Stylistic classification of the english vocabulary

b) Periphrasis

Periphrasis is a word-combination, which is used instead of the word designating an object. E.g.:

"My son...has been deprived of what can never be replaced".

The periphrasis "What can never be replaced" stands for the word "mother". The concept of sucn renaming of an object by a phrase is easily understood by the reader within the given context, the latter being the only code, which makes the deciphering of the phrase possible.

As a result of frequent repetition periphrasis may be­come well established in the language as a synonymous expression for the word generally used to signify the ob­ject. Such popular word combinations are called tradi­tional (dictionary, language) periphrasis or periphrastic synonyms. E.g.:

a gentleman of the robe - a lawyer; the better (fa­ir) sex - woman; the man in the street - the ordi­nary person; my better half - my wife; the ship of the desert — camel.

Traditional (language, dictionary) periphrasis and the words they stand for are synonyms by nature, the periph­rasis being expressed by a word combination. Periph­rastic synonyms exist in the language in the form of phraseological units. They are easily understood without any context, that is why they are not stylistic devices but merely synonymous expressions.

In contrast to periphrastic synonyms genuine, speech periphrases as a stylistic device are new nominations of objects, being the elements of individual style of writers, which realize the power of language to coin new names for objects by disclosing some qualities of the objects.

"The hoarse, dull drum would sleep, And Man be happy yet". (Byron)

Here periphrasis can only be understood from a larger context, referring to the concept war. "The hoarse, dull drum" is a metonymical periphrasis standing for "war".

To enable the reader to decipher stylistic periphrasis are very subtle and have aesthetic value. In the following example the word of address is the key to the periphrasis:

"Papa, love. I am a mother. I have a child who will soon call Walter by the name by which I call you". (Dickens)

Euphemistic periphrasis as a variety of periph­rasis is used for one, which seems to be rude or unple­asant. In contrast to euphemism euphemistic periphrasis is a stylistic device.

Periphrasis once original but now hackneyed, are of­ten to be found in newspaper language. Here is an examp­le of a well-known, traditional periphrasis which has beco­me established as a periphrastic synonym.

"After only a short time of marriage, he wasn't prepared to offer advice to other youngsters intending to tie the knot".

Here we have a periphrasis meaning "to marry" (to tie the knot). It has long been hackneyed and may be called a cliche.

Stylistic periphrasis can be divided into two groups: logical and figurative. Logical periphrasis is based on one of the inherent properties of the object described. For example: instruments of destruction (Dickens) = "pis­tols"; the most pardonable of human weaknesses (Dic­kens) = "love".

Figurative periphrasis is based either on metaphor or on metonymy. For example: the sky-lamp of the night = "the moon". Here the moon is understood by metaphorical periphrasis "lamp". Other examples are: the House of the God = "the church"; to enter the house = "to become a MP", etc. All these word combinations are synonyms by nature and became phraseological units. Many of such word combinations are used in the language of mass media. Some of them are spread in the language of official style because they have become cliches. Many of them are based on the use of euphemisms.

This is an example of a string of figurative periphra­sis:

"Many of the hearts that troubled so gaily then have ceased to beat; Many of the looks that shone so brightly then have ceased to glow." (Dickens)

Euphemistic periphrasis is a variety of periph­rasis which substitutes a mild, delicate expression for one which seems to be rude or unpleasant. Euphemistic peri­phrasis has some features in common with euphemism. In contrast to euphemism euphemistic periphrasis is a stylis­tic device.

One of the stylistic functions of periphrasis is to pro­duce a satirical or humorous effect, sarcastic description:

"Come on", said Miss Hardforth, "has the cat got your tongue?" = can you speak?; to be snatched up to the skies = to die.