What is the figurative meaning of a word

Updated on February 12, 2020

Figurative meaning, by definition, is the metaphorical, idiomatic, or ironic sense of a word or expression, in contrast to its literal meaning.

In recent years, a number of researchers (including R.W. Gibbs and K. Barbe, both quoted below) have challenged conventional distinctions between literal meaning and figurative meaning. According to M.L. Murphy and A. Koskela, «Cognitive linguists in particular disagree with the notion that figurative language is derivative or supplementary to literal language and instead argue that figurative language, particularly metaphor and metonymy, reflect the way we conceptualize abstract notions in terms of more concrete ones» ( Key Terms in Semantics, 2010).

Examples and Observations:

• «In France, there is a saying ‘C’est quoi, ce Bronx?’ Literally, it means, ‘What is this, the Bronx?’ Figuratively it means ‘What a dump!'»
  (Brian Sahd, «Community Development Corporations and Social Capital.» Community-Based Organizations, ed. by Robert Mark Silverman. Wayne State University Press, 2004)
• «Eccentric first came into English in 1551 as a technical term in astronomy, meaning ‘a circle in which the earth, the sun, etc. deviates from its center.’ . . .
  «In 1685, the definition slid from the literal to the figurative. Eccentric was defined as ‘deviating from the usual character or practice; unconventional; whimsical; odd,’ as in an eccentric genius, an eccentric millionaire. . . . The astronomical meaning of eccentric has only historical relevance today, while the figurative meaning is the commonly recognized one, as in this comment in a Wall Street Journal editorial: ‘Proper eccentrics are more likely to shrink from the limelight than to slaver at its prospect.'»
  (Sol Steinmetz, Semantic Antics: How and Why Words Change Meaning. Random House, 2008)

Cognitive Processes Used in Understanding Figurative Language (Gricean View)

• «[W]hen a speaker says Criticism is a branding iron, he or she does not literally mean that criticism is a tool to mark livestock. Rather, the speaker intends this utterance to have some figurative meaning along the lines that criticism can psychologically hurt the person who receives it, often with long-lasting consequences. How do listeners comprehend figurative utterances such as Criticism is a branding iron? Listeners presumably determine the conversational inferences (or ‘implicatures’) of nonliteral utterances by first analyzing the literal meaning of the sentence. Second, the listener assesses the appropriateness and/or truthfulness of that literal meaning against the context of the utterance. Third, if the literal meaning is defective or inappropriate for the context, then and only then, will listeners derive an alternative nonliteral meaning that makes the utterance consistent with the cooperative principle.» (Raymond W. Gibbs, Jr., Intentions in the Experience of Meaning. Cambridge University Press, 1999)

«Getting Away With Murder»

• «Interestingly, there are occasions when understanding what someone says automatically leads one to infer a figurative meaning even if the speaker did not necessarily intend that figurative meaning to be communicated. For instance, when someone literally ‘gets away with murder,’ he also figuratively ‘avoids responsibility for his action,’ an inference from something a speaker says to a figurative meaning that takes people longer to process than if they simply understand the phrase ‘gets away with murder’ when used intentionally as having figurative, idiomatic meaning (Gibbs, 1986).» (Albert N. Katz, Cristina Cacciari, Raymond W. Gibbs, Jr., and Mark Turner, Figurative Language and Thought. Oxford University Press, 1998)

Searle on Paraphrasing Metaphors

• «Because in metaphorical utterances what the speaker means differs from what he says (in one sense of ‘say’), in general, we shall need two sentences for our examples of metaphor—first the sentence uttered metaphorically, and second a sentence that expresses literally what the speaker means when he utters the first sentence and means it metaphorically. Thus (3), the metaphor (MET):
  (3) (MET) It’s getting hot in here
  corresponds to (3), the paraphrase (PAR):
  (3) (PAR) The argument that is going on is becoming more vituperative and similarly with the pairs:
  (4) (MET) Sally is a block of ice.
  (4) (PAR) Sally is an extremely unemotional and unresponsive person
  (5) (MET) I have climbed to the top of the greasy pole (Disraeli)
  (5) (PAR) I have after great difficulty become prime minister
  (6) (MET) Richard is a gorilla
  (6) (PAR) Richard is fierce, nasty, and prone to violence Notice that in each case we feel that the paraphrase is somehow inadequate, that something is lost.» (John R. Searle, «Metaphor.» Metaphor and Thought, 2nd ed., ed. by Andrew Ortony. Cambridge University Press, 1993)

False Dichotomies

• «Explanations and descriptions of metaphors, as well as irony, usually evoke the dichotomy ‘literal’ and ‘figurative.’ That is, metaphors, as well as instances of irony, are said to have an immediate, basic, or literal meaning, which is easily accessible, and a remote or figurative meaning, which can be reconstructed. The figurative meaning is only accessible to a limited number of participants, while the literal meaning can be understood by all participants. But neither the ironic nor the literal meaning need any different (longer) processing time for comprehension. Consequently, the notion that the literal/non-ironic meaning is prior or basic and the non-literal/ironic builds upon this basis appears questionable. The pervasiveness of irony in everyday discourse coupled with the questionable way of interpreting irony thus require a rethinking of some basic (and often unquestioned) assumptions in the treatment of irony and other types of so-called figurative language. That is, dichotomies like literal and figurative should be re-evaluated.» (Katharina Barbe, Irony in Context. John Benjamins, 1995)

