Linguistics. Poetics. Cinema. - Roman Jakobson

Roman Jakobson's Linguistics. Poetics. Cinema. is a seminal work in the field of structuralism. First published in 1966, the book has been translated into more than 20 languages and continues to be a major influence on scholars in a wide range of disciplines, including linguistics, literary criticism, film studies, and semiotics.

In Linguistics. Poetics. Cinema., Jakobson argues that language, poetry, and cinema are all forms of communication that share a common underlying structure. He identifies six basic functions of language, which he calls "factors":

The referential function refers to the use of language to represent the world around us.
The emotive function refers to the use of language to express our emotions.
The conative function refers to the use of language to influence the behavior of others.
The phatic function refers to the use of language to establish and maintain social contact.
The metalingual function refers to the use of language to talk about language itself.
The poetic function refers to the use of language to create aesthetic pleasure.

Jakobson argues that these six functions are present in all forms of communication, but that they are emphasized to different degrees in different contexts. For example, the referential function is dominant in scientific discourse, while the emotive function is dominant in poetry.

Jakobson's theory of language has been influential in a wide range of fields, including literary criticism, film studies, and semiotics. In literary criticism, Jakobson's work has been used to analyze the structure of poems, plays, and novels. In film studies, Jakobson's work has been used to analyze the relationship between image and sound. In semiotics, Jakobson's work has been used to develop a general theory of signs and symbols.

Linguistics. Poetics. Cinema. is a challenging and rewarding book that offers a new way of thinking about language and communication. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the study of language, literature, film, or semiotics.

Why You Should Read Linguistics. Poetics. Cinema.

There are many reasons why you should read Linguistics. Poetics. Cinema. Here are a few:

It is a classic work of structuralism. Structuralism is a major intellectual movement that has had a profound impact on the study of language, literature, film, and other forms of communication. Jakobson's book is one of the most important works of structuralism, and it provides a clear and concise introduction to the key concepts of this movement.
It offers a new way of thinking about language and communication. Jakobson's theory of language is based on the idea that language is a system of signs that can be used to represent the world around us, express our emotions, influence the behavior of others, and create aesthetic pleasure. This theory provides a powerful new way of understanding how language works and how it is used in different contexts.
It is a rich source of insights into the nature of poetry and cinema. Jakobson's analysis of poetry and cinema is based on his theory of language, and it offers a number of valuable insights into the structure and meaning of these art forms. For example, Jakobson argues that poetry is characterized by the use of language to create aesthetic pleasure, while cinema is characterized by the use of images and sounds to create a sense of reality.
It is a challenging and rewarding book. Linguistics. Poetics. Cinema. is not an easy book to read, but it is a rewarding one. Jakobson's writing is dense and complex, but it is also clear and concise. If you are willing to put in the effort, you will be rewarded with a deep understanding of language and communication.

How to Get the Most Out of Linguistics. Poetics. Cinema.

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of Linguistics. Poetics. Cinema.:

Read the book slowly and carefully. Jakobson's writing is dense and complex, so it is important to read the book slowly and carefully. Make sure you understand each sentence before you move on to the next one.
Take notes as you read. Taking notes will help you to remember the key points of the book and to track your progress.
Look up unfamiliar terms. If you come across a term that you don't understand, look it up in a dictionary or encyclopedia.
Discuss the book with others. Discussing the book with others will help you to deepen your understanding of the material and to get different perspectives on the book.

Conclusion

Linguistics. Poetics. Cinema. is a classic work of structuralism that offers a new way of thinking about language and communication. It is a challenging and rewarding book that is sure to benefit anyone interested in the study of language, literature, film, or semiotics.