A STUDY OF PRAGMALINGUISTIC INADEQUACIES IN ENGLISH–UZBEK INTERCULTURAL INTERACTION

Abstract

Pragmalinguistic failure constitutes one of the most frequent sources of misunderstanding in intercultural communication. When speakers transfer linguistic norms and pragmatic conventions from their native language into a foreign language without sufficient awareness of contextual and cultural constraints, communication breakdowns may occur despite grammatically correct utterances. This article examines pragmalinguistic failure in English–Uzbek intercultural interaction with the study of pragmatics as a branch of linguistics, then discusses key concepts in intercultural communication, and finally analyses politeness theory and speech act theory due to pragmatic misunderstandings. Drawing on theoretical contributions by scholars such as J. L. Austin, John Searle, H. P. Grice, Penelope Brown and Stephen C. Levinson, as well as intercultural theorists including Edward T. Hall and Geert Hofstede, the paper argues that pragmalinguistic failure differentiates from politeness strategies, indirectness conventions, address forms, and sociocultural values. The comparative perspective highlights how culturally embedded norms in Uzbek communicative behavior may contrast with those of English, resulting in unintended pragmatic effects. The study concludes that pragmatic competence is essential for successful intercultural communication and should be systematically integrated into foreign language instruction.