Terms in relation to postmodernism

As follows are a range of words with their definitions following, to which should be useful for my postmodernism work I will be involved with later on throughout the year.

Ironic – This word comes from the Ancient Greek, meaning hypocrisy, deception or fake ignorance. It is used through words or actions, usually in a literacy technique or rhetorical device, going against the most obvious of phrases. It is usually used as an intentional emphasis upon the truth, through a deliberate action of a direct opposite meaning within language (through a simile or sarcasm, for example). It is usually emphasized drastically and on purpose.

Nostalgic – This term is in relation to the past, yearning for it in an idealized form. From Greek compounds, it refers to ‘returning home’, ‘pain’ or ‘ache’. A general interest is found from it through past eras, personalities and events, usually triggered through memory, a remembrance or childhood. It is formed from the Early Modern period through medical conditions, and has been translated into Romantic topics.

Narrative Style – This forms from the narrator of any literacy work, play, verbal account, etceteras, and how they interpret and produce their work. They develop their viewpoint through their ‘style’, which may be recognisable through a series of their work e.g. a certain camera shot being frequently used within different movies from the same director. They are responsible for the storytelling of the plot, from their own inhabitation of the real world, which the reader will refer to and interpret in their own form, as theirs too is different.

Intertextuality – This is the shaping of a texts meaning through or by other texts: storytelling. The author may borrow or transform a previous text, and refer to it within their own, or perhaps develop this previous text into their own personal interpretation or possibly through a parody. The term has been borrowed and coined various times since its introduction in 1966 by poststructuralist Julia Kristeva, although now – as William Irwin states – it has ‘many meanings to the user’, simply from those ‘faithful’ to the introduction of the term to those who now acknowledge the definition in a ‘stylish way’.

Parody – This is also known as a ‘send-up’, ‘lampoons’ or ‘spoof’. It is in aim to mock, comment on or makes fun of an original work, as well as the subject, author or the style of the work that they display. It is usually portrayed in a humorous, satiric or ironic way, which can be implied in seeing others making a mistake of the original, genuine article.

Self-referentiality – When a sentence or a formula refers to itself – either directly, through an immediate formula or through encoding, sometimes through paradoxical behaviour. In relation to philosophy, an individual may refer or speak to themselves, expressing the story through first person. It is studied in various forms, such as within mathematics, philosophy, computer programming and linguistics.