Linguistics and the Analysis of Poetry - Essay Example

? LINGUISTICS AND THE ANALYSIS OF POETRY In contemporary poetry, linguistic methods employed by artists play a significant role in establishing relationship between language use and ideological context. It is through employment of concrete methods of language that a poet like John Milton can be able to apply systematic artistic techniques in developing relevant pieces of literature. In actual practice, adopted linguistic methods should be substantially elucidating as to allow inexperience readers to unearth a poem’s meaning, but not too clear as to render the need for artistic interpretation obsolete. This essay revolves around utilization of both formal and informal methods of linguistics in development of modern poetry. Having conducted a solid literature review on the aspect of linguistics, the essay section will focus on subjecting theoretical provisions of the review in analyzing a real poem. In order to foster objective directionality, a thesis statement will be adopted in appraising the depth and breadth of linguistic methods in integrating the aspects of clarity and artistic interpretation within poetry. Introduction On the context of artistic interpretation, a piece of art like a poem or even a painting should elicit or invoke a desired response on the audience. Lieberman (1969) says that poetry as an art acts as a bridge between target audience and the artist. It is through appropriate employment of artistic techniques that a poet can convey his or her thoughts, feelings and emotions to the audience. Techniques used must be appropriate in order to deliver intended meaning to audience. In certain cases, inappropriate use of linguistic methods may fail to create the desired expression of an artist’s work. Consequently, audiences will end up interpreting the underlying piece of art in a relative rather than an absolute manner. On the contrary, use of suitable linguistic methods in poetry enables poets to impress readers through elucidating process of expression. At this juncture, the thesis for the essay asserts that both formal and informal linguistic methods does not only help in elucidating poetry for average readers but also allows these readers to apply artistic interpretation. Based on the literature review section, it is undeniable that poetry as an art employs considerable use of sound, wording sequence and wording stress in giving meaning to their work. According to Frank (1970), expression of thoughts, feelings and emotions by poets is in direct relation to the manner in which sound intensity and stress elevation are used in writings. In addition, word ordering facilitates development of themes and philosophical construct behind a poem. In most cases, a poet may not employ all the three techniques of stress, sound and word sequence variation at every point of their work. It is common to encounter an instance where a poet only uses sound variation in creating rhyme while compromising on contextual meaning of his work. In other circumstances, a poet may employ elaborate use of contextual vocabulary as a means of enhancing thematic clarity while compromising on the aesthetic values of rhyme. According to Fowler (1967), it means that linguistic methodology allows poets to vary writing styles in order to create themes and aesthetical attributes of poems. In most cases, stylistic variation derived from suitable linguistic methods allows poets to flaunt their knowledge in the process of artistic expression while still impressing readers through clear expression of intended message. Analysis of “Paradise Lost” In order to fully understand the use of sound and vocabulary variation, we will analyze a few lines from the poem “Paradise Lost” by John Milton. Throughout the poem, John employs substantial alteration of sound patterns in creating the indented rhyme. On the other hand, variation in vocabulary enhances development of intended message, which in this case is disobedience of man towards God. In line 14 of book 1 of the poem, Milton (2010) says, “Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song,” In the succeeding line the poet says, “That with no middle flight intends to soar”. The last words in both lines are “song” and “soar” respectively. In these two cases, there is actually no contextual relationship between song and soar. However, the two words have identical sound, thus creating the intended rhyme. On the contrary, the poet employs conspicuous variation of vocabulary in line 21 and 22 of book 1. In line 21, Milton (2010) writes, “Dove-like satst brooding on the vast abyss”. In line 22, “And mad’st it pregnant: What in me is dark”. In the two lines, it is undeniable that the use of abyss and dark are contextually intended to create a message of miserable punishment awaiting Adam’s disobedience. The two words are fails to create any rhyme but delivers intended message of intense punishment to the reader. Linguistic Ethnography At this juncture, we will extrapolate on different linguistic methods used by John in the poem “Paradise Lost”. One method that features in the poem is linguistic ethnography. In this context, ethnography refers to relationship between phonology and cultural meaning. Linguistic ethnography is an informal linguistic method used in establishing a concrete relationship between phonology and cultural orientation. In this context, use of words by a poet reflects cultural interests and systematic meaning of those interests in the underlying social context. According to Lieberman (1969), use of language is considered as a technique of artistic intelligence meant to demonstrate social dynamics and create definite insights on the mind of readers. Technically, linguistic ethnography seeks to establish a smooth and articulate integration between cognitive anthropology and contextual phonology. Semino (2002) says that it employs substantial sound variation in creating dynamic mechanisms of relating rhyme in poetry with cultural perspectives. This means that components of phonology used within a secular social context will be different from those used in a religious setting. In his work, John employed significant use of linguistic ethnography in the poem “Paradise Lost”. Use of the ethnography method by the artists is in congruence with earlier theoretical prediction of phonemes