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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Obraz Rossii v polʹskih demotivatorah

subject

description

Demotivators are Internet hybrid texts, which reflect Internet users’ attitudes to politics, culture, sport, more or less famous individuals, and nations. A common topic expressed with demotivators is Russia and the Russians. However, the images of Russia projected by such demotivators are frequently stereotypical and negative, while graphic images employed in the Russian-themed hybrid texts can be classified into several categories. The first group constitutes images adhering to the underlying idea that “Russia is not a country; it is a state of mind”. These demotivators copy the content of the Russian Internet that depicts Russia as a country of absurdity, nonsense and poverty. Another group are demotivators presenting Russia as a threat to Polish freedom and independence. These often refer to our shared history. As opposed to this group, the next category praises Russians as patriots ready to defend their homeland against various threats. Another type are demotivators claiming that the Poles and Russians are Slavs who should seek agreement and act together in the international arena rather than fight with each other.