Linguistic models of social and political communication in the online-space: cognitive and pragmatic aspect

Abstract

The socio-political context of the «post-truth» era, conditioned by the digitalization of all spheres of life, transforms the network content, which forms the basis of network discourses and is the main source of information for the network society. As a result, network content is not simply determined by the categorical concepts of «fact» – «myth», but is completely transformed into the conceptual-categorical apparatus «fact» – «alternative fact», which is essentially informational speculation and leads to the development of destructive socio-political practices and distribution of fake online content. Based on a comprehensive analysis of network data (a methodology developed by the authors that combines theories and methodologies of several areas of scientific knowledge), linguistic models of social and political communication in the online-space were identified and described («Ali Juppe» in France, «Pizzagate» in the USA, «Migrantskidnappers» in India and Pakistan); the result of consumption of new linguo-pragmatic patterns («Allan Juppe – an accomplice of Islamic extremists»; «Don’t vote for Clinton, Vote for Trump» and the side pattern «Save children from pedophiles»; «Pakistani migrants pose a threat») by users of the online-space in the specified countries was investigated; the results of the models’ actions are given and the offline result of the consumption of these patterns is described. The research develops a new direction of linguistic science – network linguistics; consideration of new network models of communication (cognitive stereotypes and linguopragmatic patterns) in the online-space is the main genuine identifier of the discourse varieties formed offline that determine the further behavior (constructive and / or destructive) of the user both online and offline.