Question

How do you pronounce "hyperbaton"?

Answer 1

Hint: Hyperbaton is a figure of speech in which the typical, natural order of words is changed as certain words are moved out of order. The word hyperbaton is derived from the Greek phrase hyperbatos meaning “transposed” or “inverted.”

Complete answer:
The word hyperbaton (pronounced hahy-pur-buh-ton). It has many uses in the English language. Hyperbaton is unique because it is a device that allows writers to bypass typical grammatical expectations and rules in order to create sentences and phrases that are more complex, intriguing, and challenging for the reader. This can be as complicated as a sentence entirely rewritten and jumbled or as simple as the movement of one adjective or noun. Hyperbaton can be dramatic or strange or it can be subtle and poetic.

Example 1
Sweet, she was.

Example 2
Ever so lost and confused, I felt just then!
Similar to the above example, this hyperbaton emphasizes lostness and confusion.

Example 3
He was as he was strange, insane, confusing and complained! Piece of what an interesting fellow I met and said hello.
This third example is jumbled, fun, and intriguing as words are flipped and moved around hyperbatically.

Note: Cummings’ poem is covered in hyperbatons. In the poem ‘anyone lived in a pretty how town’ how is used as an adjective. Bells “up so float” and “down” when up and down are used as verbs. People sing “didn’ts” and dance “dids.” “Isn’ts” and “sames” are sowed. Words typically used in different orders and forms are jumbled in this strange yet interesting poem.