The richest Russian language contains many turns of speech, expressions that allow you to give any dictum the desired emotional color, make it more or less vivid. Among these terms, the litota is far from the last place. This is an intentional artistic understatement that can be applied to the qualities of a person or an object, a certain phenomenon or event. As a rule, such a turn of speech is used if the narrator doubts that the action has been completed to the full, or if the person possesses certain qualities in perfection.
Features of the artistic technique
Litota in the Russian language is the exact opposite of hyperbole, which, in turn, is an exaggeration of the qualities and properties of an object or some human ability. The path we are considering is formed by applying double negation in speech, if it is necessary to indicate the negative side of an aspect, for example: not without reason. If it is required, on the contrary, to emphasize dignity, but not too much to praise, then the path of litota is formed with the help of negatively colored words, for example: not bad, not without heat, and so on.
Where to find a litota
Most often, such turns in literature and in everyday speech are used to turn the denial of something into morality. An example is the phrase: “Not sure if you can handle the task.” Its meaning is that the speaker is sure: his interlocutor will not cope with the task. However, with the help of denials, he stated this in the exact opposite. In this case, litota is a mitigation that is used in speech in order not to openly declare your disagreement, but to do it in a more polite manner.
This understating and denying trail is very often found in fiction, as well as in articles of a cognitive nature. They make the text more colorful, interesting, often forcing the reader to return to the read lines in order to more fully understand their meaning. Also, lithotas are used during communication at work. Often, in order to politely hint to the boss or a superior employee of his possible mistakes, it is precisely intentional understatement in speech that is used. Hearing it, any person will involuntarily think about the correctness of his actions. If you tell him about the error openly, a dispute will begin.
Artistic image of the trail
Also, litota is a technique that is very often found in fairy tales and folk art. The understatement here is achieved not as a result of the denial of an object or phenomenon, but by identifying it with something small, tiny. An example would be the name of the saying “boy with a finger” or the fairy tale “A little man with a marigold”. Examples include the words “a few steps away,” “three points from the pot,” “I'll be back in a second,” and the like.
It is generally accepted that litota is all comparisons that are used to emphasize the insignificance, small size, refinement of something. For example, it can be applied to a female figure: "the waistline is thin, like a birch."