LEXICAL PECULIARITIES OF MODERN ENGLISH LANGUAGE MILITARY DISCOURSE

Abstract

The article analyzes the definition of modern English language military discourse and outlines its lexical peculiarities. According to the scientific literature, military discourse is defined as a spoken or written act of communication used in formal or non-formal military contexts that describes any military act, ranks, warfare, organization, etc. Military-related texts possess a number of lexical peculiarities of modern English language military discourse. They include the following: military terms, abbreviations, neologisms, military aphorisms, proverbs, and sayings, phraseological units, slang words, and a number of figurative elements to trigger audience’s emotions. The author explains all the characteristics providing their definitions and shows the usage within military-related texts. Thus, the military term being a stable lexical unit is assigned to describe the relevant concept in the conceptual and functional system of a military sphere. The article outlines the main approaches to military terms formations and explains the reasons why new terms appear. Also, the author describes military abbreviations, their types and gives the examples of frequently used abbreviations. Special attention is drawn towards lexical tools like slang words, military aphorisms, proverbs, and sayings, phraseological units or idioms. The author explains that they form a special lexical layer that performs other functions excepts of transfer of information. These functions include: relief of psychological tension, influencing people’s feelings and emotions making information subjective, and enhancing patriotic feelings of the country describing the course of military conflict in the news reports when “we-attitude” words is used. Also, the author reveals the use of extralinguistic components of military-related texts as they are used to draw attention of audience to some specific pieces of information and to refocus their efforts with a view to bring change of mind.