“Literatura mirovoj revoljucii”, 8-9, 1931 - [S002]
Communicative Intention: Creation of the image of the Other as the "Enemy"
Utterance Aim: To arouse suspicion in the reader and cause him to distance himself from the concept described
Concrete Linguistic Means/Tool: The locution 'tak nazyvaemyj' [so-called] as a means of expressing reservation or doubt regarding the subsequent designation
Journal Title: "Literatura mirovoj revoljucii"
Journal Number: 8-9
Contexts & Examples: Новейшие открытия в искусстве, так же как и в социологии, непонятны, если не принять во внимание решающий фактор: недавно открытое искусство так называемых примитивных народов.
Edited by Svetlana Slavkova
The phrase ‘tak nazyvaemyj’ [so-called], used as an explanatory epithet, serves as a clarifying device. In certain contexts, it turns into a marker of distrust and scepticism towards the phenomena it refers to. There is also a less-than-correct use of distancing devices, in particular the co-presence of the marker ‘so-called’ and ironic inverted commas (which are contrary to the spelling rules of the Russian language). This rhetorical expedient, namely the (frequent) use of ‘so-called’, denotes both a certain uncertainty in nominative decisions and, at the same time, an underlying aggressiveness, since doubt is deliberately and strategically instilled in the reader in order to gain his consent. The aim is to force him to join US and become ONE of US. The impression also emerges of a certain hastiness in the drafting of the text, of extreme tones and a vehement rejection of the concepts under discussion.