Oxymoron in language consciousness and communicative practice

Abstract

The paper deals with a stylistic figure «oxymoron» which expresses a polar contradiction of concepts. Sematic and pragmatic properties of this stylistic device have been described. Semantically, simple and complicated (metaphoric) types of oxymoron may be singled out. Simple oxymorons include occasional units made by combinations of affixes or roots with contradictory meanings in compound words. Standard attributive nominal collocations make the majority of oxymorons. The simplest type of such collocations is a single-root word combination with a negative prefix for a part of the dyadic unit. Elaborated oxymorons are formed with constructions formed on the basis of the formula «Though A, but B» (e. g. They have never lost a chance to lose a chance). A special subgroup of oxymorons is made of words including a negative component which is not directly expressed in the affix. Oxymorons are often used as headlines because of their high energetic potential. Another subgroup of the figures in question may be defined as metaphoric oxymorons, both parts of their dyadic unit is semantically transformed. A pragmatic approach to a description of oxymorons makes it possible to characterize the main text types attracting such stylistic figures. Pragmatically, ironical, emblematic and symbolic varieties of this stylistic figure are described. I argue that in habitual and publicist communication oxymoron is used for a comical effect, whereas in aphorisms and poetry it aims to paradoxically express a new meaning.