Is English a metaphorical language?

[Estro Felino]

I guess not,...
I mean...compared to Italian it's a language made up of literal expressions....
You can't even imagine how frustrating it is not to be able to translate the innumerable figures of speech I use when I speak IRL...

 

[Axe Elf]

It can be, in that metaphors can be expressed in English. It can also be literal.

I don't think metaphors are inherent to any language, per se; they are in how the language is used to express thoughts.

 

[Estro Felino]

It can be, in that metaphors can be expressed in English. It can also be literal.

I don't think metaphors are inherent to any language, per se; they are in how the language is used to express thoughts.

Is it right to say "observe the constitution"?
In Italian we use the verb "osservare" not only when we look at something, but also as synonym of "respect a law"
I can go on for hours

 

[Axe Elf]

Is it right to say "observe the constitution"?
In Italian we use the verb "osservare" not only when we look at something, but also as synonym of "respect a law"
I can go on for hours

Yes, we use "observe" in the sense of respecting, fulfilling, or complying with something, as in, "observe the constitution." I wouldn't even call that "metaphorical," in the strict sense.

A metaphorical construction would be something like, "the shadows slinked sensually across the wall."

 

[Estro Felino]

Yes, we use "observe" in the sense of respecting, fulfilling, or complying with something, as in, "observe the constitution." I wouldn't even call that "metaphorical," in the strict sense.

A metaphorical construction would be something like, "the shadows slinked sensually across the wall."

ok...thanks...really...It means my thread is very useful-

but we go even further...for example we use, in Romance languages a verb that translates "being born" from Latin nascor...and the verb nasceri is used even when we speak of things or cities...like "Rome was born in 754 BC"

 

[Axe Elf]

ok...thanks...really...It means my thread is very useful-

but we go even further...for example we use, in Romance languages a verb that translates "being born" from Latin nascor...and the verb nasceri is used even when we speak of things or cities...like "Rome was born in 754 BC"

One of last year's hit movies was a remake of "A Star is Born," and it had nothing to do with astronomy.

 

[Polymath257]

ok...thanks...really...It means my thread is very useful-

but we go even further...for example we use, in Romance languages a verb that translates "being born" from Latin nascor...and the verb nasceri is used even when we speak of things or cities...like "Rome was born in 754 BC"

That is an acceptable, but strange usage. It is more common to say a city was founded than to say it was born. But yes, this can be said and understood.

 

[Polymath257]

Is it right to say "observe the constitution"?
In Italian we use the verb "osservare" not only when we look at something, but also as synonym of "respect a law"
I can go on for hours

That is a bit of a strange usage, again. It is more common to say, for example, that one observes a code of ethics than that one observes a law. The former is more personal.