Function of Neologisms in Electronic Mass Media Headlines

Abstract

The features of the usage of word-formative neologisms in the aspect of the implementation of the functions of media text headline (on the material of titles of electronic media texts) are considered. The article presents the results of structural, semantic and pragmatic analysis of the headline neologisms of the usual and non-usual ways of word formation, collected by a continuous sample of the texts of the Russian electronic media of the early 21st century. It is shown that neologisms contribute to the realization of the nominative, assessment, attractive, informative, contact-establishing, compression, text-forming functions of a header. It is concluded that header neologisms are characterized by synthetism of their functions. It is stated that evaluation, attractive, contact-setting functions become especially relevant in the conditions of modern media communication. Attention is paid to structural-semantic and discursive factors that affect the implementation of functions of a title: the determining factors are the structure of a neologism (presence of evaluation-marked elements, semantics of producing words), the method of its creation (usual / non-usual), as well as usage context. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying its results in journalistic practice, since the headlines are studied in terms of the success of their functions and the achievement of communicative goals, including the analysis of possible communicative risks.

Keywords

• electronic media
• headline
• word-formative neologisms
• impact