Foregrounding in Stylistics and Linguistics

Foregrounding is a central concept in stylistics and linguistics that deals with how certain
elements of a text are made more prominent than others. It is derived from the Russian
Formalists’ theory of "defamiliarization" (ostranenie), where language is manipulated in a way
that forces the reader to view something in a new and unusual light. The term was developed
further by Jan Mukarovsky, a member of the Prague School of Linguistics, who described
foregrounding as the process of making linguistic features "more prominent," often through
deviation from everyday language norms or by reinforcing patterns through repetition.
Foregrounding helps in shaping the aesthetic and emotional response of readers or listeners by
drawing attention to specific features of the text.

Theoretical Foundations of Foregrounding

Foregrounding is rooted in the broader theory of defamiliarization, introduced by Viktor

Shklovsky in his essay "Art as Technique" (1917). According to Shklovsky, ordinary language
becomes so habitual that people stop noticing its effects; defamiliarization, and thus
foregrounding, forces readers to become aware of language and its structures again.
Mukarovsky expanded this concept by applying it specifically to literature, where he observed
that certain elements of a text stand out and command attention due to their departure from
or reinforcement of linguistic norms.

Foregrounding operates on the principle that readers or listeners expect language to behave in
predictable ways. When this expectation is broken or exaggerated, it creates a heightened
awareness of the language, making readers engage more deeply with the text. The effect of
foregrounding is often emotional or aesthetic, as it encourages a more immersive experience
and a more active interpretation of meaning.

Types of Foregrounding
Foregrounding occurs through two primary mechanisms: deviation and parallelism. These
mechanisms can work together or independently to create emphasis, engagement, and
meaning.

1. Deviation (Departure from Norms)

Deviation occurs when a writer or speaker breaks away from the regular, expected patterns of
language. This can happen at various levels of language, such as vocabulary, syntax, phonology,
or semantics. The unexpected use of language draws attention to specific parts of the text,
creating a sense of novelty, surprise, or emphasis. Deviation can occur at several levels:

Lexical Deviation: This involves using unusual or unfamiliar words, or creating new words
(neologisms). Lexical deviation also includes using words in an unexpected context or
combining words in unusual ways, which can evoke new meanings or associations.

Example: In James Joyce’s Ulysses, Joyce coined new words such as "quark," which later
became a term in physics. The innovation forces the reader to pause and consider the new
word's meaning and impact.

Grammatical Deviation: This is the deliberate breaking of grammatical rules. Authors may alter
sentence structures, manipulate verb tenses, or disrupt word order to create emphasis or
reflect particular themes or moods.

Example: E.E. Cummings’ poetry frequently breaks grammatical conventions. In “anyone lived
in a pretty how town,” he inverts word order to create a rhythmic, childlike tone while also
inviting deeper reflection on the content.

Phonological Deviation: This involves altering expected sound patterns, including rhyme,
rhythm, or meter, which can create emphasis or suggest meaning through sound. Deviations in
pronunciation or stress patterns can also be used to highlight certain parts of a text.
Example: Dylan Thomas’ poem “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” deviates from
common speech patterns through its use of intricate meter and rhyme, creating a heightened
emotional tone and sense of urgency.

Graphological Deviation: The visual presentation of a text can also be manipulated to create
foregrounding. This includes unusual punctuation, capitalization, and spacing.

Example: In George Herbert’s poem "Easter Wings," the poem is shaped like a pair of wings.
The graphological layout emphasizes the theme of spiritual ascent and decline, adding a visual
dimension to the meaning.

Semantic Deviation: When words are used in an unusual way that contradicts normal
expectations, it is a form of semantic deviation. This includes the use of paradoxes, oxymorons,
or metaphors that challenge common logic or perceptions.

Example: Shakespeare’s phrase “sweet sorrow” from Romeo and Juliet is an oxymoron that
fuses contradictory feelings, highlighting the complexity of the characters' emotions.

