PERIPHRASIS
Periphrasis[p ‘rifr sis] Is a device in which a longer phrasing is used instead of a shorter and plainer/simpler form of expression. It is a round-about, indirect way of naming a familiar object or phenomenon.
The essence of the device is that it is decipherable only in context. If periphrasis is understandable outside the context, it is not a SD but merely a synonymous expression. Such easily decipherable periphrases are also called traditional, dictionary or language periphrases = periphrastic synonyms:
e.g. the cap and gown = student body
a gentleman of the long robe = a lawyer
the fair sex = women
one’s better half = one’s wife
Traditional (trite) periphrasis (or cliche) [‘kli: ei] is often found in newspaper language:
e.g. to tie the knot = to marry
Stylistic periphrasis can be divided into logical and figurative. Logical periphrasis is based on one of the inherent [in’hi r nt] properties of the object described.
e.g. instruments of destruction = pistols (Dickens)
the object of admiration = love
Figurative periphrasis is based either on metaphor or metonymy.
e.g. the punctual servant of all work = the sun (Dickens)
There is little difference between metaphor or metonymy in a figurative periphrasis.
EUPHEMISM
There is another variety of periphrasis, which is called euphemistic periphrasis. Euphemism (as you know) is a word or phrase used to replace an unpleasant word or phrase, expression by a conventionally more acceptable.
e.g. the word ‘to die’ has bred the following euphemisms:
to pass away to join the majority
to expire to be gone
to be no more to kick the bucket
to depart to go west, etc.
Euphemism is sometimes called a ‘whitewashing device’ - figuratively. The linguistic peculiarity of euphemism lies in the fact that every euphemism must call up a definite synonym in the mind of the reader or listener. The synonymic dominant in a group of synonyms, must follow the euphemism like a shadow.
e.g. a four-letter word = an obscenity
a woman of a certain type = a prostitute, a whore
to glow =to sweat
e.g. ”In private I should merely call him a liar. In the Press you should use the words: “Reckless disregard for truth, and in Parliament –that you regret he should have been so misinformed”. (Galsworthy “The Silver Spoon”)
SIMILE
(From the Latin ‘similis’ –подобное)
Simile and ordinary comparison must not be confused. They represent 2 diverse processes. Comparison is used to show the likeness or difference of 2 objects belonging to the same class of things. It takes into consideration all the properties of the object in question, stressing the one that is compared.
Unlike a simple comparison, simile characterizes an object bringing it in contact with an object of an entirely different class of things. Simile focuses on one quality of the 2 objects which is made common to both. It excludes all the other properties of the 2 objects, except the one, which is made common.
Some linguists call simile an extended metaphor, because in essence they are alike. Only simile is more transparent than a metaphor. It points out the quality at once. Similes are easily recognizable as they have formal elements in their structure, such as: comparative conjunctions “like, as, such, as if” the verbs “seem, remind of, look like”, etc.
e.g. a cat-like smile
a snake-like movement
In English, like in any developed language, there is a list of hackeneyed similes showing analogy between the various qualities, states and actions of human beings compared to those of different animals and birds, etc., who are supposed to be the bearers of these qualities.
e.g. hungry as a wolf
as busy as a bee
blind as a bat (mole)
playful as a kitten
faithful as a dog