Functional load of the poetic form in extremist texts

A number of Russian researchers are currently developing the methodology of applying forensic linguistics in examining extremist texts. In the process of linguistic examination, linguists are faced with changes in social and speech reality, and specifically with the emergence of new forms of expressing extremist meanings legally classified as verbal offences, which pose a threat to individual rights and freedoms, to society as a whole, and to the fundamentals of state structure. The Internet has contributed to the proliferation of extremist materials produced in the form of songs. Such texts were included in the forensic linguistics analysis conducted by the author of this article during which it was revealed that there is a shortage of examination techniques to be implemented in analysing the practices of promoting the “enemy image” among the target audience. The aim of the article is to address this shortage. The article describes linguistic manipulation techniques involving the usage of versification in order to affect the recipient's subconsciousness and highlight the importance of viewing the subject of speech negatively. It has been revealed that such pieces of text generally contain simple and cliched verse patterns, i.e., poorly rhyming or non-rhyming items, the use of common metres and stanzas, and frequent literal lexical reiteration. The study has objectified the following potential effects of linguistic manipulation (persuasion) involving the use of versification components: (a) highlighting the most important vocabulary items which are rhymed and placed at the end of lines; (b) enhancing the expressiveness of an utterance by means of using the masculine rhyme, powerful poetic metres, and suprasystemic stress; (c) ensuring that the audience absorb the information on the subconscious level (i.e., via persuasion) rather than rationally; this is achieved through rhythmic organisation of speech and constant reiteration of the most semantically meaningful phrases. One of the primary effects of using versification in producing extremist texts is the specific styling and programming of the perception of speech by the audience in the form of songs, which enables to convey extremist materials by the conventions of this genre, i.e., incorporating music, performing songs during public events (e.g., public or home concerts), and disseminating them online. The results of the analysis of the identified linguistic manipulation techniques can be applied in forensic linguistics practices focusing on cases of extremism. The author declares no conflicts of interests.