Announcing that contributor Michael Steffen has a new book out, I Saw My Life.

About I Saw My Life: From the saying “I saw my life flash before my eyes”, the book’s title announces thresholds, things and moments of arrest and luminosity, resplendent, but also shocking as a near-death experience might be, and fleeting as any flash may be. The stars in their constellations at night glimpsed up through leaves of a tree, the drama of a scull tipped in a powerful mid-river current, a woven shopping handbag, such objects in their places and handling evoke the weights and sensations revisiting the body in reflective memory, at the heart of poetry’s deeply personal yet widely shared and recognized expressions.

It’s available for review from Lily Poetry Review’s press.

This month’s issue rides high on a wave, surging towards us with a theme of Fluidity.

Some contributors literally speak of water. Eva Lianou Petropoulou personifies the creatures of the sea as she calls for an end to litter and pollution. Xoʻjyozova Dildora discusses environmental damage to the Aral Sea and efforts to restore the ecosystem. Elaine Murray celebrates the wonder of the ocean, wishing to become a mermaid. Brian Barbeito recollects being stung by a jellyfish, resting, and turning out okay in time, comforted by natural and literary beauty. Later, he celebrates the seafaring-inspired writing of Joseph Conrad.

Others address different aspects of life that can feel fluid, such as light and vast open landscapes. Juan Vadillo’s review describes Beatriz Saavedra Gastélum’s poetry collection, “Lucid Breath of Light,” as a journey exploring light in its various forms, memories, and transformations. Mesfakus Salahin immerses himself into nature and creativity. Stephen Jarrell Williams’ serene piece evokes a feeling of gentle tranquility. JoyAnne O’Donnell meditates on a pleasant afternoon outside in a meadow. Sheikha A.’s short, lyrical pieces use vivid imagery and concise language to evoke a range of natural and serene scenes. Sayani Mukherjee celebrates the beauty and splendor of an outdoor festival. Yee Leonsoo’s poems use extreme natural places (a salt desert and a deep-sea sinkhole) to explore identity, memory, and the feeling of in-between-ness. Mark Young’s geographies creatively mutate random regions of Australia into works of art.

We can also perceive time as more fluid than linear. Chuck Taylor explores the idea of the “now” and how it can be captured in words, considering the brief moments between perception and recording. Barbaros İrdelmen’s pieces intertwine ordinary images with themes of love and loss to explore how human connection, memory, and longing persist within and against time’s flow. Kareem Abdullah speaks of love, longing, and memory. Mustafa Abdulmalek Al-Sumaidi reminds us that we are all mortal. Abdel Iatif Moubarak renders up a tale of a singer’s faded glory still piercing the darkness of night.

One’s personality and attitudes also morph and shift over the years. Sevara Matnazarova outlines how her personality and outlook on life changed as she grew older. Susie Gharib’s work addresses authenticity, self-expression, and a desire for a more compassionate and peaceful existence. John Grey’s work explores vulnerability and resilience within the human (and natural) experience. Elisa Mascia’s pieces draw upon changeable natural phenomena such as wind and butterflies to dramatize introspective and emotive explorations of love, loss, and transformation. Yeon Myung-ji’s poem uses the act of shelling beans as a rich metaphor for introspection, resilience, and the quiet, often overlooked, processes of life and growth. Duane Vorhees’ poems explore themes of love, identity, and transformation, often blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Nattie O’ Sheggzy delves into the complexities of simple things and searches for meaning, beauty, and authenticity in a chaotic and often dissonant world.

A whole set of poems by Niall McGrath explore themes of memory, identity, social commentary, and personal struggle, often set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland. Poet Michael Todd Steffen, interviewed by Cristina Deptula about his new book I Saw My Life, explores the intersection of personal and historical memories, identity, and mortality, aiming to inspire reflection, acceptance, and a deeper appreciation for the world around us. Lan Xin highlights how holding space for wonder and gratitude can enhance our daily lives. Kandy Fontaine’s piece mixes theater and prose, celebrating artist Tricia Warden and the intersection of art, literature, and identity, particularly in the context of feminist and queer perspectives.  Christopher Bernard kicks off the next installment of his children’s story Otherwise, a mixture of cultural thought, suspense and middle-grade energy. Tanja Vučićević describes a personal journey, both physically and emotionally, as they navigate through challenges and seek solace and salvation.

Writing can play a part in personal reflection and development. J.J. Campbell uses poetry to process his own experiences and emotions and to comment on the human condition. Yongbo Ma’s poems are reflective and introspective, exploring themes of isolation, disconnection, and the search for meaning. Manik Chakraborty wakes us up with the graceful hope of a new morning and continues to seek artistic inspiration despite abandonment from a muse. Ryan Quinn Flanagan probes ordinary life with a poet’s eye, considering the significance of even mundane objects. Jacques Fleury uses rich imagery and references to mythology and literature to highlight the owl’s dualistic nature, embodying both positive and foreboding qualities. Ananya Guha creates a place where a moment of fear and the stories told about it later blend together into a lasting personal myth, half memory, half ghost story. High school English student Reilley Andre expresses a mature perspective on life, pointing out how different people see matters from various points of view, expressing grief, and showing gratitude for his caring sister.

