Synonymization as a Stylistic Device in Prefaces and Afterwords of Francis Skaryna

Abstract

The article deals not simply with synonyms in Skaryna’s works, but with clear cases of combining synonyms usually in the form of pairs, elements of which are as a rule connected by coordinative conjunctions or by an enumeration (without any conjunctions). Such cases should be considered as a special type of rhetorical devices typical of old rhetorical writing (not only the Old Belarusian one). Sinonimizations are especially close to other rhetorical devices: on the one hand, to amplification, and on the other hand, to interpretation, however they differ from both. The cases of the sinonimization in Skaryna’s works are classified by themes (there are mostly notions connected with law, knowledge as well as religious and moral terms). It is possible to draw a conclusion concerning two functions of such cases. Skaryna used sinonimizations sometimes for aesthetic purposes (to provide versatile characteristics of the subject), sometimes for culture-related purposes in order to unite Western (Catholic and often Polish) and Eastern (Orthodox and Old Church Slavonic) religious terms.