TRANSFERENCE OF COVID-19 INTO GEORGIAN AND AMERICAN DISCOURSE AND CULTURE

Tamta Goradze; Zeinab Gvarishvilii

Tamta Goradze PHD student, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, 35 Ninoshvili St., Batumi, 6010, Georgia, http://orcid.org/0009-0002-9964-2769
Zeinab Gvarishvilii Associate Professor of English Linguistics at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, 35 Ninoshvili St., Batumi, 6010, Georgia http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5474-6455

Abstract

Modern scientists are tackling with myriad of global challenges, from climate change to cybersecurity, natural disasters to poverty, as they are expected to propose “exit strategy” in any circumstance. They have had to propose solutions (developing treatments, vaccine, guidelines, etc.) for the biggest challenge to the world since world war II – Covid-19, but flashback of 2019-2021 timeline is enough to suppose that medical solutions play a vital role along with activating psychological switches by authority to make people do (to follow WHO guidelines, social distance, vaccinate, save lives, etc.) what they want them to do even without profound understanding.

In spite of the fact that the problem is global and measurements developed by leading and competent scientists and authority should solve the problem, it doesn't work to the same level. Reasons, among others, are socio-political context and cultural background of society. Accordingly, despite one and the same medical guideline and treatments proposed, different cultures require different modes of presentation and governance of pandemic related discourse.

This paper presents a corpus based comparative and contrastive analysis of a limited number of Cov-19 related discourses directed by authority in Georgia and the USA. The objective of the research is: i.to identify, compare and contrast usage (frequency and distribution) of discourse markers by Georgian and American authority while directing Cov-19 related issues; ii. analyze the pragmatic value attached to those markers and the kind of influence they are meant to have on the audience.

The paper aims to contribute to the broader understanding of how culture and context reflects and shapes language unit and discourse marker choice while directing discourse during times of crisis. It also highlights the importance of examining the discourse marker impact on public attitudes and behaviors around Covid-19.

Keywords: Cov-19 related discourse, evaluative discourse, culture, context, persuasion