Tmesis: A Rhetorical Device

Tmesis: Etymology/Term, Literal and Conceptual Meanings

Etymology/Term: Tmesis, derived from the Greek word “temnein” meaning “to cut,” is a linguistic phenomenon where a word is divided into two parts, and another word or words are inserted between them. This insertion creates a playful or emphatic effect in the language. Tmesis has been utilized in various languages, and its roots can be traced back to classical literature.

Literal Meaning:

• Divided Words: Tmesis involves the separation of a compound word or phrase into its constituent parts, allowing for the insertion of additional elements.
• Syntactic Break: The insertion typically occurs at a syntactic boundary, and the divided elements are recombined during speech or writing.

Conceptual Meaning:

• Emphasis: Tmesis is often employed to add emphasis to a particular part of a word or phrase, drawing attention to that element and intensifying its impact.
• Playfulness: The insertion of words within a compound term can convey a sense of playfulness or creativity, contributing to a more dynamic and engaging linguistic expression.
• Expressive Variation: Tmesis allows for linguistic flexibility, enabling speakers or writers to modify the tone or style of their communication by inserting elements within words.

Tmesis: Definition as a Rhetorical Device

Tmesis is a rhetorical device characterized by the insertion of one or more words between the components of a compound word or phrase. This linguistic technique serves to emphasize specific elements within the expression, adding a playful or creative dimension to the language. Tmesis enhances both the stylistic and expressive aspects of communication, contributing to a more dynamic and impactful rhetorical effect.

Tmesis: Types and Examples

Type of Tmesis	Example
Infix Tmesis	abso-freakin’-lutely (inserted within the word)
Prefix Tmesis	un-bloody-believable (inserted at the beginning)
Suffix Tmesis	fan-freakin’-tastic (inserted at the end)
Compound Tmesis	any-freakin’-body (inserted within a compound)
Adverbial Tmesis	so-quickly-done (inserted before an adverb)

These examples demonstrate the versatility of tmesis, showcasing how words or elements can be inserted within or around compound terms to achieve various rhetorical effects.

Tmesis: Examples in Everyday Life

1. Infix :
   • Original: “Absolutely”
   • Revised: “Abso-freakin’-lutely”
   • Example: “That movie was abso-freakin’-lutely amazing!”
2. Prefix :
   • Original: “Believable”
   • Revised: “Un-bloody-believable”
   • Example: “The ending of that story was un-bloody-believable!”
3. Suffix :
   • Original: “Fantastic”
   • Revised: “Fan-freakin’-tastic”
   • Example: “Your performance was fan-freakin’-tastic last night!”
4. Compound Tmesis:
   • Original: “Anybody”
   • Revised: “Any-freakin’-body”
   • Example: “I can’t believe any-freakin’-body would do that!”
5. Adverbial:
   • Original: “Quickly”
   • Revised: “So-quickly”
   • Example: “He finished the project so-quickly, it was impressive!”
6. Infix (Colloquial):
   • Original: “Seriously”
   • Tmesis: “Seri-bloody-ously”
   • Example: “You seri-bloody-ously forgot my birthday?”
7. Prefix (Informal):
   • Original: “Impossible”
   • Revised: “Im-possibly”
   • Example: “This task is im-possibly difficult!”
8. Suffix (Casual):
   • Original: “Hilarious”
   • Revised: “Hilari-laughs”
   • Example: “That joke was hilari-laughs!”
9. Compound (Everyday Slang):
   • Original: “Everything”
   • Revised: “Every-freakin’-thing”
   • Example: “I forgot every-freakin’-thing at home today.”
10. Adverbial (Expressive):
    • Original: “Suddenly”
    • Revised: “Outta-suddenly”
    • Example: “Outta-suddenly, he appeared at the door.”

