What is inversion? We understand the example of Russian and English

What is inversion? From lat. inversio - “flipping, rearrangement”. If we talk about inversion as a linguistic term, then this is a violation of the classical word order. Moreover, in English and French, where speakers must strictly adhere to the word order, inversion is not particularly common. And in Russian, we find an indirect word order very often. Moreover, this is a stylistic device.

Direct word order

To begin with, we understand what the usual word order in a sentence means . In Russian, the word order is free, there are no strict rules. However, there is a direct word order in which the sentence members are arranged as follows:

1. The subject is followed by the predicate. Mom bought us a new computer.
2. Addition - for the word on which it depends. I need to read a book.
3. The definition is placed before the defined noun. A quiet hour must be in kindergarten.
4. The definition of inconsistent stands after the defined word. Mom bought a striped skirt.
5. Circumstances can stand in different places. Yesterday I went to the city. I went to town yesterday. I traveled to the city yesterday. I went to town yesterday.

But if we meet a sentence member in an unusual place for him, a stylistic figure arises, which is characterized by color. This way you can emphasize the sentence.

Compare:

1. “I will go to the pool tomorrow on foot,” the author indicates that he will go on foot, without using transport.
2. “Tomorrow I’ll go to the pool on foot,” the speaker emphasizes that he will go to the pool, and not to the gym, to dance, etc.
3. "Tomorrow I will go to the pool on foot," the source of the message claims that it is he who will go to the pool, and not his brother, friend, father, etc.
4. “I’ll go to the pool on foot tomorrow,” the author says that he will go to the pool tomorrow, and not in a day, two, a week.

So, inversion is very important in order for the interlocutor to get the main idea of ​​your message.

Inversion in Russian. What is it like?

So again. What is inversion? This is a violation of the usual word order for a particular language.

Moreover, this is one of the most common figures of stylistics, often used in literature. Authors due to inversion follow the poetic size. In poetic works, the stylistic figure gives rhythm.

Let's look at some examples:

1. I would like to be at sea now.
2. All problems can be solved, but what you come up with is nothing.
3. It’s clear that we should not go on a picnic in the rain.
4. Tell me, when do you need to go to the university?
5. Be that as it may, I will go to Moscow only the day after tomorrow.

Inversion in English

What is inversion in English? Same thing: intentional change, rearrangement of words in a sentence. This is one of the most important syntax techniques. With it, a narrative sentence can be transformed into an interrogative one. In style, inversion is studied as a speech effect. In grammar, it’s like a deliberate violation of the rules, which is necessary in order to emphasize the main idea. The most striking reception of the English-speaking characters - the master Yoda (the film "Star Wars").

Examples of linguistic inversion in a hero’s speech:

1. Truly amazing is the mind of the child.
2. There are always many ways to achieve a goal.
3. Your mind is the strongest.

Conclusion

Thus, today we found out what inversion is and what important role it plays in the proposal. This popular stylistic figure can often be found in literature. Writers and poets such as Alexander Pushkin, Leo Tolstoy, Nikolai Gumilev, Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin, Mikhail Lermontov often resorted to inversion as a method of styling. Thus, they logically highlighted any member of the sentence.

Good luck learning Russian!