic contexts, the article sheds light on the diverse ways politeness
is perceived and practiced worldwide. The findings emphasize the importance of
understanding cultural differences in politeness to promote effective cross-cultural
communication and mutual respect.
Keywords: politeness, cultural differences, social norms, non-verbal
communication, taboo topics
РАЗЛИЧИЯ В ВЕЖЛИВОСТИ МЕЖДУ ЯЗЫКАМИ И КУЛЬТУРАМИ
Аннотация: Эта статья исследует различия в выражении вежливости
в различных языках и культурах, подчерчивая, как социальные нормы,
традиции и языковые структуры формируют проявления вежливости.
Сравнивая примеры из различных культурных и языковых контекстов, статья
освещает разнообразные способы восприятия и практики вежливости во
всем мире. Результаты подчерчивают важность понимания культурных
различий в вежливости для содействия эффективной межкультурной
коммуникации и взаимного уважения.
Ключевые слова: вежливость, культурные различия, социальные нормы,
невербальное общение, табулированные темы.
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TILLAR VA MADANIYATLAR O'RTASIDAGI MULOYIMLIK
FARQLARI
Annotatsiya: Ushbu maqola turli tillar va madaniyatlar o'rtasidagi
muloyimlik farqlarini o'rganadi, ijtimoiy normalar, an'analar va til strukturalarining
muloyimlik ifodalanishiga qanday ta'sir qilishini ta'kidlaydi. Turli madaniy va
lingvistik kontekstlardan misollarni solishtirish orqali maqola muloyimlikning dunyo
bo'ylab qanday qabul qilinishi va amalda qo'llanilishini ko'rsatadi. Topilmalar
muloyimlikdagi madaniy farqlarni tushunishning ahamiyatini ta'kidlaydi, bu esa
samarali madaniyatlararo muloqot va o'zaro hurmatni rivojlantirishga yordam
beradi.
Kalit so'zlar: muloyimlik, madaniy farqlar, ijtimoiy normalar, noverbal
muloqot, taqiqlangan mavzular
Introduction
Politeness is just more than good manners, as it is the mirror of the soul of the
culture, often showed through language, gestures and behaviors of individuals
around the world. Every society has its own set of actions and rules that are
considered an appropriate way of interacting one another without leaving negative
impression. When we compare languages and cultures, the way politeness expressed
reveals subtle, but profound differences that should be explored and learnt more
attentively in order to maintain harmonious relationships across nations. From the
ways how Asians complement each other to making courteous requests or
apologizing in formal or casual settings in Europe have significant differences which
makes politeness a cultural art form that various in surprising ways. This article
explores the diverse ways politeness is expressed worldwide, also helps to bridge the
cultural gaps and communicate with greater sense of respect and awareness.
Methods
The article is written by using various methods, mainly a combination of
research and data collection, gathering information from credible sources. Gathered
Yangi O'zbekiston taraqqiyotida tadqiqotlarni o'rni va rivojlanish omillari
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relevant and accurate data organized into a structured outline to ensure logical flow
and coherence. Writer’s personal insights, observations, prior knowledge and also
experience were included to make the analysis more detailed and meaningful. This
approach ensures the content is accurate, relevant and supported by evidence.
Throughout the process, multiple drafts were created and edited to achieve the
polished final version.
Review
The concept of politeness as a fundamental aspect of linguistic interaction
has been widely explored, with researchers examining its significance in shaping
communication and managing interpersonal relationships. For example, Kasper
describes linguistic politeness as the process of organizing language use to suit
specific communicative situations [1]. Similarly, Cutting supports this perspective,
emphasizing that politeness involves making linguistic choices to achieve particular
communicative objectives [2]. Other definitions shift focus to the purposes politeness
serves in communication. Robin Lakoff argues that politeness functions as a societal
mechanism to reduce the inherent friction in communication [3]. Grundy adds that
politeness is also about the extent to which a speaker’s language aligns with the
listener’s expectations regarding how something should be expressed [4]. Studies
showed that politeness plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining social
connections, revealing the nature of human social interaction as conveyed through
language [5]. That is why, different cultures shaped their own norms and convictions
of politeness over time, reflecting societal values and expectations. Furthermore, the
politeness norms of one culture can significantly influence those of another over the
years, especially through prolonged contact, such as trade, migration, or colonization.
For instance, ever since ancient times, there has been a need for politeness in both
written and spoken language in China. As ancient Chine developed and interacted
with neighboring countries, the social norms of being polite and speaking politely
influenced other cultures. Korean, as well as Japanese communication is heavily
shaped by traditional Chinese Confucian values, including importance of politeness
in interpersonal communication [6]. However, only a limited number of researchers
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have explored cross-cultural politeness characteristics and their underlying causes.
Discussion
Addressing people across different nations
The way people address each other varies widely across cultures. For example,
from my own experience as an Uzbek girl, addressing people in my home country
whether we know them or not based on emphasizing respect and showing closer
interaction by using words, which serve to address family members, such as ‘opa’
(sister), ‘aka’ (brother), ‘xola’ (aunt), ‘tog’a’ (uncle) and ‘buvi’ (grandmother).
