Metaphorical language is a term referring to the use of a complex system of metaphors to create a sub-language within a common language.
This is a common feature of religious discussion, (for example biblespeak) where a religious text is often a prerequisite to participating fully in a conversation —to the outsider, such terms in such combinations will likely seem esoteric or unintelligible.
Metaphors We Live By has led many readers to a new recognition of how profoundly metaphors not only shape our view of life in the present but set up the expectations that determine what life well be for us in the future.
The concept is metaphorically structured, the activity is metaphorically structured, and, consequently, the language is metaphorically structured.
Since metaphorical expressions in our language are tied to metaphorical concepts in a systematic way, we can use metaphorical linguistic expressions to study the nature of metaphorical concepts and to gain an understanding of the metaphorical nature of our activities.
Language is obviously one of the most sophisticated cognitive skills that humans possess, and one of the most apparent differences between the human species and other animal species.
Language is actually quite widespread in Nature in its primitive form of communication (all animals communicate and even plants have some rudimentary form of interaction), although it is certainly unique to humans in its human form (but just like, say, chirping is unique to birds in its "birdy" form).
Metaphor is more pervasive than we think, and it may well be the foundation of language (some linguists even claim that all language is metaphorical).
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