1) masterʼs student, National Research University “Higher School of Economics”, Russia, Moscow, caterinagritsynina@yandex.ru 2) Doctor of Science in Philology, Associate Professor, Professor at the Department of General and Comparative Linguistics, Moscow State Linguistic University, Russia, Moscow, nata-germanova@yandex.ru
The paper highlights the findings of a comparative analysis of communicative strategies used to express condolence in Russian and American linguacultures. The material includes questionnaires filled out by 100 respondents. The research has revealed the overlap of the most frequently used strategies (expression of sympathy, offer of help, expression of concern about the emotional state of the bereaved, expression of the awareness of the gravity of his/her psychological state), which is explained by the ritualized character of this communicative act, as well as by similar attitude to the phenomenon of death. All respondents have noted that the degree of closeness with the addressee was an important factor determining their choice of means of expressing condolences. The differences concerned subtle nuances in communicative behaviour. In particular, American respondents were more inclined to express condolence in official contexts, such as interaction with a boss or a chance acquaintance, while a certain number of Russian respondents refrained from expressing condolence in such circumstances. Both Russian and American respondents offered advice to the bereaved, but with Americans the advice was to take steps to calm down, while Russian respondents encouraged the addressee to be strong and resilient. The research contributes to the understanding of ethnic and cultural specifics of verbal behaviour in emotionally laden situations.
comparative pragmatics; communicative behaviour; communicative strategy; communicative ethnostyle; condolence; linguaculture.
Download textFor citing: Gricynina E.E., Guermanova N.N. (2025) Expressing condolences in Russian and American linguacultures. Ethnopsycholinguistics. Moscow. INION RAN.Vol. 4 (23). pp. 43-54. DOI: 10.31249/epl/2025.04.03