Dialectal Deviation: Writers may employ non-standard dialects or regional variations to deviate
from linguistic norms, often to achieve realism, build character, or emphasize cultural
differences.

Example: In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain uses the Southern dialect to
distinguish different characters and add authenticity to their speech, which also brings regional
diversity to the forefront.

2. Parallelism (Repetition of Patterns)

Unlike deviation, which breaks norms, parallelism reinforces them through repetition.
Parallelism involves repeating linguistic structures or patterns, which creates emphasis,
enhances rhythm, and brings a sense of balance and coherence to the text. By repeating forms,
parallelism makes particular ideas, words, or themes stand out.

Phonological Parallelism: This includes the repetition of sounds, such as alliteration, assonance,
and consonance. Rhyme schemes or repeated rhythmic patterns also contribute to
phonological parallelism.

Example: “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” (alliteration with the repetition of the
'p' sound).

Syntactic Parallelism: Involves repeating sentence structures. It enhances readability and

creates a formal, memorable structure. This form of parallelism is often found in speeches and
poetry.

Example: Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous line “I have a dream…” repeats the same syntactic
structure, making his ideas more memorable and rhythmic.

Lexical Parallelism: Refers to the repetition of specific words or phrases, which can reinforce a
theme or concept within the text.

Example: In the Bible, Psalm 23, the phrase “The Lord is my shepherd” is an example of lexical
parallelism that reinforces the central idea of divine guidance.

Semantic Parallelism: This occurs when similar ideas or concepts are repeated, often with slight
variations, to emphasize particular meanings or contrasts.

Example: Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities opens with the line “It was the best of times, it
was the worst of times,” which uses semantic parallelism to highlight the contradictory nature
of the historical period.
Functions and Effects of Foregrounding

The use of foregrounding serves several functions:

1. Defamiliarization: By making language unfamiliar or strange, foregrounding forces readers to

reconsider the content and meaning of the text. This reawakens the audience’s perception of
the world, leading to a deeper, more engaged reading experience.

Reference: Viktor Shklovsky's concept of defamiliarization argues that art exists to make the
familiar unfamiliar, allowing individuals to perceive the world with fresh eyes. Foregrounding
achieves this by altering how language is processed.

2. Emphasis: Foregrounding highlights important elements of the text, drawing the reader’s
attention to key ideas, emotions, or themes. Deviation can create a sense of surprise or
intensity, while parallelism can reinforce themes or ideas.

3. Aesthetic Experience: By manipulating language in creative ways, foregrounding enhances

the aesthetic qualities of the text. This is particularly evident in poetry, where sound, rhythm,
and meaning interact to produce a powerful emotional or intellectual response.

4. Meaning Generation: Through foregrounding, texts often generate deeper or more complex
meanings. By disrupting the normal flow of language or emphasizing certain patterns, authors
encourage readers to interpret multiple layers of significance.

5. Cognitive and Emotional Engagement: Foregrounding compels readers to pay closer

attention to the text, engaging both cognitive and emotional faculties. The reader's mental
engagement is heightened as they work to decode the unfamiliar language or recognize the
effects of repetition.

Conclusion

Foregrounding is a powerful stylistic tool used to manipulate language in order to produce

heightened emotional, intellectual, or aesthetic responses from readers. By employing
deviation and parallelism, writers can break linguistic norms or emphasize particular patterns,
leading to new interpretations and deeper engagement. Whether through defamiliarization or
reinforcement of patterns, foregrounding remains a central mechanism in the study of literary
texts, contributing to the richness and depth of meaning in language.

References:

1. Mukarovsky, Jan. Aesthetic Function, Norm and Value as Social Facts. 1936.

2. Shklovsky, Viktor. "Art as Technique." Russian Formalist Criticism: Four Essays. 1917.

3. Short, Mick. Exploring the Language of Poems, Plays and Prose. Longman, 1996.

4. Leech, Geoffrey. A Linguistic Guide to English Poetry. Longman, 1969.