Figurative Meanings of Conceptual Metaphors

• «When we study similarities and differences in the metaphorical expression of a conceptual metaphor, we need to take into account a number of factors or parameters, including the literal meaning of the expressions used, the figurative meaning to be expressed, and the conceptual metaphor (or, in some cases, metaphors) on the basis of which figurative meanings are expressed. As a fourth parameter, there is also a linguistic form that is used, but this is necessarily (or at least almost always) different in the case of two different languages.» (Zoltán Kövecses, Metaphor in Culture: Universality and Variation. Cambridge University Press, 2005)

Literal and Figurative Meanings of Idioms

• «Experiments carried out by Häcki Buhofer and Burger (1994) have shown that people are often unable to distinguish between the literal and the figurative meaning of an idiom. This means that the literal sense is often mentally present for speakers, even if they use an idiom only in its figurative meaning. Hence the relevant mental image (we call it image component) of a motivated idiom must be regarded as part of its content plane in a broad sense. In certain cases, some relevant traces of the mental image that are fixed in the lexical structure of an idiom must be regarded as part of its actual meaning. As a rule, the image component is involved in the cognitive processing of the idiom in question. What this means for the semantic description of idioms is that relevant elements of the inner form have to be included in the structure of the semantic explication.» (Dmitrij Dobrovolʹskij and Elisabeth Piirainen, Figurative Language: Cross-Cultural and Cross-Linguistic Perspectives. Elsevier, 2005)

Language is a multi-faceted and multi-functional concept.In order to determine its nature is required to carefully consider a number of questions.For example, a tongue and the relation of its elements, the influence of external factors and functions in human society.

Definition Portable values ​​

Already from junior school, everyone knows that the same words can be used in different ways in the speech.Direct (mostly, major) value is called, which correspond with objective reality.It does not depend on the context and the allegory.An example is the word «collapse».In medicine, it is a sharp and sudden fall in blood pressure, and in astronomy — fast compression of stars under the influence of gravitational forces.

figurative meaning of words — this is their second value.It occurs when the conscious transfer of title of a phenomenon to another because of the similarity of their functions, features, and so on.. For example, the same «collapse» was figurative meaning of the word.Examples relate to public life.Thus, in a figurative sense «collapse» means the destruction, the collapse of the union of people as a result of the onset of a systemic crisis.

scientific definition

In linguistics figurative meaning of words — it is their secondary derivatives related to the principal value of the metaphorical, metonymic addiction or any associative signs.At the same time it appears on the basis of logic, spatial, temporal and other correlative concepts.

Application speech

Words with figurative meaning are used in the name of those phenomena that do not have a common and constant object to refer to.They come together with other concepts for emerging associations, which are obvious to speak.

Words used in a figurative sense, can keep the imagery.For example, dirty innuendo or dirty thoughts.These values ​​are shaped in the dictionaries.These words invented by writers from different metaphors.
However, in most cases, when there is a transfer of value, the imagery is lost.Examples include phrases such as spout and elbow, the clock and tail the carrots.In such cases there is the attenuation of imagery in the lexical meaning of the words.

Changing the essence of the concept

figurative meaning of words can be reserved for any action, a sign or object.As a result, it passes into the category of major or basic.For example, the spine of a book or a door handle.

Polysemy

figurative meaning of words — it is not uncommon due to their ambiguity.In scientific language it is called «Polysemy».Often, there is not a word one stable value.In addition, people who use the language, there is often a need to name a new phenomenon which does not yet have a lexical notation.In this case, they use familiar words to them.

Questions polisemii — it usually issues a nomination.In other words, move things in the existing identity of the word.However, not all scientists agree with this.Some of them are not allowed to have more than one meaning of the word.There is another opinion.Many scientists supported the idea that the figurative meaning of words — it is their lexical meaning, which is realized in different ways.

For example, we say «red tomato».As used herein, the adjective is direct value.»Red» can be said about the man.In this case, it is understood that he blushed and blushed.Thus, the figurative meaning can always be explained through direct.But an explanation why the red called red, linguistics can not give.Just the title of this color.

The polysemy phenomenon exists disparity of values.For example, the word «break» can mean that the subject suddenly caught fire, and that the man blushed with shame, and the fact that suddenly there was a quarrel, and so on.. Some of these expressions are found in most languages.They immediately come to mind when the word is mentioned.Others are used only in special situations and special combinations.

between several meanings of the word, there are semantic links that make obvious the phenomenon when different properties and objects are called the same.

trails

use of the word in a figurative sense can be not only stable fact language.Such use is sometimes limited, fleeting, and is carried out within just one statement.In this case, achieved the goal of exaggeration and special expressiveness said.

