STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF FIGURES OF SPEECH IN PROVERBS

Abstract

. Proverbs are widely used both in Chinese and in other languages. Without proverbs our languages will become dull and dry. However, an appropriate use of them in our speech and writing will add to the strength and vividness of language. That is why people often quote some proverbs to explain things, persuade others or even teach children some moral lessons. Even those men of letters, in modern or ancient times, in China or other countries, all excel in using proverbs. There is no end of proverb using in the literal works of famous Chinese or English writers. As far as the comparison between Chinese and English proverbs is concerned, there is much common ground covered by English and Chinese proverbs. A structural analysis of figures of speech in proverbs in these two languages will certainly provide people with a better understanding of them. This paper aims to help people understand how to use proverbs appropriately and improve their writing through a detailed analysis of figures of speech in proverbs from the structural aspect.