linguistics Linguistics is the scientific study of language. The areas of linguistic analysis are syntax (rules governing the structure of sentences), semantics (meaning), Morphology (linguistics), morphology (structure of words), phonetics (speech sounds ...

and

literature Literature is any collection of Writing, written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially novels, Play (theatre), plays, and poetry, poems. It includes both print and Electroni ...

, adnomination is a

rhetorical device In rhetoric, a rhetorical device, persuasive device, or stylistic device is a technique that an author or speaker uses to convey to the listener or reader a meaning with the goal of persuading them towards considering a topic from a perspective, ...

that involves the juxtaposed repetition of words with similar

roots A root is the part of a plant, generally underground, that anchors the plant body, and absorbs and stores water and nutrients. Root or roots may also refer to: Art, entertainment, and media * ''The Root'' (magazine), an online magazine focusin ...

speech sound In phonetics (a branch of linguistics), a phone is any distinct speech sound. It is any surface-level or unanalyzed sound of a language, the smallest identifiable unit occurring inside a stream of speech. In spoken human language, a phone is thus ...

s within a

phrase In grammar, a phrasecalled expression in some contextsis a group of words or singular word acting as a grammatical unit. For instance, the English language, English expression "the very happy squirrel" is a noun phrase which contains the adject ...

or sentence. This technique serves to emphasize a particular concept or create a memorable

rhythm Rhythm (from Greek , ''rhythmos'', "any regular recurring motion, symmetry") generally means a " movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions". This general meaning of regular r ...

captivating the audience's attention. It has been employed throughout history, from ancient orators to modern writers, demonstrating its enduring effectiveness in

communication Communication is commonly defined as the transmission of information. Its precise definition is disputed and there are disagreements about whether Intention, unintentional or failed transmissions are included and whether communication not onl ...

. Adnomination is not confined to specific cultural or literary periods; its universality is evident in the varied use across different linguistic traditions. This phenomenon transcends cultural and temporal boundaries. In contemporary language, adnomination persists as a versatile tool in advertising, political speeches, and everyday communication. Its ability to reinforce key concepts resonates in various forms of

discourse Discourse is a generalization of the notion of a conversation to any form of communication. Discourse is a major topic in social theory, with work spanning fields such as sociology, anthropology, continental philosophy, and discourse analysis. F ...

Definition

refers to the repetition of words with a common root or origin within close proximity in a sentence or phrase. This repetition serves to enhance the impact of the expression, drawing attention to the shared linguistic element. Adnomination often manifests through the repetition of juxtaposed prefixes, suffixes, or roots. For instance, Shakespeare's famous line "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" from

Macbeth ''The Tragedy of Macbeth'', often shortened to ''Macbeth'' (), is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, estimated to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the physically violent and damaging psychological effects of political ambiti ...

exemplifies adnomination, as the words "fair" and "foul" share a common root.

Examples

*The river flowed, flowing with stories of ancient civilizations. *In the garden, we planted and nurtured the plants to ensure their growth.

Historical significance

While adnomination has ancient origins in classical rhetoric, its prevalence extends across various literary periods. Notable orators such as

Aristotle Aristotle (; 384–322 BC) was an Ancient Greek philosophy, Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, a ...

Cicero Marcus Tullius Cicero ( ; ; 3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC) was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, orator, writer and Academic skeptic, who tried to uphold optimate principles during the political crises tha ...

Demosthenes Demosthenes (; ; ; 384 – 12 October 322 BC) was a Greek statesman and orator in ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide insight into the politics and cu ...

and

Quintilian Marcus Fabius Quintilianus (; 35 – 100 AD) was a Roman educator and rhetorician born in Hispania, widely referred to in medieval schools of rhetoric and in Renaissance writing. In English translation, he is usually referred to as Quin ...

utilized this device to enhance the impact of their oratory.

Literary analysis

Adnomination contributes to the rhythmic and æsthetic qualities of language, captivating the audience's attention. It is frequently employed in oratory, poetry, and prose to underscore themes, convey emotions, or establish a sense of harmony. Renowned writers, including William Shakespeare and John Milton,Milton, John.

Paradise Lost ''Paradise Lost'' is an Epic poetry, epic poem in blank verse by the English poet John Milton (1608–1674). The poem concerns the Bible, biblical story of the fall of man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their ex ...

. Edited by Gordon Teskey, 2005 employed adnomination to craft memorable and impactful passages.

References

{{Reflist Poetic devices