英语演讲中的修辞手法(2)

英语演讲中的修辞手法Rhetoric Device in English Speech 第3页

英语演讲中的修辞手法Rhetoric Device in English Speech 第3页

2.2 The Function of Rhetoric

Rhetorical devices are variations of literal or ordinary forms of expressions. Their function is to make the thought more striking and effective. A fresh and suitable rhetorical device appeals to the imagination, creates mental pictures and makes the speech or writing vivid, impressive and interesting.

Rhetorical devices can make language more vivid by using the simple words to express complex meanings. By the use of rhetoric, even abstract ideas can become concrete. Rhetoric can make the modified subjects more prominent, distinctive, and specific. By the use of rhetoric, the language can give people more space to imagine. Whereas, without the use of rhetoric, the language is boring and there is no vigor in the language. For example: Light as a breeze, soft as a cloud.

In the sentence, the writer used a kind of rhetorical devices—simile. Simile is a figure of speech in which two essentially unlike subjects are compared. Simile often signals itself by ―like‖ or ―as‖. By using simile, it helps the writer to better communicate with his readers. It is easy for the readers to understand and remember the sentence. 3． An Analysis of Rhetoric in English Speech

Speech can arouse people‘s attention and profound feeling to take action. Languages should be used properly in specific situations and occasions. Figures of speech are ways of making our language figurative. When we use words in other than their ordinary or literal sense to lend force to an idea, to heighten effect, or to create suggestive imagery, we are said to be speaking or writing figuratively. Hence, it is quite necessary for us to learn rhetoric, which serves as a helper to us in writing and speaking different kinds of styles. Through learning rhetoric, we may be in a position to express ourselves more eloquently and properly.

Several kinds of rhetorical devices are frequently used in speech, and it is necessary to study them one by one by giving definitions and making illustrations.

3.1 Simile

A simile is a direct comparison between two objects or attributes that, although essentially different, do have some similarity. These direct comparisons are easy to identify, as they use words such as \create the clear image, much easier for the others to accept.

A simile is made up of four parts: ―the tenor‖, ―the vehicle‖, ―the comparing word‖ and ―the ground‖. ―The tenor‖ is the subject of simile. ―The vehicle‖ is the thing compared to or the part transported. ―The comparing word‖ is the simile marker such as, ―like, as, than, as if, similar to.‖ ―The ground‖ is the common properties owned by ―the tenor‖ and ―the vehicle‖. For example:

―No, no, we are not satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.‖

This sentence is from Martin Luther King's ―I have a dream‖ speech, It can be found that, in this sentence, ―justice‖, ―righteousness‖ are ―the tenor‖ and ―waters‖ , ―a mighty stream‖ are ―the vehicle‖. The word ―like‖ signals this sentence makes use of the rhetoric device—simile. Thus by using simile, this sentence makes this two words--―justice‖ and ―righteousness‖ more vivid and lively. It means that we will not quit until justice is as plentiful as water and is raining on all of us and the force of its power to enforce equality and fairness is as powerful and inevitable as the force of a large river. This simile is effective because it communicates not only the extent of his hope but also the passion he has for the fulfillment of his expectations to become a powerful force that will not be stopped.

Another example:

―America is not like a blanket -- one piece of unbroken cloth, the same color, the same texture, the same size. America is more like a quilt: many patches, many pieces, many colors, many sizes, all woven and held together by a common thread.‖

This sentence is from Jesse Jackson's 1984 Democratic National Convention Address. In this address, ―the tenor‖ is ―America‖, ―the vehicle‖ are ―blanket‖ and quilt. The word ―like‖ is the simile marker in this sentence. More examples,

①―It hates Israel because of the West -- because it sees Israel as an outpost of freedom

and democracy that prevents them from overrunning the Middle East.‖ (Binyamin Netanyahu, Speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee)

②―I look forward to hearing the truth, exactly where they are. They could still be there. They could be hidden, like the 50 tons of mustard gas in a turkey farm.‖(George W. Bush, Prime Time Press Conference on Iraq War)

③―The very many times own body occupies as if in a stage, the criticism and the opposition sit under looked I perform, they meet do not stop throw the tomato and the egg to me But this time I was only thinking how develops own role.‖ (Clinton)

④―The Chinese held that ―one should be as inclusive as the ocean, which is vast because it admits hundreds of rivers‖ and called for drawing upon the strength of others.‖(Chinese President Hu Jintao's Remarks at Yale)

英语演讲中的修辞手法Rhetoric Device in English Speech 第4页

英语演讲中的修辞手法Rhetoric Device in English Speech 第4页

⑤―These great national problems are not for your professional participation or military solution. Your guidepost stands out like a ten-fold beacon in the night: Duty, Honor, Country.‖( General Douglas MacArthur, Sylvanus Thayer Award Acceptance Address)⑥―Those two things the Almighty said to be necessary -- I should say He knew to be necessary, or else He would not have so prescribed that the property would be kept among the general run of the people and that everyone …… 此处隐藏：8510字，全部文档内容请下载后查看。喜欢就下载吧 ……