1.Basic concepts.
Defining literature.
It is difficult to define. There are a great amount of texts written in English.
In a broad sense → Everything that have been written, and all written manifestations of a
culture. Although this definition doesn’t facilitate communication about the topic, and not every
literature is written.
In a narrow sense → Different criteria are needed, used to differentiate literary texts from non-
literary texts.
1. Fictionality.
2. Specialised language.
3. Lack of pragmatic function.
4. Ambiguity.
Fictionality.
It is a characteristic feature of literary texts.
Texts are products of writer’s imagination, thus the characters and conversations are fictional.
For instance, in a historical novel, although the setting is real some characters and their
conversation are fictional for sure.
Boundaries between fact and fiction are sometimes blurred, and not always easily identifiable.
Fictionality is no longer an inherent feature of literary texts but part of our expectation as
readers of what a literary text should be.
Specialised language.
According to Jakobson → He spoke of poetic function of the language. Literary texts draw
attention to the language they employ.
Russian Formalists → Defamiliarisation of language. Literary texts make use of language in a
certain strange and unfamiliar way. This is more obvious in poetry.
Lack of pragmatic function.
Texts are written and used for a specific purpose. A cooking book, or a newspaper, for instance.
In contrast, literary text doesn’t need any specific purpose but they do have a purpose which
depends on the reading practices. To criticise, to entertain, to educate…
Ambiguity.
Literary texts are ambiguous, in contrast to non-literary texts which are not open to
interpretation, because they need to be clear and concrete.
The “human factor” makes literary texts so ambiguous → the interpretation of a poem can vary
from one person to another.
Texts express something beyond literal meaning.
Model of literary communication.
Author → Reader. They must share a language.
