Rhetoric for the incomprehensible

Experience in the study of the evolution of texts of Ramzan Kadyrov: from Instagram to Izvestia

The conflict of the head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov with representatives of the Russian non -systemic opposition, whom he called the "enemies of the people and traitors", unexpectedly acquired a new dimension - stylistic. The publication in Izvestia Articles of Kadyrov “Shakals will be punished according to the Law of the Russian Federation” (Izvestia, January 18, 2016) added several unexpected features to the media image of the head of the Czech Republic. A completely new system of speeches, sophisticated words that the public before from the honorary member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences did not hear - all this makes us look for something in addition to traditional threats to “vile liberals”. Moreover, the popular writer Zakhar Prilepin extended his hand to the novice Columnist: in an interview with another pro-government tabloid, “Komsomolskaya Pravda”, Prilepin (who, by the way, fought in Chechnya as commander of the riot police) about the deep meanings of the Kadyrov’s polemic with the national traitors: “What Ramzan says, and so pronounced. Many. This is said by both Prokhanov and Limonov, and I partly say something like that. Ultimately, Ramzan is such an inexplicable Russian one, with such an epic emphasis and gesticulation, things are pronounced with which 86 % of Russian society already agree. ”

In general, the temptation to explain the inexplicable Russian, of course, is great.

Old image

The reading audience truly met Epistolar Kadyrov in February 2013, when the head of the Chechen Republic started an account on the social network Instagram. Immediately there were rumors that the account of Tina Kandelaki "Apostle Media" was conducting an account. But the captivating, reaching the naivety of the simplicity of texts and some uncertainty in handling the Russian language suggested that the owner of Chechnya was at least interested in a new toy. In the first three days of the existence of the Kadyrov account under the nickname Kadyrov_95, it seems that he even personally entered the skirmish in the comments. He wrote to the critics: “Leave the phone, if you are a man,” or simply - “I will find you.” But then they probably explained to him that it was not worth doing this, and the comments became much boring more than texts and photographs. Instagram is updated regularly: an endless series of prayers, sports training, working trips, games with children and family feasts. There are also important appeals, including the “enemies of the people”.

It worked on the creation of a positive image of the "faithful infantryman Putin" and Russian television. Regular reports and extensive interviews in the luxurious interiors of the palaces, or even just on the move, in the car, prompted the viewer: Kadyrov is a simple, open and honest, although not without an oriental cunning, of course, 24 hours in business, and life puts on a prosperous Chechnya. One of the latest examples is the documentary “The Heart of Ramzan Kadyrov”, released at the end of last year on NTV. “The warrior, the builder, the most discussed politician of Russia meets guests, as they say, in the same way,” the ordered voice reports. In the film, the head of the Chechen Republic, however, appears not a warrior, but a guardian of traditions, an exemplary husband and a loving son. At the heart - an interview with his wife, Medni Kadyrova, interrupted by the monologues of Kadyrov himself. We quote a fragment of one of these monologues:

“We have a woman ... Like us, eastern, so to speak, no one respects. And like us, no one shows love. It's just that we are not doing this, but cleanly - you love to love for yourself. So, not for the people, not for the public. And if you will kiss her there with people - this does not mean that you love her. ” The excerpt was chosen at the science, just to remind how Ramzan Kadyrov actually sets out his thoughts.

In the early days of the Kadyrov_95 account, he wrote to critics: “Leave the phone, if you are a man,” or simply - “I will find you”

Another source of knowledge about the internal world of the head of Chechnya is the reports of the Grozny State Traffic Safety Inspectorate for politicized Internet users. Kadyrov, for a long time, admits drug addicts, relatives of terrorists or husband, whose wife dared to criticize the order reigning in the republic. Naturally, Kadyrov speaks with Chechens, Kadyrov, but, according to the subtitles, is also simple and intelligible. Without unnecessary decorations.

For a person who is little interested in stories about the houses of the alleged militants or the reports of human rights activists about the methods of combating dissent in Chechnya, Ramzan Akhmatovich Kadyrov appears to be a simple, earthly guy who loves animals (fighting dogs and elite horses - first of all), who care about their people, who, moreover, unconditionally supported the struggle Donbass against fascism, and he himself more than once asked for the front. Cute, open, true. If it is terrible, then only the enemies of Russia.

