Testament of faith in media: cognitive and linguopragmatic aspects

Abstract

The article focuses on exploring cognitive and linguopragmatic aspects of the testament of faith in media. The testament of faith is addressed as a narrative, there can be seen its connection to “storytelling” – a popular media tool of presenting information in the form of a personal story. As a narrative the testament is characterized bei attributes such as eventness (spiritual and moral event – a person’s way to God), the sequence of actions in time, plot, composition (the beginning, middle and end), the author’s perspective. The testament of faith shows a similarity to the confession (sincerity, openness, penance for one’s sins, etc.) and preaching – implicit and explicit message for the mass audience to change their lives in the ways of Christian morals. Religious concepts (GOD, FAITH, PATH, PROVIDENCE, etc.) serve as a cognitive ground for testament. The testament of faith is characterized by stereotypical plot of embracing faith that is preceded by searching for life’s purpose, severe life circumstances, confrontation with infwenal world, etc. The story’s climax is the narrator’s realization of coming to God, the story’s end marks the change in his worldview and the way of life. The article addresses linguopragmatic features (intention, strategy, tactic and the means of implementation). The basic narrative strategy is the strategy of presenting oneself as a person, embracing faith, or as a religious person. This strategy is introduced through various tactics (axiological, the tactic of repentance, the tactic of mystical anticipation, the tactic of expressing interpersonal relationships, etc.). Special emphasis in the article is placed on multimedia tools used in the testament of faith.