Tacenko Natalija. Fractal theory of discourse construction: some hypothetic ideas

Abstract

This article analyzes selected methodological insights that fractal theory might provide for
discourse construction. In particular, it focuses on the concept of fractals and, through this concept,
how fractal structures similar to those used in the chaos and bifurcation theory might constitute the
background of any language. Therefore, the aim of this article is twofold: a) to reintroduce a
comparatively new concept – fractal – in a way that is consistent with the ontological and
epistemological aspects of discourse; b) to prove that discourse can be programmed using selfsimilar patterns through the process of identifying recursive semantic components. Fractal theory is
theoretically positioned as a methodology which can reveal regularity in the chaotic system of
language being simultaneously a limiting factor and a generating tool. Fractal metaphor actualizes
the fact that discursive reality is similar to other natural forms and processes irrespective of the scale
of time and space. It provides methodological possibility to trace a connection between the facts of
different systemic levels of discourse, including extralingual