Nonliteral Meaning: Definition and Examples

Literature

• Nonliteral language is often used in poetry to convey deeper meanings and emotions.
• Metaphors and similes are common forms of nonliteral expressions, like saying 'life is a journey' to describe experiences.

Communication

• Figurative language, like idioms and hyperbole, falls under nonliteral categories and enriches conversation.
• In everyday speech, people use nonliteral phrases to inject humor or illustrate abstract ideas more effectively.

Psychology

• Understanding nonliteral language involves cognitive processes linked to humor, creativity, and social communication.
• Children learn to grasp nonliteral meanings as they develop language skills, which shows their growing cognitive abilities.

Art

• Nonliteral elements are often present in visual arts, where abstract forms convey feelings or concepts instead of just representing real objects.
• Surrealist artists use nonliteral imagery to challenge perceptions and provoke thought, similar to how writers do with language.

Main points about word origin

• The prefix 'non-' means 'not,' so 'nonliteral' refers to language that isn’t straightforward.
• The term evolved from literal language, which describes things exactly, such as 'the sky is blue.'

The term 'nonliteral' is composed of the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' or 'without' and the word 'literal', which comes from the Latin 'literalis', meaning 'of or belonging to letters'. 'Literal' itself denotes the primary meaning of a word or phrase, devoid of exaggeration or metaphor. The concept of nonliteral language emerged prominently with the rise of literature and rhetoric, where authors began to use figurative language to evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, and convey complex ideas in an artistic manner. The use of nonliteral expressions can be traced back to ancient texts, as writers explored ways to communicate beyond simple descriptions. Over time, nonliteral language has become a key element in various forms of art, literature, and daily communication, allowing for deeper connections and understanding of abstract concepts.