Thus, there is a delicate figurative meaning of the word.Examples of use are in poetry and literature.For these genres is an effective artistic technique.For example, the Bloc can remember «desert eyes wagons» or «dust rain in swallowing pills.»What is the figurative meaning of the word in this case?It is evidence of his unlimited ability to explain new concepts.

emergence of figurative meanings of words of literary and stylistic type and a paths.In other words, a figure of speech.

metaphor

philology allocated a number of different types of transport names.One of the most important among them is a metaphor.It is intended for the transfer of names of one phenomenon to another.And this is possible only if the similarity of certain features.Similarity can be external (color, size, nature, form and movement) and internal (assessment, feelings and impressions).So, with the help of metaphors say about black thoughts and sour face, Lying storm and cold reception.In this case the replacement of things, but a sign of the concept remains the same.

figurative meaning of words using the metaphor occurs in varying degrees of similarity.An example is the duck (medical device) and a caterpillar tractor.It is used for the transfer of similar form.Metaphorical sense can be held and the names given to man.For example, Hope, Love, Faith.Sometimes the transfer is carried out on the values ​​of the similarity with the sounds.So, toot called the siren.

Metonymy

It is also one of the most important types of transfer of titles.However, when its use is not applied similarities internal and external features.Here we have a contiguity of cause-effect relationships, or, in other words, Touching things in time or in space.

metonymic figurative meaning of words — is not just a change of subject, but also the very notion.If you have any explanation for this phenomenon is only amenable to the neighboring communication units lexical chain.

figurative meaning of words can be based on associations with the material from which the object is made.For example, the earth (soil), table (food), and so on. D.

Synecdoche

This concept is the transfer of any part of the whole.Examples include the phrase «child skirt goes for the mother,» «a hundred head of cattle,» etc.

Homonyms

This concept is identical to the sound of Philology of two or more different words.Homonymy is sound coincidence of lexical units that are not connected to each other semantically.

distinguish phonetic and grammatical homonyms.The first case concerns the words that are in the accusative or the nominative case, sound the same but have different compositions of phonemes.For example, «rod» and «pond.»Grammar homonyms arise when and phoneme pronunciation and word coincide, but form different individual words.For example, the number «three» and the verb «three».When you change the pronunciation of words will not be the same.For example, «rub», «three» and so on. D.

Synonyms

This concept refers to the words of the same part of speech, the same or similar in its lexical meaning.The origins are foreign-language synonymy and its lexical meanings obscheliteraturnogo and dialect.There are portable because of the meaning of words and jargon («burst» — «is»).

Synonyms are divided into types.Among them:

• absolute, when the meaning of words is identical («Octopus» — «Octopus»);
• conceptual differing shades of lexical meanings («think» — «think»);
• stylistic, which have stylistic differences in color («sleep» — «sleep»).

Opposites

This concept for the words belonging to the same part of speech, but at the same time having the opposite concepts.This type of portable values ​​can be the difference in structure («bear» — «make») and different roots («white» — «black»).
Antonimija seen in the words that express counterposed orientation signs, conditions, actions and properties.The purpose of their use — the transfer of contrasts.This technique is often used in poetry and oratory.

LECTURE
1.

THE
WORD AND ITS MEANING

OUTLINE

1. The
   word and its main characteristics.

2. Types
   of meaning.

3. Semantic
   changes and their causes.

1. The
   word and its main characteristics.

Lexicology
is a branch of linguistics that deals with the vocabulary of the
language and characteristics of words as the main lexical units.
Lexical units comprise words and set expressions, or groups of words
of fixed character.

There are
over 200 definitions of a word but none is generally accepted. The
word reflects world mapping which is culturally and nationally
specific. Word use is also pre-determined by person’s social and
educational status, gender, age, etc.

The word
performs the following functions:

1. denotational
   (denotes things, qualities, actions,etc);

2. generalizing
   function (e.g. tree, house, animal);

3. emotive
   function (expresses our feelings and emotions);

4. structural
   function (performs a certain syntactic function, is a part of a
   sentence).

The word is
the smallest meaningful unit possessing the following features:

1. isolatability,
   i.e. ability of a word to function in communication alone, to make
   a sentence, e.g. ‘Help!’ This distinguishes a word from another
   meaningful unit – a morpheme, which cannot be used in isolation.
   It can function only as a part of a word.

2. indivisibility,
   i.e. a word cannot be further divided without breaking its meaning.
   Cf. asleep – a (sound) sleep, alive – a (quiet) life.

3. positional
   mobility, i.e. a word can change its position in a sentence. E.g.
   Suddenly they came up to a house. They came up to a house suddenly.
   Up to a house they suddenly came.

The word is
a two-facet unit combining meaning and form. The relationship between
the two is denoted by the term motivation. If the connection between
the meaning of a word and its form is clear and the form helps us to
understand the meaning, the word is considered motivated. If the
connection is conventional, the word is said to be non-motivated at
the present stage of language development.

There are
three types of motivation:

1. Phonetic
   , the sound form of the word helps us to understand its meaning,
   e.g. bang, bump, hiss, cuckoo, etc.

2. morphological,
   the morphemic composition of a word helps to understand its meaning,
   e.g. ex+ noun = former …; re+ verb = do again; verb+er = agent,
   doer of the action.

3. figurative
   meaning of a word becomes clear through its direct meaning, e.g. the
   leg of the table, the foot of the mountain, the eye of the needle.

The
meaning is not homogeneous. It is a system of systems:

1)
It combines lexical and grammatical meanings, e.g. actress is a
personal noun.

2)
Lexical meaning includes denotative and connotative ones.

