SPEECH COMMUNICATION: THE CATEGORY OF POLITENESSAND VERBAL AGGRESSION IN INTERACTIONS WITH THE ELDERLY

The article reflects such topical issues of speech communication as politeness and speech aggression as important factors and criteria of human self-expression. We consider these factors in construction of the social environment of people’s lives. We particularly focus on the speech treatment of one of the vulnerable categories of citizens, the elderly. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of speech communication with the elderly at the present stage of the societal development. The work applies anthropological and axiological approaches to the study of the highlighted issue, as well as the method of direct observation of speech and language facts which reflect attitudes towards the elderly. Features of speech communication with the elderly in various social environments are revealed, where both aspects of politeness and verbal aggression are present. Patterns of proper communication with the elderly are presented, which may serve as criteria of formed personality culture and are characterized by ethical self-expression in society. It is shown that the elderly, due to their often unpresentable image, may face speech aggression present even in public services and various public places like shops or public transport. Verbal aggression faced by elderly people creates prerequisites for the humiliation of their personality, forming tendencies of their suppression. We conclude there are signs of bullying in relation to the older generation, which situation requires correction with the purpose of creating a safe living environment for this category of citizens.