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Home , Figure of speech, Pleonasm

- Lok Raj Regmi

many poems are well-suited to a single language and reveals one thing by relating it to Surkhet classroom lesson”. something else”. Since naturally allows the varieties of In the of Gray (2008, p. 120) “Any form language use along with the figures of speech, of expression or which deviates from Analysis and Use of Figures of Speech it avails the readers/learners with several the plainest expression of is designated opportunities to with the language use, to a ”. This writing attempts to - Lok Raj Regmi pull it this way and that, to test its elasticity, to analyze representative figures of speech and explore its limits. For example, the coinage of presents how such figurative language of poetry Abstract new words, creation of new collocations, the use supports learners in fostering their linguistic Poetry, a form of literature, displays varieties of language use through figures of of old words in new ways, the use of same competence. speech, the rhetorical devices. There are two views for and against the use of such (s) for difference purposes/meanings, the Representative figures of speech rhetorical devices in language teaching. One of the views shows its strong resentment connotative use of words, etc. in using such figures of speech and does not find the space of them in language In this section, some of the representative types teaching whereas the next speaks in favour of using them in language teaching if In poetry, either subjective feelings of poet or of figures of speech have been introduced (see the texts are wisely selected. It is the judicious or creative use of figures of speech. his/her description on objects can be expressed analysis section for the examples.) A language teacher tries to look at them from language teaching point of view. This using figures of speech. They can be more An writing primarily analyzes the representative figures of speech, states some examples effective means or vehicles to express, expand a. Allegory and Circumlocution: with their language features and ultimately justifies how figures of speech support and explore the emotion, imagination and is a story in verse or in with a double language teaching and learning. observation of poets. Further, figures of speech, meaning: a primary or surface meaning and a rearranged in poems can pinpoint the area secondary or referential meaning. Key words: Figures of speech, poetry, deviated language, indirect and connotative language, for ample attention; make the expression Circumlocution is an indirect way of speaking. language teaching memorable apart from developing readers’/ b. Euphemism: Euphemism is the use of learners’ linguistic competence. pleasant, mild and indirect words instead literary senses especially from prose. For General Introduction of more precise and direct ones. In the words example, Elegy Written in country Churchyard Figures of speech Poetry, mostly composed in verse, is a written of Abrams (2005, p. 88), “Euphemism is (1751), which deals with human transitoriness, discourse. It is one of the effective forms of Figures of speech basically deal with the vehicles an inoffensive expression used in place of a literature to express human ideas, emotions, uses concrete images: a cemetery, the ringing of which primarily make the expression of language blunt one that is felt to be disagreeable”. reactions, responses, etc. In the words of bell, a farmer returning from tilling, darkness, more beautiful and effective. In a traditional way, c. and : The difference between Wordsworth (as cited in Nayar, 2009, p. 194), and tomb stones. Such objects and expressive these devices have been described as poetic what is told and what is done is irony. “Poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful scenes are described to make the poem concrete. ornaments in a traditional way of analyzing the According to Gray (2008, p. 255), “A satire feelings recollected in tranquility”. Poetry Consequently, poetry becomes a piece of writing poem. The author in poetry, using these devices; exhibits or examines vice and folly and primarily is an expression of the state of human in which words are arranged /chosen for their , images, symbols, , makes them appear ridiculous”. Irony and mind. Since poetry is often regarded as a medium sound and for the images, ideas they suggest. etc. can deliver the message indirectly to the satire are used in both prose and poetry. for the expression of subjective, personal events- In the words of Throad (2004, p. 2), “Since poets readers. As a result language becomes connotative an assumption which does not always have to