Literal Versus Non-Literal Meaning

LITERAL VERSUS NON-LITERAL MEANING
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Introduction
The literal meaning is the exact and direct interpretation of words, while the non-literal meaning is the implied, figurative, or metaphorical interpretation of words. The former is based on the dictionary definition of words, while the latter is on the context in which words are used. For example, if someone says, "I'm thirsty," the literal meaning of this statement is that they are physically in need of water. Comparatively, the non-literal meaning could be that the person is metaphorically describing a feeling of needing something else, such as attention or affection.
Studying non-literal meanings helps people better understand language and communication's complexities. It reveals that meaning is not always straightforward and literal but is often layered and multi-faceted. It further shows that context and inferences are often more important than a literal interpretation of words. In addition, the concept suggests that meaning is malleable and can be interpreted differently by multiple people. Non-literal meaning is essential to understanding communication. The ability to interpret it is a crucial skill for effective information exchange. The reason is that the interpretation allows individuals to better understand the speaker's true intent and feelings.[Zhai, Y., Illouz, G., & Vilnat, A. (2020, December). Detecting non-literal translations by fine-tuning cross-lingual pre-trained language models. In Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Computational Linguistics (pp. 5944-5956).]
Metaphor
A non-literal metaphor is a figure of speech in which two or more unrelated things or concepts are compared without using the words "like" or "as." This type of metaphor is used to convey complex ideas and feelings that are not easily expressed through literal language. Non-literal metaphors allow people to describe abstract concepts, such as emotions, creatively and evocatively. They are often used in literature to provide vivid descriptions and to add depth and nuance to a story. For example, a character's loneliness may be described as "a cold, dark cavern," conveying the solitude in a passionate and evocative way. Non-literal metaphors can also be used to draw attention to themes and provide insight into a character's inner thoughts and feelings. In everyday conversation, such kind of metaphors can be employed to express complex ideas and feelings.[Reyna, Valerie F. "Meaning, memory, and the interpretation of metaphors." In Metaphor: Implications and applications, pp. 39-57. Psychology Press, 2018.] [Sundaray, Shamala, Theodoros Marinis, and Arpita Bose. "Comprehending non-literal language: effects of aging and bilingualism." Frontiers in psychology 9 (2018): 2230.]
For example, if someone is feeling overwhelmed, they may say, "I am drowning in work," to express their feelings of being overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do. Additionally, someone might describe a long and challenging trip as "a journey through a desert," creating a vivid image of a hot and barren landscape. This image conveys a feeling of hardship and perseverance, which is much more powerful than a literal description of the expedition. Ideally, a person might describe a challenging decision as "walking a tightrope", portraying the idea of carefully balancing different options to reach a satisfactory conclusion. This metaphor communicates the situation's complexity in a way that is easier to understand than a literal description.
Non-literal metaphors can be a powerful way to express ideas and feelings in a concise and emotive way. Overall, they are an essential part of language and communication. They allow people to express complex ideas and feelings in a vivid and passionate manner. They can be used to draw attention to themes in literature and to provide insight into a character's inner thoughts and feelings. In everyday conversation, non-literal metaphors can be employed to express complex ideas and feelings succinctly. By studying the non-literal meaning of words, one can gain a better understanding of the true intent and nuances of what is being said.
Non-Literal Language in Science
Non-literal meanings cannot be used in science. Th reason is that this field relies on empirical evidence and objective facts. Therefore, non-literal meaning cannot be used as a basis for scientific research or conclusions. Non-literal meaning is based on figurative language and metaphors, which are not factual and cannot be proven. It is also subjective, meaning that interpretations of non-literal meanings can vary across groups and individuals. In science, accuracy and precision are of the utmost importance. Non-literal meaning is too ambiguous to be used reliably in scientific research and reporting. Besides, scientific conclusions must be based on empirically-backed facts and not on the interpretations of figurative language. While non-literal meaning can be used in everyday communication, it cannot be employed to support any scientific claims or theories. In addition, the non-literal meaning is too vague to be utilized in scientific experiments.[Chakrabarty, Tuhin, Yejin Choi, and Vered Shwartz. "It’s not Rocket Science: Interpreting Figurative Language in Narratives." Transactions of the Association for Computational Linguistics 10 (2022): 589-606.]
Scientists must measure and quantify data to come to valid conclusions. This is not possible when relying on figurative language, as there is no way to measure the accuracy of non-literal meanings. Furthermore, non-literal meanings are often context-dependent. Interpretations can differ depending on the context in which the words are used. Non-literal meaning can also be emotionally-laden, making it inappropriate for use in scientific research. Since science aims to discover truths through unbiased observation and experimentation, it is vital that the language used in scientific research and reporting is objective. Non-literal meanings can evoke strong emotions, making them unsuitable for use in scientific research.
Besides, science involves the study of the physical and natural world. Therefore, it needs to be based on facts and evidence that can be verified and measured. The literal meaning is the most reliable facet for this purpose because it can be objectively determined. It is more precise, making it easier to verify the accuracy of a scientific statement. For example, if an individual says, "the sun is hot," the literal meaning of this statement is straightforward and can be objectively determined. However, the non-literal meani...