TY - JOUR AU - Aleksandrova, Aleksandra PY - 2017/09/22 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - I KNOW THEM BY NAME JF - KNOWLEDGE - International Journal JA - kij VL - 19 IS - 3 SE - Articles DO - UR - https://ikm.mk/ojs/index.php/kij/article/view/4020 SP - 1319 - 1324 AB - <p>The paper deals with the use of first names in media as opposed to the use of surnames. A comparison is made between the choice of the type of name (first name or surname) in English and in Bulgarian. That choice depends on the effect that text producers aim to achieve on the text receivers. First names can be used to make a public figure more approachable. This can contribute to the public image of the people covered in media articles and is evident in both languages.<br>The function that they aim to fulfil depends on the type of article they appear in. For instance, in sports news, the use of a first name can be seen as a way to create a feeling of identification with some sports players. This is especially true if the article is about someone’s win. In an international sports event, the competitor who has the same nationality as the newspaper’s audience is typically referred to by his or her first name. This creates a strong sense of identity and gives the feeling that this person is “one of us”, that this is “our guy”, etc., while the opponent’s full name is usually used. The use of first names for political figures, however, has a completely different function. With politicians, first names are used to belittle and depreciate the referred people, to criticize, mock and even insult them. In the Bulgarian media texts, first names can be used to express criticism towards political figures. They can indicate negative attitude, reproach or disapproval. This could be done occasionally, for a specific act that they have committed. It can also be the result of a permanent disapproval of a person’s behaviour or policy. In the English media texts such tendency was not found. Politician’s first names are used if the article deals with a politician’s private life and not in texts discussing political matters. They can also be used for former political figures, or for politicians whose term of office is already over. In British media texts, royalties are referred to by their first names proceeded by the corresponding title: prince, princess, queen, king. However, sometimes the media produce articles in which members of the royal family are mentioned only with their first names without the title. It is even not uncommon for members of the royal family to be referred to by the short form of their names. The use of short forms is probably a strategy to portray people, who despite being of royal blood, are open to other people and do the same things that ordinary people do – go on a holiday, invite guests, spend time with their family. It can be assumed that this is done in order to increase the royal family’s popularity and make them less distant.</p> ER -