LANGUAGE FEATURES OF VIRTUAL COMMUNICATIVE SPACE IN COMPARATIVE ASPECT (ON THE BASIS OF ENGLISH AND RUSSIAN LANGUAGES)
Annotation. The article investigates the linguistic features of the virtual communicative space as the most widespread and extensively used a resource for information and communication nowadays in life of modern humans. The paper reveals such basic concepts as "virtual", "virtual reality", "virtual communication", carries out the study of models and forms of language means and expressions in English and Russian languages, which are often used for communication in the virtual space.
The relevance of the problem under investigation. Relevance of the research lies in the fact that it is dedicated to the study of a number of characteristic features of the languages provided for the manner in which they appear, function and differ from each other in the process of virtual communication.
Materials and method of research. The material of the study is the modern English-speaking and Russian-speaking tools used in the virtual communicative space of Internet’s users. Selection of the material was carried out by continuous sampling of the English- and Russian-speaking correspondences of the author, thematic chats and forums, and available database on the Internet. The main method of our research was the method of comparative linguistic characteristics of represented languages.
Results of research and its discussion. Communication was and still is important for humanity at all stages and levels of development. Communication is a foundation of life, which is necessary for the development of present and future, for communication with everything that surrounds humans. Since ancient times all creatures use communication to convey information, feelings and emotions, to express points of view and to form a relationship. Various forms of communication were created in connection with the development of the world and humanity itself. Nowadays there are such forms of communication as verbal, written and visual. In addition, there are various means of communication such as pictures, graphics, illustration, body language, signals, etc.
Internet and internet environment are the most common and heavily used communicative space today. Computer communication introduced the extensive use of the word “virtual” (from the Latin virtualis – “possible”) is an object or condition that has no physical existence in reality, but under the influence of information technology, the term “virtuality” has acquired a new meaning, which is associated with virtual reality. The concept of “virtual reality” means a huge world created by technical and computer facilities, this virtual reality does not exist, but it can occur under certain conditions (for example, in a game) and therefore can affect the auditory, visual and other senses which can cause the illusion of immersion into this world. Virtual communication is a communication with the distant individual or group of individuals demarcated by PC and a various communicative tools (mobile phone, smartphone, etc.) [1].
Nowadays the virtual communication is an integral part of human communication. Language is not only for the means of communication but also for the means of creating virtual reality since the artificial programming languages are just for the technological means by which Internet works. The authentic language of the virtual community is natural languages of users. Communication appeared in the age of technological development carried out by computer, laptop or cell phone, which can be identified as a separate communication [2]. Language used in the process of virtual communication has a number of distinctive features. These features can change the standard rules of spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
A distinctive feature of virtual communication from the spoken language is its speed and convenience. Virtual communication contributes to save an effort of its communicators. In the virtual communication space savings efforts of individuals expressed in the resolved disregard the rules of spelling and grammar, even - for example, the lack of capitalization or punctuation. Looking at it in a virtual communication, there are three linguistic features: graphical, lexical-semantic and syntactic [3].
Graphic features in virtual communication are a set of specific graphical tools required for the transmission of feelings, emotions, and even sounds to help the recipient comprehend everything fully on the screen. Punctuation in virtual communication is involved in the creation of more meaningful significance of the text. Punctuation in Russian and in English carries the same designation. The exclamation point indicates a special relation to the content of the statements and may show different emotions, such as irony, indignation, enthusiasm, excitement, outrage, happiness, and desire to attract attention to the words. For example, “Я тебе сейчас такую новость расскажу, ты не поверишь!!!!”, “I’m going to Beyonce concert next week!!!!”. The question mark also has its emotional significance in virtual space. It can express confusion, question or wonder. For instance, “Ты же шутишь, да????”, “Do you think “Moonlight is going to get Oscar this year???”. Full stop and dots are also used in internet communications, not just as a complete thought but also as indicators of emotions. They also have their own meaning. Full stops can separate parts of words to make an emphasis on every word; dots can be used as indications of uncertainty, sadness or detachment. “Я не знаю, что мне делать…помоги…”, “I. Don”t. Wanna. Write. An Essay. Ugh.”. Nowadays * and brackets () have a very different role in virtual space. They are also used to show emotions. In addition, one of the main graphics units are "emojis", icons that express a particular emotion. “Спокойной ночи, целую :*”, “I’m so tired :(”. Also so-called “Caps lock” (an abbreviation of the English «capitals lock» is all letters typed to be in uppercase) is used in the virtual communication. "Caps lock" is used to reflect the importance of the particular information or for showing the raise of the voice. “НЕ МОЖЕТ БЫТЬ!!!”, “I’ve lost my KEYS, MAN!”.
Lexico-semantic features are various shortenings of words or phrases, the use of acronyms and abbreviations. Onomatopoeia also applies to lexico-semantic features. For example, there are such shortenings in Russian language as “прив”, “спс”, “что дел?”. The abbreviations, shortenings, and acronyms in English languages are used more frequently. English-speaking people can shorten the whole sentence or a big phrase. For example: btw – between, tho – though, ttyl - talk to you later, imho – in my honest opinion, ASAP - as soon as possible, etc. Such large shortenings are not peculiar in Russian language. Another distinctive lexico-semantic feature (that is unique to the English language) is the omission of some letters (goin – going, gettin – getting, cause – because) [4]. Slang in virtual space exists in every language, but it is worth to say that the majority of computer slang comes from English language and other languages is simply transcribed the words, which are now included in their everyday life. For example, a verb in Russian language – “початиться” derived from the English word “to chat” and transcribed into the Russian language with the same meaning, or "юзать" also derived from the English word "to use” [5].
To make interlocutor easily perceive the message, the sentences should not be excessively long. Messages perceived more easily are these, which have simple structure with omission of difficult and ling words. Articles, auxiliary verbs are often omitted in virtual communication of the English-speaking people. In addition, direct order of words often persists in interrogative sentences instead of the reverse variation, as it is right in grammar sense [6]. Punctuation in the Russian language plays an important role but we cannot say the same about the English language. We can say that punctuation for the Russian-speaking virtual communication are an integral component of transmitting the basic idea of the message.
Summary. Therefore, comparing the virtual communication in Russian and English languages, we can see that they have a lot in common, although each language has its own peculiarities and differences, however, there are not so many of them. Thus, we can conclude that the characteristics of language of virtual communication depends on the language in general, on its original structure and unique features.
LITERATURE
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3. Mostkova S.Y. English literary terminology. - L., 1989
4. Belyaeva T.M., Khomyakov V.A. Non-standard vocabulary of the English language. - L., 1985
5. Beregovsky E.M. Youth slang: formation and functioning. Questions of linguistics. - L., 1996.
6. Halperin I.R. About the term “slang”. Questions of linguistics. -M., 1956
