Figurative Expressions Research Articles

Cross-linguistic Interpretation of Figurative Expressions in Collaborative Language Learning: Gaps as Instances for Learning

The aim of this article is to explore how students approach, try to understand, and interpret figurative expressions in the context of language learning. Interpreting figurative language represents a challenge as languages are rich in metaphorical expressions and contextual/local references. The empirical study was carried out in the context of collaborative work in classrooms with students 12 to 13 years of age, translating two songs, one in English and one in Swedish. The results show that the students struggle to capture the sense of the lyrics. Addressing these difficulties, students engage in language-related episodes (LRE’s) where they topicalize language, meta-communicate and inquire into acceptable cross-linguistic interpretations that preserve the metaphorical nature of the expressions. Their linguistic sensitivity and familiarity with specific metaphorical expressions, contextual and local references are challenged, and their learning process involves an increasing capacity to talk about and reflect on the meaning potentials of linguistic expressions.

Bentuk Kias Berunsur Tangan dan Aktivitas dengan Tangan pada Korpus Digital

The role of language as a communication tool is very important because it carries messages and provides information from the speaker or to the interlocutor. One of the uses of language to convey messages is by using hand activities. The research aims to analyze forms of figurative expressions involving the hand, specifically the use of figurative language and expressions that correlate with body parts, with the object being the Digital Corpus. The research approach used in this study is a qualitative approach through descriptive exposition. The methodological steps will be elaborated by the researcher through observation, analysis process, and description. Based on the analysis results, it can be concluded that, first: In the digital corpus CQPweb Lancaster University, a total of 91 figurative expressions involving the hand and hand activities were found. Second: In the process of forming figurative expressions involving the hand, only morphological processes of blending or composition in meaning formation were found. Third: The internal relation in figurative expressions involving the hand is formed by the arrangement or elements of two words that form a compound word. These compound words then indicate figurative meaning. This figurative meaning is produced from the combination of the meanings of the two combined words. Fourth: Several functions of figurative expressions involving the hand include: (1) creating poetic effects, (2) conveying implied meanings, (3) creating cultural identification, (4) creating expressive meanings, and (5) creating social and political critique.

The role of hyperbole in conveying emotionality: the case of victim speech

ABSTRACT Figurative expressions are commonly used in everyday language as a device for conveying emotion. Hyperbole (e.g. “It took ages for him to arrive”) specifically can provide linguistic emphasis; especially when speakers wish to convey emotional evaluations of negative situations. In sexual crime cases, the victim’s behavioural emotionality often enhances credibility, however, some research suggests that hyperbole-induced linguistic emotionality can be perceived negatively. In this study, we examined whether hyperbole impacts perceived emotionality and assessed the extent of this impact on measures of valence, intensity, and appropriateness. Participants were professionals (police officers) or jury-eligible laypersons who rated testimonies containing either hyperbolic or non-hyperbolic expressions. Results suggested that the use of hyperbole increased the perceived emotional intensity of the testimony, but made testimonies appear less emotionally appropriate than non-hyperbolic counterparts. In addition, regardless of the presence of hyperbole, laypersons judged the scenarios to be more unpleasant, and more emotionally intense compared to professionals. Findings suggest discrepancies between hyperbole usage and discourse goals, versus its perception. That is, hyperbole effectively enhances emotionality, but its role in victim speech may come with more caveats than anticipated, particularly when considering the proposed importance of victim emotionality in establishing credibility.

Unsuccessful and Successful Selfies in the Presentation of Anthropomorphic Metaphors in English-Language Digital Discourse

