Valori stilistice ale numeralului în limbajul popular
Stylistic Values of the Numeral in the Popular Language

Summary/Abstract: The stylistic values of the numeral is still considered a controversial point of view. Owing to its capability to conceptualize, to formalize and to order, the numeral has generally been presented as an inadequate poetical means devoid of expressive values. The opinions in this field are very diverse; they fluctuate between two extremes: one is that supported by H.Seindler in „Allgemeine Stilistic” who claims that figures have no connection with emotion, or with imagination, thus being devoid of affectivity and of any stylistic value; the opposite opinion states that since ancient times, man has given a special significance to numbers, considering that they are mystical as Lucien Levy Bhrule put it in „Les functions mentales dans les societes primitives.” An analysis of the popular language shows the multiple stylistic values of the numeral, among the most frequent, we have focused on: the gradual narrowing of the image, the creation of the illusion of reality, the antithesis (extremely frequent), the amplification, the comparison, the metaphor or the symmetry, in the lyrical creations – the antithesis, the hyperbola and above all, the symbol in the epical creations. „The linguistic facts” we have dealt with, are but a few examples which show that the numeral is frequently used not to express exact numerical determine.”

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