A Comparison between “Kenayeh” and Irony

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Graduated from the University of Isfahan with a master's degree in Persian language and literature

2 Associate Professor, University of Isfahan

10.29252/kavosh.2008.2434

Abstract

 "Kenayeh" is one of the most important devices for transferring meaning and concepts in Persian language which has a crucial role in rhetoric. Also irony in English language and in western rhetoric enjoys a special position to convey the message.
In dictionaries of literary terms, “Kenayeh” has been referred to as a synonym for irony; however, evidence shows that what westerners call irony is much different from Persian kenayeh, though similarities can be seen between these two words. In Persian the word “kenayeh” is usually categorized as referring to the quality of someone or something which is being described, or to an action (verb) or a place. Also it has been divided to “eama, talvih, ramz and tariz” and this categorization is often used in short phrases of statements. While irony is mostly categorized with respect to the structure/content and concerns generalities such as verbal irony, structural irony, dramatic irony, Socratic irony, cosmic irony etc. In this paper the similarities and differences between the two concepts will be briefly discussed.   

Keywords

Journal of Kavoshnameh in Persian Language and Literature
Volume 9, Issue 17
February 2009
Pages 95-127

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