Ripei M. Normative aspect of language usage in modern Ukrainian newspaper publications

The thesis provides a study of the standard aspect of vocabulary usage in modern Ukrainian newspaper publications. The research is predetermined by the need to establish word meanings (based on the editorial practice), which is not specifically delineated in the reference literature, and to give variants of their proper usage. Language standard is considered to be a unifying and strengthening element of the standard language, an example of social communication deemed to be worth following, a distinctive filter that determines a proper usage of some lexical units. Standardization is suggested to be treated as a selection of linguistic expressions based on the rule of «correct/incorrect», which makes the language more well-ordered and obligatory. The study indicates that filtering results in the selecting-analyzing-choosing a linguistic unit, which determines its recommending and advisory function. It has been emphasized that due to the filtering process some linguistic options are put aside, resulting in their gradual removal, and other forms are suggested, causing their continuing spread and reinforcement. Linguistic literacy of an individual as well as of a society in general and opinion expression depends on the selection of linguistic expressions by journalists, since linguistic mistakes in periodical newspapers, radio or TV tend to spread through the language and are required subconsciously. The research concentrates on the critique of language as one of the main directions in media linguistics. It is stated that the main goal of such critique is to detect the perfection/imperfection criteria of media text and to study the ways of its improvement. Another highly important goal of analyzing media publications is to detect and correct some language flaws, particularly linguistic irregularities. In order to perform proper analysis of media publications, particularly newspaper materials, a distinctive algorithm has been proposed based on linguistic irregularities. This algorithm consists of three phases – selecting incorrect linguistic usage, clarifying word meanings based on the reference literature, and suggesting the correct usage.