SPEECH ETIQUETTE AND THE SOCIO-NORMATIVE NATURE OF INSULT

Abstract

This article examines the interaction between speech etiquette and insult from a socio-pragmatic and cognitive-linguistic perspective. Speech etiquette is conceptualized as a normative communicative system that regulates social distance, hierarchy, and interpersonal respect, whereas insult is treated as a marked deviation from these norms, functioning as a face-threatening act. Drawing on cross-linguistic data from Uzbek and English, the study analyzes the mechanisms through which violations of speech etiquette trigger insults, as well as the social, cultural, and cognitive functions of insulting language. Special attention is paid to culturally specific taboo domains and their role in intensifying pragmatic force. The findings demonstrate that while speech etiquette and insult operate as opposing communicative strategies, they jointly constitute a unified cognitive-pragmatic continuum governing human interaction.