Roman Jakobson – Life, Literary Theory and Poetics
Roman Jakobson – Life, Literary Theory and Poetics
Introduction
Roman Jakobson (1896–1982) was one of the most influential figures in Russian Formalism, Structuralism, linguistics, and literary theory. His work helped establish a strong connection between language and literature.
Jakobson believed that literary studies should pay close attention to the structure and functioning of language. His ideas about poetic language, the functions of language, metaphor and metonymy, and communication became highly influential in modern literary criticism.
For students of UGC NET, SET, university examinations, and English Literature, Jakobson is an important theorist to study because his ideas connect Russian Formalism with Structuralism.
1. Who Was Roman Jakobson?
Roman Jakobson was born in Moscow in 1896.
He became an important member of the Russian Formalist movement and later played a major role in the development of Structuralist linguistics.
His intellectual career can broadly be connected with:
Russian Formalism
Linguistics
Structuralism
Poetics
Semiotics
Communication theory
Jakobson worked with several important intellectual groups and scholars, including Viktor Shklovsky and Nikolai Trubetzkoy.
He later moved to Europe and eventually to the United States, where he continued his academic work.
He died in 1982.
2. Roman Jakobson and Russian Formalism
Jakobson was closely associated with the Russian Formalist movement.
Russian Formalism developed in the early twentieth century and focused on the literary qualities of literature.
Instead of asking primarily:
What did the author intend?
Formalists asked:
What makes a text literary?
Jakobson was particularly interested in language and poetic structure.
He helped popularize the concept of literariness, meaning the qualities that make a verbal work literary.
Key idea:
Literature is distinguished by the special organization of language.
3. Jakobson and the Study of Poetics
One of Jakobson's most important contributions is his understanding of poetics.
For Jakobson, poetics is concerned with the question:
What makes a verbal message a work of art?
He argued that literary language draws attention to its own form.
For example, poetry may emphasize:
rhyme
rhythm
repetition
sound
parallelism
word choice
grammatical patterns
structural relationships
Therefore, literary language cannot be studied only for what it communicates.
We must also study how the message is constructed.
4. The Poetic Function of Language
Jakobson's famous theory of the six functions of language is one of the most important topics for examinations.
According to Jakobson, communication involves six major elements:
Addresser
Message
Addressee
Context
Contact
Code
Corresponding to these are six functions of language.
| Element | Function |
|---|---|
| Context | Referential |
| Addresser | Emotive |
| Addressee | Conative |
| Contact | Phatic |
| Code | Metalingual |
| Message | Poetic |
5. Six Functions of Language
1. Referential Function
The referential function focuses on the context or subject matter.
It provides information about something.
Example:
The examination begins at 10 a.m.
The emphasis is on factual information.
Key word:
Context
2. Emotive Function
The emotive function focuses on the speaker or addresser.
It expresses feelings, emotions, or attitudes.
Example:
What a beautiful day!
The speaker's emotional response is emphasized.
Key word:
Addresser
3. Conative Function
The conative function focuses on the listener or addressee.
It attempts to influence or direct the receiver.
Example:
Please close the door.
The emphasis is on the person being addressed.
Key word:
Addressee
4. Phatic Function
The phatic function focuses on maintaining or establishing contact between speaker and listener.
Examples:
Hello!
Can you hear me?
Are you there?
The purpose is often to establish or maintain communication rather than convey new information.
Key word:
Contact
5. Metalingual Function
The metalingual function focuses on the code or language itself.
It occurs when we use language to explain language.
Example:
What does the word "defamiliarization" mean?
The language system itself becomes the subject of discussion.
Key word:
Code
6. Poetic Function
The poetic function focuses on the message itself.
This is especially important in literature.
The poetic function draws attention to:
words
sounds
rhythm
repetition
parallelism
structure
patterns
Example:
The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew.
The language attracts attention not merely because of its meaning but because of its sound, rhythm, repetition, and structure.
Most important examination point:
Poetic function = Focus on the message for its own sake.
However, the poetic function is not restricted only to poetry. It can occur in advertisements, slogans, political speeches, ordinary conversation, and other forms of communication whenever attention is drawn strongly to the form of the message.
7. The Famous Jakobson Communication Model
Jakobson developed a communication model consisting of six components:
Addresser → Message → Addressee
with:
Context
Contact
Code
The six functions correspond to these components.