express the intensity of their experience and or referential. As look at these figures of d. and : Metaphor and simile speech from point of view, we find correspond to the facts-the issue of the speaker with a minimum number of words, the language refer to between two dissimilar them full of language features. Supporting this is central to the analysis of poem. of poetry has to be very precise”. That is why a objects with their common qualities. The view, Gautam (2014) points out, “A figure of former one is implied and indirect The use of figures of speech, rearranged syntax text of poem can be a spicy material to a single speech is a way of saying something other than comparison whereas the latter one is direct and the dominance of prosodic features (except classroom lesson. Collie (2009, p. 226) rightly the literal way. It adds extra dimensions to comparison. in free verse) distinguishes poetry from other says, “There is the initial advantage of length-

76 Journal of NELTA Surkhet Vol. 4 December, 2014 Journal of NELTA Surkhet Vol. 4 December, 2014 77 - Lok Raj Regmi

many poems are well-suited to a single language and reveals one thing by relating it to Surkhet classroom lesson”. something else”. Since poetry naturally allows the varieties of In the words of Gray (2008, p. 120) “Any form language use along with the figures of speech, of expression or grammar which deviates from Analysis and Use of Figures of Speech it avails the readers/learners with several the plainest expression of meaning is designated opportunities to play with the language use, to a figure of speech”. This writing attempts to - Lok Raj Regmi pull it this way and that, to test its elasticity, to analyze representative figures of speech and explore its limits. For example, the coinage of presents how such figurative language of poetry Abstract new words, creation of new collocations, the use supports learners in fostering their linguistic Poetry, a form of literature, displays varieties of language use through figures of of old words in new ways, the use of same competence. speech, the rhetorical devices. There are two views for and against the use of such word(s) for difference purposes/meanings, the Representative figures of speech rhetorical devices in language teaching. One of the views shows its strong resentment connotative use of words, etc. in using such figures of speech and does not find the space of them in language In this section, some of the representative types teaching whereas the next speaks in favour of using them in language teaching if In poetry, either subjective feelings of poet or of figures of speech have been introduced (see the texts are wisely selected. It is the judicious or creative use of figures of speech. his/her description on objects can be expressed analysis section for the examples.) A language teacher tries to look at them from language teaching point of view. This using figures of speech. They can be more An Allegory writing primarily analyzes the representative figures of speech, states some examples effective means or vehicles to express, expand a. Allegory and Circumlocution: with their language features and ultimately justifies how figures of speech support and explore the emotion, imagination and is a story in verse or in prose with a double language teaching and learning. observation of poets. Further, figures of speech, meaning: a primary or surface meaning and a rearranged syntax in poems can pinpoint the area secondary or referential meaning. Key words: Figures of speech, poetry, deviated language, indirect and connotative language, for ample attention; make the expression Circumlocution is an indirect way of speaking. language teaching memorable apart from developing readers’/ b. Euphemism: Euphemism is the use of learners’ linguistic competence. pleasant, mild and indirect words instead literary senses especially from prose. For General Introduction of more precise and direct ones. In the words example, Elegy Written in country Churchyard Figures of speech Poetry, mostly composed in verse, is a written of Abrams (2005, p. 88), “Euphemism is (1751), which deals with human transitoriness, discourse. It is one of the effective forms of Figures of speech basically deal with the vehicles an inoffensive expression used in place of a literature to express human ideas, emotions, uses concrete images: a cemetery, the ringing of which primarily make the expression of language blunt one that is felt to be disagreeable”. reactions, responses, etc. In the words of bell, a farmer returning from tilling, darkness, more beautiful and effective. In a traditional way, c. Irony and satire: The difference between Wordsworth (as cited in Nayar, 