Zhukovska A. Tacesic constituent as a part of the multicomponent nonverbal module: the principles of combination

Abstract

The article deals with the study of the character’s touch behavior in the contemporary English
language fictional discourse from the modular perspective. The tacesic module is defined as a
structural part of the English fictional discourse which contains one or more nominative units
designating touch. The analysis of the principles governing the combination of the tacesic module
with other nonverbal modules results in the conclusion that at least three factors influence the modes
they are combined within the frame of the multicomponent nonverbal module. They are the factors of
directivity, harmony and equilibrium. In the English fictional discourse the character’s nonverbal
signals can be directed at either one or more than one communicative partners. In the first case the
directivity factor results in the appearance of the single-vectored multicomponent nonverbal module
while the second case gives rise to the differently vectored one. The harmony factor can also be
realized in at least two ways, i.e. the consonance and dissonance of the nominative units designating
different nonverbal components, including touch. The equilibrium factor predetermines the inverse
relationships between the nonverbal constituents of the multicomponent nonverbal module.