FIGURATIVE vs. LITERAL LANGUAGE.
Introduction.
Literal language means using a word in its specific, concise, original, and direct meaning. For instance, using a phrase ‘she is literally five inches tall’ implies that the actual height of the subject is five inches. Figurative language uses analogous, descriptive, and metaphorical sense of words (Glucksberg and MacGlone, 2001). It means ‘as or by a figure of speech’; For instance, saying ‘dead from work’ has a metaphorical meaning of being extremely tired of work. Figurative language does not only provide facts about an idea, but also encourages the use of imaginations. Some of the most commonly used figurative and literal languages are described below:
Idiom: This is a word, expression or phrase that has a different and hidden meaning from its literal meaning. For example, the phrase ‘kick the bucket’ has a different meaning from its literal meaning and is used in implying dying. Idioms are informal and tend to be efficient when used in spoken English (Traxler and Gernsbacher, 2006). When used in written language, their meanings may be used inappropriately according to the user’s intentions.
Simile: involves a comparison of different words in order to create a new meaning. A simile can be identified by tracing words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’. For instance, a phrase such as ‘time runs like a river’ is a simile as the word ‘like’ is used to compare time and river. Similes are like clinches; phrases that are overused in language, but betray the motivation to an original thought. Just like a clinch, similes are appropriately used to connote irony and sarcasm in poetry and literature (Traxler and Gernsbacher, 2006). The shortcoming arises when a simile or clinch is overused to a point of using its value to the audience.
Metaphor: A figure of speech that makes use of one thing to mean another or to make a comparison between the two (Glucksberg and MacGlone, 2001). For example, the phrase’ he has become a shell of a man’ uses become to compare a shell and a man. However, metaphors might be misinterpreted if not well presented to trigger thoughts, actions or feelings by the audience.
Analogy: This is a form of reasoning where one thing is inferred to be similar to another in a particular respect. An analogy can be misunderstood if a presenter fails to point out shared characteristics of similarities or comparability of a word or phrase. An example of an analogy used by John Donne, ‘this flea is you, and I, and this our marriage bed, and marriage temple is’ to imply that the flea has become their wedding bed as it sucks both their blood and mingles it in its gut.
Amphiboly: this is a fallacy that results from an error in logic, ambiguity, lack of editing or misunderstanding due to grammar. A purposed fallacy may be intended to create a comedic effect from the ambiguity (Glucksberg and MacGlone, 2001). An example of Amphiboly; ‘It’s Doctor who’ may be used to mean ‘who is the doctor’. Amphiboly can cause confusion where the statement used is open to different ideas.
Flame word: This is a scorching content where an author assaults another author or player in an excessive and personal manner. It can be directed to an individual or a group of persons. Examples of frame words include stupid, and incompetent. However, these words may be misused when authors publicize their differences, and forget their ethics in writing.
Hyperbole: This is a figure of speech where extravagant or exaggerated statements are used to create sound and emotional responses. Hyperboles are used when a writer does not intend to provide a literal meaning to the audience (Glucksberg and MacGlone, 2001). Examples include ‘he is older that the hills’, ‘he has tons of money’. Such statements are exaggerative and only create figurative meaning to the audience. Hyperboles can be misunderstood when the words used are understated with intentions of creating an exaggerated meaning.
Euphemism: these are words used to express an indirect, vague or mild term to substitute it for an offensive or harsh term. They are used to amuse, give positive appearances to negative events, or entirely mislead (Glucksberg and MacGlone, 2001). Examples may include such phrases as ‘passed away’ to mean die, or ‘going to the other side’, to mean die.
Colloquialism: this is phrase appropriate for ordinary, familiar, and informal spoken or written conversation, rather than standard writing, formal or paralinguistic’s (Traxler and Gernsbacher, 2006). Examples include words such as “y’all”, ‘wanna’ or ‘gonna’. These words may be misunderstood if used beyond the geographical coverage that uses such words as a form of interaction.
Conclusion.
Analogies may sometimes be difficult to use as some words may be used to mean different things depending on the users. The difference between the meanings derived from a word arises from the connotative and denotative meaning applied by the user of the words (Glucksberg and MacGlone, 2001). Such difference may result from the literal or figurative use of the words to define different scenario differently. Literal language differs from figurative language in that literal language means exactly what is says while figurative language uses similes, hyperbole, metaphors, and personification.
References
Glucksberg, S., & MacGlone, M. S. (2001). Understanding figurative language: From metaphors to idioms. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Traxler, M. J., & Gernsbacher, M. A. (2006). Handbook of psycholinguistics. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Academic Press.
