Article

Name: The Phenomenon of Pretense and Its Metaphorical Representation in the Russian Language

Authors: Marina V. Shpilman

Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation

Abstract:

The article examines the phenomenon of pretense, which is included in the semantic field of deception. However, unlike lies, this phenomenon is not sufficiently studied, which brings about the relevance of the study of the metaphorical representation of pretense in the Russian language. Based on the material of contexts from the National Corpus of the Russian Language are analyzed as stable word combinations to pose as someone, to put on a mask, to hide behind a mask, to dress up in the clothes of, to do an about-turn, as well as the verb to drape (in its figurative meaning to make a parade of), which are based on a theatrical or game metaphor. A analysis of these word combinations has shown that to pose as someone describes insincere behavior that is perceived by the observer as excessive and therefore negatively evaluated. The word combinations to hide behind a mask and to put on a mask are used in cases where the purpose of the speaker is to conceal the true “face”, however, the word combination to hide behind a mask is used situationally. To put on a mask, on the contrary, focuses on the exploitation of a stereotypical image that is used repeatedly. The word combinations to drape (to make a parade of) and to dress up in the clothes of emphasize the brightness and pomposity of the role being played. The stable word combination to do an about-turn is used to describe a rapid change of opinion in favor of the one to whom the speaker obeys or serves.

Keywords: the situation of pretense, insincere behavior, theatrical metaphor, game metaphor, speech genre

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