Comic Objectification of Concept of UGLINESS: Axiological Approach

Abstract

The article examines the features of the comic objectification of the aesthetic concept of UGLINESS from the perspective of axiological linguistics. The author applies an algorithm of axiological analysis, which includes the following stages: evaluating the audience’s reaction to relevant comic statements; identifying the ridiculed characteristics of the analyzed concept; analyzing remarks aimed at evaluating these characteristics; studying the linguistic features of concept actualization. As practical material, over 70 stand-up comedy shows and 700 episodes of various sitcoms were used. It is proposed to divide physical flaws into two groups: acquired and congenital. The main ridiculed acquired physical flaws of a person include excess weight, poor memory, and missing / deforming body parts / organs. Common ridiculed congenital physical flaws include non-standard shapes and sizes of human organs, short or tall stature, and speech defects. The main linguistic means of actualizing the concept of UGLINESS include direct designation, euphemisms, comparison, and hyperbole. It has been established that in English-language stand-up comedies and sitcoms, the gender characteristics of the comic object are primarily subjected to ridicule when actualizing the concept of UGLINESS.

Keywords

• axiological linguistics
• the conceptual sphere of comedy
• utilitarianism
• antivalues
• concept ugliness
• innate unattractiveness
• acquired unattractiveness