Introduction. This article is devoted to the analysis of the role of anthropomorphic metaphors in modern digital vocabulary using the example of the word «selfie». The relevance of the work is due to the growing interest of the scientific community in the evolution of digital vocabulary, which includes a variety of lexical units and expressions that reflect modern realities and sociocultural changes.Methodology and sources. The methodological study is based on the productivity of anthropometric cognitive tools in the formation of figurative expressions in English, with theinclusion of the word «selfie». This study is related to the conceptual theory of metaphors developed by famous linguists G. Lakoff and M. Johnson.Results and discussion. In the course of this study, attention is drawn to some expressive phrases associated with the concept of «selfie». Adjectives with negative and positive connotations were selected, then, based on the analysis of empirical material, structures were identified that architecturally represent the «adjective + selfie» model. On this basis, in the context of selfie, negative and positive metaphorical images were identified, which were analyzed in examples.Conclusion. Consideration of the semantics of the expressions under study allows us to better understand how digital vocabulary shows sociocultural trends and changes in society, provides a look at the evolution of language in the era of digitalization and emphasizes the role of digital vocabulary in the formation of new linguistic patterns that reflect the dynamics of sociocultural changes, emphasizing the role of digital vocabulary in the modern world.

Behind the Script: Analyzing Figurative Language in "Free Guy"

This study underscores the importance of figurative language in film, particularly within a digitally-driven narrative like "Free Guy." It provides valuable insights into how linguistic creativity supports storytelling in contemporary cinema, enriching both the viewers' experience and the overall impact of the film. Using Barthes' theory of semiotics, which examines how meaning is constructed through signs and symbols, the study reveals that figurative language functions as a crucial signifying system in "Free Guy." Leech's theory of figurative language, which categorizes different types of figurative expressions, provides a framework for analyzing their specific functions in the film. This study identifies how metaphors, similes, hyperboles, personifications, and metonyms collectively enhance the storytelling process. The results of the study indicate that metaphor is the most dominant form of figurative language in "Free Guy," highlighting its significance in enhancing the narrative and thematic depth of the film. Similes and hyperboles also play crucial roles, particularly in character development and conveying humour. The presence of these figurative elements enriches the viewer's experience by providing additional layers of meaning, which strengthens emotional engagement and understanding of the story, while personifications and metonyms add vividness and relatability to the virtual world depicted in the movie. Furthermore, this study opens avenues for further exploration into the role of figurative language in different film genres and other forms of digital storytelling. Future research could examine how these linguistic tools influence viewer perception and emotional engagement across various cinematic contexts. Understanding the use of figurative language can reveal its power in shaping narratives, enhancing emotional engagement, and adding layers of meaning.

The Difficulties of Students’ Understanding on Figurative Language and Feasible Suggestions

Figurative language of creativity is common in our daily life. It is due to the ubiquity of it in written and spoken texts that a second language learner is likely to inevitably encounter all kinds of figurative expressions. Learners of English who come from different cultural background are likely to have great difficulties in understanding figurative language in texts. Based on American former president Trump’s speech, this essay identifies the figurative language which could pose difficulties for a learner of English in the text, especially focused on learners from China and explains why learners may experience these difficulties. The essay suggests that using the context, literal meaning and corpus lines may be helpful for learners to aid comprehension and overcome metaphor difficulties.

Good and Evil Ethical Concepts in the Linguistic Picture of the World of Kyrgyz

This article analyses actual problems of cognitive linguistics, intensively developing linguistic direction since the 80s of the XX century. The study concisely conducted a scientific and theoretical analysis of cognitivism, the object of the study of which becomes the human mind, thinking and mental processes. The formation of a concept as a basic concept of cognitive linguistics is connected with cognitive activity, world perception of a person. The concept as a result of national linguo culture reflects national, spiritual and cultural values in the linguistic picture of the world of any ethnic group. It is noted that language is a manifestation of cognitive processes, “activity of the mind” is studied on the material of language i.e. language means. The article is devoted to the analysis of ethical concepts “good” and “evil” in the language consciousness of the Kyrgyz people. It is noted that the key tokens are good and evil. The study is conducted on the material of analysis of lexical meanings of linguistic units with morphemes: zhakshy, zhaman, Kyrgyz proverb, a passage from the Epic of Manas, consisting of opposition “good” and “evil”. The article briefly describes the essence of the philosophy of good and evil of the Kyrgyz people, which reflects humanistic ideas, moral and ethical, national values, ethnic peculiarities of mentality of the Kyrgyz people. In them, good stands for love, good, success, faith, hope, honor and dignity, a sense of duty, and evil is manifested in destruction, greedy profligacy, slyness, anger, etc. The study notes that the conceptual part of the structure of concepts “good” and “evil” is “multiple and complex, as they use figurative expressions, which include purely personal perception, linguistic mentality and means of artistic expression. It has been determined that the moral and ethical concepts of “good” and “evil” are a neglected topic in Kyrgyz linguistics. They have a special place in the linguistic consciousness of the Kyrgyz people and require further in-depth study.

