This paper presents a review on seven chapters from the text Exploration on Style, Stylistics and the Language of Literature, the contribution of different scholars. This review investigates the argument which every contributor tries to present. The first part of this review is a summary of each chapter in paragraphs, after which a discussion on their stand point is done holistically.
Table of Contents
- Linguistic Devices in Stylistics
- Theories and Concepts of Styles and Stylistics: A Diachronic Review
- Transliteration and Code-Switching as Elements of Style in the Nigerian Novels
- The Literary Text as a Linguistic Organization
- Parallelism as Style Index in African Poetry
- Style and Language in the Nigerian Novel
- Foregrounding as a Stylistic Element
Objectives and Key Themes
This book review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of selected chapters from "Explorations on Style, Stylistics, and the Language of Literature," analyzing the arguments and perspectives of various contributing scholars. The review summarizes each chapter's key points and then offers a holistic discussion of the authors' shared objectives and their approach to stylistics.
- The relationship between stylistics, literature, literary criticism, and language studies.
- The evolution of theories and concepts of style and stylistics.
- The role of linguistic devices (e.g., transliteration, code-switching, parallelism) in shaping style.
- The literary text as a linguistic organization.
- The interplay between authorial intent and objective stylistic analysis.
Chapter Summaries
Linguistic Devices in Stylistics: F.U. Nnamani explores the intersection of stylistics with other fields, emphasizing style as a unique mode of expressing thought through language. The chapter categorizes style as manner of expression, variation, and deviation from norms, defining stylistics as the orchestration of various styles. It highlights the significance of linguistic features like grammar, sound, and graphology in achieving an author's specific purposes.
Theories and Concepts of Styles and Stylistics: A Diachronic Review: L.C. Ogenyi examines the evolution of style and stylistics theories, noting the multiple interpretations of "style" due to scholars' efforts to define it precisely. The chapter traces how different scholars have viewed style and stylistics over time, ultimately establishing stylistics as a field that studies language structures, variations in text, and an author's unique language use.
Transliteration and Code-Switching as Elements of Style in the Nigerian Novels: J.C. Ogbodo analyzes transliteration and code-switching as stylistic choices in Nigerian novels. The chapter argues that these techniques, which incorporate indigenous languages and cultures into English, should be viewed as stylistic elements that enhance the work's authenticity rather than as linguistic "pollution." The use of "broken English" and indigenous languages by authors like Adichie and Tutuola are cited as examples of this stylistic approach.
The Literary Text as a Linguistic Organization: B.O. Nwokolo examines the literary text as a structured system of language, focusing on its communicative and expressive functions. The chapter defines the concept of "text" and explores its linguistic organization—including phonological, graphological, and lexico-grammatical features. Nwokolo highlights the literary text as a carefully orchestrated system of linguistic particles, style, and form.
Parallelism as Style Index in African Poetry: B.U. Inoma investigates the use of parallelism in African poetry, focusing on how poets use linguistic devices, particularly repetition, to convey their message. Drawing from African oral traditions, the chapter analyzes different forms of parallelism and their role in intensifying a poem's theme and clarifying its meaning, presenting parallelism as an artistic poetic device adapted into English expressions.
Style and Language in the Nigerian Novel: Kadiri analyzes style in the Nigerian novel through the elements of fiction—plot, theme, characterization, point of view, symbol, humor, irony, language, and repetition. The chapter focuses on an author's ability to create vivid imagery, illustrated by the example of portraying the effects of war, using stylistics to convey the sufferings of Biafra to modern readers through a specific point of view.
Foregrounding as a Stylistic Element: E.J. Otagburuagu et al. examine foregrounding as a stylistic element, exploring its origins, manifestations in literary works, and functions. The chapter defines foregrounding as a deliberate and creative use of language, highlighting different forms like parallelism, repetition, assonance, and alliteration, emphasizing its importance in both literary and non-literary stylistic analysis as a method of defamiliarizing a text.
Keywords
Stylistics, literary criticism, language studies, linguistic devices, code-switching, transliteration, parallelism, foregrounding, authorial intent, objective analysis, Nigerian literature, African poetry, linguistic organization.
Explorations on Style, Stylistics, and the Language of Literature: A Review - FAQ
What is this document?
This is a comprehensive review of selected chapters from the book "Explorations on Style, Stylistics, and the Language of Literature." It provides a table of contents, outlines the book's objectives and key themes, summarizes each chapter, and lists key words.
What are the main objectives and key themes of the book?
The book explores the relationship between stylistics, literature, literary criticism, and language studies. It examines the evolution of theories and concepts of style and stylistics, and analyzes the role of linguistic devices (like transliteration, code-switching, and parallelism) in shaping style. The review also highlights the literary text as a linguistic organization and the interplay between authorial intent and objective stylistic analysis.
What chapters are summarized in this review?
The review summarizes the following chapters: Linguistic Devices in Stylistics; Theories and Concepts of Styles and Stylistics: A Diachronic Review; Transliteration and Code-Switching as Elements of Style in the Nigerian Novels; The Literary Text as a Linguistic Organization; Parallelism as Style Index in African Poetry; Style and Language in the Nigerian Novel; and Foregrounding as a Stylistic Element.
What is the focus of the chapter "Linguistic Devices in Stylistics"?
This chapter explores the intersection of stylistics with other fields, defining stylistics as the orchestration of various styles and highlighting the significance of linguistic features (grammar, sound, graphology) in achieving an author's purposes.
What does the chapter "Theories and Concepts of Styles and Stylistics: A Diachronic Review" cover?
This chapter traces the evolution of style and stylistics theories, showing how different scholars have viewed style and stylistics over time, ultimately establishing stylistics as a field studying language structures, text variations, and an author's unique language use.
What is discussed in "Transliteration and Code-Switching as Elements of Style in the Nigerian Novels"?
This chapter analyzes transliteration and code-switching as stylistic choices in Nigerian novels, arguing that these techniques enhance authenticity rather than represent linguistic "pollution." It cites examples from authors like Adichie and Tutuola.
What is the main point of "The Literary Text as a Linguistic Organization"?
This chapter examines the literary text as a structured system of language, focusing on its communicative and expressive functions. It explores its linguistic organization (phonological, graphological, and lexico-grammatical features).
What does the chapter "Parallelism as Style Index in African Poetry" analyze?
This chapter investigates the use of parallelism in African poetry, focusing on how poets use repetition to convey their message. It analyzes different forms of parallelism and their role in intensifying a poem's theme and meaning.
What is the subject of "Style and Language in the Nigerian Novel"?
This chapter analyzes style in the Nigerian novel through elements of fiction (plot, theme, characterization, etc.), focusing on an author's ability to create vivid imagery, illustrated by portraying the effects of war.
What is the focus of "Foregrounding as a Stylistic Element"?
This chapter examines foregrounding as a stylistic element, exploring its origins, manifestations in literary works, and functions. It defines foregrounding as a deliberate and creative use of language, highlighting different forms and emphasizing its importance in literary and non-literary analysis.
What are the keywords associated with this book?
Keywords include: Stylistics, literary criticism, language studies, linguistic devices, code-switching, transliteration, parallelism, foregrounding, authorial intent, objective analysis, Nigerian literature, African poetry, and linguistic organization.
- Quote paper
- Chidinma Dike (Author), 2020, A Book Review on the Text "Explorations on Style, Stylistics and the Language of Literature" Ed. E.J. Otagburuagu, L.C. Ogenyi, J.C. Ogbodo, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/520280
