Features of grifonym functioning in English-language fantasy video game texts
- DOI
- 10.5922/vestnikpsy-2024-3-2
- Pages
- 15-23
Abstract
The article highlights the results of a study on the cumulative functionality of fantasy character nominations in English-language video games. The relevant term “grifonym” is introduced for these nominations, proposed to denote quasi-anthroponyms of beings with a high degree of fictionality, possessing a one- or multi-component structural composition and relating to the appearance, unique characteristics, social role, activities, and origin of a fantasy character endowed with certain anthropomorphic traits. Considering the nature of the activities of grifonym bearers, it is established that, in addition to the universal nominative function, grifonyms in the accompanying texts of fantasy genre video games perform the function of conveying information about the specific qualities of the character (appearance, abilities, stage of evolution, etc.), the function of conveying information about the character’s habitat or fantasy locations, and the function of representing the referential correlation of grifonyms with real-world reality. The polyfunctional nature of grifonyms is noted, implying the simultaneous performance of two or more functions in the fantasy discourse. A conclusion is drawn about the significance of grifonym functionality in modeling fantasy realities, and prospects for further research development are outlined.