Aim. To identify the creolized texts manipulative opportunity.

Methodology. The authors analyzed 500 creolized texts (texts with illustrations) in mass media, advertising and in the Internet during 2018-2019. Effect of verbal text with illustration differs from the bare verbal text effect on the recipient.

Results. Three groups of manipulative tactics were revealed on the basis of a comparative study of the verbal text formalized content and illustrations. Firstly, supporting tactics when the text content is supported and emphasised with the illustration. Secondly, transforming tactics when illustrations are used to change the text content. Thirdly, the distracting tactics designed to take away the recipient from the verbal text content.

Research implications. The article demonstrates the possibility of using mathematical methods in studying the creolized text content, which allow us to create formal criteria for the manipulation detection.

polycode text, manipulation, text content formalization, creolized text, communicative tactics, pragmatics

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