Stylistic classification of the english vocabulary

c) Irony

Irony is such a case of interaction between logical and contextual meanings when contextual meaning of the word becomes the opposite of its logical meaning. Thus irony is a stylistic device based on the simultaneous reali­zation of two logical meanings - dictionary and contex­tual, but these two meanings stand in opposition to each other. E.g.:

"How nice to cheat your own mother".

The dictionary meaning of the word "nice" is opposite of the contextual meaning ' ugly, bad". Another example:

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

The contextual meaning of the word "delightful" is opposite to primary dictionary meaning that is "unple­asant".

The word containing the irony is strongly marked by intonation. It has an emphatic stress and is supplied with a special melody. In a sentence like "How clever of you!" where, due to the intonation, the word "clever" conveys a sense opposite to its literal signification.

When the above cases of use of the language units ac­quire generalized status, they become a stylistic device. When used too often a stylistic device may become trite, then it stops being stylistic device.

In most cases the sentence suffices to make irony cle­ar, as in the examples above. In certain cases a much wi­der context is needed to understand that the word is used ironically and to perceive its stylistic effect.

Irony may be expressed by any part of speech, most often by a noun, adjective, adverb.

Irony must not be confused with humour, although they have very much in common. Humour always causes laughter. In this respect irony can be likened to humour. But the function of irony is not to produce a humorous ef­fect only. In some cases the irony expresses a feeling of irritation, displeasure, pity or regret.

Richard Altin says, "The effect of irony lies in the striking disparity between what is said and what is meant". This "striking disparity" is achieved through the intentional interplay of the two meanings, which are in op­position to each other:

Stoney smiled the sweet smile of an alligator.¹(Steinbeck)

A word used ironically may sometimes express very subtle, almost imperceptible nuances of meaning:

1. 
   I like a parliamentary debate, Particularly when ^vtis not too late. (Byron).
   
2. 
   I like the taxes, when they're not too many. (Byron).
   

In the first line that word like gives only a slight hint of irony. Parliamentary debates are usually long. The word debate itself suggests a long discussion. A hint of the interplay between positive and negative begins with like.

The second use of the word like is definitely ironical. No one would be expected to like taxes. It is so obvious that no context is necessary to decode the true meaning of like. The attribute phrase "when they're not too many" strengthens the irony.

Irony is generally used to convey a negative meaning. Therefore only positive concepts are used to convey a ne­gative meaning. The contextual meaning always conveys the negation of the positive concepts embodies in the dictionary meaning.

In oral speech the main role in recognition of irony belongs to intonation. Sometimes it is only the situation that can prompt the use of irony. To mark out ironically used words in written language such graphic means as inverted commas and italicized words are used.

The effect of irony largely depends on the unex­pectedness and seeming lack of logic of a word used by the author in an incompatible context. The render is fully aware of the contrast between what is logically expected and what is said. This contrast, this interaction of the con­textual and logical meanings of the word often produces a humorous effect.

Irony may be used to achieve an effect of bitter moc­kery and sarcasm as well, especially when it concerns so­me social phenomena.

Sometimes irony is mixed up with sarcasm. Sar­casm is a bitter or wounding remark, especially ironically worded. Usually socially or politically aimed irony is also called sarcasm.
2. Interaction of Primary and Derivative Logical Meanings

Stylistic devices based on the interaction of the pri­mary and the derivative (secondary) meanings of one and the same word are very popular in English fiction, espe­cially in that of the XIX century: the highly developed system of English polysemy and nomonymy is one of the main factors explaining this fact.