Analisis Strategi Penerjemahan Idiomatik Dalam Novel “ARTEMIS” Karya Andy Weir

Idioms are one of the most commonly used figurative expressions in literary works, and they are often referred to as a problem that machine translators can never solve. This study aims to discover the strategies used in translating idioms in the novel "Artemis" by Andy Weir. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method. The data sources are idioms found in the book "Artemis" by Andy Weir. The results show that there are several translation strategies used in translating idioms in the novel "Artemis", namely Paraphrase, Similar Meaning and Form, Similar Meaning but Dissimilar Form, Omission of a Play on Idiom, Omission of the Entire Idiom, and Borrowing SL Idiom. Paraphrase is the most widely used idiom translation strategy, which is 30% of the total 74 data analyzed, and the least strategy is borrowing at 2% with only 6 data out of all the data analyzed. The findings in this study show that translators mostly apply the paraphrasing translation strategy because finding the same idiom in the target language is very difficult, so a paraphrasing strategy is needed so that the meaning contained in the source language can be conveyed well in the target language.

Didactic Aspects of Figurative Syntagms in the Teaching Process

In the discursive process, figurative phrases with high expressive intensity are frequently used, representing one of the various sources of expression for each speaker in different communicative contexts. However, due to their nature, their teaching at school presents some difficulties. Although they are understandable to a particular linguistic community, they can be incomprehensible or difficult to interpret for anyone learning a foreign language, since their first meaning is in many cases not the meaning of the words that compose them and can be very different from the meaning they acquire in an idiomatic context. Idiomatic expressions rarely have corresponding translations in different languages, and their meaning is often rendered by completely different passages that have nothing in common with their direct meaning. In this article, we have tried to point out some of the methodological aspects to be considered when analyzing texts for didactic purposes and in foreign language teaching when it comes to figurative expressions. Since figurative phrases express a part of a nation’s culture, it is important for students to recognize the syntactic structures as words come together in the discursive process to express and convey thoughts and become part of various meaningful and formal grammatical relationships. They should be learned and acquired by keeping in mind the characteristics of their different types, their density, and their pragmatic use in the respective linguistic community. In this study, we will also try to show that the study of figurative syntagma can shed more light on theories of foreign language acquisition. Previous studies on figurative syntagma in Albanian have mainly been conducted within the narrow confines of linguistics, especially traditional linguistics. We assume that their investigation in the context of language didactics, as we approach it here, is only a first step that needs to be completed and deepened in further and more comprehensive studies. Received: 28 April 2024 / Accepted: 30 June 2024 / Published: 02 July 2024

은유와 21세기 영어교육에 있어서의 함의

This study explores conceptual metaphors of Have You Ever Seen a Flower? through the theories of cognitive linguistics such as categorization, image schemata, and prominence, attempting to apply cognitive linguistics to English education in this process. The conception that everyday language and poetic language are fundamentally different, and that literary language is a departure from everyday language use ultimately confine the metaphor within the self-sufficient and closed linguistic system or within the poet's imagination, away from our daily lives. For this reason, the metaphor has been regarded as secondary or non-essential in language learning. Yet from a cognitive linguistic point of view, the metaphor is in an inseparable relationship with thinking and cognition. The status of the metaphor in English education needs to be re-evaluated, and it should not be regarded as a secondary learning subject trapped in the stereotype of figurative expression.