3)
Denotative meaning is conceptual (what a word denotes), it is
divided into semantic

components
called semes, e.g. Father is a male parent. Denotative components may

be
culturally predetermined (cf. winter in Siberia and in Australia, it
is a season

between
autumn and spring but all other characteristics are different:
duration,

temperature,
etc.).

4)
Connotative meanings express the speaker’s attitude to the subject
of speech and may

be
as follows:

1. stylistic:
   chap, fellow, associate; child, infant, kid;

2. emotive:
   cool, awesome, terrific;

3. expressive:
   to trudge, to march, to gobble;

4. evaluative:
   clever, silly, good, bad(rational evaluation), scoundrel
   (emotional evaluation);

5. associative
   (a fir-tree – forest, New Year);

6. national
   and cultural (kilt – Scots);

7. pragmatic:
   Can you open the door?

5)
A word may be polysemantic, i.e. it may have several interrelated
denotative

meanings:

1. One
   of the meanings is called primary, this is the meaning in which the
   word made its first appearance in the language, all the other
   meanings which developed later are called secondary, e.g. chair as a
   piece of furniture (primary), chair as the head of some meeting,
   conference or chair as a department (secondary meanings).

2. One
   of the meanings is central, others are peripheral. As a rule,
   primary and central meanings coincide but it is not necessarily so.
   In the course of language development a secondary meaning may become
   the central one ousting the primary meaning to the periphery, e.g.
   revolution: primary meaning is that of rotary movement, revolving,
   secondary – social change (now central).

3. Meaning
   can be direct and indirect (figurative, transferred), e.g. white
   collar, blue collar, smoke screen, etc.

III.
Semantic changes and their causes.

1.Specialization,
or narrowing of meaning

e.g.
garage – a safe place

meat
– any food

2.Generalization,
or widening of meaning

e.g.
ready (in O.E. – ready for a ride, now – ready for any activity)

arrive
– to land at a shore

3.Elevation
of meaning (getting better, going higher)

e.g.
queen (in O.E. – woman)

knight
(in O.E. – young servant).

4.Degradation
of meaning (getting worse, lower)

e.g.
a spinster – a woman that spins wool

idiot
– a private person

5.
Transference of meaning. The name of one thing is used to name some
other things.

Transference
is further subdivided into metaphor, metonymy and euphemism.

1. Transference
   of meaning based on likeness is called a metaphor. Metaphors can be
   based on likeness of form (a head of cabbage), of position (the foot
   of the mountain), function (Head of the Department), size, quantity
   (ocean of troubles, storm of applause), etc. Sometimes a combination
   of several features makes up the foundation for a metaphor (a leg of
   a table – function, position, shape). Metaphors may involve
   transition from proper names to common ones, e.g. a Don Juan,
   Apollo, Vandals, Hooligans.

2. Transference
   of meaning based on associations of contiguity (being together) is
   called metonymy. We can use the name of a container for the thing it
   contains (Will you have another cup?), instrument for the agent (His
   pen knows no compromise), the place for the people who live or work
   there (Kharkiv greets the guests. The Kremlin agrees to the treaty),
   the name of a person for the things s/he made (He reads Byron), the
   name of a part for the whole (Who’s the moustache?)

3. Transference
   of meaning dictated by social conventions, norms, rules of behavior.
   A word or a word combination is used instead of the other word that
   is offensive, rude, or taboo.

e.g. to
die: to perish, to pass away, to join the silent majority, to meet
one’s maker, to be with the angels, to cross the Great Divide, etc.

toilet: WC,
bathroom, the necessary facilities, powder room, ladies/ gents,
public conveniences, cloakroom, throne room, porcelain collection,
Windsor Castle, etc.

Causes
of semantic changes may include linguistic and extra-linguistic ones.

The
latter are connected with social, political, economic, cultural and
scientific development.

e.g.
computer, space, feedback, bikini, villain, boor, etc.

The
former embrace differentiation of synonyms (e.g. time and tide),
borrowings (hound and dog), preserving the old meaning in idioms
(love token, token of respect), etc.

LECTURE 2.

PHRASEOLOGY

1. Set
   expressions, their features and origin.

2. Classification
   of phraseological units.

1. Set
   expressions, their features and origin.

Set
expressions are stable ready-made units with fixed integrate
structure. They are contrasted to free phrases and semi-fixed
combinations. A free phrase permits substitution of any of its
elements without any semantic change in the other element, e.g. to go
early: to work, get up, move, etc. early: to go late, quickly, down,
etc.

In
semi-fixed combinations there are some boundaries for the
substitution, e.g. go to school (market, college, court, etc.) is
used only with nouns of places where definite actions are performed.

Features
that make set expressions stable:

1. euphonic;

2. imaginative;

3. connotative.

Euphonic:
rhythm, rhyme, alliteration, e.g. safe and sound, stuff and nonsense,
by hook or by crook.

Semantic
stylistic features: simile, contrast, metaphor, synonymy, antonymy,
e.g. as like as two peas, as old as hills, more or less, from
beginning to end, a lame duck, arms race, to swallow a pill, proud
and hauty.

A bit of
expressions are connected with different spheres of people’s life,
nature, etc.

1. nature,
   e.g. out of the blue, as welcome as snow in May, to rain cats and
   dogs, etc.

2. agriculture,
   e.g. plough the sand, reap a rich harvest, sow wild oats, etc.

