Abstract

This paper is meant to review some studies and analyses that deal with the language of poetry as it is different from the language of other literary genres. Poetry consists of language that produces effects ordinary language does not produce. So poetry is a language differently ordered or arranged. Levin (1969) pointed out that linguistic analysis, when applied to poetry, would result in a grammar that is different from the grammar that a linguistic analysis of ordinary language would produce (11). The language of poetry differs drastically from ordinary discourse. Many of these differences derive from certain literary conventions. In other words, many features distinguishing poetry from ordinary discourse result from the mere fact that a writer addresses himself to writing a poem. This fact entails a considerable number and variety of linguistic particularities. The conventions of the poetic form entail features like rhyme, alliteration, meter and so on (Levin 59). TYPES OF DEVIATIONS IN THE LANGUAGE OF POETRY Leech (1969) argues that any deviation from expected patterns of linguistic behavior will bring about a reaction of disorientation and surprise. Rules in poetry, Leech elaborates, are made to be broken (10-12). Leech observed that looking back over the span of English literature since Chaucer; we note that certain freedoms of language have been traditionally sanctioned in verse, but not in prose (17-23). Leech remarked: The obvious function of these freedoms is to compensate the poet for his loss of freedom in submitting himself to the discipline of verse composition; to furnish him with a wider set of choices than are normally available in English and thus to give him a better chance of squeezing his language into a predetermined mould of versification (18)

Highlights

  • This paper is meant to review some studies and analyses that deal with the language of poetry as it is different from the language of other literary genres

  • Poetry is language differently ordered or arranged. This would make it clear that linguistic analysis, when applied to poetry, would result in a grammar that is different from the grammar that a linguistic analysis of ordinary language would produce"

  • Adjective Fronting is frequently used in English poetry – the adjectives that function as subject attribute: 61

Read more

Summary

Introduction

This paper is meant to review some studies and analyses that deal with the language of poetry as it is different from the language of other literary genres. Poetry is language differently ordered or arranged. This would make it clear that linguistic analysis, when applied to poetry, would result in a grammar that is different from the grammar that a linguistic analysis of ordinary language would produce" (cf Levin, 1962: 11). Poetry differs from ordinary discourse in the way in which it uses the language. Many of these differences derive from certain literary conventions. Many features distinguishing poetry from ordinary discourse result from the mere fact that “a writer addresses himself to writing a poem. In itself, this fact entails a considerable number and variety of linguistic particularities. The traditions and conventions of the poetic form entail features like rhyme, alliteration, meter and so on” (ibid: 59)

Types of Deviations in the Language of Poetry
Syntactic deviation
Figure of Speech
29. But the hand !
32. I wandered lonely as a cloud
38. She is as in field a silken tent
42. I shall be telling this with a sigh
Stylistic Variants
Word order
56. Ten thousands saw I at a glance
Verb fronting
Adjective fronting
Object complement fronting
Postponed direct object
73. Δ Gives too late od
Postponed adjectives
85. Housbonds at chirche dore she hadde fyve
92. Eyes I dare not meet in dreams
Ellipsis
Agentless passive
Conclusion
Pedagogical Implication
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.