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2 ago 2011

Not Even the Word Literal Is Literal

It hides a trope, the idea of the "letter," or graphic signifier of meaning. No meaning is "literal" in the literal sense of inhering in a letter. No wonder that people say they are "literally climbing the wall" to intensify their metaphorical expressions, or, as I heard on NPR yesterday "opportunity literally came knocking at her door."
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3 comentarios:

  1. Andrew Shields3:53 p. m.

    It only works if it was Opportunity that knocked, as in Pilgrim's Progress.

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  2. Jonathan4:39 p. m.

    Isn't PP an allegory, hence not "literal"?

    ResponderEliminar
  3. Andrew Shields12:16 a. m.

    I wish I had a good knock-knock joke to tell now. "Opportunity who?" :-)

    ResponderEliminar