Linguistics Deviations in Niyi Osundare’s The Eye of the Earth
A Stylistic Analysis
Abstract
Partly to the high level of linguistic deviations featured in poetry, many scholars hold the view that poetry cannot be studied using the linguistic parameters. This paper however supports the opposite argument that poetry can and should be studied with insights drawn from linguistics. This it demonstrates by examining different forms of linguistic deviation featured in Niyi Osundare”s The eye of the earth and their effect in the anthology. It then discovers that these deviant forms are used to condense the poems and emphasize some points as well as to paint graphic and lasting pictures in the reader’s mind. Indeed they emphasize the dynamic quality of language and make poetry enjoyable.