THE IMPACT OF THE USE OF MODAL VERBS ON THE POLITENESS AND INDIRECTNESS OF REQUESTS IN ENGLISH AND RUSSIAN LANGUAGES

Аннотация

Modal verbs are essential tools in both English and Russian for modulating the politeness and indirectness of requests. This article analyzes the differences and similarities in how modal verbs are used to soften, hedge, or modify the strength of requests in both languages. It also discusses the cultural and linguistic factors that influence these uses, particularly focusing on how the choice of modality reflects social norms, hierarchies, and the relationship between the speaker and the listener. By examining the grammatical structures and social functions of modal verbs in both languages, the paper aims to enhance the understanding of how modal verbs contribute to the politeness strategies in requests, which are essential elements in both communication and pragmatics. Keywords: modal verbs, politeness, indirectness, requests, English, Russian, pragmatics, speech acts.