Abstract

English adages are widespread and charming, simple but meaningful, vivid and humorous. They are the classic examples of aesthetic rhetoric, representing the treasure of the English language, and reflecting the wisdom of the English people. An important reason why the English adages are charming is the use of rhetoric devices, among which the tropes are the most common. There are mainly three fundamental tropes——simile, metaphor and metonymy which are elaborated in this paper.

  This paper is divided into four parts which are introduction, adages, analysis and conclusion. It first introduces the basic information of adages. And after the simile, metaphor and metonymy are analyzed; it comes to a conclusion in the final section. Covered in this paper are their definition, structures and semantic effects. A better understanding of the semantic effects of tropes in English adages will lead to their more effective use.

Key words: English adages; tropes; simile; metaphor; metonymy

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Adages-1

2.1 Origins of adages-1

2.2 Categories-3

2.2.1 Proverbs-3

2.2.2 Maxims-3

2.2.3 Aphorism-3

2.2.4 Truism-4

2.3 Features and functions of adages-5

2.3.1 Features of adages-5

2.3.2 Functions of adages-5

2.4 Translation skills-6

3. Tropes-7

3.1 Simile-7

3.1.1 The basic formats of similes-7

3.1.2 The semantic effects of similes as reflected in adages-8

3.2 Metaphor-9

3.2.1 The basic formats of metaphors-9

3.2.2 Categories of metaphors-11

3.2.3 The semantic effects of metaphors as reflected in adages-13

3.3 Metonymy-14

3.3.1 Categories of metonymies-14

3.3.2 The semantic effects of metonymies as reflected in adages-15

4. Conclusion-16

References-18