3. sports,
   e.g. fair play, to kick a goal, etc.

4. mythology,
   e.g. the apple of discord, Achilles’ heel, etc.

5. the
   Bible, e.g. Solomon’s judgement, forbidden fruit, etc.

6. folklore,
   e.g. peeping Tom, Calamity Jane, etc.

7. literature,
   e.g. to fight the windmills, a green-eyed monster, etc.

1. Classification
   of phraseological units.

There
are different approaches to studying and classifying phraseological
units.

1. The
   classification of V.V.Vinogradov is synchronic and semantic. It is
   based upon the type of motivation. He distinguishes:

   1. phraseological
      fusions, e.g. tit for tat. They represent the highest stage of
      blending, are not motivated nowadays, are specific for every
      language and cannot be literally translated;

   2. phraseological
      unities , e.g. to know where a shoe pinches, to rise to the bait,
      etc. They are clearly motivated, some of them are easily
      translated and even international;

   3. phraseological
      combinations, e.g. to meet the demands, to make friends. They are
      not only clearly motivated but also contain one component used in
      its direct meaning (demands, friends).

2. Larin’s
classification is also semantic but diachronic. He believes that each
unit goes through three stages in its development. First it is a free
word combination, then a motivated metaphoric phrase and then an
idiom with lost motivation, e.g. to give a sack, to give a cold
shoulder, to dance attendance on smb., etc.

Semantic
classifications of Vinogradov and Larin are open to criticism since
the degree of motivation may be different for different speakers
depending on their knowledge of history, customs and traditions,
level of education, etc. So they are subjective, not reliable enough.

1. N.Amosova’s
   approach is contextological. She defines phraseological units as
   units of fixed context characterized by a specific word-order and
   peculiar semantic relationship between the components.
   Phraseological units are divided into phrasemes and idioms.
   Phrasemes are always binary. One of their components has a
   phraseologically bound meaning, the other serves as the determining
   context, e.g. small change, small hours, small talk. In idioms the
   new meaning is created by the whole, each element having its own
   meaning weakened or lost. Idioms may be motivated and demotivated.

2. Koonin’s
   classification is functional: depends on the functions
   phraseological units fulfil in communication. There may be: a)
   nominating (e.g. a man of straw, a bull in a china shop); b)
   nominative communicative (verbal), e.g. to go round the bush, to
   pull one’s leg, etc.; c) communicative (sentences by form), e.g.
   Curiosity killed the cat; d) interjectional, e.g. Good heavens, a
   pretty kettle of fish, etc. Further classification depends on
   whether the units are changeable or unchangeable, what their
   structure is, etc.

LECTURES
3-5.

WORD-BUILDING.
STRUCTURE OF WORDS.

OUTLINE

1. Structural
   types of words.

2. Affixation.
   Classification of affixes. Suffixes and prefixes.

3. Conversion
   (zero derivation).

4. Compounding.
   Classification of compounds. Criteria of compounding. Borderline
   cases (semi-affixes).

5. Shortening.

6. Abbreviations.

7. Minor
   types of word-building.

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Figurative language refers to the use of words in a way that deviates from the conventional order and meaning in order to convey a complicated meaning, colorful writing, clarity, or evocative comparison. It uses an ordinary sentence to refer to something without directly stating it.

What is an example of figurative meaning?

Words and phrases can have both literal and figurative meanings, and we all use words with both kinds of meanings every day of our lives. … Figurative language includes figures of speech, such as similes (“she’s been like a sister to me”) and metaphors (“a storm of protest”).

What is a figurative literal meaning?

Figurative Language. Literal language means exactly what it says, while figurative language uses similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and personification to describe something often through comparison with something different.

What is the literal meaning of this word yoga?

The word ‘Yoga‘ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. As per Yogic scriptures the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, Man & Nature.

What is the literal meaning of a word or phrase?

The literal sense of a word or phrase is its most basic sense. … A literal translation is one in which you translate each word of the original work rather than giving the meaning of each expression or sentence using words that sound natural.

What figure of speech uses like or as?

Simile

Should I eat after yoga?

Dinner after yoga practice should be light with plenty of protein-rich food (peanut butter and seeds for example) as this will keep muscle soreness to a minimum. An ideal yogic diet would consist of grains, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, nuts, honey and nutritive roots.

Drink water after yoga class ends A glass or two of water after the class should be enough to help you recover and keep your muscles from tightening or cramping. But, after your practice, we suggest you don’t stop with just a glass or two.

It is also important to remember that you should never skip a post-exercise meal or snack as this can cause a loss of muscle and could actually slow down your metabolism. During and after any physical activity, your body can become severely dehydrated.

What is the best time to do yoga?

When to do Yoga? The very best time to practice yoga is first thing in the morning before breakfast. Upon waking, empty the bowels, shower if you wish, then commence the day with your regime of yoga practices. The second most conductive time is early evening, around sunset.

When should you not do yoga?

10 Reasons Not To Do Yoga

1. Acute, Chronic Injury. …
2. Because You Only Want To Become Bendy. …
3. Because You Look Awesome In Yoga Pants. …
4. Because It’s Trendy. …
5. When You‘re Sick. …
6. Because Of The Girls. …
7. To Please Your Yogi Girlfriend/Boyfriend. …
8. To Lose Weight.

