The Use of Linguistic Means of Figurativeness and Evaluativity to Exert Influence in the Speeches of the Chief Delegates of the Ukrainian SSR at the Sessions of the UN General Assembly

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to identify the figurative means in the formal diplomatic texts of speeches of chief delegates of the Ukrainian SSR to exert influence at the sessions of the UN General Assembly. Based on the interpretive method of speech analysis and the method of generalisation of the data obtained, an attempt was made to identify the main figurative means and expressiveness of speech, which help to achieve the effect of influence on the reader (listener). In order to identify hidden meanings, a hermeneutic approach to understanding texts was used. According to the results of the study, the most actively used linguistic means of figurativeness in the considered texts are epithets, metaphors, phraseologies. There are many more negative epithets used in the texts of speeches than positive ones, which aim to make people aware of the idea of self-preservation, to arouse emotions of anxiety, fear, vigilance. Metaphors of positive and negative evaluation are used to verbalise mental states, social states and thought processes. Most of the epithets, metaphors, idioms represented in the text are used to denote a negative evaluation, which is perceived as a deviation from the norm and is motivated by the following factors: the reluctance of people to take positive action, irresponsible attitude of some people towards others, socially unacceptable flaws and shortcomings. A logical continuation of this study is the analysis of linguistic means of figurativeness and evaluativity of other types of texts of the official style, including statements and conventions.