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reduplication

1 of 1noun
/rɪˌduːplɪˈkeɪʃən/
1

the act or process of repeating something, often for emphasis or effect

  • The mantra relied on reduplication for rhythmic emphasis.
  • His speech featured the reduplication of key phrases for impact.
  • Reduplication of gestures is common in dance traditions.
  • The teacher encouraged reduplication of vocabulary to aid memorization.
  • Reduplication of sounds can strengthen oral storytelling.
Synonyms:
2

the process of duplicating all or part of a word or morpheme to create a new form, often with a change in meaning or grammatical function

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Reduplication is a linguistic process in which a word or part of a word is repeated, often to create a new meaning or to emphasize a particular idea. This can involve repeating the entire word, as in "bye-bye", or just a part of the word, as in "super-duper". Reduplication is used in various languages and can serve different functions, such as conveying intensity, creating playful expressions, or forming plurals. It adds a rhythmic quality to language and can make speech more engaging and expressive. In some cultures, reduplication is also used in children's language or in informal communication to convey affection or familiarity.

  • Reduplication is a morphological process in linguistics where a part or the entirety of a word is repeated to convey grammatical or semantic changes.
  • An example of reduplication in English is the word "bye-bye," which is a child-friendly way of saying "goodbye."
  • Linguists study reduplication to understand how languages use repetition to create new words, intensify meaning, or indicate grammatical aspects such as plurality or verb tense.
  • In some languages, reduplication is used to form plurals, as in Indonesian where "orang" means "person" and "orang-orang" means "people."
  • Reduplication can serve various functions across languages, including emphasis, diminishment, or the creation of onomatopoeic expressions.
3

the repeated syllable itself in a reduplicated word

  • In "mama," the initial "ma" is the reduplication.
  • Each reduplication in the song added rhythm and charm.
  • The linguist highlighted the reduplication in compound words.
  • Reduplication can signal intensity or repeated action.
  • The first syllable in "papa" serves as the reduplication.
4

the repetition of the final words of one sentence or line at the start of the next

  • The poem's style used reduplication to link verses.
  • Reduplication of phrases created a sense of continuity in the speech.
  • Ancient texts often feature reduplication to highlight transitions.
  • In oral traditions, reduplication helped listeners follow the narrative.
  • Reduplication of lines emphasized key ideas in the sermon.
Synonyms: