Understatement
Definition
Understatement is a way of speaking which minimizes the significance of something. When using understatement, a speaker or writer often employs restraint in describing the situation at hand and uses an expression with less emphasis or strength than would be expected. Understatement is common in many different languages and has been found in very ancient literatures from several different cultures. For example, examples of understatement can be found in the Old English epics like Beowulf as well as ancient Greek texts by Homer. Sometimes authors use understatement for humorous reasons, though more often it is a technique for minimizing one thing, thereby emphasizing another.
Example – from All Creatures Great and Small
“Well, how did the exams go?”
Tristan swallowed carefully and took a deep breath. “Did all right in parasitology,” he replied in a flat monotone.
“How about pathology?”
“Didn’t get it,” he said tonelessly.
“So you failed pathology,” he said conversationally (40-41).
Function
Tristan’s speech is characterized by frequent understatements, as he often fails to grasp the seriousness of a situation. A key example is when Tristan claims he “did all right in parasitology” when he actually failed this class, along with his other subjects. Throughout the book Tristan thinks nothing is a big deal, while Herriot understands the situation and tries to help Tristan with his training to become a veterinarian.
Another example
“There was Shield Sheafson, scourge of many tribes,
A wrecker of mead-benches, rampaging among foes.
This terror of the hall-troops had come far.
A foundling to start with, he would flourish later on
As his powers waxed and his worth was proved.
In the end each clan on the outlying coasts
Beyond the whale-road had to yield to him
And begin to pay tribute. That was one good king.”
This example of understatement comes from the very beginning of the epic Beowulf. The author explicitly states all of Shield Sheafson’s amazing qualities and ends simply with “That was one good king.”
Non-original mnemonic
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