Linguocreative word-formation devices in political anthroponyms (the case of English internet memes)

Abstract

The article looks at the linguocreative word-formation devices in political anthroponyms within the context of English internet memes. The research is relevant due to the existing necessity to thoroughly research linguistic creativity at the level of word formation in English internet communication. The methods used in the research include collecting and analysing empirical material, word formation analysis, definitional analysis, linguocreative analysis, discourse analysis, linguocultural analysis, semantic analysis. The results of the research show that such linguocreative word formation devices as the generation of linguocreative occasional telescopic lexemes derived from two derivational bases, linguocreative transformations of anthroponyms based on paronymic attraction and language game with abbreviations are widely spread in English memes. Telescopy is a word formation process which involves generating a linguocreative occasional lexeme derived from two anthroponyms. Linguocreative transformations of anthroponyms based on paronymic attraction entail the deformation of an anthroponym in order to show resemblance to a similar word for creating a pragmatic effect. Language game with abbreviations functions as a linguocreative ‘decoding’ of a political anthroponym, as a result of which the author provides the recipient with an original and usually humorous interpretation of the precedent name. According to the research, the derivatives, generated with the help of the above mentioned devices, have broad semantics, connotations and pragmatic underpinning. To conclude, English internet memes act as a platform for linguocreative word formation processes, furthermore, political anthroponyms have a strong linguocreative potential. The results obtained in the research can be successfully applied in the educational process on the theoretical level and in English language teaching.

Keywords

• internet meme
• linguistic creativity
• linguocreative unit
• anthroponym
• word formation
• telescopy
• paronymic attraction
• language game with abbreviations
• precedence