VARIATION IN THE FUNCTIONS OF NARRATIVE IN MILITARY DISCOURSE
VARIATION IN THE FUNCTIONS OF NARRATIVE IN MILITARY DISCOURSE

Summary/Abstract: This article identifies the kinds of variation in the functions of narrative in military discourse and the conditions that determine their realization. It proves that the function of narrative proper is observed only in certain types of military didactic discourse, when the speaker’s goal is confined to providing accurate information (teaching someone how to use weapons, teaching selfdefense techniques, and so on). In other types of didactic discourse, the narrative function is supplemented by the functions of educating and affirming society’s value priorities. The types of variation are determined by discourse conditions: the social context of the communication and the speaker’s illocutionary goal. In instructive speeches, the function of conveying information can be supplemented by that of affirming society’s value priorities. In informative speeches, the narrative function is often accompanied by the functions of the evaluation and refutation of rumors, myths, or individual statements. Speeches on special occasions are characterized by the rearrangement of functions: the narrative function becomes supplementary, and the functions of evaluation, worldview formation, and the affirmation of value priorities become central. Inspirational speeches are most often built on the syncretism of narrative and persuasion. In all speech genres of military discourse, the function of a grand narrative is the formation of the positive image of military personnel.

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