PROFILE OF VIRTUAL LANGUAGE IDENTITY “MODERATOR” (BASED ON ENGL ISH)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the linguistic study of virtual language identity “moderator”, who is the key figure in Internet communication and is frequently found on Internet forums where moderation is the main factor that creates successful forum space. Moderator’s main functions are enforcement of forum rules and facilitation of discussion that helps to keep the forum alive. The image of virtual language identity “moderator”, that is rather positive than negative, became the object of complex linguistic analysis. Two types of moderators (authoritative moderator and ignorant moderator) were focused on and the complex pragmatic analysis of posts of these moderators is given. Verbal characteristics of moderators’ posts are examined and the connection between the quality of moderation and successful communication is established.