Effects of redundant similes on persuasiveness in written arguments

Figurative expressions have been considered beneficial in improving the persuasiveness of arguments; however, little attention has been paid to the effects of those produced by students in writing. This study examined the effects of a “redundant simile,” which refers to a simile that merely rephrases the same content in a subtly different manner, on persuasiveness in written arguments. Participants (n = 64) were randomly assigned to control or redundant-simile conditions. A written argument comprised “claim, my-side reason, counterargument, rebuttal, and claim” in both conditions, and a redundant simile was included in “my-side reason” in the redundant-simile condition. The participants evaluated the immediate and delayed persuasiveness of each sentence and rated the confidence of recognition of whether each sentence was used in the evaluation task. The results showed that only the evaluation of the counterargument was significantly higher in the redundant-simile condition than in the control condition. The confidence of recognition of my-side reason was significantly lower in the redundant-simile condition than in the control condition. Thus, redundant similes may negatively affect memory, although they may not directly affect immediate persuasiveness. It is thus important to encourage students to flexibly reflect on their figurative expressions rather than assume that the expressions will always increase persuasiveness.

Роль концепта «непроизводительные деньги» в производстве антропоморфных метафор англоязычного финансового дискурса

The article analyses the role of anthropomorphic monetary metaphors (AMMs) in interpreting professional English-language financial information by recipients (in our case, university students). The priority direction – English-language AMMs of unproductive capital – is but sparingly represented in modern Russian and foreign linguistic papers. The article aims to study the role of AMMs in qualifying financial concepts. The subject of the study is the functioning and implementation of figurative language units exposing the concept of the category of money in the semantics of idle funds. The object of the study is the adjective + money model, where the modifier (adjective) of unproductivity imparts a pejorative meaning to the figurative expression. The new epistemological strategy of humanitarian anthropomorphism places emphasis on the relevance of studying AMMs in the linguocultural context of English-language financial discourse due to their linguistic and cultural asymmetry in Russian and English, which reduces the level of learning intuitiveness. The research method applied here is a linguistic semiological analysis of the adjective + money model with an unproductivity modifier. The material included a corpus of periodicals, archives, financial encyclopaedias and dictionaries, as well as online media. The author draws an inference that an interweaving of the conceptual domains of idleness and finance generates a metaphorical transfer from human characteristics to monetary entities with an expressive negative connotation of cognitive models that metaphorically reflect the attitude towards idle capital. Moreover, finding their way into the lexical equipment of the professional continuum, AMMs activate students’ rhetorical thinking, simplifying concepts that are difficult for them to understand and increasing their level of learning intuitiveness. The results can be of interest to linguists and experts in cultural studies and be used in the field of discourse analysis.

PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS IN A WRITTEN MONUMENT SAFE SHEDS «GULISTAN BIT-TURKI»

The language of written monuments of the Golden Horde era is rich in such artistic and stylistic means as phraseological units and metaphors that reflect the worldview and way of life of the Turkic peoples. Therefore, the relevance of the research topic is due to the value of studying phraseological units and metaphors found in the written monument of the Sarai Safe «Gulistan bit-Turki» (hereinafter – «Turkshe Gulistan») of the Golden Horde period. The article analyzes phraseological units and metaphors in two aspects: structural-semantic and linguocognitive. Phraseological units and metaphors are divided into four lexical and semantic groups and their continuity with the Kazakh language is analyzed. Phraseological units and figurative expressions, collected in eight sections of the written monument, form the concept of «Man», which reflect the existence and knowledge of the people. They are intertwined with the religious knowledge of that period. The concept of «Man» is subdivided and analyzed according to the linguocognitive models «Man – power», «Man – satisfaction», «Man – about the benefits of laconicism». The practical significance of the work. Linguistic explanations of metaphors and phraseological units in the text of "Turkshe Gulistan" can be used in the practical development of semantic meta-marks of linguistic units of medieval texts of the historical subcorpus. They are being developed within the framework of the National Corpus of the Kazakh Language at the Institute of Linguistics Akhmet Baitursynov.

