SARCASM AS AN INDEPENDENT PRAGMATIC CATEGORY OF NONLITERAL LANGUAGE

Abstract

The present paper aims at creating a theoretical framework for the study of sarcasm as an independent pragmatic category of nonliteral language. The analysis into the existing theories on sarcasm has revealed that there is a need to create a more comprehensive framework to give a holistic understanding of sarcasm as a linguistic and pragmalinguistic phenomenon. Despite numerous studies on the subject, linguistic sarcasm research is still in its early stages. The paper addresses the fundamental definitions and characteristics of the concept of sarcasm, which are necessary for a better understanding of how sarcasm emerges and materializes as a form of nonliteral language.