Repetition in discourses across languages and genres

Abstract

Despite the fact that various functions of repetition in discourse have been studied, we have decided to continue our exploration of the role of phonetic and lexical repetitions in the pragmatics and cognition of text and discourse focusing our attention on the epic texts and modern literary discourses across languages. The reason why we have decided to analyze both epic texts and modern literary discourses across languages is our intention to reveal the pragmatic nature of intersubjective behaviors regardless of time and place. In addition, phonetic and lexical repetitions play a crucial role in the cognition of these texts and discourses as they cause associations by stimulating knowledge in the human mind. Thus, our article’s goal is to analyze the ways why and how the sender uses these very important explicit linguistic devices to produce pragmatic and cognitive effects on the audience of the epic texts, as well as on the participants of modern fictional discourses in English, Azerbaijani, and Russian. Throughout the history, phonetic and lexical repetitions have gradually become key devices in producing pragmatic and cognitive effects in literary discourses across languages. The examples from Beowulf, The Book of Dede Korkut, as well as from modern fictional and poetic discourses in Azerbaijani and English clearly demonstrate this trend. We can draw a conclusion that as human’s life experience and his/her intellectual level gradually develops, the functions of these repetitions in discourse expand and gain a new meaning. Repetition is a choice made by the sender of any text, first of all, based on his/her subjective individual rather than social preferences. That is why the use of repetition in discourse motivates intersubjective behaviors regardless of time and place.

Keywords

• phonetic repetitions
• lexical repetitions
• discourse
• literary texts
• epic texts
• cognitive-pragmatic approach