The subject of the research is sports discourse as a space for representation and conflict resolution in English-language media, particularly in rugby publications on the WalesOnline portal. The object of the research is the linguistic mechanisms of conflict representation – nominative (designation of conflict elements through vocabulary of aggression, pain, and justice), associative (creation of emotional connections through analogies and hints), and expressive (direct expression of emotions using vivid means, exclamations, and rhetoric). Special attention is paid to emotive vocabulary that facilitates emotional contact with the audience, visualization of confrontation, and its resolution through sanctions, dialogue, or critical analysis. The author thoroughly examines aspects such as semantic categories of anger, frustration, reconciliation, and domination, illustrating them with examples from real incidents. The theoretical foundation includes classifications of emotives by L. G. Babenko, conflict resolution models by R. Julianotti, and discourse analysis by I. Chiluvy. The research employs a linguistic method for analyzing emotive vocabulary in sports discourse, classifying mechanisms of conflict representation. The scientific novelty of the research lies in a comprehensive linguistic analysis of mechanisms of conflict representation in sports discourse of English-language publications on rugby, focusing on the WalesOnline portal during the period of December 2024 to September 2025. For the first time, a systematization of emotive vocabulary by types (nominative, associative, and expressive emotives) is proposed in the context of conflict resolution, integrating R. Julianotti's models (technical, dialogical, critical) with L. G. Babenko's classification. Semantic categories (anger, frustration, reconciliation, domination) are identified, illustrated by real incident examples (headbutt, gouge, alleged bite), revealing nuances of discursive strategies in conflict escalation and de-escalation. The novelty also lies in the empirical assessment of the predominance of the technical model of resolution (75% of cases) over the dialogical (20%) and critical (5%), demonstrating the institutional bias of sports narratives. The conclusions emphasize that emotive vocabulary not only represents confrontation but also facilitates emotional engagement with the audience, shaping narratives from escalation to resolution through sanctions and dialogue. The practical significance is reflected in stimulating students' interest in linguistic analysis, developing analytical thinking, and overcoming language barriers in mastering sports terminology.
Roman Vladimirovich Egorov (Thu,) studied this question.