New Theoretical Insights into Untruthfulness
GBP
Buy:£15.00 + Taxes

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to clarify the distinctive and the shared features of the three phenomena: irony, understatement, and litotes. These rhetorical figures have been defined as synonymous, distinct or overlapping in various accounts. This indicates an interrelation but also a need for clearer definitions. Here, each of these rhetorical figures is defined via two jointly necessary conditions. This approach sharpens the categories, enables clear-cut distinctions and helps to explain cases of overlap. German corpus data and examples from the literature as a basis, allow differentiating between cases of understatement as a means of irony, and cases of litotes as a means of understatement. Beyond that, litotes and understatement allow for non-ironic uses. Interestingly, litotic irony is built on litotic understatement. This is due to the overt contrast necessary for both understatement and irony.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1075/pc.23.1.06neu
2016-09-26
2024-03-28
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1075/pc.23.1.06neu
Loading
Keyword(s): co-occurrence; figures of speech; hyperbole; irony; litotes; meiosis; mitigation; overlap; rhetorical figures; understatement

Most Cited