Tmesis in Literature: Examples

1. Shakespeare’s Hamlet:
   • Original: “Whereto serves mercy but to confront the visage of offense?”
   • Revised: “Whereto serves mer-cy but to confront the visage of offense?”
2. John Milton’s Paradise Lost:
   • Original: “Nor did they not perceive the evil plight in which they were.”
   • Revised: “Nor did they not per-ceive the evil plight in which they were.”
3. Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities:
   • Original: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
   • Revised: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
4. James Joyce’s Ulysses:
   • Original: “I am, a stride at a time.”
   • Revised: “I am, a stride at a time.”
5. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice:
   • Original: “In vain I have struggled.”
   • Revised: “In vain I have strug-gled.”
6. Homer’s The Iliad:
   • Original: “And then was the fulfilment of all his threatenings.”
   • Revised: “And then was the ful-filment of all his threatenings.”
7. Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights:
   • Original: “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
   • Revised: “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
8. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby:
   • Original: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
   • Revised: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaseless-ly into the past.”
9. George Orwell’s 1984:
   • Original: “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”
   • Revised: “Who con-trols the past con-trols the future. Who con-trols the present con-trols the past.”
10. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:
    • Original: “I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body.”
    • Revised: “I had worked hard for near-ly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body.”

Tmesis in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Tmesis
Structuralism	Tmesises can be analyzed as linguistic structurest hat influences the overall organization of a text. It highlights the manipulation of language elements, contributing to the structural intricacies of literary works.
Post-Structuralism	In a post-structuralist context, tmesises exemplifies the deconstruction of language norms. It challenges fixed meanings and invites readers to explore the fluidity and playfulness embedded in linguistic constructions.
Semiotics	Tmesises serves as a signifier that creates meaning through the arrangement of linguistic signs. It invites semiotic analysis by exploring how the insertion of elements within words influences the interpretation of signs in literature.
Deconstructionism	Tmesises aligns with the deconstructive approach by disrupting conventional linguistic boundaries. It prompts readers to question the stability of language and consider the multiple interpretations that arise from such disruptions.
New Criticism	Tmesises can be examined as a literary device that contributes to the overall unity and coherence of a text. New Critics may explore how the intentional use of tmesis enhances the aesthetic and emotional impact of a work.
Reader-Response Theory	Tmesises invites reader engagement by adding a layer of creativity and expressiveness to language. Readers are encouraged to actively interpret the inserted elements, contributing to the subjective and personal experience of the text.
Feminist Literary Theory	Tmesises may be examined through a feminist lens to assess how gender dynamics are reflected in language manipulation. It allows for an exploration of power dynamics and the subversion or reinforcement of linguistic norms related to gender.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Tmesises could be analyzed as a manifestation of linguistic desires and impulses. The intentional insertion of elements within words may be explored in terms of conscious and unconscious choices, revealing underlying psychological dimensions.
Cultural Criticism	Tmesises can be studied in the context of cultural influences on language. It provides insight into how linguistic playfulness reflects cultural norms, expressions, and the evolving nature of language within specific socio-cultural contexts.
Postcolonial Criticism	Tmesis may be examined in postcolonial literature to analyze language hybridity and the intersection of linguistic elements. It reflects the complexity of postcolonial identities and the negotiation of multiple linguistic influences in the text.

Tmesis in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Tmesis	Inserting words within a compound term for emphasis or play.
Infix	Inserting elements within a word, often for colloquial expression.
Prefix	Inserting elements at the beginning of a word for emphasis or change.
Suffix	Inserting elements at the end of a word for impact or modification.
Compound	Inserting words within a compound term, adding dynamism to language.
Adverbial	Inserting words, often adverbs, before another word for emphasis.
Structuralism	Analyzing tmesis as a linguistic structure influencing text organization.
Deconstruction	Tmesis aligns with deconstruction by challenging fixed meanings in language.
Semiotics	Tmesis is relevant to semiotics, involving manipulation of linguistic signs for meaning.
Postcolonialism	Tmesis in postcolonial literature reflects language hybridity and identity negotiation.

Tmesis in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Barthes, Roland. Mythologies. Hill and Wang, 1972.
2. Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1976.
3. Eco, Umberto. Semiotics and the Philosophy of Language. Indiana University Press, 1986.
4. Genette, Gérard. Palimpsests: Literature in the Second Degree. University of Nebraska Press, 1997.
5. Kristeva, Julia. Revolution in Poetic Language. Columbia University Press, 1984.
6. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: The First Complete Edition in English. W. W. Norton & Company, 2006.
7. Saussure, Ferdinand de. Course in General Linguistics. Columbia University Press, 2011.
8. Sontag, Susan. Against Interpretation and Other Essays. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1966.
9. Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. In Other Worlds: Essays in Cultural Politics. Routledge, 1987.
10. Todorov, Tzvetan. The Fantastic: A Structural Approach to a Literary Genre. Cornell University Press, 1975.