Verbal and Gesture Representation of Mental Deviations in Russian Discourse

This article presents an in-depth analysis of kinesic emblems that represent mental deviations within contemporary Russian discourse. The study focuses on three specific gestures that are closely associated with verbal euphemisms belonging to the corresponding thematic group. The research addresses the semantic, pragmatic, and cognitive interpretations of these gestures, as well as their status within the system of visual semiotics. The empirical data for the analysis are drawn from an associative experiment involving 291 respondents. The materials for investigation were extracted from the participants’ definitions and comments. By applying the associative-field analysis methodology, the authors delineate the core, near-core, and peripheral zones of meaning. The findings demonstrate that the kinesic gesture of ‘waving a hand near one’s temple’ exhibits a high degree of euphemization and considerable variability in usage. It is also revealed that the gesture of ‘twirling a finger near one’s temple’ serves as a direct negative nomination and carries a conflict-prone pragmatic potential. Furthermore, the gesture of ‘tapping a finger on one’s head’ is interpreted as a causative gesture that prompts reflection. Special attention is given to age-related differences in interpretation: younger respondents are more likely to perceive these gestures as playful, whereas older respondents tend to view them as markers of deviation. The study proves that verbal and non-verbal means establish multiple cross-referential correspondences. The authors conclude that there is a typological comparability between kinesic emblems and euphemisms, and they refine the pragmatic status of these phenomena.

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