文档介绍：Lecture 8
Pun
A play on words based on similarity of sound and
sharp difference in meaning, for a witty or
humorous effect. There are many words in
English which look or sound alike, but have different
senses, or connotations. The humorous use of a word, or
of words which are formed or sounded alike but have
different meanings, so as to produce a humorous effect.
Paronomasia(双关)俗称 Pun。该辞格巧妙利用英语许多
词谐音、多义的特点,在同一句话里同时表达两层不同意义。
以一个词或词组,用巧妙的办法同时把互不关联的两种含义
结合起来,以取得一种诙谐有趣的效果。
“The use of a word in such a way as to
suggest two or more meanings or
different associations, or the use of two
or more words of the same or nearly the
same sound with different meanings, so
as to produce a humorous effect.”
(用一个词去暗示两种或两种以上的意义或引
起不同的联想,或者用两个或两个以上发音
相同或相近而意义不同的词,以产生一种幽
默效果。)
.:
Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a
grave man.
Learn some craft when young, that when old
you may live without craft.
More sun and air for your son and heir.
—It’s everybody’s right, right?
—You think all your right is right?
On Sunday they pray for you and on Monday
they prey on you.
—What four letters of the alphabet would
scare off a burglar?
—O,ICU.
IOU
OIC,
When does the baker follow his trade?
Whenever he kneads the dough.
译文:面包师傅什么时候营业?
每当他揉面的时候。
赏析:这个幽默利用need(需要)和knead(揉面)这一对同音异义词,并配上dough一词的多义性(既作“生面”又作“钱”解),形成两个双关幽默。此例是利用词的同音形成双关。
Judge: What makes you think you could park your car there?
Tourist: Well, there was a big sign that read: Fine for parking.”
译文:法官:你怎么想到把车停在那里?
游客:啊,哪里有个牌子,上面写着:
适于泊车!
赏析:英语单词fine既有“好”的意思,也可表
示“罚款”。
双关的构成方式主要有:
1. 同音/ 谐音双关Homophonic Pun
You earn your living and you urn your dead.
Make your every hello a real good-buy.
Seven days without water make one weak.
2. 音义双关 pronunciation and meaning of text
To England will I steal, and there I’ll steal.
If we don’t hang together, we shall assuredly hang
separately.
An ambassador is an honest man who lies abroad for
the good of his country.
What kind