...1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Figurative language has been widely examined by linguist in the study of literature in recent years. It is because figurative language has the essence of style and beauty. Figurative language often provides a more effective means of saying what we mean than direct statement. In the specific sense, figurative language may take the form of figures of speech. Figurative language is used in any form of communication, such as in daily conversation, articles in newspaper, advertisements, novels, poems, etc. The effectiveness of figurative language in four main reasons, Perrine (1982) First, figurative language affords readers imaginative pleasure of literary works. Second, it is a way of bringing additional imagery into verse, making the abstract concrete, making literary works more sensuous. The third, figurative is a way of adding emotional intensity to otherwise merely informative statements and conveying attitudes along with information. And the last, it is a way of saying much in brief compass. She divides figurative language into seven types, namely metaphor, simile, personification, metonymy, paradox, overstatement, understatement, irony and illusion. 2 Keraf (1998: 129) divided majas (figures of speech) into two classifications, namely majas retoris (rhetoric) and majas kiasan (analogy). The first classification covers illiteracy, assonances, anastrophe, apophasis, apostrophe, asyndeton, polycyndenton, chiasmus, ellipsis...
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...FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE VS. LITERAL LANGUAGE Randy Powell Doctor Dan Davis Strayer University Internet Campus Philosophy 210: Critical Thinking Strayer University February 3, 2013 It is often believed that the English language is one of the most difficult languages to learn. The phonetic system employed by the English language leaves open a vast majority of issues for any individual attempting to master the language. For instance, the English language is the only language which uses multiple spellings for similar-sounding words. Take for example “threw” and “through;” “led” and “lead;” or “accept” and “except.” “The fact is, although it’s possible to make rough guesses at English spellings using phonetics, in order to really know English spelling, you have to memorize the spelling of every word” (Alexander, 2009). Additionally, the English language features words which are spelled the same, but possess different definitions and uses. For example, “wound” and “wound.” Unless these words are seen in the form of a sentence or heard the terms in which they are referenced, recognizing the difference is impossible; sometimes even for one brought up speaking the English language. Not only do individual words offer different meanings, the method, or “tone” in which one speaks also offer a level of confusion. While there are different methods in which to ‘stress’ key words within a sentence or ‘emphasize’ the importance of what is being said, two common types of language, which...
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...and function of figurative language and literal language. Figurative language and literal language are different ways of analyzing the meaning of languages in various traditions. literal language refers to words that do not deviate from their defined meaning. Whereas figurative language refers to words, and groups of words, that exaggerate or alter the usual meanings of the component words. Figurative language may involve analogy to similar concepts or other contexts, and may involve exaggerations. Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, we are using figurative language. The function of literal language is to present word or groups of words to "literally" mean exactly what they intended to be. Using literal language simplify the mean of words for everyone to understand. Figurative language function differently, it allow the use of word or groups of word to them different meaning and give one to think what the writer actually mean which will give one a true or false answer and still be correct. These lead to different figure of speeches which make languages very interesting. 2. Provide an example for each of the following terms and when it might lead to misunderstanding - idiom, analogy, metaphor, simile, cliché, amphiboly, "flame word", hyperbole, euphemism, and colloquialism. The following terms are ways of expressing meaning of language using figurative language. An idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning or associative...
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...Monster in Plath’s “Mirror”: The woman becomes a narrating reflector of herself as mirror and of whatever passes before it. She becomes the writer who writes of the mirror in which she perceives herself and of the mirror she is (pg 156). Plath develops the character of the mirror, and the woman this mirror observes, through the personification of the mirror. Plath’s Mirror, maneuvers through figurative language, free verse form, personification, and metaphor. The primary language of Mirror is figurative. Figurative language is defined by Clugston (2010) as “the use of words in ways they are not normally used in order to create a distinct imaginative effect or impression” (10.3). “I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions” (Plath, 1963). Generally, it is not logically accepted that a mirror would have a voice. As written in William Freedman’s, Sylvia Plath’s, “Mirror of Mirrors”(1987), “Language may not say what the speaker means (though only other language can determine or do that)” (pg. 59). What Freedman proclaims is that only figurative or metaphoric language can...
