METAPHOR, METONYMY, SYNECDOCHE, AND OTHER FIGURATIVE DEVICES IN GERMAN FOLK TALES

Abstract

German folk tales, as collected and transmitted through generations, are rich in stylistic and rhetorical devices that enhance their artistic expression and cultural resonance. Among these devices, metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, and other figures of speech play a crucial role in shaping characters, conveying moral lessons, and preserving cultural archetypes. This article analyzes the use of these figurative tools in German folk narratives, focusing on how they function to embody symbolic meanings, build imaginative worlds, and connect oral tradition with cultural identity.