Department of english language and literature

Alliteration in Poetry
Definition: Alliteration is a literary device where words are used in quick succession and begin with letters belonging to the same sound group. Whether it is the consonant sound or a specific vowel group, the alliteration involves creating a repetition of similar sounds in the sentence. Alliterations are also created when the words all begin with the same letter. Alliterations are used to add character to the writing and often add an element of ‘fun’ to the piece...Example: The Wicked Witch of the West went her own way.
In relation to English poetry, poets can call attention to certain words in a line of poetry by using alliteration. They can also use alliteration to create a pleasant, rhythmic effect. In the following poetic lines, notice how alliteration is used to emphasize words and to create rhythm:

«Give me the splendid silent sun

with all his beams full-dazzling!'
Walt Whitman, «Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun»

“They all gazed and gazed upon this green stranger,/because everyone wondered what it could mean/ that a rider and his horse could be such a color-/ green as grass, and greener it seemed/ than green enamel glowing bright against gold.” Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, translated by Benard O'Donohue

«Some papers like writers,

some like wrappers.
Are you a writer or a wrapper?»
Carl Sandburg, «Paper I»

Alliteration also can add to the moods of poem. If a poet repeat soft, melodious sounds, a calm or dignified mood can result. If harsh, hard sound are repeated, on the other hand, the mood can become tense or excited. In this poem, alliteration of the s, l, and f sound adds to a hushed, peaceful mood:

«Softer be they than slippered sleep
the lean lithe deer
the fleet flown deer .» e. e. cummings
«All in green went my love riding»


Alliteration in Rhetoric
Alliteration also serves as a linguistic rhetorical device more commonly used in persuasive public speaking. Rhetoric is broadly defined as the «Art of Persuasion», which has from earliest times been concerned with specific techniques for effective communication.[14]
Alliteration serves to «intensify any attitude being signified».
Its significance as a rhetorical device is that it adds a textural complexity to a speech, making it more engaging, moving, and memorable. The use of alliteration[15] in a speech captivates a person's auditory senses that assists in creating a mood for the speaker. The use of a repeating sound or letter forces an audience’s attention because of their distinct and noticeable nature. The auditory senses, hearing and listening, seem to perk up and pay attention with the constant sounds of alliteration. It also evokes emotion which is key in persuading an audience. The idea of pathos solidifies that playing to a person's emotions is key in persuading them and connecting them to the argument that is being made. For example, the use of a «H» sound can produce a feeling of calmness.[16] Other sounds can create feelings of happiness, discord, or anger, depending on the context of the alliteration. These feelings become memorable to a listener, which have been created by alliteration.
The most common example of this is in John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address, where he uses alliteration twenty-one times throughout his speech. The last paragraph of his speech is given as an example here.
«Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice (ALLITERATION) which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love (ALLITERATION), asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.» –JFK [17]
The dimension of literary translation in Uzbek literature is incomparable too. Thanks to some Uzbek writer-translators who lived and wrote in the previous century we can get much pleasure by reading valuable works from foreign literature, such as well-known author Shakespeare’s valuable tragedies “Othello”, “King Lear” (translated by Gafur Gulam).
And a talented writer, the master of short stories Abdulla Kahhor introduced most well-known books from Russian literature to us by translating them with his art. Besides, we can see several translated works by Oybek (“Eugine Onegin”, “Masquerade”). Likewise, the writers who appeared in the second half of the last century made many translational works. As an instance, a valuable representative of Uzbek national literature Toghay Murod translated Jack London’s stories and plays into Uzbek.
At this moment a question comes: “Did the world booklovers enjoy the samples of Uzbek literature relating to the 20th century?”
Yes, because the prosaic works which were created in different periods of the 20th century have been translated to many different world languages, as well as English.
To be more precise, the novels relating to the first half of the previous century “Days Gone by” (“O’tkan kunlar”), “Scorpion from the Altar” (“Mehrobdan chayon”), as well as “Obid Ketmon” by Abdulla Kodiriy were translated into English.
Some fragments of Oybek’s memoir work “Childhood” (“Bolalik”) have been translated by Carolyn Wei recently. Azam Abidov overset Toghay Murod’s narrative “People by moonlight” (“Oydinda yurgan odamlar”) into English. Another story of T.Murod “Husband and wife” (“Er-xotin”) and Shukur Kholmirzaev’s “The character of Uzbek people” (“O’zbeklar”) were translated by Shuhrat Sattorov. He overset also Abdulla Kahhar’s “Pomegranate” (”Anor”) and Abdulla Qodiriy’s “At the Ulok” (“Uloqda”) into English.
So, what are the main features of translating the 20th century’s Uzbek Prose? What we should pay more attention to while translating ?
In the first half of the 20 th century, as we know, in Turkistan the Jadid movement arose as a social-political movement. The Jadids turned to literature to achieve their goal of social reform.
Therefore, the literary works which were created at that period served to show the poor life of the people and challenge them to become literate, enlightened and independent. Mainly, poetry played an important role in this case. For instance, one of the founders of Uzbek modern poetry Chulpon wrote in his poem “Soul” that
“Tiriksan, o’lmagansan,
Sen-da odam, sen-da insonsan;
Kishan kiyma, bo’yin egma,
Ki, sen ham hur tug’ilg’onsen!.. “
By this poem Chulpon was going to wake his people’s soul up and encourage them not to live in the dependence. The talented translator A. Abidov translated it with its atmosphere:
“You’re alive, not passed away,
You’re a man, act humanly,
Refuse the fetters, don’t obey,
In fact, you also were born free!”
Prose also had a significant role at that period. By prosaic works writers tried to reveal the unfairness of the regime of governments which existed at that time. Besides, the pure nationality of Uzbek people was demonstrated by the works, including “Days Gone By” (“O’tkan kunlar”), “Night and Day” (“Kecha va kunduz”), “Scorpion from the Altar” (“Mehrobdan chayon”) and etc.
However, the specialists argue that their translation verses are not perfect, you cannot feel the pleasure or enjoy by translation verses so much as original text. For instance, in “Days Gone By”, according to the specialists, in most cases it was avoided from expressive colourfullness and was translated technically. This means that world readers are not being able to enjoy our masterpieces and cannot feel the atmosphere.