I was born on June 25, 2007, in Bagdad district, Fergana region.There are seven people in my family: father,mother,two elder brothers, me, and two younger sisters.
Currently, I am a second-year student at Mirzo Ulugbek National University of Uzbekistan.
History of Speech Culture
Xasanova Sevaraxon Ikromjon qizi
UzNU,Faculty of Foreign Philology
2-course student
sevarakhonerkinjonova@gmail.com
This article analyzes the historical formation and development stages of speech culture. It highlights the social, cultural, and communicative significance of speech from ancient civilizations to modern digital society. In addition, the theoretical foundations of speech culture are examined based on the views of prominent scholars in the field.
Keywords: speech culture, rhetoric, communicative competence, pragmatics, discourse, globalization.
Speech culture has developed as an important social phenomenon throughout human history. As society progressed, speech became not only a means of transmitting information but also a tool for social influence, education, and the preservation of culture. The concept of speech culture implies the proper, appropriate, and effective use of linguistic means, as well as adherence to the moral and aesthetic norms of a particular society
The roots of speech culture trace back to ancient civilizations. In ancient Mesopotamia, writing schools taught not only writing but also the rules of ceremonial and official speech. During the Industrial Revolution and urbanization, communication between different social groups expanded, placing new demands on speech culture. Educational institutions promoted literary language norms while sometimes attempting to limit regional and cultural differences.[ Vinogradov, V. V 1978]
In ancient Rome, Cicero regarded speech as a fundamental tool for state governance and legal proceedings. According to him, perfect speech should rely on knowledge, reasoning, and moral integrity. During this period, speech culture developed closely in connection with the art of oratory.
Renaissance thinker Baldassare Castiglione, in his work ‘’The Book of the Courtier’’, emphasized: “True eloquence consists in saying all that is necessary, and only what is necessary.” This statement clearly reflects the high value placed on speech culture during the Renaissance period. According to Castiglione, true eloquence is not expressed through excessive ornamentation or overly elaborate language, but through clarity, appropriateness, and moderation of expression. This view embodies the fundamental principles of speech culture — meaningfulness, precision, and social responsibility. Thus, the Renaissance associated speech with an individual’s moral and intellectual development, marking an important stage in the historical evolution of speech culture.
In the Middle Ages, speech mainly served religious and educational purposes. Madrasas and church schools focused on the development of preaching skills. During the Renaissance, greater attention was paid to the individual, and the aesthetic and artistic aspects of speech further developed.
The emergence of linguistics as an independent field allowed for a scientific study of speech culture. Ferdinand de Saussure distinguished between language and speech, defining speech as the practical manifestation of a language system.[Ferdinand de Saussure.1916] This approach laid the foundation for the systematic study of speech culture.
In the 20th century, the communicative approach emerged. Dell Hymes introduced the concept of “communicative competence,” emphasizing that a person should be able to speak not only grammatically correctly but also appropriately in a given situation[D.Hymes 1972]
. This established the social criteria of speech culture.
Erving Goffman’s ideas about “self-presentation” in everyday life highlighted the performative aspect of speech culture. According to him, people shape their social image and manage relationships through speech. Thus, speech culture is not only about following rules but also about creating social identity through communicative choices.
As linguist David Crystal emphasizes, “Language changes because it is used by people, and as society develops, so does the way we communicate”[D.Crystal. 2007].This idea clearly reflects the historical evolution of speech culture.
Pragmatics and speech act theory also brought new perspectives to speech culture. J. L. Austin argued that speech can perform actions (“to speak is to act”).Later, John Searle expanded this theory by classifying types of speech acts.[Abdug’aniyeva.A] This approach has been crucial in explaining the practical and social consequences of speech culture.
In today’s globalized world, speech culture has become increasingly complex. “The globalization of communication has created new challenges and opportunities for cross-cultural understanding, making the study of speech culture essential for international interaction.”[D.Crystal.2007] Additionally, digital technologies, social media, and mass media have shaped new forms of speech culture.
Speech culture has continuously developed throughout human history as a socio-cultural phenomenon. The process, from ancient rhetoric schools to modern pragmatic and communicative theories, has further strengthened the role of speech in social life. Each historical stage has introduced new content and forms to speech culture, shaping its theoretical and practical foundations.
Today, speech culture has become one of the key factors determining an individual’s professional success, social status, and cultural level. In the context of globalization and digital communication, it is studied not only from historical and theoretical perspectives but also as an essential component of effective social and intercultural interaction.
Future research in the field of speech culture should focus on issues related to modern technological and social changes. Artificial intelligence and automated translation tools are significantly influencing human speech and communicative behavior. In addition, virtual and augmented reality technologies are creating new interactive methods for teaching and learning speech culture.
The intensification of climate change and migration processes has expanded communication between different languages and cultures. This requires new approaches to speech culture within multicultural communication contexts.
Speech culture connects an individual’s communicative potential with the cultural and social values of society. Although its forms have evolved throughout history, core principles such as clarity, appropriateness, and effectiveness remain essential.
The study of this field requires an interdisciplinary approach. In the context of globalization, the ability to communicate effectively in diverse cultural environments has become an important factor in professional and social success. Research on speech culture contributes to a deeper understanding of the communicative and cultural nature of human beings.
References
1.Vinogradov, V. V.Problems of Russian stylistics. Moscow: Higher School Press 1978
2.Cicero.De Oratore. — Rome: mil. avv. I asr.
3. Ferdinand de Saussure Course in General Linguistics. — Lausanne & Paris, 1916.
4.https://universalconference.us/universalconference/index.php/icms/article/view/4548/7069
5.Hymes, D. On communicative competence. In J. B. Pride & J. Holmes (Eds.), Sociolinguistics 1972,pp.269-293
6.Goffman, E.The presentation of self in everyday life.University of Edinburgh Social Sciences Research Centre 1956
7.J.L.Austin How to Do Things with Words. Oxford 1962
8.John SearleSpeech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language. — Cambridge: 1969
9. D.Crystal How Language Works: How Babies Babble, Words Change Meaning, and Languages Live or Die 2007
