Stylistic devices ( Prof. Galperin’s classification)

The main constituting feature of a stylistic device (SD) is the binary opposition of two meanings of the employed unit, one of which is normatively fixed in the language and does not depend on the context, while the other one originates within certain context and is contextual.

1. Stilistic devices based on the binary opposition of lexical meanings regardless of the syntactical organization of the utterance – lexical stylistic devices.

2. Stilistic devices based on the binary opposition of syntactical meanings regardless of their semantics – syntactical stylistic devices.

3. Stilistic devices based on the binary opposition of lexical meanings accompanied by fixed syntactical organization of employed lexical units – lexico–syntactical stylistic devices.

4. Stilistic devices based on the opposition of meanings of phonological and/or graphical elements of the language – graphical and phonetical stylistic means.

When the opposition is clearly perceived and both indicated meanings are simultaneously realized within the same short context we speak of fresh, original, genuine stilistic devices.

When one of the meanings is suppressed by the other we speak of trite, or hackneyed stilistic devices.

When the second, contextual, meaning is completely blended with the first, initial one, we speak of the disappearance of stilistic devices and its replacement by polysemy or phraseology.

1. Lexical stilistic devices

A. Stilistic devices based on the interaction between the logical and nominal meanings of a word.

Antonomasia (the use of a proper name in place of a common one or vice versa to emphasise some feature or quality): Lady Teasle; Miss Sharp; Mr.Credulous.

B. Stilistic devices based on the interaction between two logical meanings of a word.

Metaphor (the application of a word or phrase to an object or concept it does not literally denote, in order to suggest similarity and association with another object or concept): …every hour in every day she could wound his pride. (Dickens)

Metonymy (the transfer of name of one object onto another to which it is related; or of which it is a part (synecdoche): I get my living by the sweat of my brow. (Dickens)

Irony (the expression of a meaning that is often the direct opposite of the intended meaning): Henry could get gloriously tipsy on tea and conversation. (A.Huxley)

C. Stilistic devices based on the interaction between the logical and emotive meanings of a word.

Hyperbole (the deliberate exaggeration of some quantity, quality, size, etc.; if it is smallness that is being hyperbolized, we speak of understatement): The little woman, for she was of pocket size, crossed her hands solemnly on her middle. (Galsworthy)

Epithet (an adjective or descriptive phrase used to characterize a person or object with the aim to give them subjective evaluation): She gave Mrs.Silsburn a you–know–how–men–are look. (Salinger)

Oxymoron (when opposite or contradictory ideas are combined): For an eternity of seconds, it seemed, the din was all but incredible. (Salinger)

D. Stilistic devices based on the interaction between the free and phraseological meanings of a word.

Zeugma (the context allows to realize two meanings of the same polysemantic word without repetition of the word itself): There comes a period in every man’s life, but she’s just a semicolon in his. (Evans)

Pun (the role of the context is similar to that of zeugma, while the structure is changed, for the central word is repeated): Did you hit a woman with a child? – No, Sir, I hit her with a brick. (Th.Smith)

Violation of phraseological units (when phraseological meanings of the components are disregarded and intentionally replaced by their original literal meanings): Another person who makes both ends meet is the infant who sucks his toes. (Esar)