Should you do yoga in the morning or night?

From an Ayurvedic standpoint, it is recommended you wake up in between 4 and 6AM when the world is still asleep, and practice meditation and asana. From a modern world perspective, it’s recommended that you practice yoga either first thing in the morning or in the early evening.

Can yoga help gain weight?

Does yoga help you gain weight? According to the experts, yoga can help with muscular strength and endurance, but it won’t necessarily cause weight or muscle gain.

Why am I so skinny but I eat a lot?

Another factor that influences your weight is your basal metabolic rate, or BMR — otherwise known as the number of calories your body burns in a resting state every day. If you have a high metabolic rate, you may be able to eat much more than others and still not gain weight.

What is lexis?
Lexis (or vocabulary) refers to single words, or sets of words, that have a specific meaning, for example: car, pick up, in the end.

Types of meaning

• What affects the meaning of items of lexis?

Items of lexis have different types of meaning depending on the situation or context they are used in, what function (purpose for communication, e.g. giving advice) they perform and who is using them.

• Denotation and connotation

Exercise 1
What is the meaning of the underlined words in the sentences below? When you have thought
about the meaning, read the next section.

1. Shall we sit at the table?
2. I’m trying to give up chocolate.
3. I’m going to take my books to school.
4. He’s really skinny. I think he may be ill.
5. This film is so boring!

The meaning of table in number 1 above is ‘a flat surface, usually supported by four legs, used for putting things on’ (from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Third Edition)). The meaning given in a dictionary is called the denotation (or sometimes the literal meaning). Literal meaning also refers to the original or basic meaning of a word or group of words (see also the section on figurative meaning on pages 6–7). Sometimes the denotation of individual words is obvious as in table in number 1 above, or take in number 3. At other times the denotation of a combination of words may be more difficult to understand as in give up in number 2 above. In this example of a multiword verb (a verb plus an adverb/preposition particle), the separate denotations of give and up do not give the meaning of give up. It is sometimes important to look at words in combination when understanding their meaning.

Look again at number 4 in Exercise 1. The denotation of the word skinny is ‘very thin’ but it has an additional negative meaning: an idea that is suggested by the word. This is called the connotation. So, the full meaning of skinny is ‘very thin (denotation) in a bad way (connotation)’. Words or sets of words can have a negative, a positive or a neutral connotation. Some dictionaries provide information about connotations. For example, the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Third Edition) says that skinny is ‘MAINLY DISAPPROVING’. Sometimes, it is the denotation itself that has a negative meaning, for example boring in number 5 in Exercise 1.

Because some words have negative connotations or denotations, people often avoid them by using other words or phrases. For example, they might use very slim because it is more positive than skinny. Sometimes people ‘soften’ words by adding others. For example, It was a bit boring is more positive than It was boring.

Exercise 2

Is the denotation or connotation of the underlined words below different from their denotation or connotation in Exercise 1?

1. In business reports, it’s common to use tables and graphs.
2. I gave up ice-cream last year and feel so much healthier.
3. I usually take the bus to work.
4. He’s as skinny as he was when he was 16. He looks great!

In English, many words can be used with different meanings. Some words (e.g. table) can change their meaning because they are used for different things. Some can ‘lose’ their meaning. For example, take has a denotation of ‘move from one place to another’ but in number 3 in Exercise 2, it has ‘lost’ this meaning without gaining another. This is because it is part of the collocation take a bus, i.e. the words take and bus regularly go together and the meaning of take cannot be separated from bus. Verbs that ‘lose’ their meaning in this way are called delexicalised verbs. Another example is have in I have a shower every morning (which does not mean ‘possess or own a shower’).

The connotation of a word can also change according to the situation or the context it is used in or the person using it. For example, in number 4 above, although skinny often has a negative connotation, the speaker is using it in a positive way. When using lexis it is important to make sure you understand the denotation, the generally accepted connotation and also the specific connotation in the context in which it is being used.

• Figurative meaning

The term figurative is used to describe words or sets of words whose meaning is non-literal and imaginative. For example: I could eat a horse means ‘I’m extremely hungry’, they received a flood of letters means ‘they received a lot of letters all at once’ and he can swim like a fish means ‘he can swim very well’. In order to find the meaning of a figurative phrase in a dictionary, decide which word is key and look for this in the dictionary. For example, eat is key in the first example above.

• Register

Exercise 3

Look at the dictionary entry below for the word drill.
drill /drɪl/ noun [C]
1 a tool or machine which makes holes

(Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Third Edition), Cambridge University Press 2008)

Now look at drill in the sentence below. Is the meaning the same as above?

When I teach I like to drill my students by getting them to repeat words two or three times, so they can practice and remember the pronunciation.

The word drill has changed its meaning in the sentence because it is being used by a particular person (a teacher) to mean ‘ordered and controlled repetition of language’. The set of words used by particular groups of people (e.g. people who have the same jobs, are of the same age, belong to the same social group) is called register. As with drill, this can mean that a word can change its meaning, or that a different word is used instead of a more common one. For example, leave means the same as depart but depart is perhaps more commonly used in the register of public transport services.

