Cultural Stereotypes in Intercultural Communication: A Comparative Study of English and Uzbek Contexts

This article examines the role of cultural stereotypes in intercultural communication by comparing selected communicative patterns associated with English-speaking contexts and Uzbek society. It considers how generalized beliefs about politeness, individualism, collectivism, directness, family relations and social hierarchy may influence the interpretation of everyday speech. The study uses a qualitative comparative approach based on a review of intercultural communication literature and linguocultural research by Uzbek scholars. The analysis suggests that stereotypes can function as initial interpretive shortcuts, but become barriers when they are treated as fixed descriptions of all members of a culture. Differences in communicative expectations are better explained through context, relationship, age, status, setting and individual choice than through national labels alone. The article argues that intercultural competence requires cultural knowledge, reflective listening and the ability to revise assumptions during interaction.