7. Metonymy, Imagery

Question 1

What’s metonymy?

Answer 1

It’s Greek for “change of name”. An object is described by the name of an attribute, based on associations.

Question 2

What’s metonymy according to D. Crystal? Bring an example of metonymy.

Answer 2

“Metonymy is the use of an attribute in place of the whole”. Ex: “lend me your ear”.

Question 3

What’s the difference between metaphor and metonymy?

Answer 3

Metonymy is based on associations, whereas metaphor is about similarities.

Question 4

List the most frequent uses of metonymy.

Answer 4

1. Containment: “the White House”;
2. Tools/Instruments: “the press”;
3. Synechdoche (a part for the whole): “hand” (assistant), “head”;
4. Toponyms: D.C. (instead of the US government). It’s basically using the capital city to refer to the government of that country.

Question 5

Describe types of metonymy.

Answer 5

1. Conventional. Used in everyday language: “We need some new faces”;
2. Antonomasia. Using a proper name for associations: Solomon - a wise man;
3. Synecdoche. A part for the whole: “lend me your ear”.

Question 6

Describe the types of metonymy according to I. Galperin.

Answer 6

1. Fresh/Genuine metonymy. It’s unexpected: “a cocked hat”, “a Babylonian collar”;
2. Trite metonymy;

Question 7

What is imagery? What’s its function? List the types of imagery.

Answer 7

It creates pictures, images in reader’s mind. It can be: visual, aurial, tactile, olfactory, gustorial. Also, we have a mixed one.

Question 8

What’s mixed imagery?

Answer 8

Consisting of 1+ senses involved. For example:
“youthful hue/Sits on thy skin like morning dew”.
“youthful” - its appearance (visual), softness and smoothness in comparison to the old one (tactile).
“morning dew” - appearance (visual), coolness and freshness (tactile).