Figurative Language Versus Literal Language

"Figurative Language versus Literal Language"
Danielle Rhymes
Critical Thinking
April 28, 2013

Introduction When we think of literal language, we know exactly what it means. The definition of literal language is simple: what you say is exactly how it is. There is no hidden meaning behind it. If I taste something that I don’t like, I would simply say “it nasty”. That’s literal language. On the other hand, there is figurative language which is the opposite of literal language. Figurative is saying one thing, but it had a different meaning. Again if I were to eat something nasty, using figurative language I would say “this soup taste like dirty socks”. This paper is going to discuss the different types of literal and figurative languages.
Idiom
An idiom is a word or phrase which means something different from what it says - it is usually a metaphor. It is a common phrase that people may use in certain situations but not all the time. For example: if a woman is fed up with her boyfriend’s behavior, she may tell him to shape up or ship out, which is like saying improve your behavior or leave if you don 't. Another situation that this can be used for is in a manager/employee relationship.
Analogy
A literary analogy is a comparison in which the subject is compared point by point to something far different, usually with the idea of clarifying the subject by comparing it to something familiar. An example of an analogy is to say that someone is moving slow like a turtle. You actually want to say that they are moving at a slow pace, but comparing them to a turtle makes that point for you.

Metaphor The purpose of the metaphor is to use the qualities of the one element to illustrate the qualities in the other. A metaphor can be used in a positive or negative way. To use a metaphor in a positive light would be to say “she is like a butterfly”. That would be saying that the woman is very beautiful and free spirited. On the negative side, someone may say that their” boss is a dragon”. This would mean that their boss is mean, and hot tempered. Many music artists use metaphors in their songs. Think of John Mayer’s “her body is a wonderland”.
Simile
A simile is an analogy that compares two things that are alike in one way. To help you identify a simile, know that the words “like” or “as” are always used. For example, to say that a baby is “cute as a button” or to say that someone is “quiet as a mouse” are use of similes.
Simile’s make a conversation more enjoyable. To be able to compare something or someone to an object or place is fun.

Amphiboly: Amphiboly is defined as a fallacy that depends on an ambiguous word or grammatical structure that confuses or misleads an audience. A sentence with such a structure usually has more than one possible meaning. It is known that an amphiboly occurs mostly in poetry. An example of an amphiboly is “a father was taking his son out to play, but he was not ready”. The
“he” could either be that the son was ready yet, or that the father wasn’t.
Flame word

The urban dictionary defines "flame" as a word that means to insult someone electronically, or otherwise, and also to insult a person you are arguing with over the internet in hopes of reviving your argument. This is really popular on social sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
There are a lot of people that argue and insult other people on these sites. Some of these actions are documented and used in court as a form of prosecution.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. People use this to add dramatic effect to a conversation or story. An example of a hyperbole is to say that
“I’m fat as a pig” or “she’s as tall as a building”. A lot of people use this on a daily basis as a way to “spice” up the conversation.
Euphemism
I have heard a lot of adults use euphemism instead of teenagers. Euphemism is an inoffensive word or phrase substituted for one considered offensive or hurtful, especially one concerned with religion, sex, death, or excreta. For example, instead “they had sex” you say “they slept together”. More people need to use euphemism more often.
Colloquialism
Colloquialism is a word, phrase, or expression characteristic of ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing. I see it as a shorter way to tell someone something. For example, instead of saying “she’s not home” you say “she’s out” or instead of saying “ let’s sit down and eat” you say “ let’s eat”.

We use these languages on a day to day basis. I have pretty much used all of these and I didn’t even know it. People are more of a figurative language user, than a literal language user.

References
“Figurative Language” Retrieved from www.wisegeek.com
“Literal and Figurative Language” retrieved from www.onegoodmove.org
“The Logical Fallacies” Retrieved from www.fallacyfiles.com

References: “Figurative Language” Retrieved from www.wisegeek.com “Literal and Figurative Language” retrieved from www.onegoodmove.org “The Logical Fallacies” Retrieved from www.fallacyfiles.com