Document Type : علمی- پژوهشی
Author
Department of Archeology, University of Al Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq
Abstract
Paradigmatic and Syntagmatic are two theories of linguistics. According to Jakobson, these two processes appear figuratively and virtually in verbal art and are considered a method for identifying literary and artistic styles. Persian literature has several distinct literary periods that can be categorized stylistically based on the poets' inclination toward these axes. In different periods of the Persian language, we observe works that are composed in response to and in the same form and style as famous works, which are referred to as "mujāvāt" in literary terminology. The characteristic feature of these poems is the presence of linguistic signs that guide the audience to the intention and author of the poem. The importance of the art of response, which is specific to Iranians, lies in its role in expanding and disseminating poetry in terms of meaning and placing it in an unfinished and continuous space. Therefore, due to its significance and position in Persian literature, this article examines the literary role and functioning of linguistic axes in some responsive poems using a descriptive-analytical approach. The results of this study demonstrate that poets have paid attention to this matter by aligning their responses with the intended axis and in accordance with it
Highlights
Introduction
The principles of paradigmatic and syntagmatic relations, like other linguistic theoretical concepts, play a crucial role in the analysis and interpretation of literary texts. According to these principles, language operates through two types of connections: paradigmatic and syntagmatic, which form the foundation or skeleton of a text's structure. In the paradigmatic axis, words are substituted based on their shared features, thereby acquiring their identities. Conversely, in the syntagmatic axis, words gain their roles through their arrangement and placement within the speech chain. Jakobson, utilizing these two linguistic axes, introduces the notions of the paradigmatic and syntagmatic poles in his theories to identify literary roles and to highlight the element that defines the literariness of a text. He argues that the interaction between the language's components is based both on combination (which relies on the linear or horizontal aspect of language) and on selection and placement (which relies on the vertical aspect of language and is based on similarity or equivalence). Jakobson considers these two poles as the sources of language and the creators of metaphor and metonymy. Based on Jakobson's theories and research in Persian literature, the dual distinction between the syntagmatic and paradigmatic axes provides a clear demarcation of literary styles. These axes, one structural and the other selective, are utilized by speakers for literary creation and understanding of linguistic messages. The use of metonymy in Khorasani style and metaphor in Iraqi style by poets is well-established. However, given that there are poems responding to the works of renowned earlier or contemporary poets, examining the syntagmatic and paradigmatic axes in such poems, known in literature as Majābāt (responses), is necessary. In the art of response, the hypothesis is that poets operate according to the same axes and literary roles used in the model.
Literature Review and Methodology
In the field of linguistics, Roman Jakobson was a prominent Russian theorist who, in the 1920s, impacted linguistic studies by founding the Prague School of Linguistics. One of his contributions was the introduction of metaphorical and metonymic poles based on the paradigmatic and syntagmatic axes, which continue to serve as a valid criterion in literary style analysis. His theories revolutionized the understanding of language structure and provided a framework for analyzing literary texts, emphasizing the interplay between different linguistic elements.
In Persian literature, numerous studies have explored and interpreted Jakobson's theories, showcasing their relevance and applicability. Notably, Safavi's works, such as "From Linguistics to Literature" (Volume I in 1992 and Volume II in 2002) and "Introduction to Linguistics in Persian Literary Studies" (in 2012), have played a role in introducing and analyzing these theories. These texts have become foundational in bridging the gap between linguistic theory and literary analysis, encouraging scholars to adopt a systematic approach to the study of Persian literature. Additionally, articles like "Analyzing the Structure of Lyric Poetry from a Linguistic Perspective Based on Jakobson’s Theory of Language Roles" (2016) and other works by Safavi have provided analyses of lyric literature, illustrating how Jakobson's concepts can illuminate the nuances of poetic expression. Other research includes "Artistic Proportions in the Syntagmatic and Paradigmatic Axes of Ghaiser Aminpour's Poetry" (by Abbasali Vafa'i and Zahra Ali-Nouri, 2010) and "Stylistics of Bidel Dehlavi’s Poems Based on Jakobson’s Theory of Metaphorical and Metonymic Poles" (by Somaye Agha Babaei, 2019), which analyze the poetry of these poets, revealing the intricate relationships between language and meaning. Furthermore, articles such as "Analyzing the Poetic Characteristics of Shamloo and Nizar Qabbani Based on Jakobson’s Theory of Metaphorical and Metonymic Poles" (by Somaye Aghababaei and Zahra Ghorbani Madavani, 2020) and "Examining the Metaphorical and Metonymic Poles in the Commentary on Shathiyat of Rowshan" (by Farzaneh Chaharlang, Ali Zamani, and Iraj Mehrki, 2021) also utilize Jakobson's theories for literary analysis, demonstrating their versatility across different literary contexts.
This paper, considering these studies, aims to analyze the function of paradigmatic and syntagmatic axes in Persian literary styles and the art of response. By examining how these axes operate within various texts, the research seeks to uncover deeper layers of meaning and artistic expression, ultimately contributing to a richer understanding of Persian literature's linguistic dimensions. Through this exploration, the enduring legacy of Jakobson's theories in contemporary literary criticism will be further established, highlighting their significance in the ongoing dialogue between linguistics and literature.
Discussion
The paradigmatic and syntagmatic axes, introduced by Ferdinand de Saussure, are essential tools for analyzing linguistic structures and understanding language complexities. Saussure defined language as a systematic network of relationships between signs, emphasizing that meaning arises not from individual words in isolation but from their relationships within a broader linguistic system. The paradigmatic axis, visualized as a vertical axis, refers to the substitution of words based on similarity or shared characteristics. For instance, in a sentence, one can replace a word with a synonym, altering the meaning while maintaining structure. This axis highlights choices available to speakers and writers, reflecting the richness of language.
Conversely, the syntagmatic axis, represented as a horizontal axis, deals with the arrangement and adjacency of words in a sentence. It focuses on how words combine to create meaning through their linear sequence. The order in which words appear can significantly affect the interpretation of a sentence, illustrating the importance of syntax in communication.
Building on Saussure’s foundational ideas, Roman Jakobson, a prominent figure in linguistics and a founder of the Prague School, expanded these theories by introducing six language roles: emotive, conative, referential, metalingual, phatic, and poetic. Jakobson argued that the literary role emerges when the message itself becomes the focal point of attention, drawing the audience's awareness to grammatical and linguistic structures at play. This perspective is particularly relevant in poetry and other forms of verbal art, where the interplay between the paradigmatic and syntagmatic axes is crucial for creating meaning.
Keywords: Paradigmatic, Syntagmatic, Prague School, Jakobson, Mujabat, Parody.
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