Linguocultural Construction of Archetypal Characters in English Fairy Tale Discourse: A Discourse-Analytic and Cognitive-Linguistic Perspective

While character archetypes in fairy-tale discourse have been extensively studied from folkloristic and psychological perspectives, limited attention has been paid to their linguocultural realization, the specific linguistic means through which these archetypal images are linguistically constructed in English fairy-tale discourse. This article addresses this gap by examining the linguocultural representation of recurrent character archetypes, namely the Mother/Stepmother, the Sage/Wise Old Man, and the Trickster, in English fairy-tale discourse through the analysis of folk tales. It analyzes the linguistic, behavioral, and communicative mechanisms that construct these characters. The empirical base is drawn from a 100-text corpus (189,467 tokens) of authoritative British folklore collections (Jacobs, Briggs), enabling the identification of recurrent lexical patterns associated with archetypal representation. Using a multidisciplinary methodological approach, the study applies discourse analysis, content analysis, and cognitive-linguistic methodologies to investigate the intricate relationship between narrative structures and cultural meanings. Integrating discourse analysis with cognitive linguistics, the research reveals that archetypes operate as cognitive-pragmatic constructs. They contribute to social integration and the transmission of cultural values by being systemically encoded through specific lexical, syntactic, and stylistic elements. Each character uses linguistic tools inherent to its status to achieve pragmatic purposes. Additionally, the research emphasizes the dual role of these characters as mediators between storytelling and pragmatics, since they participate in narrative by developing plot and creating characters, but also mediate social values, morals, and culture through pragmatics. Through their linguistic embodiment, archetypes function as mediators in the process of socialization, providing cultural models for listeners and readers. Ultimately, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how folklore discourse functions as a dynamic vehicle for preserving and transmitting cultural identity across generations.