Курс лекций по стилистике современного английского языка и вопросы к лекциям в приложении приведены материалы для практических занятий

• Название: Курс лекций по стилистике современного английского языка и вопросы к лекциям в приложении приведены материалы для практических занятий
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8. PERIPHRASIS

Periphrasis, or circumlocution, is a device which both names and describes. The name of a person or thing is substituted by a descriptive phrase. This is the way of speaking around a topic, and not stating it directly. Periphrasis may be trite or original.

Periphrasis trite: man-in-the street, organs of vision original: The little boy was deprived of what can never be replaced (Charles Dickens).

Periphrasis may be logical or figurative. Logical periphrasis is based on some inherent or prominent feature of the described object. Figurative periphrasis is based either on metaphor or on metonymy.

Periphrasis logical: weak sex – strong sex, guardian of the public order. figurative: root of all evil, young blood, head-hunters.

9. EUPHEMISM

Euphemism is a variety of periphrasis. It is a word or phrase, which substitutes an idea or a thing which the author does not want to name directly, or which he finds unpleasant. A euphemism calls in the reader’s (listener’s) mind the word it stands for.

Euphemism to die – to go to the forefathers; to pass away; to join the majority; to kick the bucket; to depart this life drunk – fresh; high; merry; three sheets to the wind; high as a kite

Nowadays in English we may distinguish between the following groups of euphemisms:

1) traditional, i.e. religious or moral euphemisms which have been long in usage, and become clichés;

2) political, parliamentary and medical euphemisms;

3) individual euphemisms.

traditional: ‘God’ – Heaven, Jove, Goodness, Lot; ‘Devil’ – Old Nick, Deuce, the Prince of Darkness; political: ‘capitalism’ – free enterprise; ‘the poor’ – less fortunate people; ‘hunger’ – undernourishment; individual: ‘What did I tell you! He’s round the twist! He’s got rats in the bottle!’ (R. Dahl)

10. EPITHET

Epithet is an expressive word or phrase used to characterize a thing, a phenomenon, or a person.

Epithets trite epithets: “heartfelt thanks”, “wine-dark sea”, “blood-red sky”, “fleet-footed Achilles”, “stone-cold heart” original epithets: Oh, dreamy, gloomy, friendly trees! (Trench) She gave me a you-know-what-men-are-like look.

11. OVER-STATEMENT (HYPERBOLE)

Over-statement, or hyperbole, is an expression of an idea in an exceedingly exaggerated language used for emphasis or effect. Stylistic over-statement contributes to an elevated mood or shows a satirical attitude. There are many colloquial hyperboles which are stereotyped.

Hyperboles stereotyped: a thousand pardons; I’ve told you forty times; I haven’t seen you for ages; I’d give worlds for it; original: I would cross the world to find you. He was more remote than the stars.

12. UNDER-STATEMENT (MEIOSIS)

Under-statement, or meiosis, is the logical and psychological opposite of hyperbole.

It is lessening, weakening, reducing the real characteristics of the object of speech.

Litotes is a specific form of meiosis. It is expressing an idea by means of negating the opposite idea. Litotes is very frequent in English.

Meiosis He knows a thing or two. I am not quite too late. I have a little money. I kind of liked it. Litotes not without his assistance, not so bad, not overpleased

13. OXYMORON

Oxymoron is a stylistic device presenting a combination of two contrastive ideas. Two words are opposite and incompatible. A frequently repeated oxymoron becomes trite and serves only as an intensifier.

Oxymoron He has lived a long life with death. His voice as politely ironic and annoyingly well-bred.. Trite oxymoron pretty bad, awfully glad, terribly nice, pretty dirty, open secret