Introduction

Language is an essential tool to communicate and express our ideas. However, not all language types are the same. In this article, we will talk about the difference between literal language and figurative language.

literal language

Literal language is that that is used to express something clearly and precisely, without using metaphors, comparisons or other rhetorical figures. That is, it is a direct and unadorned form of communication.

Examples of literal language

• The sky is blue
• The house has three bedrooms
• My dog ​​is a Labrador breed

Figurative language

Figurative language is that which uses words or phrases with meanings different from their literal interpretation, in order to create sensory images or make a comparison between two things. This type of language is widely used in poetry, literature, songs and in everyday life.

Examples of figurative language

• I'm over the moon (expression that means being very happy)
• Your smile is a ray of sunshine (metaphor that uses the image of a ray of sunshine to make a comparison with a smile)
• Sadness is drowning me (personification that attributes human characteristics to an emotion)

Conclusions

As we can see, the main difference between literal language and figurative language is that the former is used to communicate precisely, while the latter has an aesthetic and poetic intention, being frequently used in literature and art. Both types of language are important and have their place, depending on the context and situation in which they are used.

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