Identifying The Ways of Camouflaging the Truth in the Modern Discourse

Irina B. Rubert

(St. Petersburg University of Economics, Saint-Petersburg, Russia)

Abstract: The article aims considering linguistic means used to influence the addressee’s perception of information, to form a certain picture of the world and to make the decisions important for the addresser. The linguistic tools applied in special (marketing, advertising) discourse are examined. The main results of the project group with the participation of MA students at St. Petersburg State University of Economics are presented. The task was to analyze the most popular Russian commercials for the use of linguistic and stylistic devices, which, on the one hand, hide basic information about a product or service, camouflaging the truth about possible consequences of their exploitation, their drawbacks as compared to similar products, and, on the other hand, affect the potential consumer. The article also considers the examples of camouflaging the truth in everyday discourse depicted in the literature, through the prism of Grice’ maxims. 

Key words: stylistic devices of camouflaging the truth, marketing discourse, Grice’ maxims in everyday discourse.