The text of memoirs as an expression of the author’s linguistic personality (by the example of I. G. Tinin’s memoirs)

Abstract

Based on the memoirs “Genesis. Exodus. Deuteronomy…” by I. G. Tinin, the research aims to characterise the author as a linguistic personality. The paper utilises the model of organisation and description of a linguistic personality proposed by Yu. N. Karaulov to examine the linguistic means that reveal the structural-linguistic, linguo-cognitive and pragmatic levels of I. G. Tinin’s personality. The research is novel in that it is the first to use the memoirs of a person who was born and formed in the environment of the Russian white émigré community, in the traditions of noble Russia, participated in World War II, lived in the post-war Soviet and post-Soviet country and was known in Volgograd and the Volgograd region as a cultural figure, educator as the research material. As a result, the researcher finds that the author masters the entire stylistic palette of the Russian literary language, he is familiar with non-literary forms of the common language and has knowledge of foreign languages. The use of stylistically marked forms, foreign expressions is determined by the speech situation, the author’s goals and objectives. The study highlights the author’s interest in and attention to language, the use of its expressive resources, the utilisation of stylistic devices, word play, a variety of precedent names that are significant for Russian and world culture, which indicates the author’s broad outlook, his system of views and a complex and rich worldview. The important values of the memoirist are identified, including respect for people, reverence for ancestors, love for one’s family and homeland, the desire to soften negative emotions and evaluations with subtle humour and an orientation towards the interlocutor.