Palyginimai mokslo populiarinamuosiuose tekstuose
Comparisons in Science Popularisation Texts

Summary/Abstract: The article delves into the subject of comparisons the way they are used in science popularisation texts. The research material has been gathered randomly from science popularisation articles and books intended for the general public written by Lithuanian authors. In science popularisation texts, comparisons are used on a stand-alone basis, they function directly and come with no elaboration on the side. Usually the reader is aware of the subject of comparison from daily life. Comparisons are different in the nature of the relationship that they denote. The most common types of comparisons are the following: 1) comparisons based on the external similarities of objects, phenomena or actions; 2) correlative comparisons that are constructed on the basis of the relationship between the shape, size, and other elements of the objects being compared (artistic correlative comparisons are rather scarce, as opposed to subject-related comparisons); 3) parallel comparisons, analogy. In texts, comparisons may perform the function of explanation, illustration, specification, expression, aesthetic effect and economy of language. When used in the subject texts, comparisons are not only geared to have an emotional impact – the power of this instrument to carry factual information in a concise manner is equally important. Combining the tools to present the raw scientific matter with the figurative media illustrates the unique nature of science popularisation texts.

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