Figurative Language versus Literal Language Essay - 14

Figurative Language versus Literal Language - Essay Example tz (2006), idioms are forms of figurative speech that use words or phrases to mean something else, especially the meanings that are indicated in the dictionary. In the event of a word to word translation of the entire phrase, it is obvious that the entire meaning of the idiom will be lost. For instance, the author may write, sit on the fence. This does not mean literally sitting on the fence, but in reality secluding oneself from a certain activity. Idioms aid in relaying the anticipated messages to the readers, by heightening their reasoning capability beyond the obvious denotation. Amphiboly is a form of language presentation whereby the author creates some form of grammatical mistakes through the organization of words in a sentence or idiom according to Morris (2000). More often than not, this creates some of uncertainty or construal of the wrong meaning as indicated by the authors. Where the author states that they are brewing beer is a good example. This may either mean that they are they are planning something destructive or brewing beer. In this case, the readers are aggravated to dig deeper in the real meaning that was to be depicted. Analogy on the other hand as a form of metaphorical speech refers to creation of a form of impression linking two things that are completely dissimilar in reality (Rieke & Silars, 1997). Analogy plays the function of creating a form of enlightment to the readers to find what the author attempts to conceal. The author may specify he is a dead computer. This means that the person is as good as dead, as they cannot function. â€Å"Flame words†Ã‚  in language are used by the authors to create a particular tone in the readers, especially a negative atmosphere. The author may need to insist on the readers that the work being portrayed has some a lot of negatives that the readers must put in mind while reading a text. For instance the author may use the title, A Death Trail to mean that the major theme in the work relates to a nasty

Foreigners Changing China, 1850-1980 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Foreigners Changing China, 1850-1980 - Essay Example This particular frame of mind can be considered as the main cause of their resistance in adopting other cultures and their values for millennia. They assumed that they are self sufficient in all forms of society and do not require foreign intrusion. But in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century China has undergone various changes in many parts of their core infrastructures that include politics, language, economics, culture and society. This is believed to be largely under the influence of the foreign countries such as USA and Britain. So what are the basic forms of modifications that have been implemented and what has caused these changes to take place that was resisted before for such a long time? Answer to this question is the main notion of this discussion. Among all the considerable changes that were brought up by the foreign influence, changes in the politics are most important and should be emphasized in detail. Ancient Chinese Society: To understand or clearly apprec iate any change we need to view the original form that was present before that modification was made. As we know from history that China was considered as a kingdom led by the emperors. These emperors and their dynasties were not chosen on their relationship to the people of China but their origin was more religious and mythical (Foster 2010). Any ruler or dynasty corrupted with the evil will be reflected upon by the nature’s anger in the form of earthquake floods or droughts indicating the change were imminent (Kornberg et al 2004). This was in contrast to the west where democracy was laying foundation of a strong government bodies. Despite China’s ruling being based on such religious foundations, it continued for a very long time. Starting from the Hans dynasty in 206 BC it remained intact until Qing dynasty collapsed in 1911 (Zinzius 2004). Arguably there needs to be a solid bond that united this nation on single platform. By looking at a bigger prospective it can b e concluded that the main reason for sustenance of such establishment can be traced back to the strong social values that hold the structure together for centuries. No other nation has ever been close to signify the theme of middle kingdom like Chinese did for centuries. They were proud of their existence in the middle while the rest of the humanity revolves around them and learn from them (Ford 2010). There is no doubt that the social system in these ancient dynasties was more localized on the families and tribe as a distinct entity rather than on a single individual. So there was a strong concept of nuclear family and relationships were given highest regards. From the economic point of view China was a self sufficient civilization. Most of the Chinese emperors were not open for trades with the western world because of the hierarchical system in China. The theme of middle kingdom were so deep rooted that they considered that no one else is worthy of given an equal status to them. A lthough in the nineteenth century there was a great demand of China’s silk, spices and other items among the western consumers. Similarly westerns also wanted to introduce some of their unique items and offered many trade agreements to the emperors during that time but all were put down. As we know that trade creates a great influence on any society but China was virtually immune to it. Therefore, no significant foreign influence was detected in the Chinese empire due to their isolation from the rest of the world. Foreign Penetration and changes in the Politics: The difference between China’