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...“Jonathan Edwards Opinion Why God is Resentful” Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards uses figurative language to explain that God is furious with his disciples and anyone else who worships him. Jonathan Edwards uses metaphors to convince people into believing in God. Jonathan Edwards uses similes as evidence to convince people into believing in God. Jonathan Edwards uses alliteration to convince people into believing in God. Therefore, Jonathan Edwards wants people to have some sort of belief in God or that he does exist. One type of figurative language Edwards uses throughout his sermon is metaphors. Edwards states that the God’s wrath is raged with envy and anger. “The bow of God’s wrath is bent and...
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...Figurative Language versus Literal Language By: Angelle Dent PHI210 Professor Carrie Prettiman January 20, 2012 The purpose of this paper is to explore the meaning and functionalities associated with figurative language versus literal language. Traditionally, figurative language, such as metaphors and idioms, have been considered derivatives from and more complex than ostensibly straightforward language. “A contemporary view is that figurative language involves the same kinds of linguistic and pragmatic operations that are used for ordinary, literal language” (Glucksberg, 1975). Figurative language is language that uses words and or expressions with a meaning that is different or a variation from the literal interpretation. Literal language, in comparison, is very direct and straightforward in approach by simply conveying facts. When a writer or author uses literal language, he or she is stating the facts as they are. Figurative language, on the other hand, is very common in poetry and verses and is used in prose and nonfiction writing using creativity and imaginative expression conveyed through personal ideas or opinions. Figurative language is often used as a literary device that many authors use to bring the reader into the actual writing. The language is written in such a way that what is being said or stated is different from the actual literal meaning of the words. Some common types of figurative languages are defined and explained below. Idiom:...
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...Assignment 2: Figurative Language versus Literal Language The lack of exposure to non literal forms of language makes it difficult to engage in productive thinking. Having the capacity to understand figurative language increases our ability to communicate with each other. By increasing our word bank we expand our knowledge base and increase our thinking capacity. Below are a list of ten words with their meaning, definitions, examples and appropriate circumstances in which to use them. 1. Describe the meaning and function of each term. 1. Idiom is a language, dialect or speaking style peculiar to a people. 2. Analogy is a similarity between two like subjects on which a comparison can be based. 3. Metaphor is a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to which is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance. 4. Simile is a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicably compared. 5. Cliché is a sentence or phrase usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea which has lost its originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse. 6. Amphiboly is ambiguity of speech, especially from uncertainty of the grammatical construction rather than the meaning of the word. 7. "Flame word" is a word used or tone used to insult someone. 8. Hyperbole is a figure of speech not intended to be taken literally. 9. Euphemism is the substitution of a mild, indirect or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh or blunt....
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...Ronald Davenport PHI210032VA16-1132-001 – Critical Thinking January 25th, 2013 Figurative Language versus Literal Language Figurative language is a language in which the individual expresses his or her ideas and thoughts with the help of words having more than one meaning. Figurative language is an important part of writing and is also widely used in speech. To understand this language one has to use his or her imagination. Without it no one can figure out the exact meaning of the words the author wants to say. For instance, when someone says that it’s raining cats and dogs, it actually means that it is raining very hard. Terms Idioms Idioms are those terms in the figurative language in which the words, phrases and expressions are either grammatically unique or have meaning that can be literally understood by the individual. For example, an idiom: ‘after John had broken the window, he decided to face the music and tell his mother. ‘ Meaning: to accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions With the help of an idiom, it becomes very easy for a person to narrate their native-language but if the person is using the language of other culture, sometimes it becomes an entirely unapproachable thing. Analogy If in the figurative language in order to highlight some point of similarity, the author does comparison between two different things. This style of speech is known...
