Language Means and Stylistic Devices of Expressing Doublespeak in Publicist Discourse

Abstract

The paper deals with a language phenomenon called doublespeak regarded as a powerful set of linguistic means and stylistic devices expressed in publicist discourse which reflects all the spheres of human life and activities including politics, law, business, marketing, etc. Publicist style is used with the purpose of influencing the public by means of employing various linguistic techniques, logical argumentation and emotional appeal. Publicist style is the most critical one for doublespeak usage among other functional styles. The doublespeak technique is most often used there for the sake of persuasion. Since publicist discourse delivers certain vocabulary, expressions and the style needed to communicate, the peculiarities of the publicist functional style should be taken into consideration.Regarding the issue of doublespeak from both theoretical and practical points of view the paper contains classification, definitions and examples with a focus on language means and stylistic devices as factors altering the perception of information. Doublespeak, being a misleading persuasive technique, exerts influence on people and their opinions, manipulating and skillfully obfuscating them only pretending to communicate truthful messages. Actually it is aimed at blocking critical thinking due to the use of half-truths by giving fallacious arguments, providing veiled facts and factoids, thus, limiting and preventing further thought which illustrates the importance of information literacy.Penetrating into all the spheres of social life and becoming a part of the general language, doublespeak has a great influence on social communication shaping the context in which it is used. At the same time it depends on the receiver who assigns the meaning of the message according to his/her individual experiences and purposes. Hence, different people can make different meanings of the same message which is the result of the required high level information literacy, critical thinking, analytical reasoning as well as responsibility needed for the corresponding lucidity and critical honesty.