Periphrasis

The phenomenon related to metonymy is periphrasis. Periphrasis is a descriptive phrase or sentence substituting a one-word denomination of an object, phenomenon, etc. Unlike metonymy, which is expressed by one linguistic unit, periphrasis implies the use of more of less complicated syntactical structure. We use description instead of name.

Periphrasis is subdivided into 2 types:

1. traditional (dictionary/language/trite/hackneyed/cliché);

2. stylistic:

   • logical;

   • figurative (metaphoric, metonymic).

Traditional periphrasis is often repeated and serves as universally accepted periphrastic synonyms. (Daughters of Eve, the better/soft/soft sex; my better half).

Here refer nicknames of places and people (City of light = Paris, The Eternal City, the Seven-hilled city = Rome, crossroads of the pacific = Honolulu in Hawaii, The Iron Lady = Margaret Thatcher, the bard of Avon = Shakespeare).

Stylistic periphrasis:

• logical – a phrase synonymous to the word renamed. It is based on one of the inherent properties of the object described. It is a kind of definition. (Instruments of destruction (=pistols) by Dickens, “the most pardonable of human weaknesses (=love) by Dickens, A man was shouting some choice Anglo-Saxon phrases at the policeman (=swear words).

• figurative periphrasis is represented by metaphor and metonymy. (200 pages of blood-curdling narrative, His studio is probably full of the mute evidences of his failure. The hospital was crowded with the surgically interesting products of the fighting in Africa). The main function is to convey a purely individual perception of the described object thus illuminating it with the new added light and understanding. It often carries a humoristic load. (a disturber of the piano keys – O’Henry).

Periphrasis should be distinguished from circumlocution (verbosity,verbiage). It is too round-about way of speaking about common things. It is using more words that necessary to say something. As a result, the utterance is long and boring and has an unnecessarily pompous air. Circumlocution is considered to be a fault of style. (In view of the fact that… = because; In the event of a complaint from a customer…; I wonder if it wouldn’t be too much trouble for you to pour me a pint of beer if that’s not too inconvenient).

Circumlocution can be used to hinder the idea in verbal manipulation or in verbal riddles.

A variety of periphrasis is called euphemistic periphrasis (euphemism). Euphemism – implies the social practice of replacing an unpleasant or tabooed word or expression by a conventionally more acceptable one, by word or phrase that seems less straight-forward or less offensive. (Differently logical. Differently emotioned. Chronologically difted.The mosquito made a satisfactory hiss in the flame (E.Hemingway).

Groups of euphemisms:

1. religious – express concepts of outer forces and divine powers (Gosh! (God), heck (hell)you-know-ehere(hell);

2. moral – reflect concepts of death, disease, different vices (glorious – drunk, merry – drunk);

3. medical – deal with names of parts of bodies, the concept of sexual life;

4. parliamentary/political – function as understatements to mislead public opinion, to express something unpleasant in a more delicate manner (The Minister was accused of economic mismanagement(=embezzlement); slump, recession, depression (= economic crisis), undernourishment – starvation,armed conflict(= war), tension. Economically disadvanteged

The use of euphemisms is an essential feature of politically correct speech.

5. people’s appearance –Sizim, Ageism. the direct indication of a person’s size is considered the violation of the norms. (bog-boned, differently sized, Renoir’s collections, BIB (big is beautiful) = fat, obese; senior citizens (old people), salt and pepper (graying hair).

6. person’s gender – wimmin/womyn (women), mail-carrier (postman), executive (businessman), flight-attendant (steward, stewardess).

7. names of professions (garbologist, environmental hygiene officer (dustman).

8. ethnic identity/nationality – person of color, African Americans, Amerindians

9. physical defects (physically-challenged, the sightless (the blind), people with special needs, PWA (person with AIDS);

10. other spheres – individuals with temporarily unmatched objectives (the stupid), botanical companions (pets), Feline-American (cats), Canine-American (dog), chalkboard(=blackboard).

On the one hand, the abundance of politically correct euphemisms may complicate speech etiquette thus hindering the process of communication. On the other hand, such tendency prevents the spread of slangish words and rude lexis.

The phenomenon opposite to euphemism is disphenism (anti-euphemism) – emphasizing defects. E.g. a filthy dirty face.