MEANS OF EXPRESSING MANIPULATIVE INFLUENCE IN GERMAN-LANGUAGE MEDIA (based on articles from the online publication «Die Welt»)

Nataliia S. Olkhovska

Email:  nnataliia.olkhovska@knu.ua

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7678-6885

Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

Polina Ye. Cherniak

Email:  polina_cherniak03@knu.ua

ORCID ID: 0009-0001-4151-7626

Master’s student,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/StudLing2025.27.108-119

PDF (UKRAINIAN)

ABSTRACT

The article examines manipulative influence tactics in the texts of the German-language online publication «Die Welt». It analyses the lexical, grammatical and stylistic techniques used by journalists to manipulate the audience’s opinion. Particular attention is paid to the use of emotionally charged vocabulary, metaphors, and other manipulative strategies that contribute to shaping the audience’s perception of political, social, and cultural events. The following methods were used in the research: critical analysis of literature to study theoretical sources; analysis of dictionary definitions to identify key concepts; a selective process for selecting research material; method of generalisation and systematisation of practical material; and descriptive method for systematisation and description of the analysed material. The study found that manipulation exerts a hidden influence on human consciousness and operates through specific verbal means in the information flow, in particular the dramatisation of events, recourse to expert opinion, metaphorisation, etc. The study concluded that linguistic manipulation is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Its application involves the use of various psycholinguistic tools, the main purpose of which is to exert a hidden influence on the addressee. Linguistic means of manipulation in the modern world not only allow influencing the audience’s perception of information, presenting it in the desired interpretation, and creating in the minds of citizens a model of the world necessary for specific power structures and social or political groups, but also reduce their ability to think critically. This study opens up prospects for further work, in particular for the analysis of manipulative means of influence in the texts of other German-language publications.

Keywords: manipulation, manipulative influence, «Die Welt», online publication, German language, lexical means.

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