Vimarsh

A trope is the semantic transposition from a sign in praesentia to a sign in absentia, 1) based on the perception of a connection between one or more semantic features of the signified; 2) marked by the semantic incompatibility of the micro- and macro-contexts; 3) conditioned by a referential connection by similarity, or inclusiveness, or opposition. Yuri Lotman [Universe of Mind]   This quotation sounds intimidating, but it’s really describing how figurative language, i.e. tropes works. Let’s try and understand it.   What is a “trope”? A trope is when we use a word or expression in a shifted or indirect way—like in metaphors, similes, irony, or symbolism. Example: “Time is a thief.” Time isn’t literally a thief, but we treat it like one to express meaning.   Now, the quotation in simple parts: 1) “Semantic transposition from a sign in praesentia to a sign in absentia” - You replace what is actually there (present) with someth...

“ he [Roman Jakobson] narrows it relegating metaphor to the domain of semiotic structure = poetry, and metonymy to the sphere of the text = prose. ” - Yuri Lotman [Universe of Mind]   Roman Jakobson The quote refers to a key idea in the work of Russian-American linguist and literary theorist Roman Jakobson, particularly expressed in his influential 1956 essay "Two Aspects of Language and Two Types of Aphasic Disturbances" (part of Fundamentals of Language ). The quote is taken from Universe of Mind by Yuri Lotman where Lotman elaborates upon Jakobson’s idea. Jakobson proposes that all language operates along two fundamental axes or "poles": The metaphoric pole — based on similarity (or substitution or selection). One element replaces or stands for another because of resemblance, analogy, or semantic likeness. Examples include synonyms, comparisons, or figurative substitutions like "life is a journey." The metonymic pole — based on contiguity ...

“In traditional rhetoric, ‘device for changing the basic meaning of a word are termed as tropes.’”  - Tomashevsky  (Quoted in Universe of Mind by Yuri Lotman)   Brief explanation: The statement means: In classical and traditional rhetoric and literary theory, tropes are specific figures of speech or rhetorical devices that alter or shift the literal or basic meaning of a word or phrase.   Simple breakdown: Literal meaning = the ordinary, dictionary definition of a word. Trope = a deliberate twist or turn (from Greek tropos = "turn") that makes the word mean something different from its basic sense.   Common examples of tropes: Metaphor: "He is a lion." (changes "he" from a person to something brave or fierce). Metonymy: "The White House issued a statement." (uses "White House" to mean the U.S. President or administration). Synecdoche: "All hands on deck." (uses "hands" to mean whole sa...