Abstract
This paper discusses the relationship between figurative and literal language as well as the differences. Also discussed in this paper are the forms of figurative language, their definitions and how to place them in context, highlighting respective examples. Misuse and misunderstandings of these forms are as well discussed.
The English language is characterized by numerous figures of speech some of which are comprehensible and self explanatory while others are confusing. This makes the language an interesting one since if everyone merely conversed employing literal vocabulary, the dialogues would be unexciting and dull. The solution to appropriate usage would be probably to discern when to converse accurately and when to utilize figurative expressions. Figurative language involves the use of figures of speech. These are word pictures. They may involve comparison of things to emphasize common qualities of these objects. Examples include exaggerations or ironies. They can as well be used within a context to denote the reverse of their literal denotation. However, Literal language is clear-cut speech where expressions are construed consistent with their ordinary, dictionary designation (Giora, 2003). Utilizing figurative language usually makes one’s message more motivating and stimulating. The language is known to generate a multiplicity of emotional reactions dependent on the perspective. On the other hand, Literal language is more probable to poise as commanding and professional. That is why legal agreements and regulations are and should be written as so.
They are several forms of figurative language. Some are listed below for the sake of this paper. They include Similes and metaphors, which are two types of relative figures of speech, Hyperbole, idiom, amphiboly, analogy, “flame word", metaphor, hyperbole, simile, euphemism, cliché and colloquialism (Pearson, 2002).
An idiom or idiomatic expression entails a production or expression in a language that cannot be harmonized or directly deciphered accurately in a different language. Example includes "Mary has a bee in her bonnet,”. This implies that Mary is infatuated. This sentence cannot be literally deciphered into a different language word for word.
Analogy basically is the comparison of two pairs of subjects that exhibit the similar relationship. The aim is to determine the correlation between the first for one to select the accurate second duo. An example includes hot is to cold as fire is to ice.
Similes are figures of speech which engage direct comparison linking two different things, habitually with the use of the words such as “like” or “as”. Example as used in a typical sentence is as follows; the muscles on his burly limbs are tough as iron band. Another example that engages the word like includes; these oranges taste like garbage. Similes are employed to elucidate things, to articulate emotion, in addition to making language more flamboyant and amusing. Therefore ascertaining fresh similes to exploit in one’s language also denotes discovering new approaches to looking at one’s subjects. As explained above, use of similes is most appropriate when one wants to spice up one’s language. However, misunderstandings could arise when one employs a simile in an official capacity like in contracts where each word is taken for its literal meaning or in a situation where the simile acts sarcasms or inclined to racial derogatory statements. For example; I will kill you like the way the US killed Osama.
A metaphor is a figure of speech which engages an obscure comparison linking two comparatively different things via a form of be. Unlike a simile, the relationship is not stated by like or as. An example of such is the path was a band wrapped throughout the dessert. In this sentence the path is implied to look like a ribbon that is wrapped through the dessert. In other words the road is bent. Metaphors can be misunderstood if the person paying attention does not understand the implied comparison. In other words, if one does not understand it, and comprehends it literally, that’s when confusion sets in.
Hyperbole is an exaggerated declaration employed to intensify result. It is not utilized to misinform an audience, however to accentuate a point. An example of hyperbole is Peter Pan Ate a whole drum of honey. In actuality, Peter did not consume a whole drum; however he ate a lot of honey. The use of hyperbole in this instance is to stress on the fact that Peter ate a lot of honey but not a whole drum. Misunderstanding could arise if the sentence was taken literally especially on an official context.
Amphiboly is a fallacy that depends on an indistinct expression or grammatical arrangement to puzzle or delude an audience. In a broad perspective, it may denote a fallacy that develops from a defective sentence arrangement of any sort. The defective sentence may be deliberate, for example looking at the record album Best of the Beatles. This statement misled numerous citizens into purchasing it, for they thought they were obtaining a record comprising the best Beatles songs. However, in actuality what they purchased was an album featuring Pete Best, a former member of the Beatles.
Euphemism is a way of a substitution of an innocuous term for one considered impertinently unequivocal. An example entails the expression the 'reconstruction' of New Orleans is now a widespread form of a euphemism for the demolition of the city's historic and cultural heritage (Glucksberg, 2001).
Cliché is a hackneyed phrase, repeatedly a rhetorical expression whose efficiency has been exhausted through overuse and extreme familiarity. An example is what goes around comes around.
Colloquialism is the attribute of writing that look for the consequence of unofficial verbal language as distinctive from official or literary English. Numerous great authors have been extremely discomfited in daily exchange; however the greatest offer the intuition that their style was nurtured by the closest concentration to colloquial speech. An example as seen in George Orwell’s book, “it was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen” is an example of such (Carter, 2004).
Learning to formulate denotation when figurative language is employed can be an intricate concept. Simply put Figurative language does not mean precisely what it articulates. Regrettably, several people take figurative language literally. From the analysis of the forms of figurative language, it is evident that to understand a figure of speech it requires a special process and it is not the same to understanding literal language.
References
Carter, R (2004) Language and Creativity: The Art of Common Talk. New York: Routledge.
Giora, R (2003) on our mind Salience, Context, and Figurative Language OXFORD:
UNIVERSITY PRESS
Glucksberg, S. (2001). Understanding Figurative Language from metaphors to idioms. Oxford: university press
Pearson, D (2002) Handbook of Reading Research. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