墓誌에 기록된 百濟遺民의 入唐관련 서술에 대한 검토

Research on the Baekje Refugees in Tang China has been conducted using their epitaph tablet text (墓誌) as important data. This is because the epitaph tablet text contains information on the deceased's funeral and burial site, official posts held, genealogy, family details, and the year of birth and death. However, the information recorded in the epitaph tablets had been chosen by the descendants of the deceased according to their needs. The descendants tried to emphasize the contents that could contribute to their successful careers, the solidarity of family members, and the status of a family, and reduce the contents that were not. Tang China used how much they contributed to its interests as an important criterion when giving office posts to the ruling class of other states surrendered. On the epitaph tablet text of a person who had wreaked damage on Tang China, like a Heukchi Sangji (黑齒常之), the background and process of his migration to Tang China was vaguely and briefly described, the achievements he had made by acting as a Tang’s official were emphasized. On the other hand, on the epitaph tablet text of a person who made a clear contribution to the conquest of Goguryeo by Tang China, like a Namsaeng (男生), the background and process of the deceased's migration to Tang China was described in detail. In this way, the Baekje Refugees tried to strengthen the political and social status of the family. So the figurative expressions referring to the confusion of domestic politics or Baekje's attitude against Tang China’s foreign policy were used to justify their surrender and show their loyalty to Tang China on the epitaph tablet text of Ye gun (禰軍), Ye Sikjin (禰寔進), Jin Beopja (陳法子), and Buyeo Yung (扶餘隆).

Who’s Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue: On the Ukrainian Abstract Art of the 1960s

The paper focuses on the creative experiments of Ukrainian artists during the 1960s in the field of abstract art, analyzing them against the background of social and cultural events of the time, which were reflected in the features of artistic life. In this regard, Western fine art revealed to Ukrainian artists during the years of the Thaw after decades of strict separation from foreign art during the Stalinist era, was a profound influence on them. However, the perception of the Western experience was rather specific due to the lack of information and theoretical understanding of the latest trends, as most works of world art became known in Ukraine through the exhibitions in Moscow and printed reproductions. The ambiguity of the cultural policy in the USSR played a significant role here, where the official declaration of the renewal of art and the right of artists to individual self-expression were combined with a new ideological attack on creativity. State control over art gained new dimensions, due to which the authors’ experiments in the realm of abstract painting were doomed to exist in the circle of unofficial art. The article examines the “campaign against abstractionism and Western influences” launched by the authorities in the early 1960s, which had a dramatic impact on individual creative destinies. Using the example of artists from Lviv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Uzhgorod, the article analyzes creative directions in the realm of painterly abstraction, the features of its versions in Ukraine. It is significant that in most cases the appeal to non-figurative art remained only an episode in the work of artists, or coexisted with other ways of figurative expression. Abstract art in Ukraine generally was experimental, the presence of similar works in the art of the late Soviet era testified to a deep crisis of the socialist realist doctrine, the affirmation of individual creative thinking. Abstract works of Ukrainian artists of the 1960s are an important page in the history of Ukrainian art.

THE USE OF COMPARISONS IN THE POEMS OF MASHKHUR ZHUSSIP

This article deals with the specifics of the use of comparisons in the poems of Mashkhur Zhussip Kopeev. The purpose of the article is to evaluate the role of comparisons in defining the author’s originality of the poet. One of the targets of the article is to identify the types of comparisons which are considered one of the advantages of the poet’s poems and to show the author’s own individuality. The classification distribution of scientifically proved comparisons was strictly followed during the article and played an essential role in reflecting the richness of the poet’s works. In particular, metaphorical comparison, epithet comparison, metonymic, synecdochic comparison can enrich the work of a scientist and become a good argument in defining his individuality from other authors. It is proved in the article by concrete examples that the poet in a figurative, expressive, clear presentation of his thoughts quite reasonably used his figurative, expressive-emotional coloristic comparisons. It is determined that the figurative expressions characteristic of the author poetically enriched the work of Mashkhur Zhussip. The relevance of the article is the differentiation of abstained, unspoken, without repeating the questions touched upon in the works of scientists who have studied the poet’s works so far. The research has scientific and practical importance. It can also be used in Mashhur Studies, in local history lessons, in the discipline of literature of the early XX century and general theory of literature. At the conclusion of the work it was proved that comparisons have a new meaning in the poet’s word usage, a brilliant hint, different internal hints given by a subtext meaning. Keywords: comparison, poet’s word usage, figurative phrase, poetics, expressive coloring, emotional coloring.