Some love can remain steady amid the flow of time. Gulsanam Mamasiddiqova offers up words of respect and love for her father. Mubina Botirova expresses her love and gratitude for her mother. Tursunova Mehrinoz Oybek qizi pays respect to her mother’s dedication and kindness. Gulchiroy Axmedova expresses tender sentiments of motherly care. Afrose S. celebrates childhood and urges people to protect children. Prasanna Kumar Dalai evokes the tenderness and fragility of early love. Anwer Ghani depicts a steady, tender, and elegant love. Anindya Paul speaks to a profound and intimate romantic devotion that lingers after death. Daniela Chourio-Soto expresses nostalgia through the means of scent. Yongbo Ma’s playful work also encompasses themes of love and human romantic connection.

Of course, not all love stories end happily, and loss is a part of the human condition. Leon Drake’s poems of heavy nostalgia mourn words left unspoken and relationships left unexplored. Donna Dallas speaks of trauma, monstrosity, addiction, and toxic relationships. Kassandra Aguilera’s fragmented poem explores the intoxicating and often painful dynamics of infatuation. On a broader scale, Milena Pčinjski laments the weight of a troubled world, all that could be and all that will never be. Yet, vulnerability is not necessarily weakness, but a prerequisite for change and growth.

Love and caring can also encompass more than one’s own inner circle. Several contributors discuss the fluid state of societal and international relations and advocate for peace and justice. Alan Catlin’s work highlights the human cost of war and its echoes in art and the human soul. Abigail George’s melancholic, reflective poems mourn destruction in Gaza and a personal loss. Shlok Pandey’s fictional story is a poignant portrayal of the human experience during wartime. David Kokoette describes age-old power dynamics and struggles. Mark Wyatt’s fragmented pattern poetry calls out the atrocities made possible by unquestioning obedience to religious and political dictates. Patricia Doyne mocks Donald Trump’s pursuit of grandeur as Bill Tope presents another satirical take on Trump’s proposed arch. Staci Modisette reminds us to protect ourselves while speaking up for peace and justice. Eva Lianou Petropoulou’s gentle words are set to ethereal vocals and a drifting background melody, with an encore here. Аshurоvа Dinоrа Аnvаrqul qizi outlines the role of Uzbekistan’s National Center for Human Rights.

Cultural and world history might seem static, but it can also be fluid in the sense that we remember it differently, or remember different aspects of it, over time. What and how we remember can have repercussions in the present. Lan Anh, a Vietnamese economics student in Germany, illustrates the intricate web of relationships between nations, economies, and people, highlighting the invisible boundaries that connect and impact lives in unseen ways. Muhammadyusuf Kozimjonov outlines the historical and cultural development of Uzbekistan. Joseph Ogbonna revels in the intriguing cultural and political history of the island of Corsica. Nozima Gofurova describes the cultural treasures she saw during her tour of Uzbekistan’s Center for Islamic Education. Jernail S. Anand encourages us to look to wise examples from history to create the world we would like to see.

Tasneem Hossain celebrates the richness of the world’s heritage of dance. Federico Wardal highlights an upcoming star-studded event in Rome celebrating Dante Aligheri which will be attended by cinema and theater luminaries. Yatti Sadelli reviews Dr. Bashir Issa Al-Shirawi’s poetry, highlighting his theme of the inner strength and resilience of the world’s women. Emmanuel Chimezie, Nigerian poet and founder of Poets’ Workshop (Global), interviews Egyptian poet Abdel Latif Moubarak about how life in Cairo shapes poetry, delving into themes of darkness, inequality, and identity.

Language and literature are part of world culture as well as a bridge among various cultures. Nozimova Shukrona highlights the value and importance of reading as a way to learn and participate in global thought. Jernail S. Anand urges readers to nourish our minds as well as our bodies, with a well-chosen and varied diet. Tursunaliyeva Zilolaxon celebrates the value of books, literature and libraries. Joseph Nechvatal’s review of Rus Khomutoff’s poem “Kaos Karma” examines the work as an abstract machine that combines literature and chaos magick philosophy, exploring themes of multiplicity, singularity, and the relationship between poetry and passion. Yulduz Kurbоnоvа explores how courtesies embedded in the Uzbek language can get lost in translation to other tongues. Delo Isulfi pays tribute to Rohini Kumar Behera, reflecting on his poetry, highlighting Behera’s themes of peace, gratitude, and nature, and how they convey a sense of spirituality and universality.

