In this paper, there will be functions, meaning, and function of figurative language versus literal language. Idiom. An idiom is the language or expressions used by a specific group of people (Your Dictionary, n. D. ). Examples of idioms would be В«That test was a piece of cake” meaning the test was easy, and passed with an “A” (Test Designer, 2012). This figurative language does not mean the test itself was a piece of food as in a cake that one could eat, it merely means that the person was confident when completing the test and felt they made a high grade. Another example spoken often is “It’s raining cats and dogs! (Test Designer, 2012).
If a person makes this statement what they were stating, is that it is raining a lot and the rain is coming down hard. The statement does not mean there is live cats and dogs coming down from the sky, which is not possible. Analogy. An analogy is a likeness or a comparison between two things that have some features where they seem the same and others which are different (Your Dictionary, n. D. ). An example of an analogy is ‘there are plenty of fish in the sea” (Your Dictionary, n. D. ). To use an analogy in this figurative language would mean that if a person is eating, there may be a lot of people out there in the world to date.
The statement is not stating there is a lot of fish in the sea but many single people out there would like to seek a relationship. One might argue this analogy with a friend or relative if they feel as if they will not find a soul mate. Although a person is telling another person there is plenty offish in the sea; a single person that is alone would argue this as a factor of disagreement. Metaphor. A standard definition of metaphor is simple “an implied comparison between two things (Kirby & Godparent, 2007, p. 7).
A metaphor is where there are two things that are compared and may be in common, but that are not alike. For example, “He was a tornado, blasting his way through the opposing team” (Test Designer, 2012). There is not an actual tornado blasting through players on a team. What this metaphor is implying is where there is a sportsman playing exceptionally well on a team and making his way through the other team. When comparing the metaphor tornado and blasting, tornado meaning a force of nature that is destructive and destroys what is in its path and blasting would have somewhat f the same meaning.
One might be confused with this statement in terms that a person might be harmful or hurtful as a tornado is on land. Simile. A simile is a figure of speech where two, unlike things are compared, generally by using the word “like” or “as” (Your Dictionary, n. D. ). One might make the statement “He is as hungry as a horse”. This simile is stating that a person is hungry for food. Many writers, poets, and songwriters use similes. Another simile example would be when a person states, “they are blind as a bat”. This does not mean a person s blind, but stating they cannot see well because the myth is that bats cannot see.
Cliche©. A cliche© is an often repeated or used phrase or statement that has been used so much it has become trite and kind of meaningless (Your Dictionary, n. D. ). An example of cliche©, “walk a mile in another’s shoes. ” This does not mean borrow a person’s shoes and walk a mile in them. What this cliche© means is to not judge a person for what they would do or have done until they have been through what they have in life circumstances. Since people can be quick to edge, one might make this statement letting them know they do not have a clue what they are talking about unless they go through the same situation.
Another example of simile is “fit as a fiddle. ” This means that a person is excellent shape. One might be confused with this statement because being fit is in shape, but a fiddle is a musical instrument. Cliche©s are spoken it seems a lot in the south and are used so much, that anyone from another culture would be confused on the language they are speaking. There exist many cliche©s that are people’s favorite for use in language usage, at times it is easier said than done. Amphibole. Amphibole meaning double or doubtful meaning; ambiguity, esp.. Room uncertain grammatical construction (Your Dictionary, n. D Amphibole is the grammar that is spoken or either written by authors to describe something that may not be true. A newspaper article may have a headline that makes a statement that is bold and be in the description of what is ahead. A title example of an amphibole is “Zoo Staff Mothers Abandoned Chimp” (Thompson, 2009). Once the article is read, it states that the zoo staff cared for the chimp since the mother rejected her baby chimp. Amphibole in writing and speaking is a cleaver and distinctive way of getting others attention.
It is a way of grabbing an individual’s attention, in order for them to think and listen. “Flame Word”. A flame word is used to make a person that is angry get even angrier. It can also be where a person will say something that is hurtful to make things worse, where the situation is distressing. A person may call another person retarded, meaning they cannot be smart and have a disability. This term is hurtful if a person is calling another person retarded. Although this is not meaning that person is not smart, the rod has a hurtful meaning when putting the statement on another human being.
This language is misused frequently when people are angry and blurting out flame words that are hurtful to others. Hyperbole. The definition of hyperbole is a description that is exaggerated from emphasis (Your Dictionary, n. D. ). A hyperbole is a story that comes to life. An example of a hyperbole that is stated quite often, “l have a ton of homework to do. ” Now a ton is an extreme amount of weight and homework does not weigh a ton. This is an exaggeration of the amount of homework one might have to complete. Hyperbole are used and spoken to emphasize what they want to say in order to gain attention.
If a person hears or reads hyperbole statements, it can make them think about what is being stated. Making hyperbole statements can be confusing if one does not understand the statement being made. Hyperbole are in comparison to simile and a metaphor, but with extravagance and with ridiculous humor. Euphemism. A euphemism is a polite, vague word or phrase that is used in place of a word or phrase that might be considered offensive, harsh, unpleasant or inappropriate to ay (Your Dictionary, n. D An example of euphemism would be a statement such as, “on the streets, instead of homeless” (Your Dictionary, n. . ). It is a nicer way of saying a person is homeless by stating they live on the streets. Another example would be if a person stated they were “using the restroom instead of going to the bathroom. ” Instead of stating that a person farted or passed gas, it is more polite to say they broke wind. Euphemism is a polite way of stating something to a person without being offensive or rude. Colloquialism. A colloquialism is a word r expression used in casual language by common people (Your Dictionary, n. D. ). Colloquialisms are short figurative languages that are used with close relatives and friends.
One might not use this language in a business letter or informal or formal writing. Examples of colloquialism are “What’s Up” and “How are you. ” When asking “What’s Up” one would likely be asking a friend or family member but asking another person one may prefer to ask differently. In today’s society many people use a colloquialism for testing one another such as “LOL” which can mean, “lots of luck” or “lots of love. When using these forms of colloquialism many make not understand the meaning and take the message the wrong way or incorrectly.
