It’s common knowledge among language learners that it’s much easier to read a children’s book than one intended for adult readers. But why? There are many different reasons, but one of them has to do with the much higher level of figurative language, which involves the use of various figures of speech for
creative and dramatic purposes, in adult books. If you’ve never heard the term figurative language and would like to know more about it because you want to improve as a language learner, this is the right article for you. By the end of it, you’ll know not only everything you need to know about figures of speech, but you’ll also understand exactly what you need to do to become better at understanding them. Figurative language is the opposite of literal language. Whereas literal
language always means exactly what it says, figurative language uses various figures of speech to convey meaning in unusual and creative ways. Here are three dictionary definitions of figurative language to help you understand what we mean:
Because the meaning of figurative language is often not immediately clear, languages learners tend to struggle with it, feeling discouraged and unsure how to progress. In reality, the most effective way to master various figures of speech is to see them in use as often as possible. To increase your exposure to figurative phrases, we recommend you add the examples below to the Encore!!! app. Encore’s My Entry feature allows you to include your own text and audio content, such as lines of poetry, dialogs from your favorite movies, song lyrics, or workbook content. You can then practice at your own pace at any time using your mobile device. What Are Some Examples of Figurative Language?To help you better understand what figurative language is and how it’s used, let’s take a look at some textbook examples:
What Is the Purpose of Figurative Language?If you’ve read the examples of figurative language above, you should be starting to understand its purpose. Arguably, the main reason why writers and speakers use various figures of speech is that they want to describe things in a less ordinary way. Sometimes, it is used to avoid repetition, especially when it comes to words like very, really, a lot, big, small, and so on. It’s the mark of an inexperienced writer to use the same words over and over again instead of coming up with a more creative way to convey the intended meaning. Why is figurative language used in music and poems, where repetition is often desired? In many cases, songwriters and poets use various figures of speech to create rhythm, musicality, and vivid imagery. The frequent use of figurative language in music and poems is the reason why they are so often open to interpretation. What Are the 6 Types of Figurative Language?There are many different types of figurative language, but the following six are used much more frequently than others, which is why it’s a good idea to know about them: 1. MetaphorsA metaphor is a figure of speech that involves the application of a word to an object or action to which the word is not literally applicable, which is why metaphors don’t make sense when interpreted literally and why so many learners struggle with them. Here are three examples of metaphors:
Instead of attempting to decipher the meaning of metaphors from the individual words they consist of, it’s better to learn them as complete units. 2. SimilesA simile is a figure of speech that involves the direct comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind using words such as “like”, “as”, or “than”. As long as you know the meaning of the individual words a simile consists of, you should be able to understand it even if you’ve never seen or heard it before. Here are three examples of similes:
3. PersonificationPersonification involves the attribution of human-like qualities to animals or inanimate objects. It’s often used for a comedic effect, but it can also be used to help readers understand something they’re not familiar with. Here are three examples of personification:
4. HyperboleOut of all figurative language types, hyperbole, which is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech, rarely gives learners much trouble. That’s perhaps because we all make various hyperboles every single day, and we don’t often even realize that we do. Here are three examples of hyperbole:
Do these examples look familiar? That’s because we all use similar hyperboles all the time. 5. OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia are words that phonetically imitate what they describe. This type of figurative language is commonly used in children’s books, but you can find it also in comic books, poems, songs, and just about everywhere else. Here are three examples of onomatopoeia:
6. IdiomIdioms are phrases whose meaning can’t be derived from the meaning of individual words. Many languages learners have described idioms as the bane of their existence because there’s so many of them, and learning them is anything but easy. Here are three examples of idioms:
ConclusionIt’s not possible to master a language without understanding figurative expressions, which deviate from the conventional order and meaning. These expressions are important to master, while also being some of the most difficult aspects of a language to attain fluency in. Cultural knowledge is a vital part of being able to master the figurative phrases of a language as they are very much steeped in the underlying culture. The ways we experience these phrases are a part of our overall life experience, and the more you can understand the way these concepts relate, you can piece the words together effectively. In this article, we’ve explained the main types of figurative language and provided plenty of examples that you can add to Encore!!! best language learning app for focused practice. Encore!!! allows you to gain that deep understanding needed to gain competency in these complex aspects of language. FAQ about Figurative Language1. How do you identify figurative language?Figurative expressions in language are identifiable by their use of not literal ideas and phrases. They use more imaginative meanings of words to compare or describe things in a more expressive way. 2. How is figurative language used in writing?When a writer is looking for a more creative way to express an idea or avoid repetition, they may use a figurative phrasing instead. It can also add more color or rhythm to a bit of writing, while creating vivid imagery for the reader. Sometimes, it also serves to put foriegn concepts into familiar terms. 3. What is the difference between imagery and figurative language?Imagely is using descriptive language to appeal to and engage the senses, while figurative language is using words or expressions that differ from the literal interpretation. They can serve the same purpose, but do so in different ways. 4. How do you teach figurative language?Learning about the culture of a language can help to learn the meanings of figurative imagery. Using learning tools that help with visualization such as pictures can also help to understand figurative phrases too. Which of the following is an example of speech without language quizlet?Echolalia is an example of speech without language.
Which of the following statements most accurately describes the relationship between phonological?Which of the following statements most accurately describes the relationship between phonological (phonemic) awareness and reading: phonological ability is highly related to early reading success, especially word identification.
Which of the following statements best describes the language skills of children with traumatic brain injury?Which of the following statements best describes the language skills of children with traumatic brain injury? There is often marked improvement in language skills although problems may persist.
Which of the following represents the typical order of language acquisition?There are four main stages of normal language acquisition: The babbling stage, the Holophrastic or one-word stage, the two-word stage and the Telegraphic stage.
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