Education serves as a vital site where tradition and innovation meet—a place where societies negotiate fluid continuity and change. Many contributors discuss best practices for teaching language and other subjects in school. Subanova Dilafruz discusses audio aids for young language learners. Charos Mansurova discusses the phenomenon of English “loan-words” in Korean. Azimova Nilufar Egamberdiyevna compares word structures in English and Uzbek. Pardayeva Yulduz outlines methods of English-Uzbek idiom translation. Abduraufova Nilufar Khurshidjon kizi highlights the need for parents and educators to work together to teach young children. Qurbana Mubinakhon Umidjon qizi discusses how parents and educators can cooperate to inculcate national values in Uzbek children. Usmonaliyeva Bahora Abduvali qizi explores the role of idioms in Uzbek literature. Ahadova Feruzakhon looks at ways to improve student vocabulary knowledge.

Abduhalilova Sevdora Xayrulla kizi asserts the importance of physical education in school. Isakova Mukhlisa Khusanboevna illuminates exercise as a stress reliever for students. Bakhromova Gulsanam discusses the importance of inclusive education for students with disabilities and practical ways to make that happen. Abdullajanova Shahnozals’hoqxon suggests ways to help shy language students feel more comfortable speaking up in class. Dildoraxon Turgunboyeva explores how to create nurturing and educational preschool environments. Abduhalilova Sevdora offers up a polylexical analysis of English language phraseology. Turdaliyeva Mohidil Baxtiyor qizi discusses classroom activities to enhance student vocabulary. Dildoraxon Turg’unboyeva highlights the value of dictionaries in education. Ahadova Feruzakhon suggests ways to work with vocabulary when teaching young students their native language. Shahnoza Amanboyeva points to 3D modeling and artificial intelligence as tools to enhance science classrooms.

One of education’s important social functions is to prepare students to join the workforce. The global economic landscape is continually in flux, as several contributors discuss. Satimboyeva Risolat Ilhomboy qizi outlines future prospects for job growth given emerging world technologies. Azamova Feruza Abduholiq qizi suggests ways to improve the service sector of Uzbekistan’s economy.

Turning to medicine, Mamadiyorova Durdona outlines the structure and function of the human placenta. Ashurova Parizoda explores the biological characteristics of the parasite Ascaris and its effects on the human body. Xamroyeva Shaxlo discusses the process of blood formation in the human body.

For a look at a widely discussed technology, Rahmonova Barno Kilich qizi probes the economic future of our world after the growth of artificial intelligence. Nurmatova Charosxon Pirnazar qizi also explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping education and the global economy. Toshbotirov Bekjaxon Asliddin o‘g‘li outlines useful roles for AI in the classroom. O’rinboyeva Ziynatjon Anvarbek qizi points to effects of artificial intelligence on society.

Dildora Sultonova celebrates human intelligence, singing an ode to her resplendent and resilient dreams. Eva Petropoulou Lianou interviews poet Eldar Akhadov, highlighting his optimism and respect for the next generation.

A common thread in this entire issue is the persistence of human connection in the face of change. Each contributor grapples with how individuals and communities relate to each other, to history and culture, to the natural world. Smaller scale personal narratives and larger stories intertwine as overlapping dimensions of the human story. The blending of artistic forms and styles in several works evokes the complex flowing of ideas within the creative mind, a current that dissolves rigid boundaries among ideas and cultures.

The collection suggests that while much of our lives inevitably flows and shifts with the passage of time and with cultural and technological change, the underlying human impulses to connect, to understand, and to create meaning remain constant..

The beautiful childhood!!!

Don’t block 

The road

Of the beautiful childhood. 

Oops!

How ridiculous thought!

The time

Can’t return 

Just hold the memory 

With crescent charm

The flying mind.

With golden kites 

Myriad hues of mind

Letter to all

Don’t miss the pool

Of the colourful childhood. 

Happy rhyme

The sun smiles

A Shimmering part of life

Can’t be lost forever 

Make the golden canvas, at last.

THE SINCERITY PARADOX: COGNITIVE MECHANISMS OF PRAGMATIC FAILURE IN UZBEK-ENGLISH POLITENESS TRANSFER

Kоshevа Dilrаbо, Phd, prоf.оf  TSPU named  аfter Nizаmi   

Yulduz Kurbоnоvа, MА оf the TSPU nаmed аfter Nizаmi

E-mаil: yulduzqurbоnоvа0211@gmаil.cоm

Abstract: This research investigates the ‘Sincerity Paradox’ within the context of pragmatic transfer between Uzbek and English languages. The sincerity paradox occurs when the linguistic markers of politeness intended to show deep respect in a source culture (Uzbek) are perceived as insincere, manipulative, or redundant in the target culture (English). This study utilizes a qualitative analysis of Discourse Completion Tasks (DCT) and semi-structured interviews with 50 Uzbek EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners at the C1 level. The findings reveal that pragmatic failure is not merely a result of insufficient vocabulary but is rooted in deep-seated cognitive mechanisms where the ‘Positive Face’ strategies of Uzbek culture—characterized by high-context indirectness and verbal decoration—clash with the ‘Negative Face’ priorities and clarity-based sincerity of English speakers. Specifically, the transfer of Uzbek ‘lutf’ (graceful speech) and ‘andisha’ (thoughtful restraint) into English often results in over-politeness, which English native speakers decode as a lack of transparency. The article concludes that pedagogical approaches to language learning must transition from grammatical competence to sociopragmatic awareness to mitigate these communicative breakdowns.

