Sociolinguistic Features of Politeness in Uzbek Social Media Discourse

Abstract

This scholarly paper explores the sociolinguistic dimensions of politeness as manifested in contemporary Uzbek social media discourse. In light of the rapid digitalization and the growing prevalence of platforms such as Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram in Uzbekistan, the study investigates how conventional norms of politeness are recontextualized within virtual communicative domains. Anchored in foundational politeness theories and informed by sociolinguistic perspectives, the analysis delves into the nuanced employment of linguistic forms, address terms, honorifics, emoji usage, and indirect speech mechanisms. The paper foregrounds the persistent influence of socio-cultural variables—namely age, gender, and social status—on digital language practices, while also illuminating the transformative impact of global digital trends on indigenous communicative conventions. Findings suggest a dynamic interrelation between continuity and innovation, wherein traditional values are both preserved and renegotiated in response to the evolving affordances of digital interaction.