Old Keuti/Figurative Speech

The Old Keuti literary tradition provides some detail of figurative speech in surviving dictionary manuscripts.

Similes and Metaphors
Similes are formed by using the noun to adjective derivation or the "similar to" conjunction, while metaphors are formed by using normal syntax. Below is a list of common similes and metaphors. Auxiliary verbs often revert to informal forms when used in everyday speech.

Idioms
Many idioms are phrases from religious or legal writings, and are mostly one sentence long. Below is a list of common idioms. Auxiliary verbs tend to revert to informal forms in everyday speech.

Parallelism
Parallelism is a common figure of speech used in poetry and music, with sentences similar in structure but differing in meaning following one another. Below is an example from the closing statement of the Code for a Harmonious State.

ekeuntemeut elanomo heukwe zonoge e'atwesog ekeuntemeut e'atweso heukwe zonoge elanomog

def .strength. gen def .servant. erg cop.ind npst.pfv def .master. abs def .strength. gen def .master. erg cop.ind npst.pfv def .servant. abs

''The strength of the servant is the master. The strength of the master is the servant.''