Introduction: “Linguistics And Poetics” by Roman Jakobson
“Linguistics and Poetics” by Roman Jakobson was first published in 1960 as part of the collection A Linguist’s Handbook. This seminal essay revolutionized literary theory by bridging the gap between linguistics and poetics. Jakobson argued that poetic language is not fundamentally different from everyday language but rather represents a heightened focus on the message itself. By introducing the concept of the poetic function and exploring the six elements of communication, he provided a framework for analyzing literary texts with unprecedented rigor and sophistication. This essay remains a cornerstone of literary studies, inspiring countless scholars and critics to delve deeper into the intricacies of language and its artistic potential.
Summary of “Linguistics And Poetics” by Roman Jakobson
Interrelation of Poetics and Linguistics
- Argument: Poetics is a core area of literary studies, fundamentally concerned with what distinguishes verbal art from other forms and verbal behaviors.
- Supporting Quote: “Poetics deals primarily with the question, What makes a verbal message a work of art?”
Role of Poetics within Linguistics
- Argument: Poetics, which studies verbal structure, is an integral part of linguistics, akin to the study of structure in the visual arts.
- Supporting Quote: “Since linguistics is the global science of verbal structure, poetics may be regarded as an integral part of linguistics.”
Synchronic and Diachronic Approaches
- Argument: Both poetics and linguistics address synchronic (current state) and diachronic (historical development) issues in their analysis.
- Supporting Quote: “Any stage discriminates between more conservative and more innovatory forms.”
Functions of Language
- Argument: Language encompasses multiple functions, each corresponding to different aspects of communication—emotive, conative, referential, phatic, metalingual, and poetic.
- Supporting Quote: “Each of these six factors determines a different function of language.”
Poetic Function Defined
- Argument: The poetic function focuses on the aesthetic qualities of language, making it central not just in poetry but in all forms of verbal art.
- Supporting Quote: “The set (Einstellung) toward the MESSAGE as such, focus on the message for its own sake, is the POETIC function of language.”
Dominance of Poetic Function in Poetry
- Argument: In poetry, the poetic function is dominant, shaping how other language functions are integrated and prioritized.
- Supporting Quote: “Poetic function is not the sole function of verbal art but only its dominant, determining function.”
Projection of Equivalence in Poetic Language
- Argument: Poetry uniquely utilizes the principle of equivalence, projecting it from selection into combination, which distinguishes poetic language structurally from ordinary speech.
- Supporting Quote: “The poetic function projects the principle of equivalence from the axis of selection into the axis of combination.”
Importance of Verse in Poetic Function
- Argument: Verse exemplifies the poetic function by employing regular reiterations of equivalent units, akin to musical composition.
- Supporting Quote: “Only in poetry with its regular reiteration of equivalent units is the time of the speech flow experienced.”
Literary Terms/Concepts in “Linguistics And Poetics” by Roman Jakobson
| Term | Definition | Example |
| Poetic Function | Focus on the message for its own sake, emphasizing the form and sound of language. | Poetry, advertising jingles, and even everyday speech can exhibit poetic function. |
| Selection and Combination | Two basic modes of language use: choosing words and arranging them. | Selecting the words “child” and “sleeps” and combining them into “the child sleeps.” |
| Equivalence | The principle of similarity or sameness between elements in language. | Rhyme, meter, and alliteration are based on equivalence. |
| Contiguity | The principle of connection or association between elements in language. | Syntax, grammar, and the flow of ideas rely on contiguity. |
| Referential Function | Focus on the context or object being referred to. | Informative texts, news reports, and scientific papers primarily use this function. |
| Emotive Function | Focus on the speaker’s attitude or emotions. | Exclamations, interjections, and emotionally charged language. |
| Conative Function | Focus on the addressee, aiming to influence or persuade. | Commands, requests, and advertising slogans. |
| Phatic Function | Focus on establishing, maintaining, or ending communication. | Greetings, small talk, and social rituals. |
| Metalingual Function | Focus on the code itself, explaining or clarifying language. | Dictionaries, grammar books, and language lessons. |
Contribution of “Linguistics And Poetics” by Roman Jakobson to Literary Theory/Theories
Formalism/Structuralism
- Focus on language as a system: Jakobson’s emphasis on the linguistic structure of a text laid the groundwork for formalist and structuralist approaches to literature.
- “Poetics deals with problems of verbal structure, just as the analysis of painting is concerned with pictorial structure.”
- Binary oppositions: His concepts of selection and combination, as well as the poetic function, contributed to the development of structuralist analysis based on binary oppositions.
- “The selection is produced on the base of equivalence, similarity and dissimilarity, synonymity and antonymity, while the combination, the build up of the sequence, is based on contiguity.”
Functionalism
- Language as a tool for social interaction: Jakobson’s identification of different language functions (emotive, conative, referential, phatic, metalingual, poetic) expanded the understanding of language’s role in society.
- “Language must be investigated in all the variety of its functions.”
- Contextual analysis: His emphasis on the importance of context for understanding language laid the foundation for functionalist approaches to literary analysis.
- “An outline of these functions demands a concise survey of the constitutive factors in any speech event, in any act of verbal communication.”
Semiotics
- Language as a sign system: Jakobson’s work contributed to the development of semiotics by exploring the relationship between signs and their meanings.
- “The poetic function projects the principle of equivalence from the axis of selection into the axis of combination.”
- Interplay of signifier and signified: His analysis of poetic language highlighted the arbitrary nature of the linguistic sign.
Stylistics
- Language as style: Jakobson’s focus on the poetic function and the distinctive features of language in literary texts laid the foundation for stylistic analysis.
