UPTALK IN A SOCIOLINGUISTIC PROJECTION

UPTALK IN A SOCIOLINGUISTIC PROJECTION

Author:  E.E. Vasilkova, E.N. Morozova, V.I. Yushchenko

Affiliation:  Belgorod State National Research University

Abstract:  The article presents a sociolinguistic analysis of the phenomenon of uptalk in contemporary English-language communication. The subject of the study is the prosodic pattern of rising intonation in declarative utterances (uptalk). The aim of the work is to identify the extralinguistic factors determining the use of this intonation model, to analyze its pragmatic functions, and to examine the mechanisms of stigmatization associated with its usage.
The research methodology is based on a comprehensive approach combining analysis of theoretical literature (works by R. Lakoff, P. Warren, P. Roach) with an empirical study of video content from the TikTok platform, selected through continuous sampling method. The main results demonstrate that uptalk performs important communicative functions: establishing and maintaining contact with the listener, regulating turn-taking in conversation, softening categorical statements, and creating a cooperative tone of communication. The analysis of TikTok videos reveals that uptalk serves as a tool for building trustful communication and retaining audience attention in digital environments.
The findings contribute to the fields of sociolinguistics, pragmatics, and digital communication studies, and can be applied in further research on language changes in new media. The study concludes that uptalk should be regarded not as language degradation, but as a significant linguistic innovation with specific social and pragmatic functions, effectively serving as a conversational tool for dialogue management and rapport building in the digital era.

Keywords:  uptalk, intonation, prosody, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, stigmatization, digital communication.

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For citation:  Vasilkova, E. E., Morozova, E. N., & Yushchenko, V. I. (2026). Uptalk in a sociolinguistic projection. Voprosy Kognitivnoy Lingvistiki, 2, 112-120 (In Russ.).

Pages:  112-120