Status of English Stylistic Terminology in Current Lexicographical Sources: Fixations, Ignorations, Omissions

Abstract

Research in recent decades on specialised languages – the status and methods of terminology, terminological definitions, the characteristics of terms, the relationship between term and word, etc. – shows how radical changes have occurred in the field. We would like to note, however, that the stylistic and poetic metalanguage of the English language still remains outside the interests of researchers. So far we do not have studies, which would elucidate the systemic and functional complexity of English stylistic-poetic terminology. These specific languages are necessary, important, especially in the areas of interpretation, decoding, exegesis and hermeneutics of text. They have always been part of the linguistic terminology developed by various schools: in Paris, London, Heidelberg, Prague. The field of metalanguage, which is of interest to us, its lexicographical aspect has not been the subject of research in English. Terms such as anesis, antanagoga, antistasis, catabasis, colon, cycloid and many others have remained omitted, some ignored, others replaced. Our investigation aims to identify these terms, define them lexicographically and present them as integral elements of stylistic and poetic metalanguage that cannot, but do not deserve, to be marginalized.