THE UZBEK STATE WORLD LANGUAGES UNIVERSITY. UNDERSTATEMENTS Checked: Tadjibayeva A. Group:D Student:Rahmonova M.

What is understatements? Function of understatement. MAIN POINTS: What is understatements? Function of understatement. Examples of understatements.

What is understatements? Understatement is a figure of speech in which there is a contrast between the description and reality. As such, understatement can be used to reflect modesty, sarcasm, complimentary tone. Understatement literally refers to what is not being said. In short, the gravity of the statement is undervalued. The meaning of the understatement changes according to the context. Understatement is an important rhetorical device that is just the opposite of hyperbole. In hyperbole, everything is overblown, while in understatement the strength of the statement is considerably lessened.

An understatement usually has an ironic effect as an equally intense response is expected in severe situations but the statement in response is opposite i.e. less intense but of course with an ironical tone, for instance, if a friend returns an article of clothing that is ruined, and in response you make an ironical understatement, "It doesn't look too bad". Thus making light of a situation that would normally be strained through the use of understated tone and modesty. The examples given below will help you to understand understatement in its proper context.

Function of Understatement An understatement is a tool that helps to develop other figures of speech such as irony and sarcasm by deliberately decreasing the severity of a situation when an intense response is expected by the listeners or the readers. This literary device refers to the practice of drawing attention to a fact that is already obvious and noticeable. Understating a fact is usually done by way of sarcasm, irony, wryness or any other form of dry humor.

EXAMPLES: "It's a bit yellow"

"It is just a little cool today"

"I wouldn't say she was thin"

“They are a little on the old side"

"I know a little about running a company"

Examples of Understatement in Literature “And you, who have told me a hundred times how deeply you pitied me for the sorceries by which I was bound, will doubtless hear with joy that they are now ended forever. There was, it seems, some small error in your Ladyship’s way of treating them.” The reference of “some small error” is an understatement as the error which ends somebody’s power is not small at all. Primula Bond’s novel The Silver Chain

[Aunt Sally] “Good gracious, anybody hurt?” [Huck] “No. me killed a nigger” It is one of the understatement examples found in Twain’s literary pieces. Huck’s response, “no. me killed a nigger” exposes the thinking of the people back then, who did not consider black men humans. Killing a black man was not considered something serious. In Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Fin

Examples of Understatement in Films "She's a little sensitive." - Describing Moaning Myrtle in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'. "This is gonna ruin my whole day." - After getting shot in 'Avatar' "Cannibalism is frowned upon in most societies." - In 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'

A list of typical Understatement “I was a little upset" - while describing you were real upset. "There is some music by Beethoven in his Ninth Symphony" - while describing Beethoven's famous work. "The desert is sometimes dry and sandy" - While describing the driest desert in the world. “It’s only suggestion" – Do it. "The food was tolerable" - on the food that was prepared by the best chef in the world. "The cars drove at a fair clip" - while watching a car race. "Not very friendly“- Cruel.

"I think we have slightly different opinions on this topic" - instead of saying "I don't agree with you at all. "It was ok" - when a top ranker was asked about his exam results. “I almost agree" - describing you don’t agree. “I praise you not" - describing you blame . "I wouldn't say it tasted great" - on terrible food. "Mumbai is not the cheapest place in the world" - instead of saying Mumbai is expensive. "We have had a little rain" - when the entire area is flooded. "It's just a scratch" - when there is a huge dent.

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