Теория языка | Филологический аспект №04 (108) Апрель 2024

Лингвистические особенности репрезентации концепта self-made man в английской лингвокультуре

Бурикова Светлана Александровна
кандидат филологических наук, старший преподаватель кафедры иностранных языков экономического факультета Российского университета дружбы народов, РФ, г. Москва
Павлов Илья Олегович
Студент магистр, Институт мировой экономики и бизнеса, Российский университет дружбы народов, РФ, г. Москва

Аннотация: В английской лингвокультуре понятие «Self-made man» имеет давнюю традицию и связано с такими ценностями, как индивидуализм, трудолюбие и настойчивость. Этот образ подчеркивает важность личных усилий и самостоятельного достижения успеха. В данном исследовании рассматриваются лингвистические особенности репрезентации концепта «Self-made man» в английской лингвокультуре. В результате исследования были выявлены основные способы репрезентации: отдельные лексические единицы, повествовательные модели и фразеологизмы. Исследование англоязычных источников позволило получить ценную информацию об особенностях репрезентации концепта self-made man в английской лингвокультуре и какие ценности он отражает.
Ключевые слова: концепт, self-made man, лингвистические особенности, английская лингвокульутра.

Burikova Svetlana Aleksandrovna
PhD in Linguistics, Associate Professor, Foreign Languages Department, School of Economics, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Russia, Moscow
Pavlov Ilya Olegovich
Master’s student, Institute of World Economy and Business, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Russia, Moscow

Abstract: In English linguistic culture, the concept of “Self-made man” has a long tradition and is associated with such values as individualism, hard work and perseverance. This image emphasizes the importance of personal effort and achieving success on your own. This study examines the linguistic features of the representation of the concept “Self-made man” in English linguistic culture. As a result of the study, the main methods of representation were identified: individual lexical units, narrative models and phraseological units. The study of English-language sources made it possible to obtain valuable information about the features of the representation of the concept of self-made man in English linguistic culture and what values it reflects.
Keywords: concept, self-made man, linguistic features, English linguoculture.

The purpose of this scientific article is to analyze the linguistic features characteristic of the representation of the concept of self-made man. By focusing on linguistic features, the article aims to provide insight into how these linguistic features represents the given concept. In addition, the purpose of the article is to clarify the cultural characteristics through which the image of a successful person is created, contributing to our understanding of the intersection of language and culture.

Linguistic features in representation of self-made man

In the course of the study, we analyzed the linguistic features of the representation of the concept of self-made man in the English linguistic culture. We studied 50 English-language sources, including scientific and journalistic articles, as well as fiction and cinema, focusing on identifying the most common linguistic features that represent the concept of self-made man.

1. Lexical features:

Most often, the concept of self-made man is associated with positive qualities such as: hard work, determination, independence, perseverance, determination, and enterprise.

"Self-made men are often admired for their hard work, determination, and independence." [The Atlantic, November, 2022]

Often used in the context of the "American Dream": striving for success, achieving goals, overcoming difficulties.

"The self-made man is a symbol of the American dream, embodying the belief that anyone can achieve success, regardless of background, if they work hard." [CNN, July, 2023]

Sometimes it can have negative connotations: boasting, selfishness, lack of education, dishonest methods of achieving goals.

Some critics argue that the self-made man myth can promote individualism, materialism, and a disregard for social responsibility." [The New Yorker, January, 2024]

2. Phraseological phrases:

Pull oneself up by the bootstraps - means to achieve success through one's own efforts.

Bill Gates is an example of a man who pulled oneself up by the bootstraps, starting a business in his parents' garage and becoming one of the richest people in the world." [Microsoft, October, 2023]

Rise from the ashes – means to overcome difficulties and start over.

Apple rose from the ashes of Steve Jobs to become one of the most successful technology companies in the world. [Apple, September, 2023]

Go from rags to riches -  means to achieve wealth from poverty.