Keywords: Pragmatic transfer, Politeness theory, Sincerity paradox, Uzbek-English communication, Sociopragmatics, Cognitive linguistics, Cross-cultural failure

Annotatsiya: Ushbu tadqiqot o‘zbek va ingliz tillari o‘rtasidagi pragmatik transfer kontekstida “Samimiyat paradoksi”ni o‘rganadi. Samimiyat paradoksi shundan iboratki, manba madaniyatda (o‘zbek tilida) chuqur hurmatni ifodalash uchun ishlatiladigan muloyimlik (odob) ko‘rsatkichlari maqsad tilida (ingliz tilida) samimiy emas, manipulyativ yoki ortiqcha sifatida qabul qilinishi mumkin. Tadqiqot C1 darajadagi 50 nafar o‘zbek EFL (ingliz tilini xorijiy til sifatida o‘rganuvchi) talabalari bilan o‘tkazilgan Diskursni To‘ldirish Vazifalari (DCT) va yarim tuzilgan intervyular asosida sifat jihatdan tahlil qilindi. Natijalar shuni ko‘rsatadiki, pragmatik xatolik faqat lug‘at boyligining yetishmasligi bilan bog‘liq emas, balki chuqur kognitiv mexanizmlarga borib taqaladi. Ya’ni, o‘zbek madaniyatidagi “Ijobiy yuz” strategiyalari — yuqori kontekstli bilvositalik va nutqiy bezakdorlik bilan xarakterlansa — ingliz tilida “Salbiy yuz” ustuvorligi va aniqlikka asoslangan samimiyat bilan to‘qnash keladi. Xususan, o‘zbek tilidagi “lutf” (nazokatli nutq) va “andisha” (mulohazali o‘zini tiyish) tushunchalarining ingliz tiliga ko‘chirilishi ko‘pincha ortiqcha muloyimlikka olib keladi, bu esa ingliz tilida so‘zlashuvchilar tomonidan shaffoflik yetishmasligi sifatida talqin qilinadi. Maqola xulosa qiladi: til o‘rgatishdagi pedagogik yondashuvlar grammatik kompetensiyadan sotsio-pragmatik xabardorlikka o‘tishi lozim, aks holda kommunikativ uzilishlar davom etadi.

Kalit so‘zlar: Pragmatik transfer, muloyimlik nazariyasi, samimiyat paradoksi, o‘zbek-ingliz muloqoti, sotsio-pragmatika, kognitiv lingvistika, madaniyatlararo xatolik

Аннотация: Данное исследование рассматривает «Парадокс искренности» в контексте прагматического переноса между узбекским и английским языками. Парадокс искренности возникает, когда языковые маркеры вежливости, предназначенные для выражения глубокого уважения в исходной культуре (узбекской), воспринимаются в целевой культуре (английской) как неискренние, манипулятивные или избыточные. Исследование основано на качественном анализе заданий на дополнение дискурса (DCT) и полуструктурированных интервью с 50 узбекскими изучающими английский язык как иностранный (EFL) на уровне C1. Результаты показывают, что прагматические ошибки обусловлены не только недостаточным словарным запасом, но и глубинными когнитивными механизмами. В частности, стратегии «позитивного лица» в узбекской культуре — характеризующиеся высокой контекстуальностью, косвенной речью и украшенностью высказывания — вступают в противоречие с приоритетами «негативного лица» и ясности, присущими английской культуре. Перенос таких понятий, как «lutf» (изящная, вежливая речь) и «andisha» (вдумчивая сдержанность), в английский язык часто приводит к чрезмерной вежливости, которая носителями английского языка интерпретируется как недостаток прозрачности. В заключении отмечается, что педагогические подходы к обучению языкам должны перейти от акцента на грамматическую компетенцию к развитию социопрагматической осведомлённости для предотвращения коммуникативных сбоев.

Ключевые слова: прагматический перенос, теория вежливости, парадокс искренности, узбекско-английская коммуникация, социопрагматика, когнитивная лингвистика, межкультурные ошибки

  Introduction

In the contemporary era of globalization, the ability to communicate across cultural boundaries is paramount. However, linguistic proficiency in a second language (L2) does not guarantee communicative success. One of the most complex hurdles for learners is the mastery of pragmatics—the study of how context contributes to meaning. This paper explores a specific phenomenon termed the ‘Sincerity Paradox,’ particularly focusing on the transfer of politeness strategies from Uzbek to English. Pragmatic failure occurs when a speaker’s intended illocutionary force is misunderstood by the listener due to differing cultural norms regarding what constitutes ‘polite’ or ‘sincere’ behavior.