Easy Memory Trick
Context – Referential
Speaker – Emotive
Listener – Conative
Contact – Phatic
Code – Metalingual
Message – Poetic
8. Jakobson's Famous Formula of Poetics
Jakobson's famous statement is:
“The poetic function projects the principle of equivalence from the axis of selection into the axis of combination.”
This is a highly important UGC NET point.
To understand this, we need to understand selection and combination.
9. Axis of Selection
The axis of selection refers to choosing words from among possible alternatives.
For example, we might choose:
beautiful
lovely
attractive
wonderful
These words belong to a field of possible choices.
Selection operates through similarity and equivalence.
10. Axis of Combination
The axis of combination refers to putting selected words together in a sequence.
For example:
The beautiful flower blooms.
The words are combined to form a sentence.
Combination operates through contiguity or sequential relationship.
11. Selection and Combination
Jakobson connects these linguistic principles with literary language.
Selection
Choosing among alternatives.
Combination
Arranging the chosen elements.
In poetry, patterns of similarity may be projected onto the sequence of words.
This produces effects such as:
rhyme
rhythm
alliteration
repetition
parallelism
meter
Therefore, poetic language makes the structure of the message particularly noticeable.
12. Metaphor and Metonymy
Jakobson also made an important distinction between metaphor and metonymy.
This idea became influential in Structuralism.
Metaphor
Metaphor is based mainly on similarity.
One thing is associated with another because they share some quality or resemblance.
Example:
He is a lion.
The person is compared to a lion because of qualities such as courage or strength.
Associated with:
Selection
Similarity
Substitution
13. Metonymy
Metonymy is based mainly on contiguity or association.
One thing is referred to through something closely connected with it.
Example:
The crown announced a new policy.
Here, "crown" refers to the monarch or monarchy.
Associated with:
Combination
Contiguity
Association
14. Metaphoric and Metonymic Poles
Jakobson argued that metaphor and metonymy represent two fundamental poles of language.
Metaphoric pole
Based on:
similarity
selection
substitution
Metonymic pole
Based on:
contiguity
combination
association
This distinction later influenced literary criticism, linguistics, semiotics, and Structuralism.
15. Jakobson and Literariness
One of the central concerns of Russian Formalism was literariness.
Literariness means the distinctive qualities that make a text literary.
Jakobson emphasized the organization of language.
A literary text may foreground:
sound
rhythm
repetition
parallel structures
unusual syntax
figurative language
patterns of linguistic equivalence
Thus, literary language is not simply ordinary language.
It organizes language in a distinctive way.
16. Jakobson and Defamiliarization
Jakobson's work can be connected with the Formalist concept of defamiliarization, developed especially by Viktor Shklovsky.
Defamiliarization makes familiar things appear strange or unusual.
Jakobson similarly emphasized the importance of the special organization of literary language.
Therefore:
Shklovsky → Defamiliarization
Jakobson → Poetic function and linguistic structure
Both are important figures in Russian Formalism.
17. Jakobson and Structuralism
Jakobson's linguistic theories played an important role in the development of Structuralism.
His work helped move literary studies toward the examination of:
systems
structures
relationships
linguistic patterns
binary oppositions
signs
His linguistic approach influenced later thinkers such as Claude Lévi-Strauss and other Structuralists.
Jakobson therefore serves as an important bridge between:
Russian Formalism → Structuralism
18. Jakobson and Ferdinand de Saussure
Jakobson's work is closely related to the linguistic ideas of Ferdinand de Saussure.
Saussure emphasized the systematic nature of language.
Important Saussurean concepts include:
Signifier
Signified
Langue
Parole
Synchronic analysis
Diachronic analysis
Jakobson developed linguistic analysis in ways that became important for Structuralist literary theory.
19. Jakobson and Binary Oppositions
Structuralist thinking often examines relationships between opposites.
Examples include:
life / death
male / female
nature / culture
presence / absence
speech / writing
Jakobson's linguistic work, especially his study of distinctive features in phonology, contributed to the Structuralist emphasis on difference and opposition.
20. Important Works of Roman Jakobson
Some important works associated with Jakobson include:
1. “Art as Technique”
Jakobson was associated with the Formalist discussion of literary language, although students should remember that the essay “Art as Technique” (1917) was written by Viktor Shklovsky, not Jakobson.
