You're both speaking the same literal language, but when... (katerinafager.com)
There is always a literal meaning being conveyed from the mind of the author, whether in plain literal language or figurative language. (redeeminggod.com)
Previous brain - imaging research has shown that interpreting metaphors requires a variety of areas on both sides of the brain, compared with literal language, which is processed in known language areas in the left hemisphere. (scientificamerican.com)