Uzbek culture is fundamentally high-context and collectivist, placing a high value on ‘andisha’ (social caution/restraint) and ‘lutf’ (eloquence and hospitality). In contrast, English-speaking cultures, particularly in Western contexts, tend toward lower-context communication where sincerity is often equated with brevity, directness, and transparency. When an Uzbek speaker applies the cognitive scripts of their native culture to English, they often employ excessive honorifics, indirect requests, and prolonged introductory rituals. While these are markers of extreme sincerity in the Uzbek worldview, they often trigger a cognitive dissonance in English interlocutors, leading to the perception that the speaker is being ‘too formal’ or even ‘disingenuous.’ This research seeks to map the cognitive mechanisms behind this transfer and identify the specific linguistic structures where pragmatic failure is most prevalent. By understanding the gap between Uzbek ‘Hormat’ (respect) and English ‘Sincerity,’ we can better prepare learners for the nuances of international discourse.

Methodology

This study is grounded in the Politeness Theory proposed by Brown and Levinson (1987), which distinguishes between ‘Positive Face’ (the desire to be liked and appreciated) and ‘Negative Face’ (the desire to be unimpeded). In Uzbek communicative culture, there is a heavy emphasis on attending to the interlocutor’s positive face through ‘mubolag’a’ (hyperbole) and elaborate hospitality formulas. English pragmatics, however, often prioritizes the negative face, where being polite means not imposing on the other person’s time or autonomy.

To investigate the cognitive mechanisms of transfer, a mixed-methods approach was adopted. The primary data collection tool was a Discourse Completion Task (DCT) administered to 50 Uzbek students enrolled in advanced English programs. The DCT presented ten social scenarios requiring varied speech acts: making a request to a superior, declining an invitation from a peer, and offering a compliment. Following the DCT, participants engaged in semi-structured interviews to explain their cognitive reasoning behind their linguistic choices. This ‘stimulated recall’ method allowed researchers to see whether the learners were consciously trying to translate Uzbek concepts of politeness or if the transfer was an unconscious cognitive default.

Data analysis focused on ‘pragmalinguistic’ transfer (the use of specific linguistic forms) and ‘sociopragmatic’ transfer (the underlying social values). For instance, the Uzbek phrase ‘Sizni ko‘rib juda xursandman, qadamlaringizga hasanot’ translates literally to a level of enthusiasm that, in an English professional setting, might seem exaggerated. The study analyzed how these ‘scripts’ are cognitively mapped from the L1 (Uzbek) to the L2 (English). We specifically looked for instances of ‘upgrading’ (intensifying politeness) and how these correlate with the learner’s perception of social distance and power dynamics.

Analysis of Results 

The results of the DCT and interviews revealed three primary cognitive mechanisms driving pragmatic failure in Uzbek-English transfer. First is the ‘Hospitality Script.’ In 85% of the responses involving invitations, Uzbek learners used multiple refusals before accepting, or multiple offers when hosting. In Uzbek, ‘qistov’ (insisting) is a sign of sincerity. However, when translated into English (‘You must eat more,’ ‘No, I cannot possibly accept’), it often leads to a ‘Sincerity Paradox.’ The English speaker takes the first ‘no’ as a literal fact, while the Uzbek speaker expects the offer to be repeated. This results in the Uzbek speaker feeling neglected and the English speaker feeling pressured.

Second, the data showed a high frequency of ‘Internal Modification’—the use of elaborate honorifics and apologetic openings. Learners frequently used phrases like ‘If it is not too much trouble for your kind self’ for simple requests. In English, this level of indirectness is often decoded as ‘beating around the bush’ or being manipulative. Native English speakers in the control group rated these responses as ‘suspiciously polite.’ This is the core of the paradox: the more the Uzbek learner tries to show respect (using L1 logic), the less they are trusted by the L2 listener.

Third, the ‘Andisha’ mechanism leads to a lack of clarity in disagreement. Instead of saying ‘I disagree,’ 70% of participants used vague phrases like ‘Maybe you are right, but perhaps we can think.’ While this avoids immediate conflict (Uzbek norm), in an English business or academic context, it is often interpreted as agreement or a lack of opinion. The cognitive load of trying to balance ‘Andisha’ (not offending) with English grammar often results in ‘pragmatic fossilization,’ where the learner continues to use these patterns despite high levels of grammatical accuracy. The data suggests that the ‘Sincerity Paradox’ is most acute in high-stakes environments where the social consequences of perceived insincerity are highest.

 Discussion: Cognitive Mapping and Sociopragmatic Awareness

The findings suggest that the ‘Sincerity Paradox’ is a result of conflicting ‘cultural schemas.’ A schema is a cognitive framework that helps individuals organize and interpret information. The Uzbek schema for a ‘Sincere Request’ involves a long preamble, establishing a social bond, and using diminutive or honorific suffixes. The English schema for a ‘Sincere Request’ involves a brief apology for the intrusion, a clear statement of the need, and a thank you. When these schemas clash, the ‘Pragmatic Failure’ is not just a linguistic error; it is a failure of social alignment.

