Seminar 3

PHONETIC, GRAPHICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL

MEANS OF STYLISTICS

Discussion Points

0. 1.Phonetic means of stylistics.

   0. 1.1.English versification.

   1. 1.2.English instrumentation.

      0. 1.2.1.Alliteration.

      1. 1.2.2.Assonance.

      2. 1.2.3.Onomatopoeia.

0. 2.Graphical means of stylistics. Graphon.

1. 3.Morphological means and devices of stylistics.

3.1. Morphemic foregrounding: types and functions.

3.2. SDs based on the use of different parts of speech.

3.2.1.SDs based on the use of nouns.

3.2.2.SDs based on the use of articles.

3.2.3.SDs based on the use of adjectives.

3.2.4.SDs based on the use of pronouns.

3.2.5.SDs based on the use of adverbs.

3.2.6.SDs based on the use of verbs.

Recommended Literature

1. Арнольд И.В. Стилистика английского языка. – Л.: Просвещение, 1981. – С. 208-212.

2. Стилистика современного английского языка / А.Н.Мороховский, О.П.Воробьёва, Н.И.Лихошерст, З.В.Тимошенко. – К.: Вища школа, 1991. – С. 50-92.

3. Galperin I.R. Stylistics. – M.: Higher School Publishing House, 1981. – P. 118-131.

Optional Literature

1. Скребнев Ю.М. Основы стилистики английского языка. Учебник для институтов и факультетов иностранных языков. – М.: ООО «Издательство Астрель», 2003. – С.37-46, 122-133.

2. Maltzev V.A. Essays on English Stylistics. – Minsk: Vysheishaya Shkola, 1984.

3. Kukharenko V.A. A Book of Practice in Stylistics. – Vinnytsia: Nova Knyga, 2000. – P. 13-21.

4. Yefimov L.P., Yasinetskaya E.A. Practical Stylistics of English. – Vinnytsia: Nova Knyga, 2004.

Basic concepts

Euphony – a pleasing acoustic effect achieved by the specific arrangement of sounds in an utterance.

Versification – the art of writing poetry in keeping with certain rules based on language regularities and poet’s experience.

Instrumentation – the sum total of sound selection and combination modes which impart to the utterance a certain sound organization as well as emotional and expressive colouring.

The main modes of sound arrangement in instrumentation are: alliteration, assonance and onomatopoeia.

Alliteration – a deliberate use of the same (or acoustically similar) consonants to achieve a specific sound and contential effect.

Assonance – a deliberate reiteration of the same (or acoustically similar) vowels in close succession aimed at creating a specific sound and contential effect.

Onomatopoeia – a deliberate use of sounds and their combinations which, to a certain degree, imitates natural sounds.

Graphon – the intentional violation of the graphical shape of a word (or word combination) used to reflect its authentic pronunciation.

Practical assignment

I. Indicate the instances of alliteration, assonance and onomatopoeia in the given examples. Specify the effects they create.

1. Ah, distinctly I remember, it was in the bleak December,

And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor

Eagerly I wished the morrow; – vainly I had sought to borrow

From my books surcease of sorrow – sorrow for me lost Lenore –

For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore –

Nameless here for evermore (Edgar Allan Poe. The Raven)

2. He owned a pet shop. <…> There was a constant stir of life in his dusky shop – whispered twitters, rustling, squeals, cheeps, and sudden squawks. Small feet scampered in frantic circles, frightened, bewildered, blindly seeking. Across the shelves pulsed this sudden endless flicker of life. (L.E.Reeve. Caged)

3. Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

How I wonder what you are.

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky (Children’s Rhymes)

4. “Luscious, languid and lustful, isn’t he?”

“Those are not the correct epithets. He is – or rather was – surly, lustrous and sadistic” (E. Waugh)

5. Dreadful young creatures – squealing and squawking (D.Carter).

6. He swallowed the hint with a gulp and a gasp and a grin (R.Kipling).

7. You lean, long, lanky lath of a lousy bastard (S.O’Casey).

8. Then with an enormous, shattering rumble, sludge-sludge puff, the train came into the station (Th. Wilder).

9. Tenderly bury the fair young dead (La Costa)

10. I had only one year of working without shhh (D.Cussack).

11. Streaked by a quarter moon, the Mediterranean shushed gently into the beach (I.Shaw).