Emphatic inversion in the English language: A theoretical review

Abstract

The aim of this analytical review is to systematize scientific knowledge on the issue of the stylistic use of inverted word order in domestic English studies. The author discusses the fundamentals of the theory of emphatic inversion, which were laid down by prominent Soviet linguists, authors of scientific works on the stylistics of the English language. The review also systematizes scientific data on the problem of emphatic inversion over the past 20 years, taking into account modern scientific paradigms (cognitive-discursive and pragmalinguistic), which constitute the scientific novelty of the paper. In addition, the novelty of the research is determined by the creation of a classification of emphatic inversion based on the material of the narrative sentence, allowing for the generalization of accumulated experience. The work also is the first to describe the features of using emphatic inversion in various types of discourse, distinguishing between general and specific functions of emphatic inversion. Special attention is paid to shedding light on the expressive nature of emphatic inversion and considering the role of emphatic word order in altering the conventional communicative direction of the utterance. The research findings showed a partial change in scientific terminology, as well as the predominantly emotional-expressive, pragmatic nature of this phenomenon.