什么是低调陈述(understatement).docVIP

什么是低调陈述 Understatement is a form of speech which contains an expression of less strength than would be expected. This is not to be confused with \o Euphemism euphemism, where a polite phrase is used in place of a harsher or more offensive expression. 低调陈述英语解释为understatementUnderstatement is the opposite of overstatement in that it misrepresents the truth by deliberately understating it as opposed to exaggerating it.简单来说，低调陈述与夸张正好相反。如：the face wasnt a bad one; it had what they called charm.这个句子中，the face wasnt a bad one就是采用了低调陈述的手法，实际意思就是：the face was a very good one. 就像中文中有人问起自己妻子的相貌，丈夫会谦虚的说：不丑。而这个“不丑”也隐含了一层意思就是：很漂亮。这就是低调陈述。 明抑暗扬的understatement （低调陈述） 先看《大学英语·精读》第四册七单元课文中有这样一句话： We are none of us getting any younger. 我们都不年轻啦。 这个句子通过对younger 的否定来表示对该词的反义词older的肯定，其本意是：We are both of us getting much old.? 这是英语中常见的一种修辞方法，称之为understatement（低调陈述）。 Understatement 的意思是： a statement that is not strong enough to express facts or feelings with full force（语气不够强，不足以表达事实或感情的陈述）。A Dictionary of Literary Terms所给的解释是：A figure of speech which contains an understatement of emphasis, and therefore the opposite of hyperbole. Often used in everyday speech and usually with laconic or ironic intentions.也就是说，这种修辞格是故意使用有节制的措辞来陈述事实，故意轻描淡写，借低调与弱化语言形式来表示强调。它是与hyperbole（夸张）相对的一种修辞格。hyperbole是故意夸大其辞，化小为大，是deliberately maximize the importance和 play up；而Understatement则故意采取“低调”，化大为小，是deliberately minimize the importance和 play down。 一般说来，英语Understatement并无固定的格式，通常可以通过词汇和语法手段来体现。 ? 1、用词汇手段来体现 Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her person for the worse. ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (Johathan Swift) 上星期我看见一个女人被剥了皮，而你几乎不会相信这把她的身体改变得多么更不好了。 作者用altered一词，轻描淡写地陈述了剥女人皮这一毛骨悚然的事件。 …there was a loud cry from a number of voices, and the horses reared and plunged. But for the latter inconvenience, the carriage probably would not have stopped; carriages were often known to drive on, and leave their wounded behind, and why not? ?????