Register and style (a typical way of conveying information, e.g. business-like or casual) also refer to the kind of words used in a particular kind of text, for example a letter of complaint or a relaxed chat at a party. This may involve using formal or informal (also called colloquial) words. For example, we expect a formal speech to begin with Good morning/evening/afternoon rather than Hi. The function (i.e. greeting) remains the same but because Hi is not the right register for a formal speech, it is used
wrongly in this context.

You can often find out what register a word or set of words is by looking in a good English dictionary, such as the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Third Edition). Entries in this dictionary will tell you if a word is formal or informal. For example: ‘hi exclamation INFORMAL’. The definitions given in a dictionary will often tell you if a word is used by a particular group of people. For example, drill is associated with the military, which leads to the meaning teachers give it.

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Knowing what “figurative language” is and how to use it in your writing can take your writing from average to exceptional. Below, we’ll define “figurative language” and go over 10 different types.

What Is Figurative Language?

Utilizing figurative language is treated as the true art of speech since applying relevant figurative devices enhances the intended message, implements more complicated meaning, adds clarity or vividness in writing. Reading fiction could be boring in many cases should these figures of speech not enrich texts. Figurative language allows using words beyond their original literal meanings intending to engage the audience, provoke an emotional response, and create a more intense and focused message. This phenomenon implies author’s creativity for proper development and oftentimes requires some critical thinking from readers’ side for proper perception. Opportunities are almost endless, that is why figures of speech are widely used not only in poetry but in a variety of texts you can come across in everyday life.

Types Of Figurative Language

Depending on the situation, different options can be used to achieve the desired effect on an audience or readers. Knowing and understanding how this phenomenon works in both lingos is also essential for translators since figurative language is not needed in immunization record translation but its relevant translation is vital in fiction books. Message’s meaning can be improved by applying one of the following strategies:

1. Idiom. This is a stable phrase or a words’ group that has a specific and rather different meaning from its constituents’ literal sense meaning. This figurative language meaning is always very particular and usually words cannot be changed without ruining intended message. It should be used in proper context as well.

Examples: 

— I have bitten off more than I can chew for this task.
— Speak of the devil, I was just talking about you, my friend.
— It was raining cats and dogs yesterday.

2. Hyperbole. In other words, it is simply an exaggeration but it is the one that creates a humorous effect or cannot happen in real life. People use hyperbole every day oftentimes without even realizing that it is among examples of figurative language.

For instance:

—  He was told a million times how to perform this simple task yet he still cannot manage it.
— This car is as fast as a satellite in orbit.
— This man is strong like an elephant.

3. Oxymoron. This device is a perfect example that should be presented once you are asked what is figurative language. It presupposes combining two concepts that have opposite meanings in order to create a new deeper meaning that emphasizes the intended message using new constructions’ seeming absurdity. Texts that include oxymorons should be translated by professional translation services in order to preserve their meaning.

Some examples:

—  The silence in a room became so loud she could not bear it anymore.
—  A new frigate was damaged by a friendly fire.
—  This leader’s favorite way to create controlled chaos and take advantage of it. 

4. Synecdoche. This definition of figurative language device is two-dimensional since it can represent the whole of some concept or thing referring to its part or vice versa, using a part to represent the whole.

Examples with explanations:

—  Law entered this small livestock town to defend its citizens from bandits (“law” is used to refer to a single person, a sheriff).
—  I am going to buy new wheels with a 5.7 engine (“wheels” as the part is used to refer to a car as the whole).

5. Symbolism. Even high school translation requires proper transferring of this strategy from one lingo to another as there might be substantial differences in symbolic meanings of objects in different cultures. Symbolism presupposes going beyond the literal sense of a word or concept. For example, white color is a symbol of cleanliness and purity but in many cultures, this color is the symbol of death and mourning clothing is always white.

More examples:

—  An owl symbolizes wisdom.
—  Red color represents passion and is often being treated as love embodied as in the case of red roses.
—  Sword is used as a concept symbolizing courage and power.

6. Onomatopoeia. According to standard figurative language definition, this literary device suggests that sounds or noises are embodied by words that consist of similar sounds. Usually, one can easily understand what a word means without knowing the term, just listening to it, as these words are pretty self-explanatory and imitate real sounds. Yet this example of figurative language should be translated carefully as different lingos use different phonological contexts.

Some examples:

—  Buzz
—  Splash
—  Zap
—  Cuckoo
—  Purr
—  Hiccup
—  Beep
—  Bang
—  Bark

7. Personification. This phenomenon is very popular among fiction writers and poets as it presupposes giving human qualities and traits to different things, objects, or concepts. It can be widely used in everyday speech to enhance specific meanings or add emotional context.

For instance:

—  My car complains a lot when I imagine myself a race driver and add more speed. 
—  Everybody knows that a large city never sleeps.
—  Sun was definitely refusing to get up since it was still dark even though it was 7 AM already.

8. Imagery. Vivid language use is often associated with these figurative language examples because this strategy presupposes using impressive descriptions to appeal to audience’s senses. Complex scenarios and environments, especially in poetry in fiction, obtain more value and create relevant mood once the author profoundly utilizes corresponding imagery.

Example:

The apartments were completely abandoned, and all John could observe were half-demolished furniture, broken toys in the corners, cobwebs all around the place, and a thick layer of dust on all surfaces.

Useful information: Professional Croatian translation services with native translators.

