Abstract and Key Words

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the common rhetorical devices in English proverbs to better understand English proverbs and the culture they contain. Firstly, the author defines the English proverbs and lists the common rhetorical devices, then analyzes a lot of English proverbs and investigates the use and effects of the common rhetorical devices in English proverbs. To know and master the common rhetorical devices in English proverbs can help us understand the culture of English proverbs. So the English learners should think highly of mastering the common rhetorical devices in English proverbs.

Key Words: rhetorical devices; English proverbs; rhetorical function

摘要: 本文通过研究英语谚语中的常用修辞格，旨在更好了解英语谚语及其所包含的文化。首先界定了英语谚语的定义，列举了几种常用修辞格。然后通过对大量英语谚语的分析，探讨了这些谚语中各修辞格的使用及其效果。了解和掌握英语谚语的修辞格能帮助我们更好的理解谚语所包含的文化，促进我们英语学习，因此英语学习者应重视对英语谚语修辞格的掌握。                               

关键词：修辞格；英语谚语；修辞格功能

1 Introduction
English proverbs are popularly defined as short expressions of popular wisdom. （ZhangFujuan，2006） The wisdom is a general observation about the world or a bit of advice, sometimes more nearly an attitude toward a situation. English proverbs are the key for us to understand the culture of English speaking countries deeply. English proverbs often use some common rhetorical devices. By studying English proverbs, we can understand and learn how people in English-speaking countries express their ideas.
Chapter one introduces the definition of English proverbs and the common rhetorical devices. Chapter two introduces the common rhetorical devices in English proverbs. Chapter three explores the effects of the adoption of common rhetorical devices in English proverbs by examining lots of examples. The analysis of a lot of examples will help us know better English proverb which, hopefully, can help us improve.
2 Definitions of English Proverbs and Common rhetorical devices
2.1 Definition of English Proverbs
The Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary (2004) defines proverb as “popular short saying, with words of advice or warning.” It is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of human beings. Efforts to improve the popular definition have not led to a more precise definition. The wisdom is in the form of a general observation about the world or a bit of advice, sometimes more nearly an attitude toward a situation. Such as “life is long if it is full”. “If you lie upon rose when young, you lie up on thorns when old”. “He who keeps company with a wolf will learn to howl”.