Assignment 2: Figurative Language versus Literal Language

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Introduction

Communication has always been a crucial aspect for human beings. It goes without saying that it is incorporated in almost every aspect of human beings. However, communication may take a direct or indirect cue. This introduces the aspect of figurative language, which involves the use of words in a manner that supersedes their ordinary or literal meaning (Weston, 2008). In this case, the listener would have to use his imagination to discern the true meaning of the speaker or author. There are various terms that are used in figurative language.

An idiom refers to a phrase or word that is peculiar to itself grammatically, or in incorporating a meaning that may not be discerned from its elements’ conjoined meaning (Weston, 2008). For example, the phrase “Hit the road” means “go away” rather than smacking the street.

An analogy refers to phrases used to outline the similarity between things that may otherwise be considered dissimilar. It is defined as the similarity between similar features of two things or objects, which may be used as the basis for comparison (Katz et al, 1998). For example, comparison of a pump with the heart, even though the two things are dissimilar.

A metaphor refers to the comparison of different things to outline a likeness in them (Weston, 2008). However, metaphors do not use words such as “as” or like. An example of a metaphor is seen in the phrase “The foliage in winter is a painting come to life” to underline the splendid nature of foliage.

A simile is similar to a metaphor in that it is used as a comparison for two, unlike things (Weston, 2008). However, it uses words such as “as” and “like”. For example, the person is as busy as a bee in a beehive.

A cliche refers to an expression or phrase that has been utilized too often to the extent that it has become stale or trite. For example, the phrase “many hands make the work light”.

An amphiboly refers to a fallacy that depends on an ambiguous grammatical or word to mislead or confuse the audience (Katz et al, 1998). It may be understood in a broader sense a fallacy that comes as a result of a faulty sentence. The researchers headed to a remote area and captured photographs of native communities, but they were not developed. In this sentence, the pronoun “they” may be said to be ambiguous as it is unclear or ambiguous whether it refers to the native communities or the photographs although it was presumably intended to refer to the later.

A flame word is defined as a word that is used to insult an individual or even a group of people (Katz et al, 1998). In most cases, the flame word is used by a presumably intelligent and articulate individual as he questions the intelligence and upbringing of his subject. For example, “How could he be such a pig”?

A hyperbole may refer to an exaggeration of reality or the truth. It is usually meant to be funny or humorous (Weston, 2008). For example, the description of an individual as being “poor as a church mouse” is an exaggeration of the truth and humorous too.

Euphemism is defined as the substitution of inoffensive and agreeable expression for an expression that would be deemed offensive or as suggesting something unpleasant (Katz et al, 1998). For example, the term sex worker to mean prostitute.

Colloquialism is defined as a phrase, paralanguage or word that is used in informal or conversational language but would be inappropriate in formal writing or speech. For example, using the phrase “he was born yesterday” to mean “he can be fooled easily”, may not be used in formal speech or writing (Katz et al, 1998).

Evidently, figurative language may breed misunderstanding in a conversation. Its appropriateness is not only dependent on the circumstance but also the ability of the audience to dig for the hidden meaning of terms.

References

Katz, A.N., Cacciari, C., Gibbs, R.W & Mark Turner, M, (1998). Figurative Language and Thought. New York: Oxford University Press

Weston, J, (2008). Figurative Language. New York: Walch Publishing