Contrastive Study of English Zeugma and Chinese Nianlian

Abstract

The English Zeugma and Chinese Nianlian are rhetorical devices which are different but share similar structures and functions. This paper begins with the definition of Zeugma and Nianlian, and analyzes similarities and differences between them through exemplification. The similarities are mainly illustrated from function, namely semantic function and rhetorical function of Zeugma and Nianlian. The differences are explained from category and structure. The reasons for differences are analyzed through language construction and custom habits