Figurative Language

Figurative Language versus Literal Language 1

Figurative Language versus Literal Language

"Do words really mean what you think?"

Edward Dingle, Jr.

Physiology 210

Strayer University

Instructor: Professor Robert Bass

19 January, 2012

Figurative Language versus Literal Language 2

Do words really mean what you think?

The English language can be one of the most difficult languages to learn as a second language. There many things that makes the English language difficult to fully understand; speaking figuratively and literally are two of them. Let's take a look at a few of the words that cause some confusion and misunderstanding in the English language by discussing the following terms: Idioms, analogy, metaphor, simile, cliché, amphiboly, flame word, hyperbole, euphemism, and colloquialism. In many aspects, many of difficulty are caused by all of the idioms that exist in most parts of the language. An idiom is a construction of words or a phrase that means something different than what the words are literally saying. Idioms are learned through passing them down from generation to generation as part of tradition, culture, and family history. An individual whose primary language is English will have an easier time understanding the real meaning English idioms verses those who have learned English as a second language.

Next, knowing the meaning of an analogy is important to the success of how the analogy is used in communication with others. Some analogies will be understood by many people who speak the same language, such as: gangs, organizations, and ethnic groups. Within small social groups of people, there are often shared analogies that make a group stronger and help the group stick closer together. When a new language is learned, you learn what words actually mean and how to tie them into sentence structure. Here is an example of how an analogy is used in a word relationship: the human circulatory system is like a transportation system with a hub, a highway system, and a fleet of trucks to carry cargo (Strayer, 2006). If you really want to be fluent in a language; it takes a lot more than just knowing the basics. Language is also full of analogies that Figurative Language versus Literal Language 3 can vary by region or by groups of people. To become fluent in a language you will need to practice with native speakers of the language to also learn the everyday use of the language, such as the use of the analogy.

Then there are metaphors which are analogies where you take two unlike things and compare them to objects that have something in common. It sounds like you are stating a fact, but you have to think about it for it to make sense. For example, if you say, "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" you are not saying that a person can actually eat a horse (www.metaphorsandsimiles.com). Instead, you are referring to the size of your appetite. Metaphors can be very funny in nature while still getting your point across. Others use strange comparisons but are still effective.

Now unlike the metaphor a simile compares two things using the words "as" or "like." A common example of a simile that is used to describe someone one is very stubborn would be, "you are as stubborn as a mule" which is simply conveying the fact that a person or object is being very stubborn. Another example would be "He swims like a ton of bricks" meaning he doesn't swim very well. Similes are very popular and widely used by authors, songwriters, poets, and have been widely used in literature for their expressiveness as a figure of speech (www.metaphorsandsimiles.com).

Then there's the cliché, this is a common phrase that has been abused. In the English language, using clichés should be avoided like a plague. In reality, they are still used far too often; that's why they are called clichés! Understanding popular clichés is especially important for those learning English for the first time because they provide a deeper understanding of set Figurative Language versus Literal Language 4 phrases in the English language. A good rule of thumb for English learners is to understand a variety of popular clichés, but not actively