Expression of Uzbek and English Culture: Pragmatic Features of Nonverbal Politeness in Selected Literary Works

Abstract

With a focus on two Uzbek literary works by Abdullah Qodiriy, O‘tkan Kunlar (Bygone Days) (1926) and Mehrobdan Chayon (The Scorpion from the Altar) (1929), and two English literary works, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (1813) and Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations (1861), this paper addresses nonverbal means of politeness in literary discourse. The study aims to examine if nonverbal politeness tactics, reflected in literary characters and their interactions across cultures, can be effectively examined using the theoretical frameworks proposed by Brown and Levinson (1987). The paper delves into the use of nonverbal cues such as gestures, facial expressions, silence, and spatial behavior as methods of politeness in literary works, which reflect the cultural norms and values of both English and Uzbek societies. Through P. Brown and Levinson’s idea of face, special emphasis is paid to the character’s use of nonverbal cues to reduce face-threatening acts (FTAs), demonstrate reverence, or preserve social distance. Selected episodes from the novels are analyzed using a qualitative method, offering practical interpretations of nonverbal politeness acts in certain cultural contexts. There are two primary sections in the research. Based on the nonverbal means of politeness, the first gives a summary of the theoretical foundation of politeness, going over important concepts and politeness strategies, while the second section provides a practical examination of what is theoretically discussed. Finally, the nonverbal means of politeness strategies used in the four literary works mentioned above are investigated.