FIGURATION
LANGUAGE/FIGURES OF SPEECH
Figurative language is a language
which does not mean what it says. It’s the opposite of plain language and is
made up of words which do not have meaning transferred from elsewhere.
a) Simile
A
simile is a definitely slated comparison of two unlike objects that have one
point in common. In other words, one thing may be directly compared to another
with the aid of words ‘like’ and ‘as’.
For
example:
1.
Her thoughts in the morning areas tangled
as her hair.
2.
He burst out of the door like an
explosion.
b) Metaphor
A
metaphor is an implied comparison between unlike object that have one point in
common. In other words one thing may be indirectly compared to another or
giving something qualities or characteristic of something without using ‘like’
and ‘as’. For example;
1.
A skirt walking
2.
Some books are to tasted, other to be
swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.
-
Barcon.
NB:
Many slang expressions are metaphors.
Metaphores are more effective than similes e.g.
Smile
would put it this way; “H’s laugh was shrill and high, like the sound of a cock
crowing” While a metaphor
would put it this way, “He had a shrill, high cock-crow of a laugh.”
c) Personification:
Personification
is a kind of metaphor and it consists giving human (personal) attributed to
inanimate objects (non-human things) or abstract ideas. For example: Pregnant
clouds, smiling shoes, laughing toes.
“The
wind whistled, wailed, sobbed and whispered.”
d) Deification
Deification
is a sister to personification; it’s the giving of spiritual or godly
attributes to non-godly or spiritual beings e.g My angel.
e) Hyperbole
(figurative constrasts)
Litoles
are under statements (under stating something) for example: The fruit was so
small that it remained in my teeth.
f)
Irony: (Figurative constrasts)
In
speech or writing, its saying the opposite of what is meant in a tone or manner
that shows what the speaker thinks. In other words, it’s the opposite meaning
(contrary)
There
are a number of the types irony. That is,
o Situational
Irony: - This is when an event is contrary to
what is expected or appropriate.
o Dramatical
irony: - Occurs when the reader or spectator
knows more about the true state of affairs a character does.
o Verbal
irony: - This is when what is said or written
is the opposite of the intended meaning.
o Non-verbal
irony: -
o Socratic
irony: - a person pretends to be ignorant.
Examples of
irony;
1.
To cry like a baby – that’s a
fine way for a man to get.
2.
It was very kind of you to remind
me of my humiliation.
3.
After Norman had wasted his
evening in nonsense, his father remarked, “Don’t you think you have studied too
hard this evening?”
g) Juxtaposition:
Juxtapositioning
is putting two things or ideas side by side for the purpose of comparing.
h) Constrast:
Constrast
is striking difference between objects or ideas. For example; “As communism
calls for the collective co-operation of individuals for the good of the
productive society, capitalism will call for individual independence of persons
or firms in productive society. It’s there for a leiza faire government system”
Opolot Simon.
i)
Imagery:
Imagery
is a figure of speech that develops from similes and metaphors appealing to the
sense. It’s a formulation of pictures out of words or sensuous element of poetry.
Mental images are formed which include one’s interests, values, tastes, temperaments
and visions. It’s important to classify there metal image according to
the sense they stimulate; Look at the following task. Does is help you
in identifying the senses you are responsive to? Are they just five as commonly
known or more? What are they?
Task
6
Since
“We interact with our environments so effectively and so effortlessly, it is
difficult to appreciate the extension computations that underline even the
simplest sensory experience” In regard to this, let’s try to appreciate.
Picture
yourself cycling a long a quiet country road. As you pedal, sensors in your
legs enable you to apply just the right pressure to maintain your speed.
Your organs of balance keep you upright; your nostrils smell the aromas;
your eyes absorb the panorama; your ears are attuned to the
chirping of birds. Thirsty, you grab your drink bottle, aided by touch
receptors in your fingers. Your taste buds and hot and cold sensors
reveal the flavor of the liquid and its temperature. Sensors
in your skin and those attached to your body hair tell how strong
the breeze is and, in cooperation with your eyes, how fast you are
going. Your skin also informs you of the ambient temperature and humidity,
while your awareness of time tells you approximately how long you have
been on the road. Eventually, internal senses will compel you to rest
and to eat. Yes, life truly is a superb sympholly of the senses!.
