THE USE OF LANGUAGE PLAY IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

The article dwells on the way the language play functions within the framework of the political communication. The specific cases of the language play are analyzed predominantly on the basis of the American political discourse. As a result, the conclusion is reached that such an important or dominant traits of politics as competitiveness and the manipulatory tonality are linked to the language play, and the phenomenon seems to be of the universal nature. It allows the speaker to ignore some norms of the institutional communication and to demonstrate linguistic creativity and inventiveness. It permits to achieve a certain level of ambiguity and polysemy of the discursive meanings. The main functions of the language play are face-saving and face-harming. Trying to save his face and using for this purpose the language play, politicians may demonstrate their wit, toughness, smartness, alertness, etc. On the other hand, one may emphasize the weaknesses of the opponent, but formally remain within the law and elude pursuit since in case of any allegations one may claim misunderstanding and/or misinterpretation. It is this effect of the language play that contributes to the manipulatory tonality of the political communication.