Anacoluto is a figure of speech in the Portuguese language that configures a break in the syntactic structure of a sentence.
Classified as a construction figure, the anacolutton consists of a "broken sentence", usually when the purpose or subject of a sentence is presented before the rest of the prayer.
The anacoluto removes the syntactic function of a given term or expression in the clause by altering its structure. By default, “breaks” in these sentences are made using commas.
Example: "I, every time I arrive, you shower me with kisses".
In the above example, at first, the pronoun “I” can be considered the subject of clause. But, when the new period “every time I arrive” is introduced, it is verified, in fact, that the subject is hidden in “every time I (I) arrive”. Thus, the “I” at the beginning of the sentence has no syntactic function in the sentence.
Anacoluto is often used in oral language, probably because of his sense of sudden change in the speaker's line of thought during the sentence, causing a sentence to be constructed that escapes the rules of syntax and verbal agreement, by example.
When the anacoluto is applied to written language, this figure of speech can serve to emphasize the character or an idea that is being exposed in the speech. In addition, the anacolutton also functions as a mechanism to convey a sense of spontaneity in the text.
Etymologically, "anacoluto" originated from the Latin anacoluthon, which in turn derives from the Greek anakolouthos, which can be literally translated as “not following the path”.
Learn more about meaning of Figures of Language.
examples of anacolutton
“I, because I was fired, I stay at home all day”.
"My father, the readings kept him up all night."
"Teenagers, how difficult they are to control."
"The clock on the wall I'm used to it, but you need a clock more than I do." (Rubem Braga).
“I, who was white and beautiful, here I am hideous and dark”. (Manuel Bandeira).
