FUNCTIONING PECULARITIES OF NICKNAMES IN MODERN NEWS MEDIA

Abstract

The article considers the main characteristics of modern media texts. The aim of the study is to analyse the features of modern media texts and the manifestation of such a linguistic phenomenon as nicknames. The main models of formation and use of nicknames were identified on the material of news telegram channels with the number of subscribers above 10 thousand and American news media. Modern media have assumed the function of the main broadcasting resource, often not only a neutral broadcaster, but also a commentator. One of the vivid language phenomena to realise this function has been the use of nicknames. As the result of the research, it was found out that nicknames can be formed by metaphorical transfer, phonologically resemble a name and refer to the activity or the past of the nicknamed person. They convey the author’s attitude towards the object and express a negative characteristic of personality or behaviour.