Application of Word Eloquence Pattern in the Process of Word Selection ‎through Writing

Writing is a tool for transferring of concepts, information and findings and it is subject to certain rules and principles in every language. Paying attention to the writing principles and avoidance of writing mistakes necessitate precise and systematic codification of the writing principles. One of these principles of systematic writing is paying attention to the smallest semantic unit, i.e. word, when writing. The recognition of the word and its proper application is the prelude to the correct writing. Offering an efficient pattern for the selection of the words assists correct writing. Word is the smallest part of writing and it plays an effective role in text formation. The coherent and principles connection of the words is of a considerable importance in writing. Failure in selecting correct words bars the advance to the next stage that is the very topic of coherent writing; therefore, correct writing depends on the precise and right selection and application of the words. In writing books, discussions on words are scattered about two parts, namely formal and lingual editions. In formal edition, the spelling method and cursive writing and block lettering are discussed. The discussion is solely related to the appearance of the words and the method of writing them. In lingual edition, as well, attention is directed at some wrong structures in writing of words; for example, words are discussed in discussions on various kinds of borrowing, serotyped writing, prolixity and so forth. But, an independent discussion regarding the principles of choice of word is missing from these books. Considering the importance of word selection and its being emphasized in rhetoric, enjoyment of such knowledge and, of course, its topics can set the ground appropriately for elucidating the principles of choice of word in Persian language.
There are discussions put forth in rhetoric that are significantly connected to the grammar and writing rules; some researchers have pointed to the relationship between grammar, semantics and their differences: “grammar predominantly discusses the dos and distinctions; but, rhetoric substantially deals with such topics as artistic applications and the more effective choices and probabilities … also, the discussions in semantics are mostly related to the meaning that can be somehow considered as spiritual aspects of grammatical issues” (Shamisa, 2014, 31). But, discussions about the link between rhetoric and writing are amongst the topics that have not been yet considered the way they deserve.
Verbal eloquence and fluency is amongst the discussions closely related to writing in rhetoric. Eloquence in rhetorical books is proposed in three levels, word eloquence, discourse eloquence and speaker’s fluency. In discussions on lexical eloquence, emphasis is made on the words’ meanings, grammatical dos and don’ts, lexical euphony and agreeableness of the lexical sounds as well as the application of the words and these topics are all closely associated with writing style, especially choice of word. In fact, the thing that is posited in rhetoric as “eloquence” is the discussion about the writing dos and don’ts. Some researchers believe that this part of rhetoric should be placed amongst the topics discussed in grammar (see also, Vafa’ei and Aghababa’ei, 2015: 46). Although such subjects as eloquence and its types feature grammatical infrastructure in some discussions (like opposition to the analogy). it is not completely matching with the grammatical rules and it is found interlaced with writing style in many of the cases.
Considering the importance of words in writing and knowing that the emphasis is made on the conditions of selecting an eloquent word in rhetoric, the present study takes advantage of lexical eloquence pattern to take into account certain conditions for word selection in Persian language. Of course, the conditions mentioned for lexical eloquence in rhetoric are more of an affirmative aspect and the issue has been criticized to some extent; but, these same affirmative properties guide us to the optimum pattern of word selection. According to the descriptions presented up to here, the primary study question is that can the word eloquence pattern in rhetoric be used to offer an efficient pattern of word selection? So, the objective of the present article becomes the investigation and analysis of word eloquence pattern in rhetoric and then applying it in word selection.
Pondering over the rhetorical books indicate that the rhetoricians have made suggestions for the proper selection and application of words that can be appropriate solutions for choice of words. It was made clear in an investigation of the word eloquence in rhetoric and taking it into consideration in word selection process that:- The thing that is proposed in rhetoric as “word eloquence” is a perfectly writing discussion that is intermixed in some of the cases with grammatical dos and don’ts.
- Many factors cause letter cacophony and discordance of words’ euphony amongst which lengths of words, types of consonants and vowels and their style of arrangement can be pointed out.
- Word lengthiness or combination in writing can cause damages to language in two respects: 1) it can cause pronunciation cacophonies and 2) discord the writing system of the language. Thus, the collocation of the letters is of a considerable importance in both speech and writing while, in the majority of the definitions provided for letter cacophony in rhetorical books, it has been to be connected with pronunciation. It seems that the term can also incorporate the inappropriate collocation of letters in writing system of the language.
- Although strangeness/novelty of the usage is mostly applied for the obsolete and abandoned words from the perspective of rhetoric, it can be expanded to the words that do not feature the required validity and applicability in the standard Persian language and are not authenticated by the language specialists. Disregarding the obsolete and unfamiliar words, other word groups can be considered as instances of strangeness of the usage, including stereotyped writing, strange exotic words, unfamiliar colloquial words and some homonyms.
- The discussion about opposition to the analogy in rhetoric is perfectly laid on the foundation of grammar and its most important examples in choice of word and word use areas pertain to two parts: 1) borrowing from Arabic and other languages; 2) lack of paying attention to the morphological and semantic rules of Persian language.
- Antipathia of audition overlaps with letter cacophony in pronunciation area and it encompasses the use of heinous and bad words in rhetoric.