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...e Poetry and Figurative Language Paper ENG/340 Mark Jones Edward Wilson June 12, 2014 Introduction Poetry has been used since time immemorial for passing information to the society. Poets have however used different stylistic devices in ensuring that their message has been passed to their intended audience. Imagery, rhymes, symbolism, among other ingredients of figurative language is among the commonly used stylistic devices that poets use. This paper seeks to identify imagery, metaphors, rhyme and structure in three specific poems and identifying the effect, which such figurative language has had on the content and the message of the poems. Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken This is a poem where the poet gives a description of how he met two diverging roads in a yellow road and took the road the road that was less travelled, a decision that brought the big difference in his life. The message presented in the poem is very moving where the poet is speaking about making a decision out of two competing situations. Imagery- the first line of the poem creates an image where the reader is taken to a yellow wood and the poet describes of the two roads at the yellow woods. In the second stanza, the poet provides an image of the grassy road that also wanted wear. This clicks an image to the reader on the condition that the poet was in and a description of the road. The poet in this piece has tried...
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...Cognitive Linguistic and Idioms General considerations about cognitive linguistics Cognitive linguistics is a new approach to the study of language which emerged in the late seventies and early eighties and interprets linguistic knowledge as part of general cognition and thinking. This new contemporary study that argues that language is governed by general cognitive principles, rather than by a special –purpose language module, is therefore associated with semantics, but is distinct from psycholinguistics, which draws upon empirical findings from cognitive psychology in order to explain the mental processes that underlie the acquisition and storage of speech. The most influential linguists working along these lines and focusing on cognitive principles were Charles Fillmore, Wallace Chafe, George Lakoff, Dirk Geeraerts, Roland Langacker and Leonard Talmy. The most important assumption shared by all these researchers is that meaning is so central to language that it must be a primary focus of study. Linguistic structures serve the function of expressing meanings and thus, the mapping between meaning and form are a prime subject of linguistic analysis. In The Oxford Handbook of Cognitive Linguistics, Dirk Geerates stated : “ Cognitive Linguistics is the study of language in its cognitive function, where cognitive refers to the crucial role of intermediate informational structures in our encounters with the world. Cognitive Linguistics is cognitive in the same way that cognitive...
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...of Moldova State Pedagogical University “Ion Creangă” Foreign Languages and Literature Faculty English Philology Department DIPLOMA PAPER Figurative Language, Language Shaped by Imagination in Katherine Mansfield’s Short Stories Submitted by: the 4th year student Paşcaneanu Mariana Group 404 Scientific adviser: Tataru Nina Senior Lecturer Chişinău 2012 Contents INTRODUCTION 2 CHAPTER I: SHORT STORY AS A FORM OF FICTION 5 I.1.Common Characteristics of a Short Story as a Form of Fiction. Its Plot and Structure. 5 I.2. Figurative Language. Definition. Function. 9 I.3. Imagery – Language that Appeals to the Senses 11 I.3.1. Simile, Metaphor and Personification. 13 1.3.2. Symbol and Symbolism. 26 I.3.3 Allegory. 30 CHAPTER II: LANGUAGE SHAPED BY IMAGINATION IN K. MANSFIELD’S SHORT STORIES 36 II.1. Figurative Language, Symbolism and Theme in "Her First Ball": 37 II.2. Katherine Mansfield – Techniques and Effects in A Cup of Tea. 41 II.3. Literary Colloquial Style in “Miss Brill” by K. Mansfield. 49 II.3.1. Lexical features—Vague Words and Expressions 49 II.3.2 Syntactical and Morphological Features 52 II.3.3 Phonological Schemes of the Figures of Speech 55 II.4. Simplifying Figurative Language in K.Mansfield’s Short Stories 60 CONCLUSION 64 BIBLIOGRAPHY 66 APPENDIX 70 INTRODUCTION Figurative Language is the use of words that go beyond their ordinary meaning. It requires...
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...Title: Figurative Language versus Literal Language Student: Jessica Figuereo Instructor: Dr. Chad Redwing Class: PHI 210 Date: 7/15/2013 We use all different types of languages to communicate effectively. Some use sign language, some speak, some write. There is a difference between literal language which means, "in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words" (Dictionary.com, 2013), and figurative language which means, "speech or writing that departs from literal meaning in order to achieve a special effect or meaning, speech or writing employing figures of speech" (Dictionary.com 21st Century Lexicon, 2013). In this paper we will discuss the different types of figurative languages, their meanings, their function and examples of each. An idiom "is a group of words whose meaning is different from the ordinary meaning of the words, an example would be Put a lid on it" (Oraclethinkquest, unk). This translation does not mean to literally put a lid on Tupperware, or on a bottle again it is a figurative language which means you want someone to be quiet. Maybe you are in church and the person next won’t stop trying to have a sidebar conversation with you while a sermon is being given. You can always say shhh, or can say something with more emphasis such as put a lid on it so that person gets the idea. However, you must know your audience when speaking to children using an idiom you might have to explain the meaning to them....
