PRAGMATIC ASPECTS OF SILENCE IN COMMUNICATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UZBEK AND BRITISH CULTURES

This thesis examines the pragmatic functions of silence in communication across Uzbek and British cultures. Silence is often overlooked in linguistic research, yet it plays a significant role in shaping interpersonal interactions, conveying meaning, maintaining social harmony, and managing face. Uzbek culture uses silence as a strategy of respect, politeness, and emotional control, while British culture employs silence as a marker of privacy, personal boundaries, and conversational structure. Using examples from authentic discourse and research in pragmatics, this study demonstrates how silence can express agreement, disagreement, politeness, hesitation, or emotional restraint. The thesis highlights cross-cultural differences and offers insights for improving intercultural communication.