covered within the literature review section. It was understood that phonemes, which refers to distinctive use of speech sounds, is instrumental in enhancing development of contextual meaning. In actual practice, the main importance is on the sequence of phonemes rather than arbitrary use of sound variation. With respect to Milton (2010), the poet says, “…monarchy of God” in like 42 of book 1. The repetitive use of “o” in the three words stresses omnipotence of God’s power in comparison with that of man. In the succeeding like, Milton (2010) says, “…war in Heaven and battle proud”. In this case, the poet still maintains the vowel sound “o” in referring to the vain nature of man in the word “proud”. This instance features as an example of linguistic ethnographic method which not only creates a clear meaning to average readers but also allows them to apply artistic interpretation of phonology. Repeating the vowel sound in the first quote creates a cultural perception of God’s omnipresence. Despite elucidation of cultural message, an average reader has to be conversant with the use of repetition as a means of emphasis in order to get the intended artistic interpretation. Systematic Functional Linguistics Another relevant linguistic method in poetry is systematic functional linguistics, which unlike the linguistic ethnography, is a formal method of linguistics. This method focuses on meaning of words as opposed to sounds. According to Kiparsky (1973), it is concerned with application of contextual wording in delivering the intended meaning. As acknowledged within the literature review section, artists employ either sound variation or changes in vocabulary. In this context, changes in vocabulary, which is technically referred to as diction, is one component of systematic functional linguistic in poetry. In practical capacity, this method seeks to create a solid relationship between language and social contexts. Marckwardt (1965) says that diction involves variation of individual words or phrases in creating a lexical pattern that depict interrelatedness of vocabulary with intended contextual meaning. Words used could distort rhyme but create a vivid description of a poet’s thoughts. In addition, more than one word could be articulated to form an idiomatic or metaphorical phrase which illuminates a social or political idea under consideration. In “Paradise Lost”, by Milton (2010), line 50 says, “Nine times the space that measures day and night”. In this case, there is no literal distance between the periods of day and night. However, the space between day and night as used by Milton signifies a substantial distinction between two variables under comparison. As if that was not enough, the poet stresses that the space between day and night should be measured nine times. This is an idiomatic expression used to create a contrast between mortality of men and the immortality of God. By reading the phrase, even an inexperienced audience can acquire the intended meaning by imagining the illusion vastness between day and night, especially when multiplied nine times. Apart from line 50, Milton also throws in some poetic diction in the 63rd line. Milton (2010) writes, “No light, but rather darkness visible”. In this context, the words “darkness” and “visible” are conventionally contradictory. In practical sense, it is not possible to see in darkness. However, the poet insists that there will be no light but visible darkness. In this context, visible darkness refers to an inevitably real and sorrowful situation awaiting disobedient men. At this point, it is evident that both formal and informal linguistic methods facilitate expression of thoughts and ideas in different ways. It is through the use of these different methods that a poet can create intended impression on the readers’ minds. Fowler (1967) says despite the fact that linguistic ethnography is informal in nature; it allows artists to express their ideas in an objective and impersonal manner. In addition, formal methods like systematic functional linguistics create a paradigm of poetry conventions which maintains absolute use of stylistic devices like idioms and metaphors. Such formal methods ensure that poets like Milton do not deviate from aesthetical values of art by incorporating creativity conflict in their work. According to Marckwardt (1965), conventions of writing create uniformity not only in poems, but also during interpretation. This is because readers have been academically trained to inherently conceptualize on the use of symbols and metaphors in creating artistic messages. In this regard, it is undeniable that both formal and informal linguistic methods allows artistic interpretation and facilitate illumination of poetic ideas and meaning. Conclusion In conclusion, one can easily appreciate the role of linguistic methods in art, especially in poetry. Fowler (1967) agrees that formal methods create a rigid guideline of technical conventions for poets. Systematic functional linguistics established concrete conventions of relating poetic diction with meaning. On the other hand, linguistic ethnography integrates aspects of phonology and cognitive anthropology in creating contextual meaning of sounds. Therefore, these methods are instrumental in enhancing meaningfulness of art and also maintaining artistic values of pieces like “Paradise Lost”. Reference List Fowler, R. (1967). Linguistics and the Analysis of Poetry. Critical Survey, Vol. 3 No. 2, pp. 78-89 http://www.jstor.org/stable/41553732 Frank, Y. (1970) Linguistics and Poetry. The English Journal, Vol. 59 No. 7, pp. 947-953 http://www.jstor.org/stable/814123 Kiparsky, P. (1973) The Role of Linguistics in a Theory of Poetry. Daedalus, Vol. 102 No. 3, pp. 231-244 http://www.jstor.org/stable/20024157 Lieberman, M. (1969) The New Linguistics and the New Poetics. College English, Vol. 30 No. 7, pp. 527-533 http://www.jstor.org/stable/374001 Marckwardt, A. (1965) Linguistics Issue: An Introduction Author(s). College English, Vol. 26 No. 4, pp. 249-254 http://www.jstor.org/stable/373635 Milton, J. (2010). Searchable Paradise Lost. Paradiselost.org. Retrieved from http://www.paradiselost.org/8-Search-All.html Semino, E. (2002) Stylistic and Linguistic Variation in Poetry. Journal of English Linguistics, Vol. 30 No. 28, pp. 28-48 http://eng.sagebup.com/content/30/1/28 Read More