Final answer:
A kenning is a metaphorical linguistic device used to name things indirectly in Old English and Norse poetry. Metaphors, metonymy, and synecdoche are all forms of figurative language that use one term to evoke the image or concept of another, and are commonly found in everyday language and literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
A kenning is a figurative expression that replaces the name of a thing with a metaphorical phrase or compound word, often used in Old English and Norse poetry. Metaphors are a broader category of figurative language, found universally across languages, where one object is described using another to create rhetorical effect without using "like" or "as".
For example, describing ships as "white sails" is a form of metonymy, a specific type of metaphor where a detail of something is used to represent the whole object or idea.
Synecdoche is similar to metonymy but specifically involves a part representing the whole, such as using "crown" to symbolize a king's power. The richness of metaphorical language in poetry and everyday speech, as seen in the various examples from different cultures and literary works, illustrates its significance in shaping our understanding of the world.
Common metaphors in English extend to abstract concepts such as life, love, and journey, underlying the pervasive nature of this linguistic tool.
Renowned writers have often referred to the art of poetry itself using metaphors, likening it to crafts such as carpentry and weaving, further demonstrating the deep entanglement of metaphor with the fabric of language and thought.