“Hyper-grammaticality” of Norwid’s syntax (though not only) Cover Image

„Po-nad-gramatyczność” (nie tylko) składni Norwida
“Hyper-grammaticality” of Norwid’s syntax (though not only)

Author(s): Anna Kozłowska
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature
Published by: Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II
Keywords: syntax; Norwid’s idiolect; anacoluthon; syntactic innovation; meta-text; thematic-rhematic structure

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses major characteristics of Norwid’s language and style in light of the concept of “hyper-grammaticality” [po-nad-gramatyczność] developed by the poet himself. Considered as a descriptive category, it organizes and foregrounds certain properties of his syntax as well as other elements. The adjective “hyper-grammatical” can be understood in three ways: 1. failing to comply with rules; 2. departing from linguistic convention; hence unconventional; 3. derived from a different level of language than grammar.Norwid’s works can be shown to display hyper-grammaticality in all of the above senses. Discussion of constructions that violate linguistic norms accounts for the following: anacoluthon,homonymic structures, obscurities related to functions of anaphoric elements, and disruptions of coherence. Unconventional elements departing from the epoch’s standards include, among other things, innovations in collocability, complications of syntax, numerous parenthetical remarks, and the usage of archaic constructions. In Norwid’s texts an important place is held not only by mechanisms proper to syntactical or grammatical level of enunciation, but also by phenomena present on other levels:meta-textualityandthematic-rhematic structure.

  • Issue Year: 2021
  • Issue No: 39S
  • Page Range: 93-125
  • Page Count: 33
  • Language: Polish