53. Expressive Means Based on the Way the Parts are connected: Asyndeton, Polysyndeton, the Gap, Sentence Link.

The interdependence between different parts of the utterance presents a far greater diversity of relations than coordination and subordination alone. The means of connection have become polysemantic. They may express different types of interrelation and their meanings will, as is the case with meaningful words, be realized in the given context. On the other hand, the necessity of expressing the exact relation between the parts of the utterance in the written language and especially in the case of larger utterances – demands new connectives. Language provides these means to meet this requirement. Some adverbs and adverbial phrases have begun to function as connectives and are recognized as such from the morphological point of view. Besides, for stylistic purposes, the division of types of sentences into compound and complex is inapplicable. Another classification is required, and this classification must be based on the relative importance of the utterance or its parts in a larger semantic unit. For stylistic purposes it is important to distinguish degrees of subordination between the parts of a sentence as well as the closeness of the connection between relatively independent statements. Asyndeton – a deliberate omission of the connective where it is generally expected to be according to the norms of the literary language. Here a reminder is necessary that there is an essential difference between the ordinary norms of language, both literary and colloquial, and stylistic devices which are skillfully wrought for special informative and aesthetic purposes. (Bicket did not answer his throat felt too dry) Polysyndeton is a stylistic device of connecting sentences or phrases or syntagms or words by using connectives (mostly conjunctions and prepositions) before each component part. (The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect) Polysyndeton has a disintegrating function. It generally combines homogeneous elements of thought into one whole resembling enumeration. Polysyndeton causes each member of a string of facts to stand out conspicuously. Enumeration shows things united; polysyndeton shows them isolated. The latter has also the function of expressing sequence. The Gap-Sentence Link – the connection is not immediately apparent and it requires a certain mental effort to grasp the interrelation between the parts of the utterance, in other words, to bridge the semantic gap. (She and that fellow ought to be the sufferers, and they were in Italy) Consequently G.S.L. is a way of connecting two sentences seemingly unconnected and leaving it to the reader’s perspicacity to grasp the idea implied, but not worded. Generally speaking, every detail of the situation need not be stated. Some must remain for the reader to divine. G.S.L. is deeply rooted in the norms of the spoken language. The omissions are justified because the situation easily prompts what has not been said. The proper intonation also helps in deciphering the communication. In writing, where the situation is explained by the writer and the intonation is only guessed at, such breaks in the utterance are regarded as stylistic devices. The gap-sentence link is generally indicated by and or but. G.S.L. has various functions. It may serve to signal the introduction of inner represented speech; it may be used to indicate a subjective evaluation of the facts; it may introduce an effect resulting from a cause which has already had verbal expression.

Asyndeton is a deliberate avoidance of conjunctions (deliberate omission of conjunctions); in constructions in which they would normally used. E.g. He couldn't go abroad alone, the sea upset his liver, he hated hotels. “People sang, people fought, people loved.”

polysyndeton - is an identical repetition of conjunctions: used to emphasize simultaneousness of described actions, to disclose the author’s subjective attitude towards the characters, to create the rhythmical effect. Polysyndeton (as opposed to asyndeton means excessive use of conjunctions – “and” as a rule, in which case either the simultaneity of actions, or close connection of properties enumerated, or their equal importance is focused upon); Polysyndeton is an insistent repetition of a connective between words, phrases, clauses.

e.g. “They were from Milan and one of them was to be a lawyer, and one was to be a painter, and one had intended to be a soldier.” (E.Hemingway)

The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect.