Stylistics_4-Deep-structure Deviation.ppt

Stylistics Chapter 4 Deep-structure Deviation Deep-structure deviation refers to semantic deviation, which may be defined as linguistic effects involving something odd in the cognitive meaning of a certain linguistic unit, e. g., a word or phrase (Leech, 1969 : 131). Semantic deviation may include a number of linguistic phenomena, such as contradiction, transference, deception and ambiguity. 1. Contradiction Contradiction is a type of semantic deviation which conveys self-conflicting information. It can be readily divided into two types which are termed in rhetoric oxymoron and paradox. 1.1 Oxymoron（矛盾修辞） Oxymoron is the yoking together of two expressions which are incompatible, so that in combination they have no conceivable literal reference to reality (Leech, 1969: 132). (1) As the wretched creature mumbled and chuckled in her hideous merriment, the undertaker turned to go away. (Oliver Twist) The wretched creature in Passage (1) refers to an old woman who is described in the novel as behaving in many ways like an idiot. The surface contradiction of the two words hideous and merriment aptly shows the extent of the old womans idiocy. (2) The major again pressed to his blue eyes the tips of the fingers that were disposed on the edge of the wheeled chair with careful carelessness, after the Cleopatra model and Mr. Dombey bowed. (Dombey and Son) The semantic clash is even more apparent in the two antonyms careful and carelessness in Passage (2). The grouping together of the two antonyms vividly and unreservedly demonstrates the pretence and affectedness of the major. A victorious defeat A living death Cruel kindness Parting is such sweet sorrow. (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet) Writing is busy idleness. (Goethe) He is a clever fool. Open secret 年方八十 1.2 Paradox（似是而非的隽语） A paradox is a statement which is absurd because it is self-evidently false. (3) Nurse: His name is Romeo, and a Montagu