The Use of Common Phrases in Poetry: Exploring the Circulation of Meaning

The Use of Common Phrases in Poetry: Exploring the Circulation of Meaning

Introduction

Intertextuality in poetry has gained increasing interest, although its presence may be less tangible than in other literary genres. Poets and readers are now aware that a poem refers to other texts, whether they are their own or someone else's. In this article, we will explore the use of common phrases in poetry, specifically focusing on how they circulate meaning from fixed expressions, modified or not, mostly derived from familiar and popular language, to the poem itself. We will also observe how this back-and-forth movement between colloquial speech and poetry often occurs through short poetic forms, such as reduced syllables or single-line poems.

The Power of Fixed Expressions

The use of fixed expressions, also known as clichés or idioms, is the result of a crystallization of a moment, an ingenious spark, and an economy of language. These expressions are particularly prevalent in the works of social poets who find in colloquial speech a way to reformulate their message of social critique. Poets like Otero, Celaya, Ángel González, Gil de Biedma, or Gloria Fuertes have embraced colloquial language to convey their social criticism effectively. For example, Gloria Fuertes once wrote, "I started writing how I spoke." This colloquiality is often evident in the titles of their works, emphasizing the necessary informality of the poem.

Modification of Fixed Expressions

In examining the modification of fixed expressions in poetry, we find that approximately half of these expressions have been altered, while the other half appears unchanged, albeit often "decontextualized" or reinvested with a tropic device, such as irony or paradox, or through wordplay. This mechanism allows fixed expressions to maintain their figurative character or to create a catachresis, which involves naming one thing with another word to revitalize it. Sometimes, an unmodified fixed expression takes on a new meaning by interposing itself in a particular wordplay. By not having sufficient semantic connections between the three words, the focus shifts to the phonetic and semantic connotations, giving rise to playful interpretations.

Effects of Modification

Although the modification of fixed expressions in poetry cannot be mistaken for a rhetorical figure, it often shares the same motivation for defixation. Alteration is achieved by deconstructing part of its idiomatic fixity to restore the "compositional" (literal) reading or by adding, subtracting, permuting, inverting, or rearranging elements—both internal and external to the fixed expression. Furthermore, various locutions can be combined or non-idiomatic elements can be interpolated into the expression. While not a rhetorical figure, the motivation for defixation is often the same as that of other rhetorical devices. The alteration of fixed expressions allows for a renewal of clichés and a recontextualization of their meaning.

Wordplay in Poetry

Additionally, poets often employ wordplay in their works, using clichés, stereotypes, and catachresis as expressive images of intertextuality. While clichés can sometimes be banal due to their widespread usage, they can still be revitalized in poetry through inventive recontextualization. Irony, parody, and other rhetorical figures are used by poets to incorporate fixed expressions with or without modifications, adding a new dimension to the prevailing social criticism in their works.

The Palimpsestic Nature of Poetry

Poetry can be seen as a palimpsest, a superimposition of writings and intersecting meanings, with none completely erased. The incorporation of fixed expressions, modified or not, with other intertextual elements creates a fusion of multiple texts and senses. The poet's reenunciation of the proverb, the fixed expression, or the intertext, whether modified or not, is a rearticulation of their own discourse.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of common phrases in poetry is a powerful tool for poets to convey their message and create poetic effects. By modifying fixed expressions, poets can breathe new life into clichés and renew their meaning. Incorporating wordplay and intertextuality further enriches the poem, turning it into a palimpsest of multiple texts and senses. To harness the power of common phrases in your own poetry, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace colloquial language: Experiment with incorporating familiar and popular language into your poems to add a touch of authenticity and social critique.

2. Modify fixed expressions: Explore the alteration of fixed expressions to breathe new life into clichés and create poetic effects through wordplay and intertextuality.

3. Combine different intertextual elements: Incorporate various intertextual elements, such as modified fixed expressions, wordplay, and rhetorical figures, to create a layered and nuanced poetic discourse.

By following these pieces of advice, you can enhance your poetry with the circulation of meaning and create a dynamic interplay between language, culture, and social critique.