MEGXIT IN CONTEMPORARY MEDIA AND INTERNET DISCOURSES

Abstract

Every language preserves historic realia, reveals peculiarities of the geographical position of a particular country, main traits of the national character, and the overall cultural code of every nation speaking it. The language also describes all new realia and phenomena, and neologisms are coined all the time. «Brexit», «Megxit», «To Meghan Markle» are relatively new words in the English language. Romanticized image of a beautiful and tender princess, happily married to her royal Beau − a handsome, valiant and dashing young man is one of the most popular icons in European folklore. But modern fairy-tales are not that much simple. One omniscient author is definitely not enough, and millions of other on-line commentators contribute to the main line of the story, describing the prince and his princess, and often calling them names. Surprisingly as it may seem, the saying «My home is my castle» becomes not true, and the palace walls often shudder from rumors and insinuations, racial slurs and undertones. Under the circumstances a former friend often becomes a foe, compatriots become the invaders, responsible for a massive intrusion and violation of a basic human right for privacy. The main characters feel unhappy and the fairy tale soon becomes a thing to endure. These are the realia of our modern culture, with its etiquette and netiquette, black PR, on-line trolls and getting bad press. The Sussex family often cites racism as the main cause of all their troubles, but the plethora of various texts can reveal much more than just racism and related inequities. Personal qualities of the Duchess, her American origin and professionalbackground contribute to a massive cultural clash, and the new word «Megxit» appears, adding new shades of meaning to the «happily ever after» from the fairy tales. The article centers on the issues causing Megxit, and the texts give newinsight to a famous and well-known story.