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Showing posts from July 10, 2025

Understanding Practical Criticism with examples

What is Practical Criticism? Practical criticism is a method of analyzing and interpreting a literary text without knowing anything about the author, historical background, or context. You read the text as it is and form your opinion based only on what is written in the text. This approach was developed by I.A. Richards in the 1920s to help students understand poetry better. He gave them anonymous poems (no author name, no background info) and asked them to analyze the poems just by reading and thinking about the words, tone, and style. ๐ŸŸข Key Features of Practical Criticism: Focus only on the words in the text . No need for author biography or historical knowledge. Look at the language, style, imagery, tone, and structure . You become a kind of detective, finding meaning in the text itself . ๐ŸŸฉ Example 1: A Short Poem Let’s take a simple 2-line poem: "So dawn goes down to day, Nothing gold can stay." — Robert Frost Practical Criticism Approach: Theme ...

Types of Dhvani (with easy examples)

๐ŸŒŸ What is Dhvani ? Dhvani means suggestion in poetry. It is the hidden or indirect meaning — something the poet does not say directly, but we still understand it. Types of Dhvani   1. Vastu Dhvani (Idea Suggestion) What it is: When the poet suggests an idea or fact without saying it clearly. Example: "The lotus closed its petals, and the bees flew away." What it really means: It’s evening time — the poet is not saying it directly, but we understand it through nature. 2. Alaแน…kฤra Dhvani (Figure of Speech Suggestion) What it is: When the poet suggests a simile , metaphor , or other beautiful expression ( figure of speech ) without saying it clearly. Example: "Her face shines brighter than the full moon." What it really means: He is comparing her face to the moon — a metaphor or simile is suggested. 3. Rasa Dhvani (Emotion Suggestion) What it is: When the poet suggests a feeling or emotion — like love, sadness, happiness...

The synchronic and diachronic study of language by Ferdinand de Saussure

The synchronic and diachronic study of language are two important approaches in linguistics introduced by Ferdinand de Saussure , the father of modern linguistics. Here's a clear explanation in easy language with examples: ๐Ÿ”น Synchronic Study of Language Definition: The synchronic study of language focuses on a language at a particular point in time — usually the present . It studies how the language functions as a system right now , without worrying about how it has changed over time. Key Points: Looks at language as it is . Treats language as a complete system at a specific time. Ignores historical development. Common in modern structural linguistics . Example: If we study English grammar as it is used today , like how present tense or passive voice works in modern English, that’s a synchronic study. For instance, we study how “He goes to school” is structured in today's English — subject + verb + object. ๐Ÿ”น Diachronic Study of Language Definition: T...

Langue and Parole – By Ferdinand de Saussure

Ferdinand de Saussure , a Swiss linguist, introduced the terms langue and parole in his book Course in General Linguistics (1916). These two concepts are very important in the study of language and are central to structuralist theory . 1. Langue (Language System) Definition : Langue is the system of language — the set of rules, grammar, vocabulary, and conventions shared by a speech community. Features : It is social , not personal. It is fixed and structured . It exists in the minds of speakers . It is not spoken directly , but it is the base that makes speech possible. Example : In English, we know the rule that a sentence like: "She goes to school." is correct according to subject-verb agreement rules . This rule is part of langue . Similarly, all English speakers understand what the word “tree” means — this common understanding comes from langue . 2. Parole (Speech or Utterance) Definition : Parole is the individual and actual use of ...