Figurative Language Versus Literal Language - Essay Example

?Assignment 2: Figurative Language versus Literal Language Language is used as the primary process to communicate with one another. There are many different forms of language, and the meaning can change depending on the situation used or way that it is worded. Two main forms of communication are figurative language and literal language. The former refers to a representation of something that may not actually be true but is either making a comparison or using different words to get a point across. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines figurative as “representing by a figure or resemblance” (“Figurative,” 2012). On the other hand, literal language is the complete opposite of figurative language because it means exactly what it says; what is spoken should always be taken as pure fact. Many people often get confused about figurative language and what it actually refers to. This is why it is so important to understand what the language is referring to and what the intended meaning is. In this paper, the ten most common forms of figurative language will be discussed. They are as follows: (1) idiom; (2) analogy; (3) metaphor; (4) simile; (5) cliche; (6) amphiboly; (7) flame word; (8) hyperbole; (9) euphemism; and (10) colloquialism. The first type of figurative language, idiom, is a phrase that is made up of unrelated words that only make sense when used together. Idioms evolve over time as people get comfortable saying them. An example of an idiom would be ‘a slip of the tongue.’ Of course, it is impossible for a tongue to actually slip, but the idiom is referring to a misspoken word or phrase. Idioms only make sense when the listener understands all the parts of the phrase individually and then is able to put them together to get the intended meaning. People who are in the process of learning a new language often don’t understand idioms because they simply don’t have the vocabulary to do so. The next type of figurative language, analogy, compares two like things. An analogy can be used to explain to someone who does not understand a concept. If they already have an understanding of one thing, then an analogy can be used to help them to understand a comparable thing. An example of an analogy would be to say ‘a fish out of water.’ The literal meaning of this analogy is to feel uncomfortable, and that is exactly how a fish feels like when they are out of water. The third type of figurative language, metaphor, is different from analogy because it makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things. The purpose of a metaphor is to show or express emotion where simple language would not suffice. An example of a metaphor would be ‘his house is a fortress.’ It is very unlikely that someone’s house would be a fortress, but what the metaphor is trying to explain is that the house is impressive. A metaphor is often used in poetry to describe something in a beautiful way. If someone took a metaphor literally, then they might have a hard time believing it. The next type of figurative language, simile, is very similar to a metaphor except it uses the word as or like when making a comparison between two unrelated things. A simile is also often used in poetry. An example of a simile would be ‘the boy runs as fast as a cheetah.’ The phrase does not actually claim that the boy can run the same speed of a cheetah, only that he runs so fast that it seems like he does. There are very few misunderstandings over a simile because it does not make a direct comparison and so cannot be taken literally. The fifth type of figurative language, cliche, is a common phrase that has been used so much that it has lost its original meaning. Cliches are used in everyday speech and eventually become part of a language. An example of a cliche would be ‘time will tell.’ The time cannot actually tell anything since it has no form of communication except to give the time. Just like an idiom, a cliche would be hard for someone who is learning a new language to comprehend. The next type of figurative language, amphiboly, is one that is not as well-known as many of the other figures of speech. An amphiboly is a sentence that is construed in a way that it could have two meanings, both of which can be at two ends of the spectrum. An example of an amphiboly would be ‘I saw my mother in my underwear.’ This amphiboly has a double meaning: (1) a person was only wearing their underwear and saw their mother, or (2) a person saw their mother wearing their underwear. An amphiboly can be quite confusing especially for native speakers, but the meaning can usually be derived from context. The seventh type of figurative language, flame word, goes away from its original meaning to achieve a specific purpose. An example of a flame word would be ‘go to hell.’ Of course, no one means to send someone to hell, but they may say something like this during a time of rage or anger. A flame word is usually not misunderstood because of the state of mind that someone is in when they say it. The next type of figurative language, hyperbole, is an exaggeration that scarcely anyone would believe. An example of a hyperbole would be ‘that man is as tall as the Eiffel Tower.’ The purpose of a hyperbole is to over exaggerate a skill or feature that a person already has but is exceptionally good at it or stands out. Once again, people unfamiliar with the context that a hyperbole is being used would struggle to understand its meaning. The ninth type of figurative language, euphemism, is a word that tones down language that would otherwise be offensive. A euphemism is often used when offence is expected to be caused by stating the truth. An example of a euphemism would be ‘the young man passed away.’ Of course the young man died, but it might be considered rude especially when a death is so sudden. The last type of figurative language, colloquialism, is slang that used by people who are comfortable with one another. Colloquialism would never be used in formal situations. An example of colloquialism would be ‘what’s up, how you doin?’ The literal translation of this phrase is ‘hello, how are you?’ If someone is new in town, then they may not understand colloquial terms that the locals use. There can be many different uses of language, each with their own meaning. Also, language has multiple purposes, but the main purpose is to communicate information with another individual (Parikh, 2001, p. 1). Aside from literal language, figurative language plays an important role in the communication process. There are many different types of figurative language, but the most commonly used ones are (1) idiom; (2) analogy; (3) metaphor; (4) simile; (5) cliche; (6) amphiboly; (7) flame word; (8) hyperbole; (9) euphemism; and (10) colloquialism. References Figurative. (2012). In Merriam Webster online. Retrieved from http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/figurative Parikh, Prashant. (2001). The Use of Language. Retrieved from http://cslipublications.stanford.edu/pdf/1575863545.pdf Read More