This word has two meanings. On the one hand, prosaic is that which has relation to prose, that is, the most common way of expressing oneself and that is opposed to verse. In a second meaning, prosaic indicates that something is vulgar, without any interest, bland and excessively conventional. Regarding its etymology, it comes from the Latin prosaicus and originally referred to prose as opposed to poetry.
poetic language vs prosaic language
In relation to language, poetry is associated with beauty and originality and, consequently, non-poetic language (prose) is valued as a more common and less attractive form of expression.
Verse and prose are two ways of expressing ideas. The poetic language presents a dimension and some singular characteristics: a sense of rhythm, the use of rhetorical figures (for example, the metaphor), a certain intonation to give emphasis to the words, a symbolism and, in short, a use of the words. words with expressiveness, lyricism and richness. On the contrary, prosaic language is more direct and precise, since its purpose is to transmit ideas effectively.
Despite these differences between one form of expression and another, it is not necessary to understand that the poetic is better or worse than the prosaic. In reality, these are two different approaches to language, but they may be compatible (there are poems with a prosaic style and those written in prose with elements typical of poetry).
The use of one language or another will depend on the context and the intention of the speaker. Thus, if we are talking about love or deep feelings, prosaic language is inappropriate and, conversely, if we want to explain an event rigorously and objectively (for example, a traffic accident) the poetic style is totally inappropriate.
Something or someone with little interest
A way of speaking, a person or a way of living can be qualified as prosaic. Thus, if someone speaks without saying anything interesting, using clichés and with a lack of originality, it can be said that he has a prosaic speech.
If a person is boring and monotonous and their life in general is very unexciting, it could be said that they are someone with a mundane existence. Consequently, the prosaic is everything that manifests itself in a vulgar, simple, conventional and bland way. Some synonyms of prosaic are coarse, ordinary, mediocre or ordinary.
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