CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN EXPRESSIONS OF HUMOR, CRITICISM, AND GRATITUDE IN AMERICAN AND BRITISH ENGLISH

Abstract

American and British English share a common linguistic ancestry, yet everyday interaction in the two cultures can feel strikingly different - especially when speakers joke, criticize, or express gratitude. This article explores how cultural values and pragmatic norms shape these three high-stakes communicative domains. Drawing on speech act theory and politeness/rapport frameworks, it argues that American English tends to favor positive-affiliative clarity (warmth, encouragement, explicitness), while British English more often privileges restraint and social tact (understatement, irony, indirect mitigation). The analysis highlights typical strategies, common pragmatic markers, and frequent sources of intercultural misunderstanding. Pedagogical implications are offered for learners and professionals navigating USUK communication