StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Figurative Language Versus Literal Language - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
 This essay discusses figurative language versus literal language. 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…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.9% of users find it useful
Figurative Language Versus Literal Language
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Figurative Language Versus Literal Language"

?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
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Figurative Language Versus Literal Language Essay”, n.d.)
Figurative Language Versus Literal Language Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/education/1454456-assignment
(Figurative Language Versus Literal Language Essay)
Figurative Language Versus Literal Language Essay. https://studentshare.org/education/1454456-assignment.
“Figurative Language Versus Literal Language Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/education/1454456-assignment.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Figurative Language Versus Literal Language

The Effects of Biblical Violence on Readers' Behaviors

Some students think the language at the end of Psalm 137 is too violent to be read or prayed, and point out that the Catholic Church has removed these verses from the Liturgy of the Hours.... An author of the current essay "The Effects of Biblical Violence on Readers' Behaviors" would address the violent content in Psalm 137....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

McFagues Metaphorical Theology

And lastly, the world, or the human world at least, is made of language.... This is also heavily influenced by Barth's ideas and the nature of language, which is dynamic.... The fourth aspect is about language.... For McFague, the world, or the human world at least, is made of language.... language is quite powerful.... Therefore, language is the medium of reality, because it conveys it: how we mean things and how we interpret things....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Figurative Language versus Literal Language

literal language, as the name implies, denotes a very basic and conceptual explication of a given topic or issue.... In this way, literal language has an advantage over figurative language in the way it can convey the basic rudiments of a situation; however, its largest drawback is the fact that it can often bore the reader with a detail oriented and un-nuanced approach that figurative writing oftentimes does not.... However, it is important to note that regardless of whether one is using figurative or literal language, the same conventions of grammar and semantics apply as both forms must be polished and professionally employed to bring about a specific and desired effect on the intended audience....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Traveling through the Dark

Even though, the literal meaning of the term is obvious from the title itself the figurative meaning of the word holds the immense significance due to its multidimensional interpretations.... hellip; Machine versus nature has been an epic tale of efforts and a tremendous struggle to gain supremacy, in the poem a consequence of this battle becomes visible as it lies “dead on the edge of the Wilson River road” (Stafford 11)....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Visual and Cultural Theory

The Berkeley faculty represents the general belief that literacy and civilisation are directly related: The notion that high literacy is the normative state of language and civilization, and that its only alternative is the fallen state of illiteracy, and hence darkness and ignorance, seems to occupy the vital center of humanistic studies with remarkable energy and intensity....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Translation Issues 1

As translation involves the conveyance of the literary treasure of one language into another, a deep and analytical comprehension of the lexical relations of both of the source language and the target language, though not an all-out role, yet plays the most crucial part in the… If a language serves the purpose of a medium of communication between people of a community, translation is the medium of communication between the peoples of the communities and societies of the world....
18 Pages (4500 words) Essay

Is God the Father a Model or an Idol

And lastly, the world, or the human world at least, is made of language.... In the paper “Is God the Father a Model or an Idol?... rdquo; the author discusses Sally McFague's major contribution – bridging literature and theology.... Her works frequently touch on literary theory and theology, and her theories are known as Metaphorical Theology....
9 Pages (2250 words) Research Paper

Figurative Language versus Literal Language

For instance only a very few people would know the meaning of hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, it means we must be nice to women… Analogy is another important term; this term is of significance when linguistics comes into play.... Analogy refers to deriving the exact meaning of a sentence or a word; it is a cognitive process which comes into play when analogy Problem solving becomes easier when the analogy of an event is understood....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us