Cognitive approach to the study of precedent names in media discourse (based on the material of Russian and French)

Abstract

The object of study was precedent phenomena, or rather precedent names, and their functioning in modern Russian and French media discourse was considered as the subject of the study. Precedent names that perform appellative, cognitive, communicative, expressive, text-forming functions are strong elements of the text and are able to influence the mass consciousness. The frequency of their use in the materials of mass media discourse is steadily growing, which explains the relevance of the study. In the course of the study, the goal of analyzing precedent names was fulfilled, the comprehension of which requires referring to the cognitive context REAL ECONOMY, which is a component of a private matrix that includes the concept PERSONALITY as a core. Using the method of cognitive-matrix analysis to describe the components of the matrix as a system of cognitive contexts or conceptual areas, it was revealed that when comprehending a precedent name in relation to the context REAL ECONOMY, the cognitive contexts APPEARANCE, PSYCHE AND STATUS of the concept PERSONALITY are actualized. It is proved that the STATUS cognitive context when referring to the REAL ECONOMY conceptual area is most often interpreted. The study made it possible to draw a conclusion about the importance of the text-forming function of precedent names, which have become an effective tool for speech influence, and the importance of studying the cognitive mechanisms of their functioning.