什么是低调陈述(understatement).docxVIP

PAGE PAGE #/ 6 什么是低调陈述 Understatementis a form of speech which contains an expression of less strength than would beexpected. This is not to be confused witheuphemism, where a polite phrase is usedin place of aharsher or more offensive expression. 低调陈述英语解释为 understatement Understatement is the opposite of overstatement in that it misrepresents the truth by deliberatelyunderstating 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 was nt a bad one就是采用了低调陈述的手法，实际意 思就是： the face wasa 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 bothof us getti ng 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 withfull force （语气不够强，不足以表达事实或感情的陈述）。 ADictionary of Literary Terms 所给的解释是： Afigure of speech which contains an understatement of emphasis, and therefore theopposite 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 importanee 禾口 play up; 而 Understatement 贝U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 italteredher person forthe 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 fron a nu mber of voices, and the horses reared and plunged. But forthelatterinconvenience,the carriageprobablywouldnothave stopped; carriages wereoften known to drive on, and leave their wounded behind, and why not? ( Charles Dickens: ATale of Two Cities) ??…从许多声