Syntagmatic structure
Encyclopedia
Syntagmatic structure is "the mode of time-awareness in which listeners are placed" such as 'narrative
', 'epic
', or 'lyrical
'.
For example, narrative structures feature a realistic temporal flow guided by tension and relaxation; they therefore privilege difference
. In Cubitt's words: "as diegesis
, songs speak to or address us by organizing a particular stretch of time into a conscious experience, and an experience of consciousness" (Cubitt 1984, p.216). In contrast, epic structures tend toward the opposite, privileging repetition
and thereby creating a myth
ic state of recurrence, which "empt[ies] out" the subject (ibid, p.216-17). Lyrical structures lie in between and feature symmetrical open/closed and binary form
s. (Middleton 1990, p.251 and 217)
A Syntagma is one syntactic or syntagmatic element. For example, repetition is a syntagma of epic structures.
In semiotics
, "syntagmatic analysis
" is analysis
of syntax
or surface structure (Syntagmatic structure), rather than paradigm
s as in paradigmatic analysis
. Analysis is often achieved through commutation test
s. (http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/sem04.html)
Narrative
A narrative is a constructive format that describes a sequence of non-fictional or fictional events. The word derives from the Latin verb narrare, "to recount", and is related to the adjective gnarus, "knowing" or "skilled"...
', 'epic
Epic poetry
An epic is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation. Oral poetry may qualify as an epic, and Albert Lord and Milman Parry have argued that classical epics were fundamentally an oral poetic form...
', or 'lyrical
Lyrical
The term lyrical may mean:*Lyrics, or words in songs*Lyrical dance, a style of dancing*Emotional, expressing strong feelings*Lyric poetry, poetry that expresses a subjective, personal point of view...
'.
For example, narrative structures feature a realistic temporal flow guided by tension and relaxation; they therefore privilege difference
Difference
Difference may refer to:* Difference , a 2005 power metal album* Difference , a concept in computer science* Difference , any systematic way of distinguishing similar coats of arms belonging to members of the same family* Difference , a statement about the relative size or order of two objects**...
. In Cubitt's words: "as diegesis
Diegesis
Diegesis is a style of representation in fiction and is:# the world in which the situations and events narrated occur; and# telling, recounting, as opposed to showing, enacting.In diegesis the narrator tells the story...
, songs speak to or address us by organizing a particular stretch of time into a conscious experience, and an experience of consciousness" (Cubitt 1984, p.216). In contrast, epic structures tend toward the opposite, privileging repetition
Repetition (rhetorical device)
Repetition is the simple repeating of a word, within a sentence or a poetical line, with no particular placement of the words, in order to emphasize. This is such a common literary device that it is almost never even noted as a figure of speech...
and thereby creating a myth
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
ic state of recurrence, which "empt[ies] out" the subject (ibid, p.216-17). Lyrical structures lie in between and feature symmetrical open/closed and binary form
Binary form
Binary form is a musical form in two related sections, both of which are usually repeated. Binary is also a structure used to choreograph dance....
s. (Middleton 1990, p.251 and 217)
A Syntagma is one syntactic or syntagmatic element. For example, repetition is a syntagma of epic structures.
In semiotics
Semiotics
Semiotics, also called semiotic studies or semiology, is the study of signs and sign processes , indication, designation, likeness, analogy, metaphor, symbolism, signification, and communication...
, "syntagmatic analysis
Syntagmatic analysis
In semiotics, syntagmatic analysis is analysis of syntax or surface structure as opposed to paradigms . This is often achieved using commutation tests ....
" is analysis
Semantic analysis (linguistics)
In linguistics, semantic analysis is the process of relating syntactic structures, from the levels of phrases, clauses, sentences and paragraphs to the level of the writing as a whole, to their language-independent meanings. It also involves removing features specific to particular linguistic and...
of syntax
Syntax
In linguistics, syntax is the study of the principles and rules for constructing phrases and sentences in natural languages....
or surface structure (Syntagmatic structure), rather than paradigm
Paradigm
The word paradigm has been used in science to describe distinct concepts. It comes from Greek "παράδειγμα" , "pattern, example, sample" from the verb "παραδείκνυμι" , "exhibit, represent, expose" and that from "παρά" , "beside, beyond" + "δείκνυμι" , "to show, to point out".The original Greek...
s as in paradigmatic analysis
Paradigmatic analysis
Paradigmatic analysis is the analysis of paradigms embedded in the text rather than of the surface structure of the text which is termed syntagmatic analysis. Paradigmatic analysis often uses commutation tests, i.e...
. Analysis is often achieved through commutation test
Commutation test (semiotics)
In semiotics, the commutation test is used to analyze a signifying system. The test identifies signifiers as well as their signifieds, value and significance.-The commutation test:...
s. (http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/sem04.html)
See also
- SyntaxSyntaxIn linguistics, syntax is the study of the principles and rules for constructing phrases and sentences in natural languages....
- Syntagmatic analysisSyntagmatic analysisIn semiotics, syntagmatic analysis is analysis of syntax or surface structure as opposed to paradigms . This is often achieved using commutation tests ....
- Paradigmatic analysisParadigmatic analysisParadigmatic analysis is the analysis of paradigms embedded in the text rather than of the surface structure of the text which is termed syntagmatic analysis. Paradigmatic analysis often uses commutation tests, i.e...
- SaussureSaussurePeople of the surname Saussure or de Saussure include* Horace-Bénédict de Saussure , Swiss physicist and Alpine traveller** Nicolas-Théodore de Saussure , chemist, son of Horace-Bénédict, and brother of Albertine...
- SemioticsSemioticsSemiotics, also called semiotic studies or semiology, is the study of signs and sign processes , indication, designation, likeness, analogy, metaphor, symbolism, signification, and communication...
- Commutation testCommutation test (semiotics)In semiotics, the commutation test is used to analyze a signifying system. The test identifies signifiers as well as their signifieds, value and significance.-The commutation test:...
Source
- Middleton, Richard (1990/2002). Studying Popular Music. Philadelphia: Open University Press. ISBN 0-335-15275-9.
- Cubitt, Sean (1984). Cited in Middleton (2002).