However, some Uzbek people use these words with the suffix ‘jon’ to add extra layer
of respect and kindness when addressing a stanger by using these words, like
‘opajon’. However, English people addressed according to their gender and social
status most of the time: ‘Miss’ for unmarried women, ‘Mr’ for married man as well
as ‘Mrs’ for married women or ‘Professor Jone’, or even simply ‘Doctor’ based on
their profession without further adding their name. To address strangers, sometimes
‘madam’ and ‘sir’ are used by English people [7]. However, according to the Chinese
culture, people are addressed by their surname with title or occupation such as ‘wang
xiao zhang’ (Principal Wang) and ‘li yi sheng’ (Doctor Li) [8].
Non-verbal politeness
Non-verbal politeness plays a really crucial role in communication, as our
actions speaks lauder than our words. Cultural norms have a profound impact how
people convey respect, politeness and gratitude without using language (like bowing,
hand gestures, eye contact, smiling and so on). For instance, ‘Namaste’ gesture where
hands are pressed together near the chest combined with a slight bow is a respectful
greeting in India. Bowing (Ojigi) is an essential part of Japanese culture to show
respect, apology, greeting and thanking. Instead of shaking hands, Japanese people
bow, and it is a standard way to show respect, politeness, and gratitude. The depth
and the duration of the bow vary depending on the situation and the social status of
another person [9]. Also, in United States, smiling is widely used to show
friendliness, openness and politeness, while smiling at strangers could be perceived
as insincere or overly expressive by Russian people, as they think smiles are often
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reserved for people who you feel genuine connection.
Being polite around the table
In Japan, people follow strict rule of not pointing at someone with chopsticks
and not leaving chopsticks standing upright position. Because, for Japanese people
chopsticks standing upright, especially in rice bowl symbolizes death. Moreover, one
of the unusual Japanese manners is noodle slurping as it is an integral part of the
Japanese manners and etiquette which tells the chef the enjoyment of the food served
[10]. Conversely, people who live in Central Asia, Uzbekistan try to be quite as much
as possible as a sign of respect towards people sitting around the table. Uzbek people
follow sophisticated table manners as they focus on even tiny details, from sitting
places ranged from elderly people to young members of the family, no talking rule,
not eating before everyone gathers around the table, not leaving until everyone
finishes their meal or not leaving leftover in a bowl as it considered a sign of
disrespect for the person who prepared the meal. In other countries, table manners
considered appropriate and acceptable in Uzbekistan may be unacceptable by other
nations. For example, if you are quite on the table, it will make the Chinese host feel
that he/she does not entertain you well. On the contrary, western people only
communicate with the person who sits next to him, and the voice of the conversation
would be very low, otherwise people think that you are not a well-mannered person
supposing not feeling shameful for interrupting others dining with you by talking
loudly [11].
Taboos
As a daughter of a Muslim family raised in a traditional setting, I have
witnessed firsthand some cultural taboos Muslims avoid daily life and made
comparisons with other nations who have diverse backgrounds. For example, men
cannot directly compliment females for even their academic achievement,
professional success or natural beauty most of the time as this can be perceived as an
action that can trigger jealousy of female’s brothers, husband or father. Furthermore,
in many Muslim countries in Asia, including Uzbekistan, it is considered
inappropriate for a man to excessively praise someone’s wife or maintain prolonged
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eye contact in public. Such actions are seen as intrusive and disrespectful, violating
cultural and religious norms of privacy and modesty. But, in Europe, praising
someone’s spouse for their talent or appearance is often seen as harmless
compliment, and direct eye contact, including also with women, is considered a sign
of attentiveness and respect. Another example is the use of the left hand in countries
like India and Indonesia, where it is associate with unclean tasks and considered
taboo for eating and handing someone an object. However, in Western countries,
there is no such rule related to the left hand, and its use in daily activities is totally
normal.
Complementing style of different nations
Some cultural differences when it comes to complementing others exists
around the world. In western cultures like United States and Canada, compliments
are often casual, direct and frequent, focusing on personal achievement, appearance
or possessions. For instance, someone might say ‘your shoes look amazing’.
Compliments are typically received with a simple ‘thank you’ by westerns, showing
positivity as well self-confidence. However, in East Asian countries, such as Japan
and South Korea, compliments are more reserved and focus on effort, hard work
rather than natural talent. For instance, Japanese colleague might say ‘You must have
worked very hard on this project’ stressing determination and diligence rather than
inherent talent. In these cultures, accepting compliments and responding with humble
answers is normal. Chinese generally murmur something implying that he or she is
not worthy of the praise in order to show modesty, because in China modesty is the
best policy, but to westerners, honesty is the best policy [12].
Conclusion
Understanding cultural differences in politeness, such as how people
compliment, address or greet each other, navigate taboos, is crucial in this
interconnected world. These differences have their deep roots in cultural beliefs and
understandings that have been long before shaped and preserved over the years by
people. For instance, praising someone’s wife or sister may be a taboo in Muslim
countries; it is seen as polite action in many European countries. Similarly, gestures
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like finger pointing or leaving chopsticks upright carry vastly different meanings
depending on the cultural context. By embracing these nuances, we can foster mutual
respect, avoid misunderstandings, and build stronger, meaningful cross-cultural
relationships. Awareness of these differences is not only a sign of good manners but
also the first step towards building greater global cultural understanding and
harmony.
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Pragmatics, 14, 193-218.
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Lakoff, R. 1973. The logic of politeness: Or, minding your p’s and q’s. Papers
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Stowell, J. (2003). The influence of Confucian values on interpersonal
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