Metaphors: ...if I had already seen a native speaker use it.

[Nessie]

Hi,
Speakers of all languages often have the habit of using metaphors, simile or the like. However, the ways (of using metaphors) to express an idea may vary from one language to another. Years ago a teacher of mine told me that I shouldn't use metaphor carelessly but (for safety), I should just use a figurative way of expressing my idea if I had already seen a native speaker use it. Nevertheless, I doubt this, because if I do as she said, my ability to manipulate English will be very much limited. Yet I don't dare to use such self-made metaphors very often because I'm afraid native English speakers may find them odd or incomprehensible.
For example, when I found a lesson extremely difficult, I intended to say 'This lesson is so hard to swallow' (if the sentence is translated word by word into Vietnamese, it sounds very natural and any Vietnamese can understand it), but when I looked up in a dictionary, I found that 'hard to swallow' means 'hard to believe'! so I changed it into 'this lesson is so hard to digest', but it seems that 'hard to digest' is not very commonly used (or not at all used) by native speakers to mean that. My question is, do you agree with my teacher - that I should only reuse native speakers' metaphors, and never should I create one of my own?

Many thanks,
Nessie.
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Gray]

I could relate to the question you have. Let me make it more complex --

Should we create new metaphors if they follow naturally with the context? Do natives do this in everyday life? I think writers have a habit of playing with words and they receive acclaims for that :) The "sea change" didn't exist until Shakespeare thought of it.
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First lesson - English, not english. I, not i. ~A student of English

[Nessie]

Thanks a lot for your idea, Gray, let's wait for some native speakers' ideas :)
By the way, what is 'sea change'? :P
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Gray]

There is nothing other than the language which is capable of bringing about a sea change in your life for everything that exists manifests in words.
_________________
First lesson - English, not english. I, not i. ~A student of English

[Alan]

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Hi Nessie,

Be bold and use your own metaphors. They're certainly worth trying. Try them out for size, take them out for a walk, let them see the light of day and if others can't stomach them, too bad. They can't eat you, can they?

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Nessie]

Hi Alan,
Thank you very much for encouraging me to use my own metaphors :) Now that I've had your words, I'll certainly do :)
By the way, I'm very glad you sent that voice message. Your accent is very... British :D:D
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...