Figurative Language Versus Literal Language
Figurative Language versus Literal Language
Introduction
Figurative language is an important part of the English language that allows a person to better express their thoughts. However, some are careless in using figurative language that can cause confusion and misunderstanding. Below are some examples of the most common types of figurative language as well as their examples.
Idiom
Idioms are common in the English language but may pose problems if someone is not familiar with the idiomatic expression used. Idioms are words that hav a different meaning other than its literal meaning (thinkquest.org). One example of idiomatic expression is, “on pins and needles”, which means excited or nervous in anticipation. If someone is unfamiliar with the term and another used it without expounding it, for example, I am on pin and needles until the results come out, the other person might interpret this as a problem.
Analogy
Analogies provide for better comparison but being unfamiliar with the terms used can cause confusion. Analogies are figures of speech that compares one thing with another, highlighting the similarities between the two (changingminds.org). However, analogies may cause more confusion if the similarities are not distinct and sometimes would sound comical. For example, he was tall as a 6 foot 3 inch tree, only adds to the confusion as it would be uncertain if the speaker is actually giving out the height (innocentenglish.com).
Metaphor
Metaphors are perhaps one of the most common figures of speech used, and using bad metaphors may bring in confusion rather than provide a clear similarity between the two objects being compared. Metaphors are comparisons of two unlike words and highlight the similarities of the two (thinkquest.org). “Life is a journey”, for example, when used in its own does not really provide a good comparison rather only states that life is long like a journey.
Simile
Similes can provide good comparison between
Introduction
Figurative language is an important part of the English language that allows a person to better express their thoughts. However, some are careless in using figurative language that can cause confusion and misunderstanding. Below are some examples of the most common types of figurative language as well as their examples.
Idiom
Idioms are common in the English language but may pose problems if someone is not familiar with the idiomatic expression used. Idioms are words that hav a different meaning other than its literal meaning (thinkquest.org). One example of idiomatic expression is, “on pins and needles”, which means excited or nervous in anticipation. If someone is unfamiliar with the term and another used it without expounding it, for example, I am on pin and needles until the results come out, the other person might interpret this as a problem.
Analogy
Analogies provide for better comparison but being unfamiliar with the terms used can cause confusion. Analogies are figures of speech that compares one thing with another, highlighting the similarities between the two (changingminds.org). However, analogies may cause more confusion if the similarities are not distinct and sometimes would sound comical. For example, he was tall as a 6 foot 3 inch tree, only adds to the confusion as it would be uncertain if the speaker is actually giving out the height (innocentenglish.com).
Metaphor
Metaphors are perhaps one of the most common figures of speech used, and using bad metaphors may bring in confusion rather than provide a clear similarity between the two objects being compared. Metaphors are comparisons of two unlike words and highlight the similarities of the two (thinkquest.org). “Life is a journey”, for example, when used in its own does not really provide a good comparison rather only states that life is long like a journey.
Simile
Similes can provide good comparison between
References: 1. Buzzle.com. Euphemism Examples. Retrieved July 15, 2011 at http://www.buzzle.com/articles/euphemism-examples.html 2. changingminds.org. Analogy. Retrieved July 15, 2011 at http://changingminds.org/techniques/language/figures_speech/analogy.htm 3. innocentenglish.com. Funny Analogies: Washington Post’s Bad Analogy Contest Winners. Retrieved July 15, 2011 at http://www.innocentenglish.com/funny-dumb-quotes-questions-sayings/funny-analogies.html 4. Kirby, Gary. Goodpaster, Jeffery. Levine, Marvin. (1999). “Critical Thinking”. 2nd Ed. University of Phoenix Publishing. USA 5. Nordquist, Richard. Amphiboly. About.com. Retrieved July 15, 2011 at http://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/amphibolyterm.htm 6. Nordquist, Richard. Cliché. About.com. Retrieved July 15, 2011 at http://grammar.about.com/od/c/g/clicheterm.htm 7. Nordquist, Richard. Colloquial. About.com. Retrieved July 15, 2011 at http://grammar.about.com/od/c/g/colloquterm.htm 8. thinkquest.org. Figurative Language. Retrieved July 15, 2011 at http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210124/figlandef.html