The cognitive mechanism at play is ‘Negative Transfer,’ where the rules of the native culture are inappropriately applied to the target culture. Interestingly, the study found that even learners with high IELTS scores (7.5-8.0) struggled with this paradox. This indicates that sociopragmatic competence does not develop automatically alongside linguistic competence. The participants’ interviews revealed a ‘Fear of Rudeness.’ Many Uzbek learners stated that using direct English politeness felt ‘cold’ or ‘dry’ (quruq). This emotional resistance to English pragmatic norms is a significant barrier. They feel that by adopting English directness, they are losing their own cultural identity or being ‘insincere’ to their own values of ‘Hormat.’

Furthermore, the discussion highlights the role of ‘Attribution Error.’ When an English speaker encounters an over-polite Uzbek speaker, they often attribute the behavior to the person’s character (e.g., ‘he is sneaky’) rather than to their cultural background. This underscores the importance of ‘Explicit Pragmatic Instruction’ in the classroom. Learners need to be taught that ‘sincerity’ is a culturally constructed concept. In English, sincerity is often signaled by ‘Prosodic Cues’ (tone of voice) and ‘Directness,’ rather than the ‘Lexical Verbosity’ common in Uzbek. To bridge this gap, educators must move beyond teaching ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’ and begin teaching the cognitive logic of English social interactions.

 Conclusion

This research has demonstrated that the ‘Sincerity Paradox’ is a significant barrier in Uzbek-English cross-cultural communication. The study identified that the transfer of Uzbek politeness strategies—characterized by indirectness, hyperbole, and insistence—often leads to pragmatic failure in English contexts, where these same traits are perceived as insincere. The cognitive mechanisms of ‘andisha’ and ‘lutf’ are so deeply embedded in the Uzbek speaker’s psyche that they persist even at advanced levels of English proficiency.

The key finding is that pragmatic failure is a two-way street: it involves both the speaker’s transfer of L1 norms and the listener’s cultural interpretation of those norms. To mitigate the sincerity paradox, it is recommended that English language curriculum in Uzbekistan include specific modules on sociopragmatics. These modules should focus on ‘contrastive pragmatics,’ allowing students to compare how sincerity is signaled in both languages. Future research should expand this study to include non-verbal communication, such as eye contact and physical distance, which also play a crucial role in the perception of sincerity. Ultimately, achieving true fluency in English requires more than just mastering grammar; it requires the cognitive flexibility to navigate different systems of social value without losing one’s cultural essence.

 References

1. Bardovi-Harlig, K. (2013). ‘Exploring the pragmatics of interlanguage pragmatics.’ Language Learning, 63(s1), 68-86.

2. Blum-Kulka, S., House, J., & Kasper, G. (1989). ‘Cross-cultural Pragmatics: Requests and Apologies.’ Norwood, NJ: Ablex.

3. Brown, P., & Levinson, S. C. (1987). ‘Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage.’ Cambridge University Press.

4. Crystal, D. (2003). ‘English as a Global Language.’ Cambridge University Press.

5. Kasper, G. (1992). ‘Pragmatic transfer.’ Second Language Research, 8(3), 203-231.

6. Leech, G. N. (2014). ‘The Pragmatics of Politeness.’ Oxford University Press.

7. Safont, M. P. (2005). ‘Third Language Learners: Pragmatic Production and Awareness.’ Multilingual Matters.

8. Taguchi, N. (2012). ‘Context, Individual Differences and Pragmatic Competence.’ Multilingual Matters.

9. Thomas, J. (1983). ‘Cross-cultural pragmatic failure.’ Applied Linguistics, 4(2), 91-112.

10. Wierzbicka, A. (2003). ‘Cross-Cultural Pragmatics: The Semantics of Human Interaction.’ Mouton de Gruyter.

Hotmama kicks open the saloon doors of the multiverse, heels clicking like two caffeinated metronomes on a bender.

“Before we get to da canole,” she says, “we gotta talk lineage. Receipts. Pedigree. Da who‑da‑hell‑you‑think‑you‑are file.”

She snaps her gum. The gum files a counterclaim.

 BIO INSERTION: ALEX S. JOHNSON

Hotmama waves a cosmic clipboard.

“Dis one? Alex S. Johnson — transfemme polymath, author, editor, metal journalist, books sittin’ in Harvard, MIT, SUNY like they payin’ rent. Former English professor, horror surrealist, creator of Axes of Evil, Bad Sunset, Wicked Candy, editor of Just One Fix: A Literary Salute to William S. Burroughs, and boss‑witch of Nocturnicorn Books / Darkest Wine Media. Host of The Kandy Fontaine Show. A whole literary hydra widda thousand heads, and every one of ‘em talkin’ smack.”

She winks.

 BIO INSERTION: TRICIA WARDEN

“Then we got Tricia Warden — femme‑feral Jersey City oracle, author of Brainlift, Attack God Inside, Death Is Hereditary. Her words ended up in a Golden Calf–winning film, and she’s performed widda legends: Hubert Selby Jr., John Cale, Ntozake Shange, Exene Cervenka, Mark E. Smith, Henry Rollins — the whole pantheon of beautiful weirdos. She writes like a fever dream and performs like a prophecy.”

