A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRAGMATIC POLITENESS DEVICES IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK MEDICAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

This article presents a comparative-typological analysis of pragmatic politeness devices used in English and Uzbek medical discourse. The study draws on Brown and Levinson's face theory and examines address forms, indirect speech acts, hedging devices, and expressions of empathy found in doctor-patient interaction. Examples drawn from doctor-patient communication reveal the cultural-pragmatic similarities and differences between the two languages. The findings show that English medical discourse foregrounds indirect strategies and respect for patient autonomy, whereas Uzbek medical discourse is shaped predominantly by social-hierarchical deference and collectivist cultural values.