2009, p. 194), and tomb stones. Such objects and expressive these devices have been described as poetic what is told and what is done is irony. “Poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful scenes are described to make the poem concrete. ornaments in a traditional way of analyzing the According to Gray (2008, p. 255), “A satire feelings recollected in tranquility”. Poetry Consequently, poetry becomes a piece of writing poem. The author in poetry, using these devices; exhibits or examines vice and folly and primarily is an expression of the state of human in which words are arranged /chosen for their metaphors, images, symbols, personification, makes them appear ridiculous”. Irony and mind. Since poetry is often regarded as a medium sound and for the images, ideas they suggest. etc. can deliver the message indirectly to the satire are used in both prose and poetry. for the expression of subjective, personal events- In the words of Throad (2004, p. 2), “Since poets readers. As a result language becomes connotative an assumption which does not always have to express the intensity of their experience and or referential. As we look at these figures of d. Metaphor and simile: Metaphor and simile speech from linguistics point of view, we find correspond to the facts-the issue of the speaker with a minimum number of words, the language refer to comparison between two dissimilar them full of language features. Supporting this is central to the analysis of poem. of poetry has to be very precise”. That is why a objects with their common qualities. The view, Gautam (2014) points out, “A figure of former one is implied and indirect The use of figures of speech, rearranged syntax text of poem can be a spicy material to a single speech is a way of saying something other than comparison whereas the latter one is direct and the dominance of prosodic features (except classroom lesson. Collie (2009, p. 226) rightly the literal way. It adds extra dimensions to comparison. in free verse) distinguishes poetry from other says, “There is the initial advantage of length-

76 Journal of NELTA Surkhet Vol. 4 December, 2014 Journal of NELTA Surkhet Vol. 4 December, 2014 77 Analysis and Use of Figures of Speech - Lok Raj Regmi e . and : Metonymy in sequence of repeated words at the beginning It is the star to every wandering bark. 13. The stationary blasts of waterfalls, writing is the substitution of the name of a thing of neighboring clauses to create emphasis. ( in Marriage of True Minds) Tumult and peace, the darkness and the light. through attribution or association. Synecdoche (William Wordsworth in The Prelude) j. Image and symbol: An image signifies 8. This city now doth, like a garment, wear is a figure of speech in which a part refers to figurative language, especially the vehicle The beauty of the morning; silent bare. 14. Deep as first love, and wild with all regret: the whole of something or vice versa. of metaphors and . It describes the (William Wordsworth in Composed upon O Death in life, the days that are no more. f. Paradox and : A statement that quality of an . A symbol can be an Westminster Bridge) (Alfred L. Tennyson in Tears, Idle Tears) seems to be absurd or contradictory but object that represents an abstract idea: love, 9. My manhood is cast down 15. A hundred years should go to praise is/may be true is paradox. Supporting this hatred, tragedy, unionism, death, etc. I weep like a child for the past. view, Abrams (2005, p. 209) writes, “The Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze Textual examples of figures of speech (D. H. Lawrence in Piano) paradox used occasionally by almost all Two hundred to adore each breast, poets (although it is a central feature of This section presents some examples of figures 10. O Rose, thou art sick: But thirty thousand to the rest metaphysical poets) is a statement which of speech used in different texts of poetry. The invisible worm, (Andrew Marvell in To His Coy Mistress) seems on its face to be logically contradictory, 1. The broken wall, the burning roof and tower, That flies in the night 16. And swear yet turns out to be interpretable in a way And Agamemnon dead. In the howling storm. No where that makes sense”. Parody is a piece of (W.B Yeats in Leda and the Swan) (William Blake in The Sick Rose) Lives a woman true and fair speech or writing that imitates the style of others 11. Ten thousand I saw at a glance, (John Donne in Songs) either exactly or in an exaggerated way. 2. When the stars threw down their spears And watered heaven with their tears Tossing their hands in sprightly dance. 