Where
they just Five senses?
During
such a bicycle ride, how many senses come into play – just the traditional
five; sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch? If not what others have you
registered in play/interaction in you.
1.
Visual imagery:
This appeal to
the sense of sight and yet stimulated by coloudity, brightness, colour and
motion.
2.
Audile/Auditory imagery:
Audile or
Auditory imagery appeals to the sense of hearing and are stimulated by sound.
3.
Olfactory imagery:
Olfactory
imagery appeals to the sense of smell.
4.
Gustatory imagery:
Gustatory
imagery appeals to the sense of taste. That is, sweetness, bitterness and sour.
5.
Tactile imagery:
Tactile
imagery appeals to sense of touch. This has to do with the temperature and
texture.
6.
Thermal imagery:
Thermal
imagery specifically deals with temperature. That is, how cold or hot.
7.
Motile imagery:
(appeals Kinesthetic sense)
Motile Appeals
to the sense of movements and are concerned with muscle movement,
action and tension.
8.
Organic imagery:
Organic
imagery appeals to the sense of Organs. (Internal organs).
Figurative
Associations (This is under imagery too)
9. Synecdoche
Synecdoche is
the calling of an object by a part of it. For example, calling men, beards and
women, breasts or a skirt.
10. Metonym:
A metonym is a
figure of speech in which a thin is referred to in terms of another closely
associated or suggested by it. Four common relations that give rise to metonymy
are;
i.
Container and thing contained.
Eg. Please address the chair (Chairman)
ii.
Sign and thing signified. E.g The
pen is mightier than the sword.
In
this example, the pen metonyms; books, newspapers, magazines or in general
education, whereas the sword metonyms armies or navies
iii.
An Author and his books. E.g. We
are reading or acting out Richard Bolt. Here, Richard Bolt refers to his works
of are e.g. His play; A man for All Seasons.
iv.
The part for the whole. E.g
a)
She has seen sixteen summers.
b)
All hands to the deck!
The
former takes ‘summers’ to refer to years while the latter uses ‘hands’ to refer
to men.
j)
Symbolism:
Symbolism is a
presentation of one thing by another. In other words, it’s a representation of
one object/idea by another. Symbolism berilds images while have a fixed and
universal profound significance and power. However, actual ‘meaning’ will vary
in accordance with the context and the understanding of the reader. For
instance, others may take a lion for a symbol of courage and royalty yet
others, for cruelty and terror depending on the context.
Time
Symbol:
1.
Morning; the setting of poem in
morning in literature represents a new beginning. The sun is usually just
rising, mild and even comfortable. The subject matter usually tallies with a
physical condition. Activities are usually at a beginning or in usual (normal)
stages.
2.
Midday
afternoon:
As the day
grows and the sun’s heat grows up, activity increases. There is an improvement
or change of the subject matter. When the sun heat is at a peak, a subject
matter also reaches a peak in either negative or positive.
3. Evening/Night or Dusk:
With the sun
setting, activity could be coming to an end. A change in the opposed direction.
If negative initially, by night, would have reached to an end. If positive,
then the situation gets back to normal.
If however,
the subject matter begins at night, by the middle of the night, its at the peak
and, by dawn or morning, there is a definite change.
4.
Colour
symbols:
a)
White: White colour symbolizes; purity, innocence.
b)
Black: Black symbolizes; evil, sorrow, death, tears, sadness.
c)
Red: Re symbolizes; Love, danger, brotherhood.
d)
Yellow: This symbolizes; Hope, jealously.
e)
Green: Green symbolizes; Peace, nativity (Immaturity) childless and
joy.
f)
Blue: Symbolizes Romantic Love
g)
Pink: Symbolizes lover.
h)
Purple: This symbolizes royalty
