Some Issues of Using Euphemisms in Business English Discourse

This article analyzes the functioning of the so-called adverbial verbs (otherwise named verbs of manner). Their distinctive feature is that they express not only an action or process, but also the manner in which it is carried out. The English language is rich in such resources, and the researcher’s task is to study the functional (pragmasemantic) properties of adverbial verbs and analyze their role in building up a compact yet capacious semantic space of English business discourse. Methods of functional-semantic, pragmatic analyses, and classification are relevant for the purpose of disclosing the semantics and functional properties of the said verbs. The study is conducted within the framework of English business discourse. The characteristics of adverbial verbs are considered in the context of linguistic economy, functional synergy, and the diversity of adverbial verb types based on semantic criteria. The authors conclude that English adverbial verbs belong to a category of linguistic devices that allow for the expression of fairly extensive content in relatively concise forms. This characteristic is based on the verbs’ ability to actualize the functional synergy, that is, to generate semantic increments that arise through contextual interaction with other elements of the semantic system and exceed the simple sum of their semantic components. Since business people always strive for saving time and money, mastering this category of linguistic devices is entirely appropriate for their purposes. Using English business discourse as a basis, this article suggests a classification of adverbial verbs based on semantic criteria. The following groups of verbs are identified: a) verbs of spatial movement; b) causative verbs; c) verbs characterizing speech; d) verbs expressing direct impact on an object. In conclusion, prospects for further development of this topic are outlined, such as the study of contextually generated adverbial properties in verbs not originally classified as adverbial, as well as the development of practical aspects of using these tools to enhance the communicative competence of future business representatives.

The article discusses linguopragmatic properties of idioms presented in English business discourse. Among the imaginative tools used by English-speaking businesspeople, idioms accounted for 40% of the examined sample. The study relies on the linguopragmatic analysis to single out 5 most frequent semantic groups shaping the meaning of idioms used in English business discourse. Acting as figurative expressions that bring in a variety of meanings in view of the speaker’s intentions, idioms play a special role in any language. They become the vehicles of thought, which is reborn in speech in the form of living images, contributing to the creation of a figurative portrayal of the world, transmitting native speakers’ cultural codes. Business discourse idioms, based on the interaction of the subject-logical and contextual meanings, comprise the subjective criterion, which depends upon a multitude of factors. The context of use contributes to the figurative expression of the metaphorical core and makes it accessible to perception. This is why one of the critical conditions conducive to the productive assimilation of the meaning and pragmatic implication of idioms in the learning process is the delimitation of semantic groups that make up the substantive basis of a particular expression.

This study investigates the linguistic-pragmatic characteristics of “conflict activity” (CA) collocations in English business media discourse through a lexical-semantic analysis. By examining a corpus of articles from prominent American business news outlets, we identified 426 collocations that constitute the CA lexical-semantic field. These collocations were scrutinized for their expressiveness, cultural markers, appellative function, and their role in conveying business realities. The research found that language in American business media discourse exhibits a blend of informative and expressive functions, prevalence of clichés, engagement techniques, culturally marked units, and a dominance of the appellative function. The study also highlighted how stylistic devices like metaphor, metonymy, antithesis, and hyperbole endow expressiveness to the core lexemes. Findings contribute to our understanding of the lexical-pragmatic characteristics of business media discourse and offer a nuanced insight into their role in shaping readers' perceptions and attitudes.

Aim. Based on the materials of the soundscape in English in the form of videos of the public speeches of some major figures in the field of the business activity and representatives of the small and medium-sized companies, to determine the basic communication strategies and translation, some national specific features of the English business-discourse and to identify cases and conditions of the interpenetration of some communication strategies.Methodology. The study is carried out within the framework of comparative linguistics and currently topical communicative and pragmatic approach. The analysis of theoretical works on the discursive topics was carried out, the existing definitions of some communicative strategies and tactics were clarified. General scientific techniques and special linguistic research methods are used in the study: dialectical method, general linguistic methods – descriptive and comparative – semantic and contextual analysis, as well as linguistic and cultural characteristics.Results. The systematization of the communicative strategies was carried out and their review within the framework of the discursive practice was compiled. The classification bases of communication strategies, nationally specific features of the English business discourse were determined, the cases and conditions of the interpenetration of the communication strategies were revealed and analyzed.Research implications. The theoretical value lies in the clarification of the definition of “communicative strategy” and “communicative tactics” and the phenomenon of the so-called “hybrid strategies”

