Semantic Study of Different Forms of Rhetorical Apostrophe and their Functions

Apostrophe is a figure of speech by which the poet breaks away from the common form of enunciation. It has also a very effective role in awakening and absorbing the audience. In many Arabic and Persian books on rhetoric, apostrophe is referred to as a “change of view”. There are a few types of apostrophe each of which can be studied in two areas of rhetoric (badi’ & ma’āni) and grammar. Considering the wide implications of the concept, this article has tried to suggest a new definition and to come up with a clear distinction of various forms of apostrophe. Making much of the advantages of the traditional books on rhetoric, the present study also aims to point to new aspects of the concept such as defamiliarization, deviation, text coherence, artistic ambiguity…. The article has shown that the traditional badi’ with its outdated approach can no longer address the needs of contemporary literature. Therefore, a comprehensive critical analysis of badi’ figures including the apostrophe seems to be inevitable.