Article

Name: On the Issue of Performativity of Hymns

Authors: A. V. Proskurina

Novosibirsk State Technical University, Russian Federation

Abstract: The article indicates that the study of the semantic-communicative component of hymns makes it possible to identify performative frameworks – “pillows”, on which the foundation of speech activity rests. Thus, the obligatory semantic-communicative component of the hymns is informing the deity about his/her qualities, in other words, it is praising. The article reviewed three hymns written in Old English (“The Kentish Hymn”, “Cædmon’s Hymn”) and Early Middle English (“Godric’s Hymn”). The author focuses on paganism in Old English hymns. Thus, the work emphasizes that at the dawn of Christianity, for a smooth transition from paganism to Christianity, the image of Jesus Christ was presented as the image of a leader (Cyning – Leader), while believers were represented as His warriors. The cross as the main Christian symbol often appears made of wood and is identified with the cosmic world tree growing right into heaven. Most liturgical texts compare a cross to a pillar, mountain, or ladder. Thus, the center of the world is a part of the Christian picture of the world. Consequently, considering the semiotic aspect of communication, it can be assumed that the communicative task proceeded from the fact that the new information was understood through its transmission within the framework of the old image already known to native speakers. Communication was based on a sociocultural basis due to interindividual psychology. Thus, the replacement of the central cosmic symbol of a world tree with a cross that retains the features of a pagan symbol is an example of accessible communication. The task of transmitting information in time is to transmit information about an important Christian element of culture – the cross as a symbol of Christianity. The pagan image of the world tree is completely unimportant from the point of view of the semiotic aspect of information transfer, but it is important from the point of view of communication in the generation of the Germans who have just adopted Christianity.

Keywords: performativity, “The Kentish Hymn”, “Cædmon’s Hymn”, “Godric’s Hymn”

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