Literal & Figurative

LanguageSubmitted by:

M Abdullah Kamran (L1S09BBAM0028)Irfan Javed (L1F09BBAM2223)Aun M Shirazi (L1F09BBAM2209)

Submitted to:

Prof. Jahanzaib Tahir

Dated: Nov 16,09.

Literal language refers to words that do not deviate from their defined meaning. Literal

language says what it means directly without any euphemisms or figurative language, so an

example would be to say "The dog died" instead of "The dog went to the big farm in the sky."

While, a type of language that varies from the norms of literal language is called figurative

language, in which words mean exactly what they say. Also known as the “ornaments of

language”, figurative language does not mean exactly what it says, but instead forces the

reader to make an imaginative leap in order to comprehend an author’s point. It usually

involves a comparison between two things that may not, at first, seem to relate to one another.

In a simile, for example, an author may compare a person to an animal; “He ran like a hare

down the street” is the figurative way to describe the man running and ‘He ran very quickly

down the street” is the literal way to describe him. Figurative language facilitates

understanding because it relates something familiar to something unfamiliar. Figuratively

speaking means when you say something metaphorically. Some popular examples of figurative

language include a simile and metaphor.

Examples of Figurative Language:

A woman is admired for her strength and beauty, like a silken tent.

The planting of seed in the garden, in springtime is like making love.

The passive but ever-changing shore and the persistent energetic ocean are like a devoted

couple.

The stages of love are like stepping stones to death.

A view of a geode crystal is like the mind probing the universe.

He worships the ground she walks on.

My belly is screaming for food.

You just had a burst of brilliance.

School is a prison every student must attend.

The stages of love are like stepping stones to death.

The dog went to the big farm in the sky.

He ran like a hare down the street.

Examples of Literal Language:

He loves her.

I am hungry.

You have a good idea.

The dog died.

It is raining very hard.

She loved him deeply.

He is eating fast.

That was a narrow passage.

He owns a computer.

She did make-up.