Politeness in American and Russian Models of Medical Communication

In the modern world, intercultural interaction in the medical sphere is gaining particular significance, which requires taking into account culturally conditioned norms and politeness strategies in the doctor–patient communication. This article compares the features of the realization of the politeness category in American and Russian medical discourses. The subject of the study is a comparative analysis of models of medical interaction in American and Russian linguistic cultures. The aim of the work is to identify and systematize the universal and unique aspects of politeness strategies. Special attention is paid to the ways of building trust between communication participants under conditions of institutional asymmetry. The study material consisted of sociolinguistic survey data (n=100; respondents from Russia and the USA), reflecting normative perceptions of polite behavior of doctors and patients, as well as a comparison with data from previous studies. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive reconstruction of American and Russian politeness models in medicine, the identification of their culturally conditioned differences, and the justification of the role of a multi-level mechanism coordinating professional, interpersonal, and value-related parameters of medical communication. The study employed methods of thematic classification and systematization of empirical material, discursive, pragmatic, and linguоcultural analyses, as well as a quantitative method for data generalization. The practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of applying the results to develop recommendations for intercultural training of medical professionals, improving standards of polite medical communication, and enhancing the effectiveness of doctor–patient interaction. The comparative analysis showed that American and Russian models demonstrate different balances between professional control and attention to the individual needs of the patient, reflecting culturally specific strategies for maintaining politeness and building trust. Politeness strategies in both models are based on universal principles of respect and cooperation, but their specific implementation depends on the organization of interaction and cultural expectations, which influence the formation of trustful relationships and the effectiveness of doctor–patient communication.