FUNCTIONS OF ENGLISH AND RUSSIAN ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNET MEMES: COMMON AND SPECIFIC FEATURES

Abstract

The paper analyses functioning features of English and Russian environmental Internet memes with the same visual template. it determines common and language-specific features which characterize the processes of replication and recontextualization of the Internet meme in different linguistic cultures. The researcher describes the following functions of environmental Internet memes (informing, attracting attention, influencing, discrediting, recreational, awareness-raising and educational) and main linguistic means of implementing the functions identified (standard and professional lexical units, slang expressions, erratives; stylistic techniques of irony, defeated expectancy and reduction to absurdity). A conclusion is drawn about the similarities and differences in mainstreaming environmental issues through Internet memes.