Litotes(反叙)与Meiosis(弱陈)由Understatement(低调陈述)逐渐取代的原因探析

Litotes(反叙)与Meiosis(弱陈)由Understatement(低调陈述)逐渐取代,在学界已渐成为共识,但我们认为其内在的原因是downtoners(低调词)的特殊性可将litotes(反叙)与meiosis(弱陈)打通或融合,使仅采用一个understatement来统领litotes(反叙)与meiosis(弱陈),以避免歧义和误解成为可能,因为understatement(低调陈述),litotes(反叙),以及meiosis(弱陈)三者均有一个通用的原则,即"含糊或弱化的表述可获得强调的效果"。

On the Causes of the Substitution of Litotes and Meiosis by Understatement

It is generally accepted by the academic that understatement have gradually substituted litotes and meiosis.This paper argues that the internal causes of the phenomenon is that the downtoners,with their special usages,are capable of merging the above three figures of speech,with only understatement performing the same functions,whereby the ambiguity and misunderstanding are avoided.The possibility of the combination of three figures of speech and the substitution of litotes and meiosis by understatement is based on a principle that appropriate use of vague expressions can be a device for emphasis.