Interrogative sentences as a way of expressing Russophobia in the modern virtual space (as exemplified in network Reddit)

Abstract

Modern society today is subject to global processes of Westernization, the purpose of which is to subjugate other cultures to Western influence. Thanks to the powerful potential of the virtual space to disseminate the necessary ideas, a certain vision is imposed and mass manipulation of the consciousness of citizens is carried out. The consistent and long-term policy of the Western world promotes the image of evil Russians, that leads to a surge in discrimination against representatives of the Russian-speaking culture. The image of the evil people is broadcast in the media and cinema, media personalities and politicians talk about it. Such negative representation of Russians leads to their hostility. Intolerance towards the citizens of the Russian Federation arise in the minds of a wide audience, which is reflected in both verbal and non-verbal ways. The author aims: 1) to conduct a study of interrogative sentences in the social network Reddit, one of the most famous and frequently visited Internet platforms in the world; 2) to identify Russophobic sentiments, and 3) to make an attempt to systematize the idea of the functions of interrogative sentences. Interrogative sentences are analyzed from the point of view of their secondary function — the transfer of information, feelings and one’s attitude to any situation. Selected by continuous sampling and carefully analyzed interrogative sentences allow us to draw a conclusion about the Russophobic mood that is inherent in the population of the Western world. The author has found that interrogative sentences are aimed at expressing accusations, insults and gloating. The objects of Russophobia are the Russian Federation itself, the President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and the citizens of the country. It was revealed that Russophobia is observed through the use of verbs with negative connotations, negatively colored epithets, parallel constructions, metaphorical models and occasionalisms.