- “The particularities of diverse poetic genres imply a differently ranked participation of the other verbal functions along with the dominant poetic function.”
- Quantitative analysis of language: His emphasis on measurable aspects of language, such as phonology and syntax, influenced quantitative stylistics.
Reception Theory
- Reader-oriented perspective: While not explicitly addressed in “Linguistics and Poetics,” Jakobson’s emphasis on the addressee and the conative function can be seen as precursors to reader-oriented theories.
Examples of Critiques Through “Linguistics And Poetics” by Roman Jakobson
| Literary Work | Poetic Function | Referential Function |
| “Hamlet” by Shakespeare | – Utilizes complex poetic devices to enhance textual musicality and structural beauty. | – Grounds the narrative with a detailed historical and geographical setting. |
| “1984” by George Orwell | – Employs straightforward language; poetic elements highlight thematic concerns subtly. | – Creates a detailed, believable dystopian context that frames the narrative. |
| “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot | – Dense with allusions, employing a complex structure to elevate thematic and formal expression. | – Rich in historical, cultural, and mythological allusions that deepen the narrative context. |
| “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen | – Irony and wit provide a poetic quality to the narrative, subtly influencing reader perception. | – Offers a meticulous depiction of early 19th-century English society, informing character behavior and social interactions. |
Criticism Against “Linguistics And Poetics” by Roman Jakobson
Overemphasis on Structure Over Content:
- Argument: Critics argue that Jakobson’s focus on the structure and function of language may overshadow the thematic and philosophical content of literary works.
- Supporting View: This structuralist approach might limit interpretations to how things are said, potentially neglecting why they are said.
Limited Applicability to Non-Western Texts:
- Argument: Jakobson’s framework, developed primarily through the analysis of Western languages and literatures, might not fully capture the linguistic and poetic nuances of non-Western texts.
- Supporting View: The universal application of his functions of language has been questioned when considering diverse linguistic traditions.
Neglect of Reader Response:
- Argument: Jakobson’s model is largely sender-oriented and focuses little on the role of the receiver or reader beyond decoding messages.
- Supporting View: Modern literary theories, especially reader-response theories, emphasize the interpretive role of the reader, which Jakobson’s framework does not adequately address.
Assumption of Static Language Functions:
- Argument: The classification of language into distinct functions assumes these roles are static and separate, which may not reflect the fluid and overlapping nature of language use in practice.
- Supporting View: Language functions often operate simultaneously and are not as discrete as Jakobson suggests.
Over-Simplification of Poetic Function:
- Argument: By focusing primarily on the form and placing heavy emphasis on the poetic function, Jakobson might oversimplify other crucial aspects of poetry such as emotional and experiential resonance.
- Supporting View: Critics argue that the emotional and imaginative impact of poetry goes beyond structural and linguistic craftsmanship, areas that receive less attention in Jakobson’s analysis.
Suggested Readings: “Linguistics And Poetics” by Roman Jakobson
- Culler, Jonathan. Structuralist Poetics: Structuralism, Linguistics and the Study of Literature. Cornell UP, 1975.
- Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. 2nd ed., U of Minnesota P, 2008.
- Holdcroft, David. Saussure: Signs, System, and Arbitrariness. Cambridge UP, 1991.
- Jakobson, Roman. Language in Literature. Edited by Krystyna Pomorska and Stephen Rudy, Harvard UP, 1987.
- Jakobson, Roman, and Morris Halle. Fundamentals of Language. Mouton, 1956.
- Joseph, John E. Saussure. Oxford UP, 2012.
- Rudy, Stephen. Roman Jakobson: Life, Language, Art. Routledge, 1993.
- Waugh, Linda R., and Monique Monville-Burston. On Language. Harvard UP, 1990.
- Caton, Steven C. “Contributions of Roman Jakobson.” Annual Review of Anthropology, vol. 16, 1987, pp. 223–60. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2155871. Accessed 14 Aug. 2024.
- Waugh, Linda R. “The Poetic Function in the Theory of Roman Jakobson.” Poetics Today, vol. 2, no. 1a, 1980, pp. 57–82. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1772352. Accessed 14 Aug. 2024.
- Bohn, Willard. “Roman Jakobson’s Theory of Metaphor and Metonymy: An Annotated Bibliography.” Style, vol. 18, no. 4, 1984, pp. 534–50. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42945521. Accessed 14 Aug. 2024.
Representative Quotations from “Linguistics And Poetics” by Roman Jakobson with Explanation
| Quotation | Explanation |
| “Poetics deals primarily with the question, What makes a verbal message a work of art?” | This quotation establishes the central concern of poetics as the identification of the qualities that elevate language to art. |
| “The verbal structure of a message depends primarily on the predominant function.” | This quote highlights the importance of function in shaping the structure of language. Different functions (referential, emotive, etc.) lead to distinct verbal structures. |
| “Each of these six factors determines a different function of language.” | This introduces Jakobson’s influential model of six language functions (referential, emotive, conative, phatic, metalingual, poetic). |
| “The poetic function projects the principle of equivalence from the axis of selection into the axis of combination.” | This defines the poetic function as the emphasis on similarity and equivalence between words, sounds, or structures within a message. |
| “In poetry, and to a certain extent in latent manifestations of poetic function, sequences delimited by word boundaries become commensurable whether they are sensed as isochronic or graded.” | This quote delves deeper into the poetic function, explaining how it creates a sense of rhythm and measurability in language. |
| “To sum up, the analysis of verse is entirely within the competence of poetics…” | This quotation underscores the role of poetics in analyzing verse, recognizing its connection to, but distinction from, poetry. |