Asyndeto is a figure of speech in the Portuguese language that classifies the joining of different clauses without the use of connectives.
In this case, clauses that do not have connectors are called asyndetic and usually separated by commas or other punctuation marks.
One of the justifications for using this linguistic construction resource is its ability to place greater emphasis on prayers, making the listener more focused on the central idea of each sentence, ensuring greater expressiveness to the message to be transmitted.
Etymologically, the word asyndeton originates from the Greek asndets, which literally means “not uniting” or “disunity”.
Asyndeton examples
I have a list of things to do: study, work, visit my parents, go to the gym, I'll never be home early again.
I can not go out; it's snowing outside.
Arrived late; no problem.
"I came, I saw, I won." (Julio Cesar)
“Luciana, restless, would go up to the kitchen window, probe the surroundings, scream with despair, even hear two shrill notes, locate the fugitive, (…)” (Graciliano Ramos)
Asyndeton and Polysyndeton
Unlike the asyndeton, the polysyndeton consists of the emphatic repetition of the connectives between different clauses.
Typically, this figure of speech is used to assign a slower, more measured pace to the text, which also takes on a solemn air. With the repetitive use of conjunctions, an idea of addition and continuity is created.
In this case, normally, the most used connectives are: “and”, “neither” and “or”.
Learn more about meaning of polysyndeton.
Examples of polysyndetons
I wish I could have fun again, and walk, and go out, and travel, and laugh, and love.
I don't understand my son: either he cries, or screams, or gets upset, or complains, he never seems to be satisfied.
My father doesn't want to take me to the park, or the cinema, or the museum, or the theater, or the zoo.
Learn more about the meaning of Figures of Language.