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Unit 12 Non-Literal

This document discusses different types of non-literal language: 1. Idioms - multi-word phrases whose meanings are unpredictable from the individual words. Examples include "let the cat out of the bag". 2. Metaphors - conceptual operations that enable abstract concepts to be discussed concretely, like referring to a car as a "lemon". 3. Metonymy - referring to one entity by something associated with it, like referring to a newspaper as "The Times". The document provides examples and practice problems for readers to identify idioms, metaphors, and metonymy in sentences. It examines how these non-literal meanings operate in language.

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Dewi Chintia
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209 views2 pages

Unit 12 Non-Literal

This document discusses different types of non-literal language: 1. Idioms - multi-word phrases whose meanings are unpredictable from the individual words. Examples include "let the cat out of the bag". 2. Metaphors - conceptual operations that enable abstract concepts to be discussed concretely, like referring to a car as a "lemon". 3. Metonymy - referring to one entity by something associated with it, like referring to a newspaper as "The Times". The document provides examples and practice problems for readers to identify idioms, metaphors, and metonymy in sentences. It examines how these non-literal meanings operate in language.

Uploaded by

Dewi Chintia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIT 12: NON-LITERAL MEANING: IDIOMS, METAPHOR, AND METONYMY

Definition: IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS (IDIOMS) are multi-word phrases whose overall meanings are
idiosyncratic and largely unpredictable, reflecting speaker meanings that are not derivable by combining
the literal senses of the individual words in each phrase according to the regular semantic rules of the
language.

Example: Expressions such as 'Let the cat out of the bag'

Practice: Each sentence below is ambiguous, containing a phrase that could understood either
idiomatically (figuratively) or literally, depending upon the context in which the sentence is used. For
each sentence (a) give a paraphrase that correctly evokes each sense and (b) suggest a context in which
each sense might be appropriately used.

(1) The people let their hair down

(a) Literal sense: ..........................................................................................

Idiomatic sense: .....................................................................................

(2) We hauled them over the coals

(a) Literal sense: ..........................................................................................

Idiomatic sense: .....................................................................................

(3) He put his foot in his mouth

(a) Literal sense: ..........................................................................................

Idiomatic sense: .....................................................................................

Definition: METAPHORS are conceptual (mental) operations reflected in human language that enable
speakers to structure and construe abstract areas of knowledge and experience in more concrete
experiential terms.

Example: Consider our earlier examples of 'My car is a lemon' and 'Dr Jones is a butcher'

Practice: Each item below contains several everyday English expressions that evoke a particular structural
metaphor. Try to identify this metaphor.

(1) Metaphor: .......................................................................................................

(a) John and Mary have come a long way together

(b) Our lives have taken different paths


(c) I think she will go far in life

(d) We have come to a crossroads in our life

(2) Metaphor: .......................................................................................................

(a) Stop wasting my time

(b) We can save time by taking this shortcut

(c) This delay will cost us at least two hours

(d) She always spends too much time shopping

(3) Metaphor: .......................................................................................................

(a) Jane put in her two cents’ worth

(b) John is rich in ideas

(c) That book is a treasure trove of ideas

(d) Mary has a wealth of new ideas

Definition: METONYMY is a kind of non-literal language in which one entity is used to refer to another
entity that is associated with it in some way. In other words, metonymic concepts ‘allow us to
conceptualize one thing by means of its relation to something else’

Example: The ham sandwich in the next booth is waiting for his bill

Practice: Explain the metonymy in each sentence below.

(1) We enjoy watching Hitchcock more than Spielberg

(2) The Times asked a pertinent question at the news conference

(3) The White House refused to answer the question

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