Stylistic Devices Based on Polysemantic Effect or Homonyms

PLAY ON WORDS: Zeugma and Pun [p^ n] игра слов, каламбур

(From the Greek ‘zeugyana‘ - соединять, сочетать).

It is known that the word (of all language units) is the most sensitive to change. It is normal for almost every word to acquire derivative meanings Primary and derivative meanings are characterized by their relative stability [st ‘biliti ] and therefore are fixed in dictionaries, thus constituting the semantic structure of a word.

However, in case a word begins to manifest an interplay between primary and one of the derivative meanings, we are confronted with a SD.

Zeugma is the use of one word in the same grammatical but different semantic relations to 2 adjacent (соседний ) words in the context, the semantic relations being, on the hand, literal, and on the other hand, transferred (as, for example, with homogeneous members of the sentence). In other words, one word-form is deliberately used in 2 meanings. The effect is humorous.

e.g. He lost his keys and his temper.

He took his hat and his leave.

She possessed 2 false teeth and a sympathetic heart. (O.Henry)

She dropped a tear and her pocket handkerchief.

This stylistic device is much favoured in English emotive prose and poetry.

e.g. They had met at the table … and found their tastes in art, chicory salad and bishop sleeves so congenial that the joint studio resulted.

The Pun is another SD based on the interaction of 2 well-known meanings of a word/phrase. It is difficult to distinguish between zeugma and pun. The only reliable distinction is structural. Pun is more independent than zeugma (though like any other SDs, it depends on the context). In pun the key word is usually repeated (this is not the case with zeugma) and the whole structure is changed. The context may be expanded (a whole work of emotive prose). Thus, the title of one of Oscar Wilde’s plays “The Importance of Being Earnest” has a pun in it.

Earnest = the name of the hero ‘Earnest’ + the adj meaning ‘seriously-minded ‘are both present in our mind.

e.gYou have always told me it (your name) was Earnest, I have introduced you to everyone as Earnest, you answer to the name of Earnest. You look as if your name was Earnest. You’re the most earnest-looking person I ever saw in my life.

Another e.g. (with a larger context for its realization):

“Bow to the board”, said Bumble. Oliver brushed away two or three tears that were lingering in his eyes; and seeing no board but the table, fortunately bowed to that.“ (Dickens).

Here, in fact, the humorous effect is caused by the interplay of two words, not of two meanings of one word. ‘Board’ is a group of people, officials with the functions of administration and management and ‘board’ is also a piece of furniture (a table).

Puns are often used in riddles and jokes, for example:

PUN