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Article published In: Review of Cognitive Linguistics
Vol. 18:1 (2020) ► pp.244–274

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Delivering the unconventional across languages

A Cognitive Grammar analysis of nonce words in “Jabberwocky” and its Ukrainian renditions

 | Masaryk University
 | Tomas Bata University in Zlin
 | Rice University
Published online: 17 August 2020
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https://doi.org/10.1075/rcl.00058.lu
Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of nonce words that relies on Cognitive Grammar (CG) using the English version of “Jabberwocky” and its two Ukrainian renditions. We identify great variation among the versions, both inter-lingual and intra-lingual. In particular, not only do the versions differ greatly in terms of construal presented in CG terms, but there are various elements that do not, and simply cannot, get through between the English version and the Ukrainian ones. We accordingly propose that the use of Multiple-Parallel-Text (MultiParT) approach can not only help make generalizations across representative text producers within the same language but also allow one to investigate how different systems of human communication are equipped to produce unconventional meaning using its own conventionalized means, and that use of CG is capable of providing a reliable analytical framework with high descriptive adequacy. We also propose that a combination of MultiParT and CG may constitute an advantage in cross-linguistic research of literary semantics and cognitive poetics.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Translation and Cognitive Linguistics
  • 3.Background: Overview of CG in relation to word formation processes
    • 3.1Word formation in CG
    • 3.2Lexical blends from a CG perspective
  • 4.Choice of research materials and the Ukrainian versions of “Jabberwocky”
  • 5.A CG analysis of the first stanza of “Jabberwocky”
    • 5.1Carroll’s Jabberwocky, Lukaš’s Kurzu-verzu and Narižna’s Kaznahtun
    • 5.2Carroll’s brillig, Lukaš’s smažen’ and Narižna’s nadpečirok
    • 5.3Carroll’s slithy toves, Lukaš’s švymki jasky and Narižna’s boščurky
    • 5.4Carroll’s gyre and gimble, Lukaš-Malkovyč’s spiralyly and Narižna’s gryzryly
    • 5.5Carroll’s wabe, Lukaš’s kružvi and Narižna’s posogdi
    • 5.6Carroll’s borogoves, Lukaš’s psašky and Narižna’s švirky
    • 5.7Carroll’s mome and Lukaš’s dolovi
    • 5.8Carroll’s outgrabe
  • 6.Untranslatability, intratextuality and the descriptive adequacy of CG
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
  • Dictionaries
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