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Usage of Figures of Speech in English Songs #1013

This study focuses on pop music as a potential pedagogical learning resource in teaching figures of speech and in facilitating literary and linguistic appreciation. It aimed to identify the songs most listened to by 369 undergraduate students, extract figurative expressions from the lyrics of 59 English songs, and pinpoint the figures of speech used. Guided by content analysis and anchored in cognitive load theory, findings revealed that the songs utilized 18 figures of speech with extracts ranging from one to 82, resulting in a total of 237 figurative expressions. The three most commonly used figures of speech were metaphors, alliterations, and personifications whose extracts may be utilized as potential tools and examples in teaching figures of speech and other literary and linguistic devices. This research concludes that the young people listened to a wide array of English songs and favored both old and new songs. Figures of speech formed part of the creative expression of the English songs, and their usage was pervasive in the lyrics of the songs since they served as linguistic tools or vehicles that enabled the writers to express their thoughts and emotions. The potential of English pop songs as a resource in teaching language and literature, particularly figures of speech, is vast and versatile.