Hotmama leans in, conspiratorial.

“These two? They ain’t collaborators. They’re a double‑helix of chaos. A matched set. A cosmic tag‑team. A literary buddy‑cop movie where both cops are unhinged and the precinct is a surrealist nightclub.”

 RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL HOTMAMA PART III ENERGY

“Badda BOOM, badda BING, badda metaphysical BLING,” Hotmama says, heels clicking like two switchblades flirting in an alleyway behind a quantum bodega.

“You think Part Two was the blackout? Honey, that was the brownout. This here’s the grid collapse.”

She snaps her gum. The gum snaps back.

“Lissen. I went down the canole hole again. Not the K‑hole. Not the Acker hole. Not the Pirandello‑rhinoceros‑barber‑sno‑cone hole. The canole hole. The one widda sprinkles of doom.”

She leans in.

“You ever meet a pastry that knows your government name? That’s what I’m talkin’ about.”

A voice from the mezzanine of the multiverse yells:

“HOTMAMA, YOU A WALKIN’ DISASTER OF SEMIOTICS.”

She blows a kiss.

“Baby, I’m the FEMA trailer of your subconscious. I show up after the storm widda glitter tarp and a bottle of olive oil.”

Suddenly the sky cracks open like a cannoli shell under too much pressure.

Out steps:

• Cosey Fanni Tutti in a rhinestone hazmat suit
• Nina Hartley holding a clipboard labeled “Continuity Errors”
• Simone Signoret smoking a cigarette that smokes her
• Harpo Marx honking a horn tuned to the frequency of feminist rage
• Kathy Acker’s motorcycle, idling like a prophecy

Hotmama throws her hands up.

“OKAY, OKAY, I GET IT. THE LINEAGE IS HERE. THE GIRLS ARE GIRLING. THE META IS METTING. THE CANOLE IS CANOLING.”

She sighs.

“Fine. Let’s finish the scene.”

The reflection steps out of the puddle, puts on Hotmama’s shoes, and says:

“Tag. You’re it.”

 DA BLACKOUT SKETCH.

Beneath Invisible Boundaries

(A perspective of a Vietnamese economics student living and working in Germany)

Aschaffenburg, 03.04.26

I stand amid Europe’s winds and shifting lights,

where global headlines rise with every dawn,

and words of conflict, energy, and power

become the rhythm of an ordinary life I read each day.

Far from my homeland,

I hear voices echo through halls of authority,

speaking of security, nuclear thresholds,

and limits that must not be crossed

in a world defined by uncertainty.

I study economics,

and so I have learned to see invisible currents:

oil flowing through narrow straits,

capital moving across markets,

and expectations, trust, and belief

rising and falling like ever-moving curves.

The Strait of Hormuz is not merely a point on a map,

but a critical node in the global economy,

where even the smallest disruption can spread outward

into prices, inflation, and the lives of those

who have never set foot upon its shores.

I begin to realize

that within the great decisions of politics

there is always the presence of economics,

and within numbers that seem cold and abstract

lie the livelihoods of millions of families.

Between calls for sovereignty and alliance,

between confrontation and negotiation,

the world operates as an intricate web,

where no nation truly stands apart

from the influence of the rest.

Living in Germany,

I see this interdependence not as theory,

but in every energy bill I receive,

in prices, in the steady rhythm of a life

that seems distant from the idea of conflict.

And sometimes,

amid reports of war and macroeconomic analysis,

I find myself asking:

what does economic development truly mean

if it does not move alongside peace and stability?

The world continues to move forward,

through decisions shaped by risk and restraint,

and we — though separated by distance —

remain part of the same system,

where every shift in one corner of the world

can quietly reach into the lives of others

in its own unseen way.

Author: Lan Anh – Aschaffenburg, Germany

CAFFEINE

It’s just me and my morning coffee here.

And the light through the kitchen window of course.

Not forgetting the chill in the air

that the warm is starting to get around to.

But, in lieu of company, I have this cup.

Instead of conversation, I sip.

In the world of anatomical animation,

this caffeine juice is paramount.

My mouth creases upwards into a smile.

My eyes flick aside the sleep detritus,

open wide.

I am coming into my body, into my own. 

Soon I will be ready for the world.

Who knows?

I might even, in my own way, shape it.

WELCOME 

The baby draws her first breath.

A nurse’s brown eyes look down on her.

It’s all good now they say

but just you wait.

The doctor takes no side.

He’s here to do his job.

Some woman meekly asks,

“Can I see her.”

Her glass body lies in pieces.

But at least her heart is intact.

For now.

The nurse camps a red face 

inches from the pillow.

The baby waves her arms like wings.

Through the blur of pain,

she’s soft enough

to be an angel.

An angel that’s fishing for compliments.

So soon. So young.

TOM

Tom’s body just developed sooner

than the skinny frames of the rest of us.