17. In time the savage bull sustains the yoke, g. Personification and : Treating Did he smile his work to see (William Wordsworth in Daffodils) In time all haggard hawks will stop to lure. something without life as a human being or Did he who made the Lamb make thee? 12. Steady thy laden head across a brook, (Thomas kyd in The Spanish Tragedy) representing it in human form i.e. (human (William Blake in The Tyger) attributes and feeling) is personification. Or by a cider-press, with patient look, 18. And miles to go before I sleep, Pleonasm has the use of unnecessary syntactic 3. Thou by the Indian Ganges’ side Thou watchest the last oozings, hours by hours. And miles to go beforeI sleep addition, more words than necessary have been I by the tide of Humber would complain. (John Keats in Ode to Autumn) (Robert Frost in Stopping by Woods in a Snowy Evening) used to express the meaning. (Andrew Marvell in to His Coy Mistress) Table 1 h. and conceit: From linguistic 4. The throwers throw only now and then, But the gatherers S.No. Figures of speech Example No. Effects point of view, oxymoron allows the 1. Metaphor and simile 6,7,8,9 Varieties of language use, motivating language Continue with their hoarding forever. combination of two contradictory terms. Provides the students with space for discussion, 2. Irony and satire 4,5 According to Cuddon (1982, p. 47), “It is a (Prakash Subedi in At the Temple) critical thinking, and creative writing figure of speech which combines 5. Was he free? Was he happy? 3. 1,2,3 Reference from the past events. incongruous and apparently contradictory The is absurd: 4. Image and symbol 10,12 Pictorial, vivid and poetic language. Example of deviation, the language departs from words and meanings for a special effect”. A Had anything been wrong? We Personification and 5. 8,9,11,12 the ordinary of communication. Rearranged conceit, as its distinguished quality, forges Certainly should have heard. paradox an unexpected comparison between two syntax can develop language awareness (W.H Auden in The Unknown Citizen) 6. Oxymoron and conceit 13,14 Poetic effects, focus on meanings, motivating language apparently dissimilar ideas. 7. Exaggeration/ 15,16 The of epigram, appeal for attention 6. My vegetable love should grow, i. Allusion and anaphora: In an allusion, we 8. Anaphora and refrain 17,18 Distinctive effects, pleasing sound, motivating language Vaster than empires, and more slow. get the reference of place, event especially from the previous literary works either (Andrew Marvell in To His Coy Mistress) Conclusion of speech like: metaphor and simile; irony and directly or through implication. Anaphora 7. It is an ever fixed mark, Poetry, a form of literature, displays various satire; image and symbol; personification and is a particular figure of speech consisting That looks an tempest and is never shaken, examples of figures of speech. Such figures paradox; anaphora and refrain, etc. make the

78 Journal of NELTA Surkhet Vol. 4 December, 2014 Journal of NELTA Surkhet Vol. 4 December, 2014 79 Analysis and Use of Figures of Speech - Lok Raj Regmi e . Metonymy and synecdoche: Metonymy in sequence of repeated words at the beginning It is the star to every wandering bark. 13. The stationary blasts of waterfalls, writing is the substitution of the name of a thing of neighboring clauses to create emphasis. (William Shakespeare in Marriage of True Minds) Tumult and peace, the darkness and the light. through attribution or association. Synecdoche (William Wordsworth in The Prelude) j. Image and symbol: An image signifies 8. This city now doth, like a garment, wear is a figure of speech in which a part refers to figurative language, especially the vehicle The beauty of the morning; silent bare. 14. Deep as first love, and wild with all regret: the whole of something or vice versa. of metaphors and similes. It describes the (William Wordsworth in Composed upon O Death in life, the days that are no more. f. Paradox and parody: A statement that quality of an object. A symbol can be an Westminster Bridge) (Alfred L. Tennyson in Tears, Idle Tears) seems to be absurd or contradictory but object that represents an abstract idea: love, 9. My manhood is cast down 15. A hundred years should go to praise is/may be true is paradox. Supporting this hatred, tragedy, unionism, death, etc. I weep like a child for the past. view, Abrams (2005, p. 209) writes, “The Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze Textual examples of figures of speech (D. H. Lawrence in Piano) paradox used occasionally by almost all Two hundred to adore each breast, poets (although it is a central feature of This section presents some examples of figures 10. O Rose, thou art sick: But thirty thousand to the rest metaphysical poets) is a statement