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...Figurative Language versus Literal Language Figurative Language versus Literal Language Figurative language, which is also referred to as a “figure of speech”, is language that utilizes a description to provide an expression of a person’s emotion. Figurative language contains words that are descriptive whereas literal words are expressed so that someone ones exactly what is meant. Below I will describe a few figurative words followed by an example. Idiom An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally, like “bought the farm” has nothing to do with purchasing real estate, but refers to dying (examples.yourdictionary.com). Another example would be “high as a kite” which would mean you are drunk or on drugs. Someone who isn’t familiar with this phrase could interpret it to mean someone or something is up in the air. Analogy Analogy is defined as either a metaphor (different) or a simile (same). It’s the similarity or comparability of two things. An example of an analogy is “She is as quiet as a church mouse” the reference to the mouse being unheard is the similarity to her being quite. Metaphor Metaphors are an analogy where two unlike things are compared but have something in common. It sounds like you are stating a fact, but you have to think about it for it to make sense. An example of a metaphor would be you are the wind beneath my wings” you are not saying that a person can actually be wind. Instead, you are referring to the support you get from that...
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...® page 1 of 4 THE LANGUAGE ARTS MAGAZINE Name: ________________________________________________________ Date: ______________ Glossary of literary terms alliteration (uh-lih-tuh-RaY-shuhn): When two or more words in a group of words begin with the frozen french fries. see also: figurative language. Uses: Copy maChine, opaqUe projeCtor, or transparenCy master for overhead projeCtor. sCholastiC inC. grants sUbsCribers of sCholastiC sCope permission to reprodUCe this page for Use in their Classrooms. Copyright ©2012 by sCholastiC inC. all rights reserved. same sound (usually, the same letter or group of letters). for example: Anne’s awesome apple; Fred’s antagonist (an-taG-uh-nist): the opponent or enemy of the main character, or protagonist. see also: protagonist. aside (uh-SahYd): Words spoken to the audience by a character in a drama that are not supposed to be heard by the other characters onstage. an aside is usually used to let the audience know what a character is thinking. characterization (kar-ik-ter-uh-zaY-shun): the means through which an author reveals a character’s personality. Characterization may be direct or indirect. in direct characterization, the writer or a narrator tells the reader what the character is like: “ben was a quiet, serious boy.” in indirect characterization, the author shows the reader or audience member what the character is like through (1) how the character looks, (2) what the character does, (3) what the character...
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...* Informal Language: spontaneous speech in situations that are described as “natural” using slang, contractions and abbreviations * Examples of informal language: yo, what’s up, hey Informal language is impolite. Abbreviations (lol) (ttyl) Basic words (not specific) such as (bad, good, stuff things, a lot) Contractions (it’s, can’t, shouldn’t) * Formal language: speech in situations that are described to be professional or proper * Examples of formal language: hello, good after noon, how are you * Context clues: words surrounding a word that you may not know and the words around it might give you glues on what the word mean or whole sentence. * Independent clause: are complete sentences and can stand on it’s own Example of an independent clause: The plant on the front porch died. * Dependent clause: is a group of words with a subject and a verb. It does not express a complete thought so it is not a sentence and can’t stand-alone. Example of an dependent clause: If I don’t come by noon. * How to separate a sentence into 2 sentences (3 ways) 1. Add a comma + coordinating conjunction 2. Semicolon 3. Make 1 independent clause into a dependent clause * Examples (3) 1. I was uplate, so I am tired. 2. I was uplate; I am tired. 3. Because I was uplate, I am tired. * Figurative language: Non-literal language (not meant to be taken serious) Refers to something not possible or not likely * Examples of figurative language Ex: I’m...
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