kielikuvassa

Kielikuvassa is the Finnish adessive form of the noun kielikuva, used in linguistic and literary analysis to refer to figurative language or metaphorical imagery. It signals that the expression being discussed operates in a non-literal, figurative sense rather than a straightforward, factual meaning.

Etymology and meaning: The term kielikuva combines kieli (language) and kuva (image). A kielikuva denotes an image or figure of speech within language, such as metaphors, similes, or other forms of symbolic expression. The suffix -ssa marks position or state, yielding “in a linguistic image” or “in figurative language.”

Usage: In linguistic, literary, and rhetorical analysis, kielikuvassa is used to frame discussion about how a phrase or sentence conveys meaning beyond its literal wording. Analysts may refer to a particular expression as a kielikuva to indicate that its interpretation relies on metaphorical association rather than direct reference. The construction commonly appears in scholarly writing, critical commentary, and grammatically oriented descriptions of Finnish style and rhetoric.

Examples: A common metaphor like “elämä on matka” can be discussed as a kielikuva, where the journey stands for life’s progression, goals, and experiences rather than a literal voyage. In such analyses, stating that the phrase operates “kielikuvassa” helps distinguish figurative meaning from literal content.

Related terms: Kielikuva (linguistic image), metafora (metaphor), kuvallinen ilmaisu (imagery), retorikka (rhetoric). See also terminology related to figurative language in Finnish grammar and literary studies.