Lexico-semantic Stylistic Devices

(Figures of substitution)

HYPERBOLE is a deliberate exaggeration of a certain quality of an object or phenomenon.

e.g. Marry was scared to death.

I beg a thousand pardons.

MEIOSIS. This figure of quantity is opposite in meaning to hyperbole. Meiosis is a deliberate diminution of a certain quality of an object or phenomenon.

e.g. There was a drop of water left in the bucket.

It was a cat-size pony.

LITOTES – is a specific variant of meiosis.

e.g. After the brawl Julia was not dissatisfied with herself.

Martin is not without sense of humour.

METONYMY – is a transference of a name of one object to another object. Metonymic transference of names is based upon the principle of contiguity of the two objects.

e.g. I wish you had Gary’s ears and Jack’s eyes.

Linda gave her heart to the grocer’s young man.

SYNECDOCHE. This variety of metonymy is realized in two variants. The first variant is naming the whole object by mentioning part of it.

e.g. Caroline lives with Jack under the same roof (under the same roof= in the same house).

The second variant of synecdoche is using the name of the whole object to denote a constituent part of this object:

e.g. The school went to the zoo.

The blue suit bowed and left the room.

PERIPHRASIS – this variant of metonymy is the replacement of a direct name of a thing or phenomenon by the description of some quality of this thing or phenomenon.

e.g. “This is my better half (wife) ” – he said.

When I was going to enter the university my mother wanted me to become one of those in a white gowns. (medical men)

EUPHEMISM – it is a word or word- combination which is used to replace an unpleasantly sounding word or word-combination.

e.g. Recently, green dragon became one of his best friend. (an alcohol drink)

According to our President, the life of the less fortunate elements (poor people) will change.

METAPHOR – metaphor like metonymy, is also the result of transference of the name of one object to another object. However, metaphoric transference is of different nature: it is based upon similarity of the objects (not contiguity).

e.g. One more day has died.

A witty idea has come to me.

EPITHET – epithets are such attributes which describe objects expressively.

e.g. Voiceless sands and helpless loneliness are the obvious characteristics of a thirsty desert.

There was a blank face on the picture.

ANTONOMASIA – this variety of metaphor is based upon the principle of identification of human beings with things which surround them.

e.g. John is a real Romeo.

The Snake entered the room (instead of Marry entered the room)

PERSONIFICATION – when the speaker describes human behavior, thoughts and actions to inanimate objects, he resorts to the stylistic device of personification.

e.g. Lie is a strange creature, and a very mean one.

The night was creeping towards the travelers.

IRONY – this figure of quality is realized when the speaker intentionally breaks the principle of sincerity of speech.

e.g. Cutting off chickens’ heeds! Such a fascinating process to watch.

It must be delightful to find oneself in a foreign country without a penny in one’s pocket.

Поиск по сайту: