Discuss the relationship between Language and Literature. Also comment on how the literary language is different from ordinary language.
Solution
Language and literature are intertwined in a manner that cannot be severed, and the connection between the two is both intricate and multidimensional. Literature is generated via the medium of language, and language is also the medium through which literature is understood and interpreted. Language is the media. In turn, literature is a mirror of the language and culture in which it was formed. Literature also has the potential to alter and affect the evolution of language.
On the one hand, literature cannot exist without language since it is the medium through which it is expressed. Language is the medium via which authors are able to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences to the people who read their work. When creating a piece of literary work, the selection of words, the deployment of figurative language, and the construction of sentences all play important supporting roles. Literature is a type of artistic expression that is predicated on the utilisation of language in order to generate meaning and elicit feeling from the reader.
Literature, on the other hand, has a significant impact and contribution to make to the development of language. Writers have the ability to generate brand new vocabulary, phrases, and modes of expression by employing various literary devices in their work. For instance, the addition of new words, phrases, or idioms into the vernacular can be attributed to the impact that literary works can have on the evolution of language. In addition, literature has the power to affect the way language is used, as well as the ways in which people think and interact with one another in conversation.
Additionally, literature has the ability to mirror the culture and society of the time and place in which it was written. The author’s culture and civilization may often be deduced from a literary work simply by analysing the author’s use of language and the overall structure of the work. Figurative language, for instance, might shed light on the social and economic standing of the characters, while the choice of specific phrases or idioms can disclose the cultural values and ideas held by the community as a whole.
A culture and its language are two important aspects that need to be preserved, and literature may play a role in doing this. This is especially true for oral literature, which is passed down from generation to generation by verbal transmission, helping to maintain the cultural traditions, practises, and language of the community.
In summing up, the connection between linguistics and literary works is one that is convoluted and multi-dimensional. Language serves as the vehicle for the production of literature, and literature in turn moulds and impacts the evolution of language. Literature cannot exist without language. Literature not only reflects the culture and society of the time and place in which it was written, but it also has the potential to function as a tool for the preservation of a culture and its language. Therefore, literature and language are inextricably linked to one another and are mutually dependent on one another; conversely, the study of literature may offer insightful knowledge into the evolution and application of language.
Language used in literature and language used in everyday life are not interchangeable in any manner. Literal language is used to transmit information in a way that is more artistic and stylish, whereas literary language is used to convey meaning in a way that is more simple and utilitarian. This is the primary distinction between the two types of language.
To begin, figurative language, such as metaphor, simile, and symbolism, is frequently employed in literary writing in order to evoke specific mental images and communicate more profound ideas. This is done to give the work more depth and intricacy, as well as to pique the reader’s interest and stimulate their imagination. For example, the metaphor of “the world” being a “stage” is used in the expression “all the world’s a stage” to communicate the concept that life is a performance and that each of us plays a role in that show. In contrast, everyday language tends to be more literal and steers clear of metaphorical language wherever possible.
Second, the language used in literary works frequently makes use of more sophisticated or convoluted terminology than is typical in regular conversation. This is done to provide the impression of formality and to put the author at a remove from the people and events that they are discussing. Terms such as “tenebrous” (meaning black and gloomy) and “soporific” (meaning sleep-inducing) are used to describe the location or atmosphere in works of literature. However, in everyday English, we use simpler words such as “dark” and “sleepy” for the same reason.
Thirdly, in order to provide a musical effect and call attention to certain words and phrases, literary language frequently makes use of a range of literary techniques such as alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia. This is done so that the work has a feeling of rhythm and flow, as well as so that the emphasis may be increased. For instance, the calming effect created by the alliteration of the letter s in the words “soft” and “sigh” in the phrase “the gentle sigh of the sea” allows the reader to visualise the sound of the ocean. This is not something that is typically used in everyday conversation.
The fourth point is that the language used in literary works frequently reflects the cultural and historical milieu in which they were written. This is done to provide an atmosphere of realism and to completely submerge the reader in the world of the work being read. For instance, the terms “thou” and “thee” were common in literary works of the past, but they have fallen out of favour in the contemporary English language.
In conclusion, literary language is distinct from everyday language because it makes use of figurative language, language that is elevated or complicated, a range of literary methods, and language that is distinctive to a certain era or cultural environment. The utilisation of these components helps to conjure up picture, communicate a more profound meaning, highlight key points, and completely submerge the reader in the world of the work. Literary language, on the other hand, is employed to generate an aesthetic and stylistic impact, which is what distinguishes it as a distinct mode of communication in comparison to ordinary language, which is used to transmit meaning in a more clear and practical manner.