Presentation of the artist in the regional journal periodical

The artistic component of the literary-artistic and public-political magazine Literary Ternopil» (2008–2019) was formed by publications that show the current state of painting in the region through familiarization with the personalities of artists and their creative work. The article highlights and analyzes typical textual means of presenting the artist in the specialized section «Artist of the Number». As a result of the research, it was found that the text presentation is based on the involvement of elements of drawing, which are manifested in the depiction of heroes in action, retelling of life situations, depiction of the area, interiors, etc. The plot-compositional organization of the texts includes biographical, everyday, socio-political, historical, psychological contexts, to reflect which the authors provide data on education, places of creative work, participation in exhibitions, obtaining titles, cooperation with various artists, describe external signs, worldview and inner qualities of artists. Expressions of art critics, connoisseurs of painting, and artists themselves are used compositionally. The presenters of the artists are the titles of the publications in which the starting point of the image is formed. It remains constant or changes: it can be individual / collective, synchronous / diachronic, shift in space (natural environment, premises, native land, abroad), have an emotional / intellectual dimension, focus on a situation or involve a whole range of information. An important component of the presentation is the art history characteristic in combination with evaluative and figurative expressions. For this purpose, artistic means of speech and stylistically marked vocabulary (names of subjects of professional activity, artistic directions, styles, and techniques), names of famous Ukrainian artists, names of iconic paintings, their cycles, names of exhibitions, etc., are involved. All these aspects are aimed at reflecting the spiritual, intellectual, creative development of the artist.

Структурно-семантические особенности образных выражений, характеризующих гору Эльбрус в карачаево-балкарском языке

The aim of this work is to identify the structural-semantic and grammatical features of Karachay-Balkar figurative expressions that are folk names for Mount Elbrus. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that, for the first time, a structural-semantic and grammatical analysis of the considered units has been conducted based on the Karachay-Balkar language, determining their distinctive features and component composition. The research revealed the structural-grammatical and semantic features of the examined nominations. It was established that in structural terms, the considered figurative expressions consist of one-word, two-word, and three-word units. One-word names are represented by a single lexeme. The results showed that in the majority of cases, two-component names prevail, represented by schemes such as ‘substantive + substantive’, ‘adjective + substantive’, ‘participle + substantive’. In three-word descriptions, the reference component is the appellative ‘тау’ (mountain), with prepositional components featuring adjectives and nouns of various semantics, as well as past and future participles, less frequently personal verb forms and gerunds.

An analysis of figurative language in the interpretation of contemporary English poetry

This article examines the various facets of figurative language. This study considers figurative language from a traditional perspective as an embellishment of language and compares it with contemporary theory in literature especially in poetry. The main material for the analysis of figurative language in poetry is poetic texts of contemporary American poets like William Carlos Williams, Robert Frost, and Charles Bernstein. We selected 15 poems that contain a lot of figurative expressions and analyzed them namely “The Red Wheelbarrow”, “This Is Just to Say”, “To a Poor Old Woman”, “The Road Not Taken”, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, “Fire and Ice”, “Mending Wall”, etc. The authors conducted about evaluation of the use of metaphors, hyperboles, idioms, and similes. The most used figurative language in all the analyzed poems is metaphor. It occurred in all 15 poems. Figurative language adds an element of beauty and artistry to poetry. Metaphors, similes, and other figurative expressions infuse the language with color, imagery, and creative aesthetics that captivate the reader's senses.

Introduction to the special issue on new approaches to figurative language research

ABSTRACT The use and interpretation of figurative expressions (e.g., irony, idiom, and metaphor) is an integral part of everyday human communication. Thus, the ability to comprehend figurative language underpins successful communication and social functioning. Despite this, there is an ongoing debate regarding the fundamental cognitive and neural processes that support figurative language comprehension. In addition, relatively little is known regarding the additional challenges that can be faced in many situations, for example, when communicating in one’s second language, or with partners from a different culture, or when integrating information across different modalities. The purpose of this special issue is to showcase some of the latest research in this area, utilizing state of the art methods to examine comprehension (e.g., eye-tracking and EEG) and investigating how certain factors, such as cultural and individual differences and multimodal stimuli affect the comprehension process.