LANGUAGE

Figurative Language versus Literal Language

Figurative Language versus Literal Language

Introduction

In the junction of modern times, students feel themselves uncomfortable with figurative language, as it comprises over the number of complex details, which is not easy to understand by the reader. The great call rises what is literal and figurative language? The literal language depicts the accurate meaning what is written in the description, while at contrast, figurative language uses personification, similes, metaphors, and hyperbole etc, for creating some imaginative or inventive look that usually described via comparison with something totally irrelevant (Jensen, 2011). In other words, it can be said that figurative language is used to develop the intellect of the person towards the difficulties, which later on also help them to untangle the complex situation in a flow (Glucksberg, 2001). Therefore, the usage of Figurative language is significant part in the English language which allows a person to finely express their views. Nevertheless, people are showing careless in the usage of figurative language as it creates misunderstanding and sometimes confusion.

Idiom

In English language, idioms are the most common figurative that generally create problems in the idiomatic expression. These words contain confusing meaning and usually perplex the sensitivity of the word. Idiom is a speech or group of words that produce an expression which cannot be understood grammatically from the individual meanings of its elements. Idioms are famous for being non predictive and containing no simple meaning, until or unless we have learned that idiomatic expression (Demorest et al., 2011).

For example

In France, it was raining heavily. (Simple way)

In France, it was raining cats and dogs. (Idiom)

Alice was born in a very rich family. (Simple way)

Alice was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. (Idiom)

Analogy

Analogies are the figures of speech that usually equate or compare one thing with another one, which usually highlights the resemblances between the two certain things. Nevertheless, analogy can cause confusion if the resemblance does not discrete and sometimes will sound comical. In the discipline of linguistic, analogy is the process by which the morphemes or words are created or re-formed on the model of existing grammatical patterns in a language. For instance, the verb Help was previously referred as Holp and Holpen. Analogy also used as the textual or spoken comparison between two words or sentences, for highlighting some form of relating similarity among them (Bohrn, Altmann & Jacobs, 2012).

For example

You are as annoying as nails on a chalkboard. You must be pretty annoying for someone to say that. (Analogy)

The relationship between them began to thaw. This means that the relationship was altering. (Analogy)

Metaphor

It is the figure of speech that can be word or a phrase, which ordinarily indicates one thing to designate another, by making indirect comparison.

For example

He is entirely insensitive. (simple way)

He has a heart of stone. (metaphor)

Sand feels rough. (Simple way)

Sand is solid water. (metaphor)

Simile

It is the figure of speech that essentially compares the two unlike things with each other. It is usually used in a ...