Studia Filologiczne UJK

Summary

Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation that induces confusion in the victim. The manipulated person gradually loses trust in their own judgment, memory, and perception of reality (Varela M., Jiménez J. 2017). Gaslighting manifests in various areas of life, such as the workplace, family environment, or romantic relationships. However, the interdisciplinary nature of this phenomenon poses classification challenges within the field of linguistics. This study takes a sociolinguistic approach to analyzing the interaction between the gaslighter and their victim in romantic relationships. I examined 50 statements reflecting gaslighting, based on which I identified indicators of this manipulation, including linguistic strategies used in psychological manipulation, the social context in which it occurs, and specific manipulative techniques. As a result of the analysis, I formulated a definition of gaslighting as a sociolinguistic phenomenon that employs linguistic narrative control. In this process, the gaslighter structures their statements to alter and control the victim's perception of their own emotions and experiences. This definition, derived from the research findings, represents the study’s main conclusion.