Comprehensive analysis of literary works is one of the skills that every person who learns Polish as a foreign language must master. This is both reading with comprehension and in-depth interpretation of various types of texts. It is then worth remembering to focus, among other things, on the stylistic devices used by the author. Especially since this ability also comes in handy on a daily basis, taking communication to the next level. Check out the stylistic devices in Polish now and learn how to recognize them correctly and determine their function!
What are stylistic devices? Definition of
Stylistic means (a.k.a. poetic or artistic expression) are specific elements of language that shape an utterance in a manner consistent with the sender’s intentions. The occurrence of such linguistic procedures is most characteristic of poetry, although they are also used in ordinary conversation.
Why are stylistic devices used?
The main purpose of using stylistic devices is to add variety to the content of the message, convey hidden meanings, create the depicted world, but also to create a mood in the work. They serve to evoke certain emotions in the viewer and arouse his imagination through expressive speech, but they also draw attention to important issues, encourage reflection and provide support in making the correct interpretation of a given text.
What are the types of stylistic devices?
The following are distinguished types of stylistic means, which is due to the fact that they are used at different levels of language:
- Phonetic – pertains to auditory sensations, that is, the sound of words, e.g. onomatopoeias, or euphonies.
- Morphological (word-forming) – related to the construction of words, especially their transformations, such as neologisms, thickenings, or diminutives.
- Syntactic – refers to the construction of individual sentences, e.g. apostrophes, invocations, anaphora, metaphors, or rhetorical questions.
- Lexical – consists in the choice of words that evoke specific associations, for example, animalizations, epithets, euphemisms, oxymorons, or comparisons.
The most important stylistic devices – examples
Basic Stylistic devices in Polish are:
- Epithet – a word that describes a noun, such as ugly duckling.
- Metaphor (figurative) – a combination of words that, as a result, take on a new meaning, such as a forest of hands.
- Comparison – the juxtaposition of two objects or phenomena, such as rock hard.
- Apostrophe – a direct address to a person, deity, idea, e.g. „Lithuania! My homeland!”.
- Rhetorical question – a question that is asked but not expected to be answered.
- Oxymoron – a juxtaposition of words with opposite meanings, such as hot ice.
- Onomatopoeia (sound-mimetic word) – words that imitate natural sounds and noises, such as hum.
- Neologism – a newly created word in some language.
- Personification (personification) – giving human characteristics to animals, phenomena, or abstract concepts.
Stylistic means in Polish language – summary
Stylistic means in Polish is an issue worth looking at a little closer – not only from the theoretical side, but also from the practical side. This is encouraged if only by the fact that this issue is proving to be important for readers of poetry as well as prose, who want to best understand the information they are reading. In addition, it is motivating to know that we can also use various stylistic means when communicating with others, although in this context we often do it completely unconsciously.
