Commentary on the special issue: new approaches to figurative language research

Abstract

ABSTRACT The papers in this Special Issue showcase some of the current work that aims to understand how people attribute meaning when speakers employ figurative language. Figurative language serves various communication goals, such as softening messages, enhancing politeness, and conveying criticism more subtly. However, misinterpretations are common due to the inherent conflict between direct and indirect messages. In this commentary, I provide a broader context to this work by couching the study of figurative language as an important and timely exploration of social language use, which is in turn influenced by new methodological approaches and challenges. I begin by reviewing how power dynamics influence the interpretation of language, including how cues to politeness (e.g. honorifics) vary based on social status and cultural context. The importance of language and culture in shaping interpretation of meaning is demonstrated in studies that have compared Western individualism with Eastern collectivism, or by comparing speakers with different levels of language proficiency (i.e. second language learners). Next, I review how the advent of technology and social media has transformed language use, requiring researchers to explore new methods and cues for communication. Finally, I discuss how future research could make use of methodological advancements, such as large-scale eye-tracking studies to analyze individual differences, and more diverse populations and developmental stages to advance our understanding of real-time language comprehension. Contributions of the articles in this Special Issue are featured throughout.