Vol. 9 No. 1-2 (11) (2013)

The article, which views the monologic reported speech as a unique supraphrasal unity, aims to investigate the explicit and implicit means of connection that ensure the structural and semantic, as well as communication wholeness of the reported speech. The explicit means connecting the members of the monologic supraphrasal reported speech are anaphoric and cataphoric conversion, interjections and connective words, syntactic parallels, etc. while the implicit connection is expressed by semantic-logical relations (causal, adversative, time) existing between the other constituents of the monologic supraphrasal reported speech, rather than by linguistic means of connection.

The article discusses and investigates various expressions of synonymy in terms related to the maintenance of peace in English and Bulgarian. Detailed investigation based on factual data indicates that despite the tendency towards standardization and uniformity, the military vocabulary in English and Bulgarian is expressed by various and numerous types of synonymy.

The concept of gender is one of the underlying means of creating effective advertising texts. The gender belonging, which ensures the impact and perception of ads, is conditioned by its thematic, linguo-stylistic and grammar characteristics. Certain gender belonging in a text can be indicated both directly and indirectly based on the stereotypes in the given culture. The firmer and more established the image about the social, psychological and biological characteristics of a certain interlocuter is, the more meaningful and impressive the information becomes. An advertising text is called effective and leads to some action if it takes into consideration the rules of speech impact and perception, as well as their relation to gender.

The article aims to further develop our all-around study of symbol-images trying to combine the results of the examination of ideological and aesthetic aspects of key images that function as symbols with the informative function of the image. In this regard, the argument that one of the key goals of a text, including a literary text, is to convey information, is beyond any doubt. This is accomplished through linguostylistic devices and intrinsic meanings of units comprising various levels of the text which, due to the tactics and intention of the author, contain the whole valuable information of the perception and interpretation of the text. The informative value of key images is not stable in itself depending on the quality and volume of the valuable information, the readers’ ability to interpret, as well as the availability of the background knowledge. The disclosure of the valuable information contained in the key images makes it possible to perceive the tactical intent of the author, to penetrate into the content proper of the work and share the emotions of the author. Due to the origin and depth of the information contained, key images can help the reader establish a dialogue with secondary texts, which comes to indicate that it is possible to move from one text to others through symbol-images thereby creating intertextual bonds.

The article analyzes the characteristics of the use of English punctuation marks, namely those of brackets and multi-points in three types of discourse – prose, drama and scientific prose. The functional value of punctuation marks is conditioned by a number of factors including the historical period, the discourse type, the writer’s style, to name just a few. The brackets and the multi-points, as a rule, perform different functions in the three types of discourse mentioned above.

The article aims to reveal the semantic structures of the causative verbs in modern English, particularly with reference to the characteristics of the verbs meaning “to kill” and the way of expressing the main meaning of “to cause to die”. More precisely, the present article highlights the semantic features of these verbs that condition their causative nature. The article focuses on the investigation of only those verbs meaning “to cause to die” that are more frequent in speech, particularly the verbs to kill, to murder, to assassinate, to execute and to massacre. The linguistic data are borrowed from the British National Corpus.

The present article highlights the main problems related to the functional-communicative study and causal discourse markers. Both markers are widely applied in English textual and communicative discourses. The functional-communicative nature of the markers has been examined with reference to dialogues and monologues in fiction. The latter make it possible to clarify the importance of the adversative and causal discourse markers in the organization of the overall discourse. A number of features typical of both adversative and causal markers are revealed due to the context. In case of heavy dependence on the context, the markers do not perform a wide communicative function, for example in monologues, whereas in dialogues the role of the communicative function is enhanced.

The role of the article in all grammar structures leaves no doubt. Attributive clauses prove no exception. Here, the article used with the antecedent contributes to the distinction of the attributive clause. Attributive clauses can be divisible and non-divisible. The antecedent of the latter is closely connected to the thematic continuation which acts as its characterization and does not need any restriction in the use of the article, i.e. both definite and indefinite article may be used here. Unlike non-divisible sentences, the antecedent in divisible attributive clauses is not strongly bound with its subordinate continuation since the latter contains additional information only. The semantic emphasis of the antecedent requires the use of only the definite article which can be used in zero category as an antecedent used in the presence of proper nouns.

The major aim of the author of a scientific text is to introduce his/her opinion as convincingly as possible trying to make an impact on the reader. Since it is not possible to ensure a direct connection between the reader and the author in written speech, it is necessary to create a field of a dialogue where certain words denoting conviction, uncertainty, indecisiveness and approximation are often used to qualify the information. In this regard, modal words are of special interest.

It is a fact that the Internet has turned into a unique form of communication nowadays. The language of communication of the internet resembles both the written and oral varieties of speech, however, it must be viewed as a new manifestation of language use which can be defined by a number of spelling, grammatical and semantic features. Despite the existence of common features applying to the electronically mediated language, the internet is a domain of diversity and freedom. The variety of language means used is conditioned by the individuality, sex and even the character of the users. The language of the internet is characterized by the use of abbreviations and clippings, subordinate clauses resembling “stream of consciousness”, a unique spelling, etc. These means aim to speed electronically mediated communication and enhance the emotional-expressive impact.

