浅谈英语谚语的来源、功能及其修辞(8)

4. The rhetorical devices of English proverbs 
If we say the philosophic or instructive aspect of English proverbs is a good help to the people, then we can also say that the artistic or aesthetic aspect of English proverbs is accelerant that attracts people’s attention to make full use of them. English proverbs are always terse, figurative and with pleasant sound effect, which make them easy to memorize and pleasant to ears. Following we will discuss the rhetorical devices of English proverbs.
4.1 Repetition
（1）Sound in body, sound in mind.
（2）Fools learn nothing from wise men, but wise men learn much from fools.
（3）One boy is a boy, two boys half a boy, three boys no boy.
（4）A wise man thinks all that he says; a fool says all that he thinks.
From the above examples, we can find that the repeated word or idea has a reinforcing effect. With the repetition of the same word in close succession, we may notice that the main point of the sentence becomes clear. It can also be used to express strong emotion and give us an aesthetic feeling and a sense of logical progression of ideas.[21]
4.2 Phonology
4.2.1 Alliteration
（5）He who makes constant complaints gets little compassion. 
（6）A fair face may hide a foul heart. 
（7）The fairest flowers soonest fade.
（8）Time and tide wait for no man. 
From the above examples, we can find that these proverbs are vivid with rhythm. Because of rhythm, alliteration is a great help to memory. It can catch the attention of the readers and make the idea impressed deeply on the readers, so the proverbs are easier to remember.
4.2.2 Consonance
（9）In youth the hours are golden, and in mature years they are silvern, and in old age they are leaden.
（10）Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
（11）Where love fails, we espy all faults. 
 From the above-mentioned, consonance makes the proverbs more rhythmic and more appealing. It is also good for sound rhyme, musical effect and significant emphasis.
4.2.3 Assonance
（12）Where the needle goes, the thread follows. 
（13）Who that in youth, no virtue uses, in old all honor him refuses.
（14）A friend in need is a friend indeed. 
The repetition of the above vowel produces musical rhythm and sound euphony.
4.3 Comparison
4.3.1 Simile
（15）March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. 
（16）True friendship is like sound health, the value of which is seldom known until it be lost.
（17）A lamb is as dear as dear as to a poor man as an ox to the rich.
As we can see from the above examples, simile explains abstract, complicated ideas in simple and concrete way.
4.3.2 Metaphor
（18）Money is a good servant but a bad master.
（19）Knowledge is a treasure but practice is the key to it.
（20）Hope is the poor man’s bread. 
As we can see from the above examples, an implied comparison between two different things that share at least one attribute in common.

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