“Parallel syntax”的意思、由来-开放百科全书

In rhetoric, Parallel Syntax (also known as parallel construction and parallelism) is a rhetorical device that consists of repetition among adjacent sentences or clauses. The repeated sentences or clauses provides emphasis to a center theme or idea the author is trying to convey.^[1]

In language, syntax is the structure of a sentence, so this can also be called parallel sentence structure. This rhetorical tool improves the flow of a sentence, making it more concise by eliminating unnecessary words that could distract the reader from the main point. Parallel structure is like the derived conjunction analysis because it assumes several underlying complete sentences.^[1]

In addition to providing emphasis, it is evident that parallel structure appeals to the reader or listener in a variety of ways as well. Primarily, the repetition of clauses promotes a heightened mental ability to process the sentence as a whole; studies have shown that the reiteration of the second clause will increase the speed an individual can process the sentence.^[2] Furthermore, it decreases the load of information needed to be processed by the reader, facilitating comprehension.^[2] Employment of parallel structure is not only persuasive; it is emotionally appealing to the reader.

According to Aristotle, persuasion is created through parallel syntax by means of repetition. Recapping crucial aspects of an argument through properly created phrases and clauses further embeds the idea into the listener, ultimately resulting in persuasion. However, these clauses must be created precisely, in a way similar to poetry, in order to maximize the effect. For example, paired sentences, phrases, or clauses must be created with equal structure in regards to verb and noun choice, along with both number of syllables and meter; according to Aristotle, the more ways in which these aspects match, the more persuasive the argument will be.^[3]

Using Parallel syntax among two clauses is known as an Isocolon, when among three clauses it is known as a Tricolon.^[4] Having similar syntactical structure among clauses or phrases helps the reader identify the similarity of ideas proposed within them.^[5]

Isocolon is made up of the Greek words iso (equal) and kolon (member), so each part or clause is the same length. A Tricolon has 3 clauses that do not need to be the same length. An Isocolon can be a Tricolon but a Tricolon cannot be an Isocolon.

Also, parallel syntax adds a figure of balance to sentences it is implemented into.^[6]

Parallel syntax is often used in conjunction with Antithesis, Anaphora, Asyndeton, Climax, Epistrophe and Symploce.^[6]

Examples

The English version of the Latin phrase cannot be an Isocolon because the third clause is not the same length as the first two. "Veni, vidi, vici" is both an Isocolon and a Tricolon, but "I came, I saw, I conquered" is only a Tricolon.

History

The first known instances of parallel syntax can be traced back to Aristotle in his book Rhetoric.^[7] Aristotle underlines the fact that it is very useful in persuasion to pair multiple sentences, each with very similar clauses and phrases to the point that they are equal or nearly equal in syllable count; Aristotle perfected this art by creating various examples to be cited in a very metrically organized way.^[3] However, although Aristotle did provide examples and a definition, there is evidence to support that he was simply not comfortable with the amount of power tied to the styling of sentences; with a proper design of sentence, Aristotle believed that one can wield incredible amounts of persuasive power.^[3]

References

1. ^"Parallel Structures in Syntax." Lingua 75.2 (1988): 275-87. Print.
2. ^¹{{cite journal|last1=Frazier|first1=Lyn|last2=Taft|first2=Lori|last3=Roeper|first3=Tom|last4=Clifton|first4=Charles|last5=Ehrlich|first5=Kate|title=Parallel Structure: A Source of Facilitation in Sentence Comprehension|journal=Memory & Cognition|date=March 29, 1984|volume=12|issue=5|pages=421–430|doi=10.3758/bf03198303}}
3. ^¹²{{cite journal|last1=Fahnestock|first1=Jeanne|title=Verbal and Visual Parallelism|journal=Written Communication|date=April 1, 2003|volume=20|issue=2|page=128|url=http://wcx.sagepub.com/content/20/2/123.full.pdf+html|accessdate=October 31, 2014}}
4. ^¹Farnsworth, Ward. Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric. 1st. Boston: David R. Godine, 2011. 74. Print.
5. ^Strunk, William. Elements of Style. Ithaca, N.Y.: Priv. print. [Geneva, N.Y.: Press of W.P. Humphrey], 1918; Bartleby.com, 1999. www.bartleby.com/141/.
6. ^¹Eidenmuller, Michael E. "Rhetorical Figures in Sound: Parallelism." Rhetorical Figures in Sound: Parallelism. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
7. ^{{cite journal|last1=Fahnestock|first1=Jeanne|title=Verbal and Visual Parallelism|journal=Written Communication|date=April 1, 2003|volume=20|issue=2|page=126|url=http://wcx.sagepub.com/content/20/2/123.full.pdf+html|accessdate=October 31, 2014}}