A kenning is a multi-word synonym used in place of a single word, adding color and emphasis to language. Originating from Norse and Celt cultures, it is used in poetry and literature to create mental images. Overuse can lead to confusion, but it remains a time-honored device in writing.
Many people have read or even used a kenning in conversation without realizing it. In essence, a kenning is a synonym made up of multiple words that can be used in place of a single word. This approach is one way that color and emphasis can be added to both the written and spoken word.
The development of kenning has its origins in the ancient Norse and Celt cultures. As part of popular culture, storytellers and minstrels would both look for creative ways to conjure imagery with the subject matter of their craft. Essentially, this would involve finding colorful ways to use the most mundane items. For example, the ocean can be imaginatively referred to as the land of whales, while a simple tree branch can be imagined as a road for squirrels.
Along with use as figures of speech in songs and stories, kennings also serve as a basic tool in the creation of the poetic phrase. Because the basic verbal formula of kenning is to take the mundane and use a descriptive phrase to cultivate mental images that are relevant to the composer’s emphasis, kennings provide an ideal means of taking anything and turning it into something that is extraordinary enough. For example, the Celtic expression of a sword dance is certainly an example of kenning that is used repeatedly in many types of literature, including poetry. For many, a kenning is a magical poetic phrase that, when used correctly, will take the work to a level it might never have otherwise achieved.
It is possible to take the process of developing a kenning too far. For example, choosing to create a kenning for each word in a string of words can lead to reader confusion and kill the image before it has a chance to start. For this reason many writers choose to limit the use of kenning, using the literary device when there is a need to direct the reader towards a particular image or understanding of the action and elements being presented.
While some view the use of kenning as fixated on an absolute formula, many have chosen to interpret kenning in a broader light. This made the continued use of kenning in all forms of literature a viable option. Whether drafting epithets, composing a new poem, writing a short story, or raising a new child, the kenning is a time-honored device that is sure to add to the mystique and allure of the written word.
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