2. “Linguistics and Poetics”
One of Jakobson's most important essays.
It presents his famous:
Six functions of language
Communication model
Poetic function
Theory of verbal art
3. “Two Aspects of Language and Two Types of Aphasic Disturbances”
This work discusses the distinction between:
metaphor
metonymy
and connects them with linguistic processes.
4. “Closing Statement: Linguistics and Poetics”
This is associated with Jakobson's discussion of linguistics and poetics and is frequently studied in literary theory courses.
21. Important Terms Associated with Jakobson
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Literariness | Qualities that make a text literary |
| Poetic Function | Focus on the message |
| Referential | Focus on context |
| Emotive | Focus on speaker |
| Conative | Focus on listener |
| Phatic | Focus on contact |
| Metalingual | Focus on code |
| Selection | Choice among alternatives |
| Combination | Arrangement of selected elements |
| Metaphor | Similarity |
| Metonymy | Contiguity |
| Poetics | Study of verbal art |
22. Roman Jakobson – UGC NET Important One-Liners
Roman Jakobson was an important Russian Formalist and linguist.
Jakobson made major contributions to linguistics and poetics.
His famous essay “Linguistics and Poetics” discusses the functions of language.
Jakobson identifies six functions of language.
The poetic function focuses on the message.
The referential function focuses on context.
The emotive function focuses on the addresser.
The conative function focuses on the addressee.
The phatic function focuses on contact.
The metalingual function focuses on the code.
Jakobson connects poetry with the principle of equivalence.
Selection is associated with similarity.
Combination is associated with contiguity.
Metaphor is associated with similarity.
Metonymy is associated with contiguity.
Jakobson helped connect Russian Formalism with Structuralism.
“Art as Technique” was written by Viktor Shklovsky, not Jakobson.
23. UGC NET MCQs
1. Who is associated with the six functions of language?
A. Jacques Derrida
B. Roman Jakobson
C. Michel Foucault
D. Terry Eagleton
Answer: B. Roman Jakobson
2. The poetic function primarily focuses on:
A. Context
B. Speaker
C. Message
D. Listener
Answer: C. Message
3. The referential function focuses on:
A. Context
B. Contact
C. Code
D. Addressee
Answer: A. Context
4. The emotive function focuses on:
A. Message
B. Addresser
C. Code
D. Context
Answer: B. Addresser
5. The conative function focuses on:
A. Addressee
B. Message
C. Code
D. Context
Answer: A. Addressee
6. The phatic function is associated with:
A. Context
B. Contact
C. Message
D. Code
Answer: B. Contact
7. The metalingual function focuses on:
A. Code
B. Speaker
C. Listener
D. Context
Answer: A. Code
8. Metaphor is primarily associated with:
A. Contiguity
B. Similarity
C. Contact
D. Context
Answer: B. Similarity
9. Metonymy is primarily associated with:
A. Similarity
B. Contiguity
C. Emotion
D. Poetic function
Answer: B. Contiguity
10. “The poetic function projects the principle of equivalence...” is associated with:
A. Roman Jakobson
B. Viktor Shklovsky
C. Ferdinand de Saussure
D. Roland Barthes
Answer: A. Roman Jakobson
24. Quick Revision
Roman Jakobson
Movement: Russian Formalism → Structuralism
Major field: Linguistics and Poetics
Famous essay: “Linguistics and Poetics”
Major theory: Six Functions of Language
Poetic Function: Focus on Message
Referential: Context
Emotive: Addresser
Conative: Addressee
Phatic: Contact
Metalingual: Code
Metaphor: Similarity / Selection
Metonymy: Contiguity / Combination
Important bridge: Russian Formalism → Structuralism
Conclusion
Roman Jakobson occupies a crucial position in twentieth-century literary theory. His work demonstrates how linguistics can be used to understand literature.
His concept of the poetic function, his six functions of language, and his distinction between metaphor and metonymy are especially important for literary studies.
For examination preparation, remember this central chain:
Jakobson → Linguistics → Poetics → Six Functions → Poetic Function → Message → Selection & Combination → Metaphor & Metonymy → Structuralism
His theories remain fundamental for understanding the relationship between language, literature, communication, and structure.
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