Adding a ‘SPLASH of COLOUR’ with Words.

Metaphors, idioms and colloquialisms have become an ever-increasing component of the English language, therefore making it difficult for English as a second language learners to keep their heads about them in the face of what I see as the ‘metaphorical gymnastics’ what is now the global language.

It may be somewhat of a challenge you see, for a non-English speaker to recognise the true meaning of a comment that someone is “showing their true colours now.” The actual meaning is that the person has revealed their true manner, nature or character now. This usually occurs due to a change in their circumstances or relationship. It has nothing to do with what colour the person is, is wearing, or any part of their appearance, but is a metaphor for their manner, the way they treat or react to people; their nature, the way they behave towards others; or their character, their distinctive mental and moral qualities.

The word ‘colour,’ in fact has a genuine diversity within the English language that is probably not helped, in language learning, by the fact that the word is spelled differently in the Americas, with the spelling of ‘color,’ not at all indicative of any difference in meaning. ‘Colour’ and ‘color’ mean the same thing but are drawn from different origins and in the matter of the differences in linguistic standardisation on the two sides of the Atlantic, the derivations result from whether the words have Latin or French origin.

America, seeking even subtle forms of independence in the early 19th century, eagerly embraced the spelling differences published by the American lexicographer Noah Webster in his 1828 dictionary. There are hundreds of words, not only spelled differently ‘on either side of the pond,’ which is itself a metaphor describing the Atlantic Ocean as a pond and referring to the two (American and United Kingdom) civilisations without naming them, in an absolute example of how identifying the differentiation between idioms and colloquialisms can challenge the language learner.

The reality is that they don’t have to and can take comfort in the fact that beyond a lesson or two, they will find that ‘knowing’ the difference is less important than understanding that this amazing language is, in common use, as likely to be figurative, as literal. Familiarisation is the only way to both understand, absorb and utilise even some of the idioms and colloquialisms they will encounter in life. However, that familiarisation will be greatly enhanced by embracing metaphors and synonyms, which sounds dreary, but can be fun.

The distinction, linguistically, is that an idiom has a non-literal meaning, while a colloquialism is a phrase that is likely to be in common usage, based upon regional specificity. Now there is no way that an English language learner would identify the Atlantic as a ‘pond,’ because in fact, it’s a massive great ocean, so the use of the word ‘pond’ is clearly not literal, making it an idiom. Wouldn’t you agree? Yet, the reference to ‘either side of the pond,’ is also clearly a unique distinction, most likely made by someone from either the States, or the British Isles, therefore regional, therefore more correctly a colloquialism, correct? Such are the joys of this amazing language, which, used well, or heard and understood well, and with an extensive enough vocabulary, can add so much colour, there’s that word again, to any discussion or conversation. Wait a minute! What’s the difference between a discussion and a conversation? Is there a difference? Yes! A discussion is probably more formal, more structured, focused, usually on a specific issue, between several people and will usually have stated objectives. Whereas, on the other hand, a conversation is generally informal, usually between two people, usually personal, often private, humorous, anecdotal and more intimate, a ‘shared’ experience.

I know, you’re thinking “It’s alright for you. You’re English.” And you are right of course, but within any language lies lifelong personal enrichment and that can’t be bad... Can it?