Metaphorisissa

Metaphorisissa is a term found in Finnish-language discussions of language and literature, used to describe text or speech that relies heavily on metaphor. The word can be understood as a descriptor for figurative language, indicating that metaphor plays a central role in the expression or meaning of the passage.

Etymology and form: Metaphorisissa is formed from the concept metafora (metaphor) with a Finnish inflectional ending that marks a contextual or situational sense. Because Finnish has several established ways to refer to metaphor (for example metaforinen kieli or metaforiset ilmaukset), metaphorisissa functions as a stylistic label rather than a fixed grammatical category. Its exact sense may vary depending on the author or scholarly tradition.

Usage and context: The term appears mainly in literary criticism, rhetoric, and language teaching, where analysts distinguish metaphor-heavy passages from more literal ones. It can help describe style, tone, and interpretive possibilities in poetry, prose, or public discourse. Given its somewhat nonstandard status in formal Finnish terminology, many writers also use alternatives such as metaforinen kieli, metaforiset ilmaukset, or kuvallinen kieli to convey similar ideas.

Limitations: Because metaphorisissa is not an official linguistic category, its interpretation is dependent on context. Readers should consider the broader argument and the author’s definitions when encountering the term in scholarly or educational texts.

See also: Metaphor, Figurative language, Metaphor in literature.