A repeat is a series of speech figures that are based on the repeated use of some language units (for example, words, syntactic constructions, morphemes or sounds) within a single sentence or semantic section of the text. They are used to make the statement more expressive.
Depending on the criteria underlying the division, there are several types of repetitions. For example, the type of units that occur several times may be taken into account. Then emit sound, morphemic, syntactic and lexical repetition.
The next criterion is the location of those units that occur several times. Depending on this, there are repetitions:
- distant (when other elements of the text are between the same words, morphemes, etc.);
- contact (when units that are repeated go one after another).
It is also important how accurately the original word, sound or construction is reproduced. Depending on this, the repetitions are partial and complete.
Their classification is also affected by the syntactic position in a particular segment of speech (stanza, paragraph, sentence, line) of the same units that occur many times. So in the case of ordered repetitions, it is the same for all. With disordered syntax position does not combine these units.
In a literary text, it is most often used precisely the lexical repetition. This is the deliberate repeated use of units of speech to give the text expressiveness or to focus the attention of the reader, listener on a specific point. The closer they are to each other, the more likely the recipient will notice them.
The term “lexical repetition” itself already makes it clear that in this case the same units that occur many times in a row are words. Use it only when the speaker wants only to generally note the use of the same tokens. When it comes to building a repetition, its organization, they use terms that give a more accurate description. This, for example, the joint, epiphora, ring, anaphora and many others.
Both in the literary text and in colloquial speech, lexical repetition plays a huge role and performs several functions.
- Transmission of monotony of actions, their uniformity.
- Clarification of the utterance, due to which the exposition ceases to be foggy, incomprehensible.
- The lexical repetition contributes to the fact that the utterance acquires great emotional strength, it grows and the narrative becomes more intense.
- Underlining, highlighting in speech that group of words that carries a special semantic load.
- The duration and repetition of the action also helps to express the lexical repetition. Examples of its use for this purpose are easily found in folklore.
- Mitigating the transition from one topic of utterance to another.
- The repetition of identical units makes the sentence more rhythmic, bringing it closer to the poem.
- Linking syntactic constructions in the text. This is due to the special rhythm that forms when repeating phrases or words.
- Slowing down the story. This technique is characteristic of oral folk poetry. It not only slows down speech, but also helps to give the tale a song character.
The lexical repetition in the writings of the classics is a tool that helps to make an expression expressive, to connect phrases (in a chain), to sharpen the meaning, a way to draw the reader's attention to subtext. But in the student’s composition, he is most often taken by the teacher for a speech error. But is such a decision always motivated? The use of lexical repetition in speech cannot be considered justified in only two cases:
- when it does not serve to link phrases in the text;
- when it does not fulfill an emphatic function.
Only on this basis can we take the use of lexical repetition for an error that indicates that the student’s vocabulary is very limited and he is not able to find a suitable replacement for the word.