The article examines the peculiar features of EMC, namely through the comparison of the linguistic and paralinguistic expressions of e-mails and chats. The analysis of the factual material reveals that the language of e-mails possesses certain similarities (syntactic, semantic, structural) with written speech. The abovementioned similarities cannot be viewed as standard practice since the language of e-mails often contains certain elements typical of both written and oral speech. The language of chats, on the other hand, can be defined as a form of internet expression of oral speech. It is noteworthy, that the emotions and feelings of the participants are expressed through a special sign system.

The article aims to investigate the functional value of hedges and to trace their development process in linguistic literature and scientific discourse. An attempt is made to provide a short definition of hedges, to identify its types and to indicate the main fields of their use. Hedges can express politeness, uncertainty, mitigation, indecisiveness thereby decreasing the responsibility of the speaker for his demands and suggestions.

The article investigates the realization of the persuasive aim in online petitions with due regard to their linguistic and extra-linguistic features. Online petition is viewed as a modern form of persuasive discourse, which, however, has preserved the three important constituents of persuasion suggested by Aristotle – ethos, which refers to the impact by the authority of the speaker/listener; pathos which refers to the emotional impact achieved through linguistic and extra-linguistic means and logos that refers to the impact on the speaker’s consciousness through facts. The article highlights the linguistic means through which these constituents are expressed in electronic petitions, as well as the extent extra-linguistic factors may contribute to the successful realization of the persuasive impact.

Emotions have a unique place in a person’s life. They are reflected in each human activity and are expressed in language and through language not only during face-to-face, but also online communication. The article pays special attention to the expressions of emotions in these two fields of communication taking into consideration the verbal and non-verbal peculiarities of the expression of emotions.

Metaphor is often used as a stylistic device in literature to exert aesthetic impact on the reader. Nonetheless, due to its underlying cognitive function, metaphor can easily be used in the language teaching process to develop the creative mind of the learner/teacher, as well as to increase the efficiency of the teaching process.

The pre introduced by R. Lakoff back in 1975sent article attempts to reveal the relevance of the distinctive provisions in male and female speech to modern English and Armenian. Extracts from fiction have been used as data for the investigation. Unlike English, in Armenian authors have had an opportunity to carry out their practical research based on the analysis of the answers to the questions prepared in advance.

The world is not perceived as static. It is in constant movement and is described by religious beliefs, cultural traditions, moral values and a system of stereotypes. While perceiving the world man creates cognitive patterns which, together with individual meanings, reflect common underlying features of the world perception among different people. Among the standards that might describe and characterize the world are: visual images, smells and scents, i.e. perceptions received through different senses.

The present article provides an analysis of the concept “modesty” in the context of British, American and Armenian cultural identity. As an indicator of a common value in three linguo-cultures, the concept “modesty”, however, appears in various expressions. The article presents the similarities and differences of the value perception of the concept “modesty” in three linguo-cultures.

The article examines differences in the expression of interpersonal conflicts and management tactics in such different cultures as American and Armenian. Through a survey, an attempt is also made to consider the role and significance of this phenomenon in the Armenian culture.

The article considers the semiotic features underlying in epic poems David of Sassoon and Beowulf. An attempt has been made to examine linguistic and extra-linguistic semiotic units (sign-word; sign-symbol, sign-expression) that are of central importance to the poems mentioned.

The concept of the author has been surrounded by much controversy since the early years of literature. It was heavily discussed in the antique period and was “crowned” in the era of Romanticism. However, in the 20^th century and along with the advancement of the ideas of an individuality, human rights and equality, new philosophical directions sprang which cast doubt at the previously held traditional views and approaches. Structuralists and later post-structuralists “killed” the author enhancing the role of the reader. But has the author died? Maybe he is just dozing?

* The title makes reference to an essay by E.R. Hirsch.

One of the underlying functions of any piece of literary work is its aesthetic impact on the reader. The Picture of Dorian Gray by O. Wilde has completely fulfilled its aesthetic mission from the 19^th century onwards. The ideological basis of the novel heavily rests upon paradoxes which make the speech of the author and his attitude to the external world and its established traditions more impressive.
Paradox is also an aesthetic category which is expressed through contrasts, juxtaposition, parallel constructions, descending gradation. Sometimes the same phrase can be viewed from the perspective of several means of expression.

The article investigates the intertextual relationship between The Discoveries of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot and Macbeth by Shakespeare. Both texts are in a complex intertextual relationship. Scot expresses his explicit doubts about the phenomenon of witchcraft and witches, in general. Shakespeare, most probably, referred to Scot’s work while creating and portraying the characters of the three psychic- witch sisters in his tragedy. And though Shakespeare’s reference to Scot’s work is perhaps evident, there is still something vague, hence, it is not possible to arrive at the conclusion that the two writers shared the same opinion about witchcraft and spelling. Still, it can be concluded that Scot and his work play an important role in the investigation and interpretation of Shakespeare’s work.

The present article-response denies the groundless statements in Everett L. Wheeler’s review of A. Ayvazyan’s monograph titled The Armenian Military in the Byzantine Empire: Conflict and Alliance under Justinian and Maurice (Alfortville: Sigest, 2012). Furthermore, the author has identified the amateurism, historical-factual and theoretical mistakes, bias and anti-Armenian motives of the writer in the article. The shortened version of the present article has been published in the Journal of Military History, July 2013 issue (vol. 77, no. 3), pp.1207-1210).