Structural-semantic and functional features of the subgenre "humorous definition" (based on the example of defining names)

This article is dedicated to the description of the humorous definition as a distinct subgenre functioning within congratulatory discourse. The linguistic material used comprises inscriptions applied to gift mugs. The objective of this study is to justify the legitimacy of isolating this subgenre based on an analysis of the semantic, structural, and functional characteristics of these textual neologisms. The scientific novelty of this work lies in the identification of the basic textological characteristics of the humorous definition as a subgenre generated by the mass consciousness of contemporary Russian speakers. The results demonstrate that the humorous definition constitutes a two-phase text, containing a humorous nomination of the addressee and its creative interpretation. The nomination is created through the word-formation process of blending, combining a proper name (usually in a short form) with a common noun according to the principle of phonetic similarity of components. The humorous definition possesses a number of specific structural-semantic features, performs a congratulatory, humorous function, as well as a function of "communicative seduction" through the use of non-standard combinations of linguistic means that generate linguocreativity. Linguistic creativity is also formed at the level of combining lexical elements of different styles in both parts of the text. The emergence and widespread distribution of the humorous definition as a subgenre of congratulatory discourse is associated with the increased role of mass linguistic creativity, as well as a fashion for "textualized" objects.