RSUSCI-2021 & RSUSOC-2021
IN21-156 Figurative Language Found in Indie Songs
Presenter: George Lewis Cannon
Department of English, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Rangsit University
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the song lyrics and figurative language used in 30 songs from the genre of Indie Music. The songs were released from 2000 to 2020. The data collection was 12,000 words, and 62 tokens were found. Specific types of figurative language will be analyzed and interpreted. The data was collected from three different singers and bands for analysis and interpretation. The findings showed that 6 different types of figurative language were used. When the implicit meaning of these examples of figurative language was analyzed, it was found that the songs contained these types. Metaphors were the most dominant figure of speech found at 32.25%, followed by personification at 17.7%. Metonymy and hyperbole were found at 14.5% whereas similes and symbolism were found to a lesser and equal degree at 12.9% and 8%, respectively. It is hoped that this study will be useful to both ESL/EFL students and researchers who wish to do further study on figurative language.