Figures of Speech


	Figures of Speech
	All languages make “word pictures” to say things in a poetic or elegant way. In English we can say “he is walking tall” even about a short person. We mean “he is proud” or “he is happy” and he is walking with his head high. These figures of speech liven up our conversation. Here are a few examples from Lealao Chinantec, spoken in the State of Oaxaca: See if you can match the following phrases with their correct meanings: 1. To be covered or to slide na³jli³ na³beeh³² a² a. To puff out one’s cheeks b. Pants tucked in boots c. To be ferocious d. To be in debt 2. To carry chickens hí²chia⁴²a² niih² a. To puff out one's cheeks b. Pants tucked in boots c. Old man in rags d. To talk badly 3. To eat bats hi²chuh²a² laa² a. Old man in rags b. To be in jail c. To be ferocious d. To propose marriage 4. To have a wide open mouth jla² na¹haa² a. To propose marriage b. To talk boldly c. To talk badly d. To puff out one’s cheeks 5. To have an injured mouth hoo⁴² na¹haa² a. To talk badly b. To be ferocious c. To be in jail d. To talk boldly 6. To hang oneself hi²chih⁴²a² voo³²a² b. To be ferocious d. To talk boldly a. To talk badly c. To be in jail 7. Cow feet guaa³ tii² cue²yah³ a. To be in debt b. Pants tucked in boots c. Old man in rags d. To be in jail 8. Dressed up squirrel güii⁴² na³jmeeyh⁴² a. Pants tucked in boots b. To be in debt c. Old man in rags d. To puff out one’s cheeks 9. A dog with a litter dsii³ xey³ jaá² a. To talk badly b. To be in debt c. To puff out one’s cheeks d. To be ferocious Section home Index Next
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