THE САTEGОRY ОF PОLITENESS IN THE АSPEСT ОF INTERСULTURАL СОMMUNIСАTIОN (ОN THE MАTERIАL ОF ENGLISH АND UZBEK СULTURES)

This article explores the category of politeness within the framework of intercultural communication, based on the comparative analysis of English and Uzbek cultures. Politeness is considered a key pragmatic and socio-cultural category that regulates interpersonal interaction and reflects national values, communicative norms, and cultural traditions. The study examines linguistic and extra-linguistic means of expressing politeness in English and Uzbek, including forms of address, speech etiquette, indirectness, honorifics, and contextual factors. Special attention is paid to cultural differences in the perception of politeness strategies, such as individualism versus collectivism, power distance, and social hierarchy. The findings demonstrate that while English politeness is often characterized by indirectness, mitigation, and personal autonomy, Uzbek politeness emphasizes respect, hospitality, social harmony, and hierarchical relations. The article highlights the importance of understanding culturally specific politeness norms to avoid pragmatic failures and communicative misunderstandings in intercultural interactions. The results may be useful for linguists, translators, language teachers, and specialists involved in intercultural communication.