Question

Language is an important part of the theme of this fable, and although the story is

told in rather simple terms, the ideas that it expresses are philosophical and deep.
Santiago is an educated young man, capable of understanding many languages
because of his seminary training. Yet, he is clearly interested in learning about the
world and about his reason for being in a way that goes beyond mere speaking
and writing. He chooses to travel, first as a shepherd and then as an adventurer
seeking his destiny, because he wants to learn how to communicate in the
Language of the World. There are many references throughout the text to this
language, and clearly it is a language that goes beyond words. He often reflects on
the "language without words," which describes the way that people communicate
to each other when they do not speak each other's language. The language without
words is also the language he speaks with his sheep. What are some of the literal
and figurative languages that Santiago realizes he has learned by the time he
completes his year of work for the crystal merchant?

Answer 1

Santiago in The Alchemist learns various literal and figurative languages, the latter of which includes similes, metaphors, and imagery to convey complex ideas.

Step-by-step explanation:

Throughout The Alchemist, Santiago learns various forms of language, both literal and figurative, by the end of his time working for the crystal merchant.

Santiago's literal language skills encompass his ability to speak and comprehend the words of different human languages due to his seminary education.

However, beyond human language, he also grasps the Language of the World, a concept that suggests an ability to understand and communicate through intuition, emotion, and the natural world.

Figurative language is another layer of understanding that Santiago acquires, which includes the nuanced use of similes, metaphors, and imagery.

These devices are used not only for decorative purposes in literature but to express complex ideas and emotions that plain language might not sufficiently convey.

The use of descriptive writing such as 'Learning a foreign language is like learning to ride a bicycle: you must learn to perform multiple tasks at the same time' serves as an example of a simile that Santiago might appreciate in understanding the complexities of language acquisition.

Lastly, through his experiences, Santiago recognizes how language can also vary according to cultural and physical environments, which impacts the way people of different cultures think and communicate.