The layman, accustomed to the inhabitants of the Caucasus, is not without fear, do not tire of explaining - this is his own. There is no need to be afraid of him.

New language

The article in Izvestia offers a completely different image of Kadyrov. “My rhetoric in relation to those who call for the overthrow of the state system, the change in the territorial borders of Russia did not change,” the author begins. And then passages are found and darkened: “Who gave the right to a bunch of vile liberals to call themselves the Russian intelligentsia? They claim the title of conscience of the nation, while gather around them the haters of all Russian, reflecting to the West. ” Or: "Criticizing everyone and all without reason, while using rotten vocabulary, spraying saliva, they think that we will be silent." Although the familiar Kadyrov, Kadyrov on Instagram, is also not lost behind the text: “Those who calls for a dialogue with jackals dreaming of the destruction of our state may not be washed from the stench of a cowardly dog.”

The novelty of the situation is not in threats to enemies and not in contacting the dictionary of Soviet propaganda. The state media of the Chechen Republic has long reanimated this language, adding oriental flowers. You can recall, for example, a scandal around Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s film “Family”, who was prepared by “Open Russia”, dedicated to cases in Chechnya. On all Internet resources of the republic, then revealing texts appeared with names such as “False Khodorkovsky and despicable liberals”. By the way, Kadyrov himself in that story remained faithful to himself: he did not start the discussion of the rhetoric, but simply posted on Instagram a film promotionalik, the shooting of which supposedly began in Hollywood. In the video, the head of Chechnya in camouflage and with a machine gun runs back and forth for a long time, and then shoots into the air. The cinema master was called as intelligibly: “who does not understand, he will understand” (more details - The New Times No. 18 of June 1, 2015).

In the propaganda field of the country, which is simultaneously included in the most severe phase of the crisis and in the large electoral cycle, randomness is almost impossible

And then suddenly - “rhetoric”, reflection, ”that is, vocabulary, stylistically alien to Kadyrov and even destroying the usual image. For what? By the way, Kadyrov’s text on Instagram, who, in general, repeats the theses of the article in Izvestia - up to the proposal to treat new dissidents in Chechen psychiatric children - written without delights, with the usual author, and regular readers of noble simplicity.

Address of the message

In the propaganda field of the country, which is simultaneously included in the most severe phase of the crisis and in the large electoral cycle, randomness is almost impossible. At least, when it comes to publishing an article by one of the most influential politicians in a loyal newspaper with a large circulation. It is one thing-the words about the “enemies of the people and the traitors” and the methods of combating them, said somewhere there, in Chechnya at the protocol event (they said them at a meeting with local journalists in Grozny dedicated to the Day of the Russian press). This, if desired, can be attributed to the personal initiative of the hot regional. And quite another - the same words repeated in a Moscow edition with a certain reputation. Kadyrov’s skirmish with those who he do not like - not the first and not the last - is taken to the federal level for a reason.

The complication of the usual dictionary is a sign that the text is addressed not to supporters, but to opponents. To the same "enemies of the people." “Rhetoric”, “vocabulary” and other curls (only “discourse” is not enough) should show them: we can speak your language. Maybe clumsy-a phrase about “reflexive to the West” has already become an Internet meme-but we can. However, even in your language we do not have words for you, except for threats.

The limits of permissible for dissatisfied with the regime are very clearly indicated in Kadyrov: “Naturally, in this case, there is no question of the opposition that, within the framework of Russian legislation, being in the system built by the state, is trying to find ways to solve the pressing problems in various fields - healthcare, housing and communal services, roads, etc.” The latter is the curtsy towards Putin, headed by the All -Russian Popular Front, practicing the “small affairs” and criticism of thieves' local officials. This is allowed, but - not a step towards political protest. The step from the constructive oppositionist that has taken this step turns into an “enemy of the people”, which will be punished in all strictness of the laws of the Russian Federation. Not according to the law of the mountains, we note. Moreover, the laws of the Russian Federation, found by the Duma of the current convocation, is often difficult to distinguish from the Law of the mountains.

Kadyrov turned out to be a suitable speaker to report these simple thoughts to a narrow target audience from among those who usually disdain the Izvestia newspaper, but this time they read the text of the new Columnist carefully and to the end. He really knows how to explain intelligibly - and whoever did not understand, he will understand.