Expressive matrix of small format metatexts of modern Englsih scientific discourse

This paper investigates the category of expressivity in contemporary English scientific discourse. In particular, metatexts representing scientific articles in the international citations databases, namely Scopus and WoS, are analyzed. The aforesaid metatexts, including the title of the publication and the abstract to it, are treated as secondary small format units which represent a complete semantic replica of the original full-text version of the article retaining its basic functional and pragmatic characteristics. Objectivity, clarity of expression and lack of subjective modality are traditionally perceived as the key features of written scientific communication. At the same time, the argumentative nature of scientific discourse is supposed to bring about the language means of expressing one’s personal position and affecting the addressee. Thus, this paper aims to elicit the expressive means typical of scientific small format metatexts, and to shape them into an expressivity matrix. With the help of stylistic and discourse analysis, the expressive means ofdifferent linguistic layers are selected. Further on, due to the quantitative analysis the hierarchy of expressive means is determined on all the levels of the language system. In the final stage of the analysis the data is systematized into a matrix of scientific metatexts expressivity means. The acquired data prompt a conclusion that the scientific metatexts are characterized by a specific system of linguistic expressive means. The central position in this system is occupied by the lexical means, mainly by the evaluative adjectives. The second place is taken by the tropes, especially metaphor. The means of expressive syntax are on the periphery of the expressivity matrix, as well as the expressive means of the graphical character. The acquired results contribute to the understanding of the dynamic processes that the category of expressivity is undergoing in the contemporary scientific discourse; also they can be of practical use for those intending to publish their scientific works in the international high-rating scientific editions.