Review of the Monograph “Linguistic Transformation of Reality” by V.I. Karasik

Abstract

The monograph discusses the issues of lingua-semiotics, linguaculturology, axiological linguistics and discourse studies. The characteristics of linguistic and cultural concepts, dramatic plots and types of discourse on the material of the Russian, English and German languages are considered. The monograph consists of three sections: “Conceptual Functionality of Language”, “Narrative Functionality of Language” and “Discourse Functionality of Language”. The basic parametric concepts of space and time (infinity and eternity), regulatory concepts of behavior (power, perseverance and stubbornness, style and reputation), the concept of the mastered world (house, garden, merry-go-round) and natural phenomena (fire and ice) are described. As illustrative material, the plots “journey into the past”, “flight into space”, “eternal youth”, “meeting or joint adventures of twins” are considered. When describing the discourse potential of language, the modes of self-expression in communication, the illogical varieties of world perception in different types of discourse (participation), the peculiarities of mystification, discourse accuracy and inaccuracy, the unification of different types of discourse in a speech act (discourse convergence) are shown. It is meant for philologists and a wide range of researchers developing the foundations of the integral science of man.

Keywords

• anthropological linguistics
• semantics
• axiology
• narrative
• genre
• discourse
• concept
• sign