The Functioning of Lexical Repetitions in Literary Discourse

Abstract

The article reveals the peculiarities of lexical repetition functioning in the artistic discourse (a case study of Suzanne Collins's novel "Hunger Games") and their reproduction n the Ukrainian translation by Uliana Hryhorash using means of the native language. The main stylistic function of lexical repetition is the function of enhancing the emotional and aesthetic impact on the reader. The study has confirmed that the strength of such an impact depends not only on the semantic content of the repeated lexical units but also on the close or distant location of this or that lexical unit in a given context. As a result of the study, some significant functions of lexical repetition in literary discourse were determined, namely, the function of connecting text elements (cohesion); the function of increasing expressiveness (emphasis); intensity growth function; sequence of information transmission; expression of multiplicity or duration of action; selection of a non-repeating element; adding clarity to the text due to the excessive use of a repeated word or phrase (tautology); for creating a rhythm; stylistic presentation of conversational emotional speech; adding emotional color. Anaphora and epiphora are used mostly to create various visual representations, or a certain rhythm, or emotional effect, and to add an emotional color to the statement. Cases of anadiplosis, frame structure, and polysyndeton, which are bright syntactic and stylistic markers, are not so numerous compared to anaphora and epiphora, but they perform a kind of compositional and pictorial function that allows the reader to enjoy the emotions more fully.  The lexical repetition in the original language and in its Ukrainian translation has one common goal – to achieve unity and coherence of the text. Being an effective means of influencing the reader and his consciousness, lexical repetitions help to empathize, remain in tension, to feel sad or happy, to encourage reflection and reasoning, and, therefore, they are an integral part of the original text, which the Ukrainian translator masterfully tried to preserve and convey using the native language means.