9. Simile, Periphrasis, Euphemism, Hyperbole, Understatement and Litote Flashcards
(24-27)
What does simile consist of?
Tenor - object described;
Vehicle - the object/notion compared to;
Tertium comparationis - the common feature/property they share.
Ex: “love’s like a red rose”. Tenor - love, vehicle - red rose, and tertium comparationis - smth beautiful, tender, romantic.
What are the types of simile?
Trite/Dead - commonly used, some are even fixed in dictionaries: “She sniffed round the room like a dog”;
Genuine - unexpected: “She frightened him like an unlucky number”;
Metaphorical - intensifies the image: “darkness came down like the wings of a bat”;
What’s the function of simile?
To create an image.
What’s the difference between ordinary comparison and simile?
Ordinary comparison is about two obj./sub. from the same classes: “her daughter is just like her mom” (human + human comp.)
Simile: is about two obj./sub. from different classes: “she’s acting like a cat” (human + animal comp.)
What’s periphrasis? Where was it widely used? Where was is popular to use?
It’s shorter, plainer form of expression. It was widely used in Bible, and also was really popular in Latin poetry.
What are the types of periphrasis? List ALL of them.
Traditional/Dictionary or Language periphrasis. Easily understandable. Ex.: The fair sex (women), my better half (my wife).
Stylistic periphrasis, which is divided into:
Logical. Based on inherent properties of the object described: “Instrument of destruction = pistol”.
Figurative. Based on metaphor or metonymy: “To tie the knot = to marry”.
According to Galperin, too.
What’s euphemism? List everything you know. Give example(s)
According to Galperin, it’s the replacement of unpleasant words with acceptable ones (on taboo topics, offensive/suggestive words): “to die” - “to kick the bucket”, “to go west”, etc.
Euphemisms get closely associated with the referent. Moreover, it gives a way to a new-coined word or a combo.
What’s the aim of the euphemism usages?
It’s aim is to amuse, to give positive appearances or to mislead.
Speak about the etymology of euphemism.
Derives from Greek (euphemia), which means “the use of words of good omen”.
Eu (good/well) + pheme (speech/speaking)
How long do euphemisms stay?
They’re short-lived.
What’s hyperbole? What’s its function?
It’s about exaggeration in a humourous, ironic, sometimes propogandistic way (f.e. in ads).
It doesn’t deceive, nor gives realistic descriptions.
Define types of hyperbole.
- Trite. Cliche hyperboles: “scared to death”, “a thousand pardons”;
- Genuine. Unexpected, fresh, creative: “I would cross the world to find a pin for you”;
What’s the opposite of hyperbole? Give an example, too.
Understatement, which is the restriction of ideas: “He knows a thing or two”.
What’s litotes?
It’s a form of understatement, where two negatives give an affirmative meaning: “He hadn’t been unhappy all day”.
Which has a better effect? Affirmative or negative sentences?
Negative ones.
What are the key-elements of litotes? What does the effect of litotes depend on?
The key-elements are: “not”, “too” + “not”, “rather”, “pretty”, “scarcely”. The effect caused by litotes mainly depends on intonation.
