Parataxis

Parataxis is a literary technique, in writing or speaking, that favors short, simple sentences, with the use of coordinating rather than subordinating conjunctions (from Greek for 'act of placing side by side'; from para, 'beside' and tassein, 'to arrange'; contrasted to syntaxis or hypotaxis).

It is also used to describe a technique in poetry in which two images or fragments, usually starkly dissimilar images or fragments, are juxtaposed without a clear connection. Readers are then left to make their own connections implied by the paratactic syntax. Ezra Pound, in his adaptation of Chinese and Japanese poetry, made the stark juxtaposition of images an important part of English language poetry.

Origin of the term

Edward Morris wrote in 1901 that the term was introduced into linguistics by Friedrich Thiersch in his Greek Grammar (1831). The concept has expanded since then, and a number of definitions have emerged, often conflicting.

Meaning

Parataxis may be considered from three points of view:

Parataxis (politics)

Parataxis (Παράταξις) is a term used in the Politics of Greece to refer to a political family or partisan camp grouped around a certain major idea.

This term is often used in the names of political coalitions and alliances, such as Parataxis Agroton kai Ergazomenon (Camp of Farmers and Workers, 1950 elections), Politiki Anexartitos Parataxis (Politically Independent Camp, 1950 elections), Parataxis Kentrou (Center Camp), Ethniki Parataxis (National Camp, formed in 1977, far right), Inomeni Parataxis Ethnikofronon ("United Camp of National-Thinkers", or "United Patriotic Party" conservative), Dimokratiki Parataxis (1950 elections).

Constantine Karamanlis, in his proclamation on the foundation of his party New Democracy and later preferred describe it as parataxis, to put a distance from his pre-coup party Ethniki Rizospastiki Enosis and to hint a broader participation.

References

Parataxis (disambiguation)

Parataxis is a literary technique, in writing or speaking, that favors short, simple phrases, often without the use of conjunctions.

Parataxis or paratactic may also refer to: