Bibleism as a precedent phenomenon and a tool of political rhetoric (based on speeches made by modern American politicians)

The article briefly analyses works presenting studies on bibleisms in terms of different directions of linguistics. The content of the concept ‘bibleism’ is covered in substantive aspects. The empirical analysis is provided through comparing the usage of bibleisms as a tool of speech influence in speeches made by leading politicians of the USA in the 21st century. The purpose of the research is to define features of biblical expressions and their usage in the English language in political sphere in order to achieve pragmatic goals of the speaker. The text considers the role of bibleisms as a precedent phenomenon and a language tool, effectively used in the modern political rhetoric. This tool is capable of strengthening the axiological component of political speech and increase the rate of its linguistic impact. Broad comparative analysis of public speeches by American politicians allowed us to see the scientific novelty in revealing for the first-time qualitative (axiological and pragmatic) and quantitative features of biblical expressions as an effective rhetoric tool and value-oriented lexical means, capable to reflect ideological, political and personal views of the speaker. The research resulted in revealing: factors influencing the usage of bibleism in speeches by politicians; value dominants reflected in biblical expressions, as well as the correlation between the topic of the politician’s speech and the bibleisms used in terms of their axiological and pragmatic potential.