Arabic – Rhetoric Literal and Figurative Meaning – 2AS – Letters

Literal and Figurative Meaning in Arabic Rhetoric

Understanding the difference between literal and figurative meaning is essential for interpreting Arabic texts.

Literal Meaning

The original direct meaning of a word as found in the dictionary. Example: lion means the animal.

Figurative Meaning

A meaning transferred from the original to another based on a relationship. Example: lion means a brave man.

Relationship Types

Similarity: metaphor. Causality: effect for cause. Part-whole: synecdoche. Time-place: metonymy.

Exercises

Identify as literal or figurative: 1) I saw a lion in the zoo. 2) The soldier is a lion in battle. 3) The hands of the clock.

See Literal and Figurative and Metaphor.