In recent years, the study of language has evolved to explore the intricate nuances that shape our communication. One fascinating aspect of language is the use of idioms, which enable speakers to convey emotions indirectly through metaphorical expression. Although idioms enrich language and enhance its expressiveness and vividness, they often cause difficulties for people learning English. Among the myriad of idioms, those related to colours stand out as vibrant and captivating elements of linguistic diversity. Colour is an objective quality of the material world, encoded by language signs into a diverse array of information. Colour schemes and their designations are universal elements of the larger colour symbolic system, composed of multiple subsystems each with their own function and structure. As carriers of information about the surrounding world, colour designations are meaningful topics for cognitive, psycholinguistic, linguistic, and cultural studies. Understanding the structural and semantic features of colour idioms is essential for unravelling the intricate threads that make up effective communication, especially in the context of business discourse. The purpose of this paper is to delve into the semantic and structural features of colour idioms used in English business discourse. General methods (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, classification), theoretical methods (system analysis), graphical, as well as methods of logical, system-structural analysis and connections, comparative and dialectical approaches have been used. Results. Colour symbolism, like any other, is based on the peculiarities of the human psyche, on various associations, which are based on everyday human experience, fed by mythological, religious and aesthetic views. Examining business idioms with the colour component we can say that the semantics of this component often differ from the semantics of the same colour name in free use. The meanings of different colours in business idioms were scrutinized. A detailed analysis was also carried out and a certain proportion of idioms was determined by structures and colours, and the corresponding diagrams were given. The study shows the prevalence of the blue colour (17%), followed by black (15%), red and white (13% each). The yellow colour appears to be less utilized, constituting only 2% of the analysed idioms. The analysis of the syntactic characteristics of colour idioms has shown the dominance of nominal idioms (80%), followed by verbal idioms (10%) with adjectival making up 6% and the adverbial being represented by 1 lexical unit (4%). The originality of this article lies in the study of the symbolism of colours in terms of their use in business phraseological units, and a detailed structural and semantic analysis of colour idioms used in business discourse. Conclusion. The study underscores the significance of colour idioms within the business vocabulary, emphasizing their relevance. Proficiency in these expressions not only enriches one's linguistic repertoire but also enhances communication skills. Business idioms are an important segment in the business vocabulary. Colour idioms occupy a large share in business phraseology, the study of which requires further research.

The article considers the concept of linguistic hedging, interpreted within the framework of the linguo-pragmatic features of its implementation in English-language business communication. The authors explore hedging techniques as tools for manipulation in speech production, with premises stemming from the theory of communicative politeness, as well as the postulates of strategic speech planning. Analyzing the material of the English-language business discourse, the authors identify three key methods of hedging: through emphatic enumeration, through the expression of modality, and through the implementation of the politeness strategy. Based on study results, the article identifies the pragmatic functions of linguistic hedging that prevail in English-speaking business discourse: avoiding conflict, maintaining a positive image of communicants, weakening the illocutionary force of the statement, down-toning and protecting the propositional component of the statement. The authors conclude that these functions gain significance within the framework of business communication, often centered around manipulative intentions, which makes hedging a significant tool for constructing an effective dialogue.

The article considers the criteria of English business discourse effectiveness. The object of the research includes samples of monologic and dialogic English business discourse, illustrating the effective and ineffective communication in oral and written speech. The subject of the research is functional and pragmatic properties of business discourse aimed at effective business communication, defining the criteria of the concept of efficiency. The importance of this topic is determined by high demand for effective means of communicative influence. The author stresses that emerging communicative technologies require more attention both at the level of understanding and identification. The author offers the method of evaluation of discourse effectiveness from the dynamic and systemic point of view – with the help of functional synergetic analysis. She defines the way how the unity of discourse meanings organised in an orderly system affects the consciousness of business partners. The research lets us claim that today successful speech communication is understood as interaction beneficial for both parties, preserving the business relationship balance and corresponding to mutually set goals. The article shows that in order to communicate effectively the addressee has to possess a wide range of pragmatic means of influence on which the result of talks, presentations and transactions depend. The practical result of speech activity is preconditioned by the choice of speech expression form which is made in business communication in the process of speech planning determined by communicative situation and intentions of speakers.

The article deals with the manipulative potential of speech means of English business discourse in the media space. The study is a relevant topic, since the concept of business media discourse as a separate type of discourse has not yet been singled out. The material of the study comprised the public speeches of businessmen, commercial staff and economists for the period of 2021-2023. The authors resort to the method of functional discourse analysis, which substantiates the selection of speech means by a communicative purpose. At the same time, it is assumed that the goals can be main / secondary, open / hidden. The dynamics of the study of speech influence means in linguistics is described. As a result of the study, it was possible to identify speech tactics to enhance the manipulative impact and tactics to counteract speech manipulation: distracting questions; unwillingness to answer questions; pause before answering; question to question; refusal to explain; indignation over a minor issue; sudden change in behavior. The author comes to the conclusion that the study of the functional and pragmatic properties of business speech and the peculiarities of its implementation in media conditions can enrich the communicative competence of specialists.

В данной статье рассмотрены наиболее часто используемые словообразовательные модели, формирующие термины в деловом дискурсе современного английского языка: семантический, синтаксический и морфологический методы словообразования. Приводится определение бизнес-дискурса, а также предоставляются понятия и описания каждого из способов образования терминов с их классификациями и примерами. Англоязычная бизнес-терминология рассматривается в связи с широким применением английского языка во время деловых переговоров.

The article deals with the analysis of language means in modern business English discourse. The material under study is a set of the podcast headings borrowed from the Wharton business school collection of thematic groups such as «Leadership», «Management», «Innovation», «Finance», «Marketing». The results of the research show that persuasive headings constitute the main part of the total body of the headings. Their aim is to attract the addressees’ attention and encourage them to read or listen to the podcasts. Regardless of the thematic group, language means include the following: the use of a punctuation mark, such as the colon that specifies the information contained in the first part of the title, in combination with such stylistic devices as metaphor, antithesis, metonymy, allusion and alliteration. Affirmative and interrogative sentences with «wh – words» and a functional word «how» come second in the frequency of usage, they do not only put a question but also give an answer to it.