which of speech used in different texts of poetry. The invisible worm, (Andrew Marvell in To His Coy Mistress) seems on its face to be logically contradictory, 1. The broken wall, the burning roof and tower, That flies in the night 16. And swear yet turns out to be interpretable in a way And Agamemnon dead. In the howling storm. No where that makes sense”. Parody is a piece of (W.B Yeats in Leda and the Swan) (William Blake in The Sick Rose) Lives a woman true and fair speech or writing that imitates the style of others 11. Ten thousand I saw at a glance, (John Donne in Songs) either exactly or in an exaggerated way. 2. When the stars threw down their spears And watered heaven with their tears Tossing their hands in sprightly dance. 17. In time the savage bull sustains the yoke, g. Personification and pleonasm: Treating Did he smile his work to see (William Wordsworth in Daffodils) In time all haggard hawks will stop to lure. something without life as a human being or Did he who made the Lamb make thee? 12. Steady thy laden head across a brook, (Thomas kyd in The Spanish Tragedy) representing it in human form i.e. (human (William Blake in The Tyger) attributes and feeling) is personification. Or by a cider-press, with patient look, 18. And miles to go before I sleep, Pleonasm has the use of unnecessary syntactic 3. Thou by the Indian Ganges’ side Thou watchest the last oozings, hours by hours. And miles to go beforeI sleep addition, more words than necessary have been I by the tide of Humber would complain. (John Keats in Ode to Autumn) (Robert Frost in Stopping by Woods in a Snowy Evening) used to express the meaning. (Andrew Marvell in to His Coy Mistress) Table 1 h. Oxymoron and conceit: From linguistic 4. The throwers throw only now and then, But the gatherers S.No. Figures of speech Example No. Effects point of view, oxymoron allows the 1. Metaphor and simile 6,7,8,9 Varieties of language use, motivating language Continue with their hoarding forever. combination of two contradictory terms. Provides the students with space for discussion, 2. Irony and satire 4,5 According to Cuddon (1982, p. 47), “It is a (Prakash Subedi in At the Temple) critical thinking, and creative writing figure of speech which combines 5. Was he free? Was he happy? 3. Allusion 1,2,3 Reference from the past events. incongruous and apparently contradictory The question is absurd: 4. Image and symbol 10,12 Pictorial, vivid and poetic language. Example of deviation, the language departs from words and meanings for a special effect”. A Had anything been wrong? We Personification and 5. 8,9,11,12 the ordinary mode of communication. Rearranged conceit, as its distinguished quality, forges Certainly should have heard. paradox an unexpected comparison between two syntax can develop language awareness (W.H Auden in The Unknown Citizen) 6. Oxymoron and conceit 13,14 Poetic effects, focus on meanings, motivating language apparently dissimilar ideas. 7. Exaggeration/hyperbole 15,16 The tone of epigram, appeal for attention 6. My vegetable love should grow, i. Allusion and anaphora: In an allusion, we 8. Anaphora and refrain 17,18 Distinctive effects, pleasing sound, motivating language Vaster than empires, and more slow. get the reference of place, event especially from the previous literary works either (Andrew Marvell in To His Coy Mistress) Conclusion of speech like: metaphor and simile; irony and directly or through implication. Anaphora 7. It is an ever fixed mark, Poetry, a form of literature, displays various satire; image and symbol; personification and is a particular figure of speech consisting That looks an tempest and is never shaken, examples of figures of speech. Such figures paradox; anaphora and refrain, etc. make the

78 Journal of NELTA Surkhet Vol. 4 December, 2014 Journal of NELTA Surkhet Vol. 4 December, 2014 79 Analysis and Use of Figures of Speech language indirect, connotative, and deviated. discussion, critical thinking and creative writing. Does this variety of language have any space It is not exaggeration to say that the figures of Surkhet in language teaching? Does this variety of speech: simile, anaphora, refrain, oxymoron, language, which displays structural complexities, conceit, etc. display motivating language and support learners in fostering language skills? are useful in developing Teachers’ Engrossment in Professional How can such language departed from usual and in creating conducive environment. variety support present approach/method of Development in Surkhet Valley About the author language teaching (although focus is in pedagogy) in our context? Can such variety be Mr. Regmi is Associate Professor of English - Mukunda Kumar Giri Education