Centre for Research in Reasoning, Argumentation & Rhetoric along with the PhD in Argumentation Studies at the University of Windsor invite you to a talk by
Dr. Randy Harris
English Language and Literature, University of Waterloo
“Words, Words, Words: The Secret Life of Ploke”
Abstract: Ploke, the scheme of perfect lexical repetition, is utterly fundamental to language and thought. If that sounds like someone talking about metaphor, it is because ploke is to schemes as metaphor is to tropes. Like metaphor, ploke is the linguistic reflex of a neurocognitive pattern bias (repetition to metaphor’s similitude). Like metaphor, ploke is not a single figure but many (epanaphora, epiphora and epizeuxis, for instance, to metaphor’s personification, anthropomorphism, and reification). Like metaphor, there are ‘dead’ ploke as well as live ploke (for instance, the number of repeated instances of ploke and metaphor in this abstract that likely escaped your figurative notice, the way leg of a table and head of lettuce regularly escape our figurative notice). Metaphor is said to sponsor analogy; ploke sponsors precision. More generally, ploke certifies stability of reference, on which all argumentation—and, beyond argumentation, all language—depend.
Friday, October 11, 2019
3:00pm
Chrysler Hall North, 1163
All are welcome