Question on reiteration subtypes classified by Halliday and Hasan (1976)

[jonichibi]

Hi there,

I'm studying lexical reiteration as a kind of cohesion in English. The classification of reiteration by Halliday and Hasan (1976) which states that reiteration can be:
- Repetition
- Synonym or near-synonym
- Superordinate
- General word
is quite confusing to me. Why isn't antonym listed here? Do you have any idea?

And this is the definition given in "Cohesion in English" (1976:278):

"Reiteration is a form of lexical cohesion which involves the repetition of a lexical item, at one end of the scale; the use of a general word to refer back to a lexical item at the other end of the scale; and a number of thing in between-the use of synonym, near-synonym, or superordinate."

Thank you for your help.

 

[jonichibi]

Does anyone has the same interest with me?

Synonym and antonym are often taken into consideration together, just like a pair when people mention lexical relation. That makes me wonder :?::?::?:

 

[5jj]

Why isn't antonym listed here? Do you have any idea?

We would not use an antonym to refer back to a word.

 

[BobK]

Does anyone has the same interest with me?
I'm not sure I do :-? - Language - yes; Hallyday, not so much.
Synonym and antonym are often taken into consideration together, just like a pair when people mention lexical relation. That makes me wonder :?::?::?:

I waved goodbye to Hallyday, with a nearly inexpressible sense of relief, a few years ago. It seems to me that the use of antonyms (in an appopriate - negative - context) would be a way of enhancing cohesion; but I've never been sure what 'cohesion' is, in Hallydayan terms, or how it differs from 'coherence'.

Reiteration is a form of lexical cohesion [no it's not for Heaven's sake, or have I just misunderstood 'cohesion'? In their terms, this makes cohesion a 'superordinate' of reiteration, rather than something that can be enhanced by it.] which involves the repetition of a lexical item, at one end of the scale; the use of a general word to refer back to a lexical item at the other end of the scale; and a number of thingS in between-the use of synonym, near-synonym, or superordinate.

This is a good example of the sort of pointless word-fencing that annoys me about this very trendy sub-genre*! ;-)

b

PS *See, it's a conditioned reflex: mention 'Hallyday' and like Pavlov's dogs I start spewing out these buzz-words!