Экзамен по стилистике Stylistics as a science and style as a main stylistic category

Periphrasis is a stylistic device which denotes the process of renaming – the use of a different name instead of the traditionally used one with the aim of bringing out and intensifying some feature or quality of that object or phenomenon. Periphrasis - is a round-about way of speaking used to name some object or phenomenon, it is describing the object instead of naming it. Longer phrase is used instead of a shorter one. Some of the periphrases are borrowed from classical sources (myths and the Bible); others are typically English. Typically English periphrases are: Lake country (= England); The Lord; Almighty; Goodness; Heavens; the Skies (= God); a shield-bearer (= a soldier); a play of swords (= a battle). Periphrasis expresses an individual, purely subjective attitude to the object described.
Periphrases are divided into:
1. Logical - based on inherent properties of a thing, that is if the phrase used instead of a word describes the concept or specific feature. Ex.: instrument of destruction, the object of administration.
2. Figurative - based on imagery: metaphor, metonymy. Ex.: to tie a knot (= to get married), in disgrace of fortune (= bad luck).
Periphrasis is euphemistic if the phrase replaces a word which is undesirable, rude or embarrassing. Ex.: Frank called her a name which ladies seldom apply to one another in affection. She characterized you in terms suggestive of disapprobation.
Periphrasis is metaphorical if based on similarity of concepts. Ex.: Diana felt suddenly that she was on very thin ice.
Periphrasis is metonymical if based on associative relations between the two concepts. Ex.: The content of the bed sat up like a jack-in- the-box and said: “Who is that?”
Periphrasis may be viewed as both trite (the fair sex (= women), my better half (= a wife or a husband) and fresh (They were outnumbered by graying arrivals = older men; the punctual savant of all work = the sun; shouter = singer; prisoner = cook; hair butcher = hair dresser).
Stylistic periphrasis (the SD of periphrasis) should not be confused with language facts – trite word-combinations that are fixed in dictionaries as periphrastic synonyms for words, as my better half = a wife, gentlemen of the long robe = lawyer, the fair sex = women, an affair of honor = duel. Periphrasis is often used for the sake of humor, irony, satire or parody.
Its frequent use is characteristic of the publicistic style.