CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE SPEECH ETIQUETTE OF THE ENGLISH AND FRENCH LINGUISTIC CULTURES

Abstract

The article examines features of speech etiquette specific to English and French linguistic cultures. There are both similarities and differences in the formulas of speech etiquette of the two linguistic cultures. English speech etiquette is characterized by short, low-content conversations called “small talk”; there is no equivalent to the address “You” in Russian. English speech etiquette is based on preserving not only a negative face, there are also elements aimed at maintaining a positive face. There is a tendency towards caution in communication. English linguoculture is also characterized by a tendency to smooth out corners when communicating, a positive assessment may be slightly exaggerated to please the interlocutor, and a negative one, on the contrary, is understated. French speech etiquette is distinguished by the presence of addressing “You” to the interlocutor, which facilitates the communication process. You-communication occurs only with very close people. It uses both the direct word order used in communication with well-known people, and the inverse, typical for communication with an unfamiliar person. French speech etiquette is characterized by words indicating the desire or unwillingness of the interlocutor to perform certain actions at the request of a communication partner.