9. Metaphor. This strategy is the inseparable component of literary texts as it helps authors describe an object or person by referring to some other concepts that have very similar features or characteristics. Connection between two things is obligatory, but metaphor does not compare them using word “like”.

Example:

—  These warriors are a true rock when they are in this position (both “rock” and “warriors” have a similar feature which is a formidable obstacle).
—  Jonathan allowed himself to become drowned in the sea of desperation (both “sea” and “desperation” have a similar feature of being limitless in this case). 

10. Simile. Metaphor and simile are figurative language types that people often confuse. It is easy to differentiate them as simile uses terms “like” or “as” to compare two phenomena and enhance intended meaning by using one of the concepts to highlight the other.

Examples:

—  My brother grew as tall as a tree.
—  This top-notch laptop is as expensive as a new car.
—  These warriors provided to be fearsome as hungry lions.

11. Allusion. The list of figurative language does not end with this device but knowing the described ones will enhance one’s eloquence and grasp of the lingo. Allusion will also motivate your audience to use more outside research since this strategy implies referring to a specific situation, person, or event.

Examples:

—  This couple’s story is a Romeo and Juliet relationship’s type.
—  His smile resembled the one of a Cheshire cat.
—  This decision made his life change as if he pulled a sword out of a stone. 

Examples Of Figurative Language Usefulness

Whether it is appropriate application of this phenomenon or avoiding its use, usefulness of different strategies is hard to be underestimated:

—  Poets and fiction writers can enrich their texts and implement multiple meanings.
—  Using these devices in everyday speech will make your language more colorful.
—  Ability to implement devices correctly demonstrates an individual’s fluency in language.
—  Using USCIS translation service will help you with avoiding including unintentional figures of speech in official documents.
—  Using different types of figurative language trains one’s mind and imagination.

• See also: How to choose the best Urdu translation services online.

Function of Figurative Language

Major function is to enhance author’s message and help the audience embrace its full sense whether with the help of emotions or specific images that are associated with used figures of speech. Function of figurative language presupposes creating additional meaning that goes beyond each separate word’s exact meaning which makes both written and spoken language a more versatile tool that helps people understand each other much better. Another function is to create images that could not be otherwise conveyed using literal meaning.

• Useful information: When lacking skills and qualifications but need certified Estonian translation services, rely on experts.

Conclusion

Understanding what does figurative language mean is associated with an individual’s full grasp of a language. Second language learners will be able to enjoy deciphering all hidden meanings in texts and native speakers will have more means of expressing their thoughts at their disposal. It is a truly rewarding experience to discover the world of figurative language and always remember to have your texts translated by professionals so that all figurative devices will be transferred to text in target language without loss of meaning.

Every word in any language has значение /meaning/ ( we also say лексическое значение /lexical meaning/), which is an object, characteristic or action named by a word. For example, meaning of the word «язык» /tongue/ — «орган, при помощи которого мы говорим» /part of the body, with the help of which we speak/. 
According to the number of meanings, words are divided into monosemantic and polysemous. Monosemantic words have one meaning, polysemous have two or more. A lot of terms, for instance, кислород /oxygen/ (О₂) or делитель /divider/ (in the question 4:2 2 is a divider) are monosemantic words. Not only terms can be monosemantic. Trousers is also a monosemantic word. However, many words in language have several meanings. Why? This way language, saving its means, widers its possibilities.
Язык is a polysemous word. Let’s take a look at what it means in Russian.
1. Язык is  part of the body, with the help of which we speak. Чтобы произнести звук [л`], надо кончиком языка коснуться верхних зубов /To pronounce the sound  [л`] we need to touch upper teeth with a tip of our tongue/.2. Язык is something a person tells. Придержи язык /curb the tongue/ means be quiet, think before speaking.3. Язык is a system of sounds, words and rules of their forming and usage.  Русский язык /Russian language/. Английский язык /English language/.4. Язык is a sign system. Язык программирования /Language of programming/. Java — это язык программирования /Java is the language of programming/.5. Язык is a way of expressing thoughts or feelings. Язык цифр /Language of numbers/. Язык любви /Language of love/.6. Язык is a style of conversation. Язык науки /Language of sciense/. Язык газет /Language of newspapers/.7. Язык is a captive, who can tell information about opposing side. Военные обычно говорят: «мы взяли языка»  /The military usually say, »We’ve taken a hostage»/.8. Язык is a metalic core in a bell, with the help of which it tolls. 9. Язык is somehing having oblong form. Язык пламени (пламя = огонь) /Tongues of flame (flame = fire)/.
As you can see, the word «язык» in Russian has as many as nine meanings! The first of them we call direct, for it denotes an object. The others are figurative. They have appeared later. Why do metalic core in a bell is also called «язык»? Because it resemles human’s tongue and has similar function: with the help of tongue a bell «speaks», produces sounds.

Metaphor refers to something as another thing to make us see the similarities between them.

My brother’s a sly fox.

This is one of the most famous examples of metonymy. “The pen” is a metonym for the written word, and “the sword” is a metonym for physical violence.

Words are said to be ‘mightier than the sword’.

Here the speaker makes an overstatement to emphasize their point; there’s no way they have eaten a literal ton of pasta — what they mean is they’ve eaten a lot of pasta.