Dynamic Properties of Blurbs to Works of Fiction in English

Abstract

This article is devoted to dynamic transformational processes within contemporary English mini-texts (small-format texts). The paper reflects the findings of research that encompasses 500 advertising blurbs to works of fiction. Transformational dynamics is disclosed in terms of linguosynergetics based on a dynamic and systemic representation of evolutionary developments in blurb discourse. In particular, the conventional invariant discourse features are considered; non-systemic stochastic elements are revealed in such texts; and the ability of blurb discourse to generate meaning that exceeds the sum total of the meaning of the text units, i.e. functional synergism, is under analysis. The authors argue that fluctuations are observed on the lexical, structural and contextual levels of text organization. The analysis of the data obtained leads to the conclusion that the system features of book blurbs are currently undergoing a transformation of their pragmasemantic parameters, which are moving towards those of purely advertising discourse. Today’s trend towards the reduction of the volume of verbal communication shows that the prospect for further investigation of mini-texts (including book blurb discourse) lies in the elaboration of the pragmasemantic synergism concept, with the feature of this discourse being of special significance to texts aimed at conveying the maximum possible information in as few words as possible.