at MahendraRatna Campus effective for our language learners to achieve Tahachal, Kathmandu. He has authored many the skill of communication in our context where textbooks and references beside dozens of Abstract most of them cannot speak using simple English research and academic articles in national Since 2010, National Center for Educational Development (NCED) has extended and international journals on different or this variety becomes counter-productive? These teachers’ professional development program for in-service teachers to Resource aspects/ subjects of ELT. His interest lies on are vales of issues around us with reference to Centre (RC) level while the service of the then 10 month teacher training was limited teaching and learning. literature, literature in language teaching, and teacher training. to Education Training Center (ETC) (NCED, 2011). All the secondary level teachers As we observe the aforementioned examples of have got at least one opportunity to attend Teachers’ Professional Development figures of speech, we can say that these figures References (TPD) training in these last three years in Surkhet district. In institutional schools, of speech present varieties of language use Abrams, M. H., & Harpham (2005). A glossary teachers are deprived of such opportunities; however, they are seen equally potent (through metaphor, simile, personification, of literary terms.USA: Thomson Higher and equally professional. On the other hand, if we compare teachers’ individual images, symbols, etc). These rhetorical devices Education professionalism, we find much variation although there is same kind of opportunities make language colourful, catchy, and present Collie, J., & Slatter, S. (2009). Literature in given to them.With an assumption that the teachers are the main resources to be the evocation of appeal, and emphasis, etc. As the language classroom.Cambridge: used in the school system, this article summarizes the survey carried out amidst our language learners are familiar to such variety Cambridge University Press. teachers, to explain TPD and to reflect the situation of teachers’ engrossment in of language, they can compare these varieties Cudden, J. A. (1982). Dictionary of literary professional development initiatives (PDI) in Surkhet valley. This study has attempted with the usual pattern(s) of language. They will terms and . to assess the situation of teachers’ engrossment in Teachers’ Professional point out the example of usual pattern and Harmondsworth: Penguin Development Initiatives in Surkhet valley. rearranged pattern or deviated pattern of Gautam, K. R. (2014). Figures of speech in Teachers’ professional development, initiatives, reflection, engrossment, motivation language. As a result, such variety can develop Flax-Golden tales. An unpublished M.Ed. Key words: language awareness in them. thesis. Sapta Gandaki Campus, T.U. Gray M. (2003). A dictionary of literary Background continuously facing numerous difficulties in The figures of speech: metaphor and simile have educational sector due to inefficiency and lack terms.India: Pearson Education Limited. Education is regarded as a basic human right the use of two diversely distinctive objects or of commitment on the part of the educational Klarer, M. (2004). An introduction to literary world-wide today. Deway has claimed that vehicles. The meaning of a text comes out administration (Thapa, 2003). studies. London: Rontledge education stands for the development that through the comparison between them. Such Nayar, P. K, (2009). A short history of English required capacities in individual which enable According to UNESCO (2005), education is patterns of language do not only display the literature. Cambridge: Cambridge him/her to control his/her environment and fulfill considered as a cornerstone in the achievement variety of language use but also become an University Press. his/her possibilities (Dewey, as cited in Sharma, of the human rights framework; it is intimately example of motivating language. Similarly, the Throad, A. (2004). Poetry and minor forms of 1976, p. 20). Another scholar has committed that linked with the fulfillment of other key rights use of irony, satire, paradox, exaggeration, etc. English literature. Place: Oxford: Oxford can provide the learners with the space for University Press. the governments in the developing countries have such as the right to livelihood and work, the right been facing many challenges of educating their to self-determination, and the right to freedom people. Like other countries Nepal has also been of thought and expression.

80 Journal of NELTA Surkhet Vol. 4 December, 2014 Journal of NELTA Surkhet Vol. 4 December, 2014 81