He arms and legs grew muscles 

while our limbs could have cleaned pipes.

No wonder he was school sports star: 

best player in the rugby and cricket teams,

fastest in the hundred and two hundred,

records in the long jump and javelin.

His school work was below average.

He hated to read

and he struggled with geometry.

But we made him class captain anyhow.

He was never a smartass, never a bully.

Kids looked up to him,

figuratively and literally.

But things didn’t go so well for him

once he left school.

Most of us caught up with him

in size if not in speed.

He worked in his father’s garage,

liked a drink, lost two teeth in a fight,

got a girl pregnant and married her,

divorced, took over the business 

when his father died,  then learned

to really love a drink, went bankrupt,

lost track of his kid, ended up on

the streets and sleeping on a park bench,

spent the rest of his days as an example

for mothers to point at when they were 

out with their children.

I saw Tom not long before he died.

He was unshaven, dressed in torn t-shirt

and greasy jeans, and sneakers that

flapped at the toes.

Most people avoided him.

I just bent my head down 

as he cried out, “Hey, don’t I know you?”

I remembered so many times 

when guys were picking sides 

and Tom was always first one called

and I was near last.

Now life had chosen me well ahead of him.

But that did nothing for my pride, my ego.

If it was a game 

than it was one that didn’t feel right,

wasn’t worth playing.

He staggered onward.

I just kept walking.

ODE TO HOLLY

Here’s a sharp air to match its claws, 

a chilly white to shimmer its dark blood, 

a wind to blow the ilex blue 

at a Christmastime of gloved hands plucking.

But here’s a survivor in a hard-bitten land,

a stem of insurrection,

leaves defiantly evergreen,

branches bone-brittle

but militant against the freeze.

GREEN MAN

I walk where hills lean into sky, 

where green is a language all its own.

My lungs, grateful. My mind, 

rinsed clean by lordly pine 

and patient moss.

What else is there but to wander – 

to listen for the shy rustle of brush, 

the flit of wings, the soft syllables spoken

by trees to the wind?

My boots speak in twig-snaps and stone-taps, 

but even they fall silent when the breeze arrives, 

a gentle visitor brushing my cheek.

The forest stirs. And I, no longer needing to speak, 

am blessed by the quiet.

Honestly, it knows more than I do.

John Grey is an Australian poet, US resident, recently published in Midnight Mind, Novus and Abbey. Latest books, “Bittersweet”, “Subject Matters” and “Between Two Fires” are available through Amazon. Work upcoming in the MacGuffin, Touchstone and Willow Review.

The Future of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology: Where Is the Digital World Heading?

Abstract
Information Technology (IT) has become a fundamental pillar of modern society. Rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and cybersecurity are reshaping global industries. This article analyzes the significance of IT, explores key technological trends, and examines future opportunities in the digital era.

Introduction
In the 21st century, Information Technology has evolved into an essential component of human life. The acceleration of digital transformation is influencing economies, education systems, healthcare, and communication worldwide. Among the most impactful innovations are Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, which are driving technological progress.

The Importance of IT
IT plays a crucial role in global development by enhancing efficiency and enabling innovation across multiple sectors.

Key areas of impact:
Education: Online platforms provide global access to knowledge
Business: E-commerce and automation increase productivity
Healthcare: Digital systems improve diagnostics and patient care
Communication: Instant connectivity through digital platforms

Major IT Trends
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence enables machines to simulate human intelligence and decision-making.
Applications:
Virtual assistants and chatbots
Medical diagnosis systems
Autonomous transportation
AI is expected to significantly enhance productivity and efficiency.

Cloud Computing
Cloud computing provides scalable and flexible data storage solutions via the internet.
Advantages:
Cost efficiency
Scalability
Secure data management
Cybersecurity
As digital systems expand, cybersecurity becomes increasingly important.

Focus areas:
Data protection
Network security
Prevention of cyber attacks
Software Development
Software development remains one of the most in-demand professions globally.
Popular domains:
Web development
Mobile applications
Artificial Intelligence systems

How to Start a Career in IT
To begin a career in IT, individuals should:
Learn programming languages (Python, JavaScript)
Work on practical projects
Build a professional portfolio
Develop English communication skills
Obtain certifications

Future Perspectives
The future of IT will be characterized by:
Increased automation
Expansion of remote work
Growth of the digital economy

Conclusion
Information Technology is not only the future but also the present. Individuals who invest in digital skills today will shape tomorrow’s world.

I am Rahmonova Barno Kilich qizi, born on November 30, 2007 in Kamashi district of Kashkadarya region. In 2015, I started studying in the 1st grade at school No. 14 in Kattakurgan city of Samarkand region. I am a 1st year student at Tashkent International University of Financial Management and Technologies, studying Information Systems and Technologies. I am a 2-time champion of Uzbekistan in taekwondo ITF and have repeatedly won 1st places in regional tournaments. I won 1st place in the regional stage of the “Young Reader” competition, and 1st place in the regional stage of the Native Language Science Olympiad.