The Genre Differentiation and Linguistic Peculiarities of English Diplomatic Discourse

Abstract

This paper deals with English diplomatic discourse as an independent type of discourse, which is characterized by its genre typology. The goals of diplomacy and diplomatic discourse are to protect the national and state interests and to implement norms and values in the context of globalization. For a long time, diplomatic discourse has been a part of political discourse. English diplomatic discourse has its own unique features and parameters that set it apart from other types of institutional discourse. Diplomatic discourse is a complex communicative phenomenon that covers the entire spectrum of diplomatic interactions. There are accurate and regulated standards and requirements for writing diplomatic documents, that depend on and vary according to the genre typology. The research’s relevance is found in the growing interest of contemporary linguistics in the issues of communicative interaction and the study of language in close connection with the practical actions of a person. The paper attempts to systematize knowledge about the texts used in international relations. The fact that English diplomatic documents are widely used determines their genre diversity. Documents of diplomatic discourse are divided into 7 groups: contractual (agreement, treaty, pact), informative (resolution; government statement), instructive (verbal note; circular note), argumentative (diplomatic speech; letter of concern), regulatory (communiqué; verbal note; memorandum), authoritarian (declaration; act), courteous (letter of invitation; letter of condolence). This division of diplomatic texts is performed on the basis of Nataliya Kashchyshyn’s classification of taxonomic units in English diplomatic discourse and makes it possible to consider structural, terminological and pragmatic factors in the formation of diplomatic documents. The purpose of diplomatic discourse is to protect national interests, prevent war and strengthen peace, as well as to implement foreign policy on behalf of the state.