Paragons in Turkish as a Method of Naming Excellence: Definition, Formation Properties and Functions

Abstract

Paragons are linguistic elements that represent the most perfect, flawless, or ideal examples of a genre/category or, on the contrary, the worst examples. They are used in language as structures that have the function of expressing this perfection, or worst state of being, in other words, being positioned at the extremes. Paragons can be used to make various comparisons between entities, concepts, or phenomena, and to define one entity, concept, or phenomenon by comparing it to another entity, concept, or phenomenon. Although paragons, which are mostly evaluated within metaphorical/metonymical uses, are generally formed from proper names such as personal names, brand/model names, and place names, important dates, or general names expressing the highest authority, position, or title can also be paragoned. A paragoned element is used to compare and describe members or phenomena from the same or different categories, and thus performs a more effective and permanent transmission function on the listener/reader. Paragonic expressions, usage scheme of which is usually shaped by the formula [X of something(s)], but which can also appear in both written and spoken language with different structures other than this scheme, fulfill various functions in communication. In this study, firstly paragon is defined, and based on Turkish examples, issues such as how paragons are shaped, what functions they fulfill in language, and communication, their structural, and semantic features, and how to classify them are examined. In addition to these, issues such as what are the elements that are suitable for paragoning, and according to which factors they are determined, their permanence, changeability, recognition, grading, etc. have also been mentioned, and characteristics of paragons have conveyed with various examples.