Figurative Languagefigurative language is when you describe something by comparing it with something else. There are few different ways to use figurative language.Figurative Language examples and its definitions:1. Simile is a figure of speech in which one thing is likened to another. This is usually achieved by the use of the word like or as.Example:a. A room without books is like a body without a soul.b. Perhaps too much of everything is as bad as too little.2. Metaphor - is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something important in common. The word metaphor itself is a metaphor, coming from a Greek word meaning to "transfer" or "carry across." Metaphors "carry" meaning from one word, image, or idea to another.

Example:a. The assignment wasa breeze. (This implies that the assignment was not difficult.)b. Her voice ismusic to his ears. (This implies that her voice makes him feel happy.)3. Metonymy - is a word or phrase that is used to stand in for another word. Sometimes ametonymy is chosen because it is a well-known characteristic of the word.

Example:a. The cup is quite tasty. (for a mug)b. Can you please give me a hand carrying this box up the stairs? (for help)4. Synecdoche - is a figure of speech. When used in literature, a synecdoche will add to the visual imagery of the passage and enhance the readers experience. It may use an entirewhole thing to represent a part of it, can use a word or phrase as a class that willexpress less or more than the word or phrase actually means, may use a group of thingsthat refer to a larger group or use a large group to refer to a smaller group.Example:a. A hospital tried to revive him. (hospital stands in for one of its parts, the attending physician and health care workers)b. Give us this day our daily bread. (bread stands in for the whole, food and perhaps other necessities of life)

5. Paradox - is a statement or a concept that seems to be self-contradictory. In Logic, aparadox is a statement that contradicts itself absolutely. In everyday language, aparadoxical statement might only seem contradictory; it could well be sound.

Example:a. We need to go backwards to go forwards. (Everyday)b. Everything I say is a lie. (Logic)6. Innuendo is a subtle or indirect observation about a person or thing, usually of a salacious, critical, or disparaging nature; an insinuation.

Example:a. "Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before."(President George W. Bush, speech to the members of the Knesset in Jerusalem, May 15, 2008)b. "Bush was speaking of appeasement against those who would negotiate with terrorists. The White House spokeswoman, with a straight face, claimed the reference was not to Sen. Barack Obama."(John Mashek, "Bush, Obama, and the Hitler Card." U.S. News, May 16, 2008)7. Personification - is a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea or an animal is given human attributes. The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings.

Example:a. The fire ran wild.b. The thunder clapped angrily in the distance.8. Hyperbole - derived from a Greek word meaning over-casting is a figure of speech, whichinvolves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis. It is a device that we employin our day-to-day speech. A hyperbole is an unreal exaggeration to emphasizethe real situation.Example:a. My grandmother is as old as the hills.b. She is as heavy as an elephant!

9. Irony - pervades contemporary language. Its a large concept, but can be broken down into many categories. See below.

Irony Categories: Situational Irony - may occur when the outcome of a certain situation iscompletely different than what was initially expected. It is often referred to as an irony of events.Example: A man who is a traffic cop gets his license suspended for unpaid parking tickets. Cosmic Irony - can be attributed to some sort of misfortune. Usually cosmic irony is the end result of fate or chance.Example: The Titanic was promoted as being 100% unsinkable; but, in 1912 the ship sank on its maiden voyage. Dramatic Irony - occurs when there is miscommunication in a book, play or film and the audience is smarter than the characters.Example: In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Romeo finds Juliet in a drugged state and he thinks she is dead. He kills himself. When Juliet wakes up she finds Romeo dead and kills herself. Socratic Irony - is most relative in the great world of academia and isrelated to the socratic teaching method. The Socratic teachingmethod encourages students to think and present opposingviews while the teacher plays ignorant.Example: A professor never answers questions and does not explain key concepts of the course; however he expects students to come to class after having read their assignment, ready to answer the professor's questions. Sarcasm - is yet another popular form of irony where the user intends to wittily attack or make a derogatory statement about somethingor someone. Often, sarcasm is confused with irony instead of being a recognized form of irony.Example: A beautiful actress walked by a table of talent agents as one said there goes a good time that was had by all. The talent agent said the phrase referring to the young actress extracurricular activities with fellow talent agents. It was a derogatory statement, yet created with wit.10. Litotes - derived from a Greek word meaning simple, is a figure of speech which employsan understatement by using double negatives or, in other words, positive statement is expressed by negating its opposite expressions.

Example:a. He is not the cleverest person I have ever met.b. You are not doing badly at all.

11. Idioms - The term refers to a set expression or a phrase comprising two or more words. An interesting fact regarding the device is that the expression is not interpreted literally.The phrase is understood as to mean something quite different from what individualwords of the phrase would imply. Alternatively, it can be said that the phrase isinterpreted in a figurative sense. Further, idioms vary in different cultures and countries.Example:a. Bite your tongue (to avoid talking)b. Head over heels (very excited or joyful, especially when in love)c. Hit the book (to study, especially for a test or exam)d. Over my dead body (when you absolutely will not allow something to happen)e. Tie the knot (to get married)

Submitted by:Faiz L. CalandadaBSCE-I