Final answer:
Cliches are overused phrases that often carry cultural implications, making them difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. Despite this, their meanings are usually clear to native speakers, but they can become less communicative due to overuse. Cliches are informal and not created to impress, unlike technical jargon which serves a specific professional purpose.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cliches and Their Contextual Understanding
Cliches are phrases or expressions that have become so overused that they have lost their original impact or novelty. For English language learners, especially non-native speakers, cliches can present unique challenges. This is because they usually derive their meanings from cultural or societal contexts, which might not translate easily without additional explanation.
Challenging for Non-Native Speakers: One accurate statement about cliches is that they can indeed be challenging for non-native English speakers to understand. As idiomatic expressions, they often convey meanings beyond the literal interpretation of the words used. Instead, these expressions carry implications or subtleties rooted in cultural norms or common usage within a language community.
Meanings Often Unclear: It is not generally true that the meanings of cliches are unclear; rather, they are typically well-known to native speakers. However, the clarity of these expressions can diminish due to overuse, making them sound trite to the listener. When the freshness of the metaphor fades, so, too, might its communicative effectiveness.
Outdated or Overly Formal: Cliches are not necessarily considered outdated or overly formal. In fact, many cliches are casual and are frequently found in informal language. A cliche may become outdated if it's derived from a cultural reference that no longer holds relevance, but formality is not a characteristic of cliches in general.
Technician Expressions: Cliches are not technician expressions meant to impress. Instead, they are colloquialisms that have entered common language. Technical jargon, on the other hand, is specific to a particular field or profession and is designed to communicate complex concepts succinctly among experts.
In conclusion, cliches are widespread in languages and can be barriers to clear communication, particularly for those who are learning English as a second language. Being aware of cliches and seeking to understand the cultural context behind them is essential for effective communication.