A Study Of Iconicity In Poetry

This thesis studies iconicity in poetry. It applies the theory of iconicity to the analysis of poetry, and tries to present the relationship between form and meaning in poetry.Iconicity occurs in both ordinary language and literary texts. It is believed that in terms of literary genres, poetry has the richest presence of iconicity, for it allows the most complex and innovative use of language. The iconic virtue of language finds extensive manifestation in poetry. This thesis achieves the following two missions:Firstly, it selects some English and Chinese poems and analyzes the iconic means employed on all levels of poetic writing. It proves that the theory of iconicity offers a new perspective for the interpretation of poetry. It gains a deeper insight into how language is handled by poets and how form serves meaning in poetry. As iconicity in poetry is usually latent, through the analysis of iconic principles adopted in poetry, it can equip the readers with the awareness of iconicity and an enhanced appreciation of and a greater insight into the poets'uncanny craft of creativity.Secondly, this thesis explores the practice of poetry translation, and it endeavors to point out the necessity, possibility and importance of recreating iconicity in poetry translation. Hopefully it suggests that the translators should pay close attention to the form of the original poems and try to manifest it in their translation to the greatest degree. Through the accurate understanding and transformation of the original texts, their aesthetic effects can get best conveyance through different cultures.The application of the theory of iconicity to the analysis of poetry and the practice of poetry translation can clearly suggest that the form of poetry not only imitates the actual world and concrete objects in nature, but also imitates the experience, emotions and ideas of human beings. Poetry itself is a harmonious combination of form and meaning, which can not be neglected in poetry appreciation and translation.