STYLISTIC DEVICES OF NAZI PROPAGANDA: A FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THIRD REICH SLOGANS

The article presents a functional analysis of the stylistic features of propaganda slogans of the Third Reich, displayed on posters from the German Propaganda Archive of Posters (Calvin University). The study aims at identifying linguistic mechanisms of influence, in particular imperatives, nominalizations, repetitions, and syntactic constructions that shaped collective identity and reinforced the ideological message of Nazi propaganda. A set of methods was used for the analysis: linguistic-stylistic, pragmatic, contextual, and discourse analysis. This approach made it possible to reveal how grammatical means created emotional tension and called for action, as well as shaped the idea of a “people’s community” (Volksgemeinschaft) through the linguistic construction of the image of the enemy and social solidarity. The results of the study show that imperative constructions and nominal forms of the slogans had a strong impact on the recipients’ consciousness, creating a sense of urgency and moral obligation. Repetition, aphoristic expressions, and contrasting syntactic structures enhanced persuasiveness and encouraged mass mobilization. The conclusions emphasize that language functions are not merely a means of forming a text, but an effective tool of ideological influence. Prospects for further research include a deeper analysis of the semantics, pragmatics, and visual design of propaganda texts, as well as their reception in a historical context. Such an approach will contribute to a broader understanding of the mechanisms of linguistic manipulation and may be applied in contemporary studies of political communication, critical discourse analysis, and the study of collective memory.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Studia Linguistica
Published
2025-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.17721/studling2025.26.147-156
Primary Topic
Linguistic research and analysis
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

STYLISTIC DEVICES OF NAZI PROPAGANDA: A FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THIRD REICH SLOGANS

Dariia Andriivna Shchuka, Nataliia Semenivna Olkhovska
Studia Linguistica
Linguistic research and analysis
article

STYLISTIC DEVICES OF NAZI PROPAGANDA: A FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THIRD REICH SLOGANS

Dariia Andriivna Shchuka, Nataliia Semenivna Olkhovska
article en

Abstract

The article presents a functional analysis of the stylistic features of propaganda slogans of the Third Reich, displayed on posters from the German Propaganda Archive of Posters (Calvin University). The study aims at identifying linguistic mechanisms of influence, in particular imperatives, nominalizations, repetitions, and syntactic constructions that shaped collective identity and reinforced the ideological message of Nazi propaganda. A set of methods was used for the analysis: linguistic-stylistic, pragmatic, contextual, and discourse analysis. This approach made it possible to reveal how grammatical means created emotional tension and called for action, as well as shaped the idea of a “people’s community” (Volksgemeinschaft) through the linguistic construction of the image of the enemy and social solidarity. The results of the study show that imperative constructions and nominal forms of the slogans had a strong impact on the recipients’ consciousness, creating a sense of urgency and moral obligation. Repetition, aphoristic expressions, and contrasting syntactic structures enhanced persuasiveness and encouraged mass mobilization. The conclusions emphasize that language functions are not merely a means of forming a text, but an effective tool of ideological influence. Prospects for further research include a deeper analysis of the semantics, pragmatics, and visual design of propaganda texts, as well as their reception in a historical context. Such an approach will contribute to a broader understanding of the mechanisms of linguistic manipulation and may be applied in contemporary studies of political communication, critical discourse analysis, and the study of collective memory.

Studia Linguistica(26)
Openalex Percentile: Top 68%
Linguistic research and analysis
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.