Henry Ford is an example of a man who went from rags to riches, becoming the founder of the automobile empire Ford Motor Company. [Ford Motor Company, June, 2023]

3. Narrative patterns:

Often the representation of the concept of self-made man follows the pattern of the «American dream», a person from humble beginnings overcomes difficulties, achieves success and becomes rich:

The classic story of the self-made man is the story of a young immigrant who comes to America with nothing but a dream, works hard and eventually becomes a successful businessman. [The American Dream Foundation, September, 2020]

Most often, the story of becoming a self-made man, centers on personal achievements, demonstration of willpower and overcoming obstacles:

The book tells the inspiring story of a self-made woman who overcame poverty, illness, and discrimination to become a renowned scientist. [Lean In: Women, Work, and the Power at the Table, March, 2013]

Figure 1. Results of the research

We looked at 50 examples in which the concept of self-made man is manifested, including scientific and journalistic articles, fiction and films. Among the various linguocultural features of the representation of the concept of self-made man, the most common was the use of lexical means to represent the main associative features characteristic of this concept: hard work, determination, success, 40 examples observed. Besides, 10 examples of narrative patterns were noted to emphasize the connection of the concept with the image of the “American Dream”, as well as to highlight the difficulties encountered on the path to becoming a self-made man. The use of phraseological units such as: pull oneself up by the bootstraps, rise from the ashes, go from rags to riches, etc., turned out to be the least popular and was seen in only 5 examples.

Cultural features of the concept of self-made man in English linguistic culture

The concept of “self-made man” is very multifaceted. Each person perceives and understands it differently, which makes it very difficult to put forward one single definition for this phenomenon.

Literally, “self-made man” is a person who made himself. A term first coined in 1832 by American statesman Henry Clay Sr. This phrase is used to describe people who were able to make a name for themselves and achieve real success, mainly in their careers and business. The main difference between a self-made man and an ordinary successful entrepreneur is that his success comes from himself and does not depend on external factors. Although originally only successful people who came from poor or disadvantaged families were described as such, the term now has a broader concept.

According to Frederick Douglass, one of the founders of this concept, a “self-made man” is a person who experienced incredible difficulties, but without outside help, material wealth and position in society, was able to become the best version of himself [Douglas, 2003]. In his opinion, every person deserves recognition and respect, regardless of whether he has a higher education or not, whether he has any skill at a professional level, and of course, race and origin do not matter at all.

In English linguistic culture, the concept of “self-made man” has a long tradition and is associated with such values as individualism, hard work and perseverance. This image emphasizes the importance of personal effort and achieving success on your own. Richard Sennett believes that the ideal of the self-made man is central to Anglo-American culture. It reflects the belief that every person can achieve success, regardless of their background or circumstances. [Richard Sennett, 2012].

Nowadays, the concept of “self-made man” is undergoing changes. Previously, it was used to describe outstanding individuals who achieved great success only through their own efforts. But today it has become a kind of label for an entire generation of people. In the world of modern achievements, every second successful person, regardless of his field of activity, attributes his success only to himself. On social networks and blogs, we see many influencers who promote the philosophy of achieving success, personal growth and self-improvement. They share their stories of how they rose to the top, inspiring and motivating their readers and viewers to follow the same path of self-development.

Because of these changes in perception, the concept of a "self-made man" has become more common and less exclusive. The core values of individualism, hard work, and pursuit of goals remain important, but modern understandings of the term recognize that success depends on many factors, including access to education, resources, and social connections.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study successfully presented the main linguistic features specific to representation of the concept self-made man in English linguoculture, achieving its primary objective.

Through an examination of 50 sources, including scientific and journalistic articles, as well as fiction and cinematography, we identified the main methods of representing the concept of self-made man in English linguistic culture, namely: lexical units, narrative patterns and the use of phraseological units. The most popular means of representation turned out to be the use of individual lexical units, while narrative patterns and phraseological units were less common. By analyzing the examples, we received valuable information about how and by what means the concept of self-made man is represented within the framework of English linguistic culture.

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