1.
Definition of the idiom as a linguistic phenomenon
Idioms are figurative emotionally and stylistically the painted expressions,
contextual phrases with an unmotivated figurative sense. The literal translation of
idioms doesn't make sense. One of methods of creation of the English idiomatic
expressions is rhyming. All of us know that learning any language is not only
possession of a certain lexical stock and knowledge of grammar, but also ability to
use the skills and knowledge in speech practice. English relates to synthetic
languages and has a complex system of lexico-semantic means without which
knowledge successful use of the studied vocabulary in the speech is impossible.
The concept "knowledge of English" is meant as ability to use expressions,
peculiar to this language, - an idiom in an oral and written language.
The idiom is a turn of speech which isn't translated into other languages literally if
we translate the making idiom elements, then from them the value of the idiom
doesn't follow. Idioms or phraseological units it is figurative, stylistically and
emotionally charged expressions, with contextual phrases with an unmotivated
figurative sense which literal translation doesn't make sense. At literal translation
they receive other value is perfect or lose the meaning, for example, in an idiom
of to show the white feather - струсить ("показать белое перо") the semantic
independence of the components making her is completely lost. In the offer of
The man is rich the literal translation is allowed as is logically correct (Этот
человек богат) and to translate a phrase of The man is well off (well to do) it is
necessary to look the corresponding expression in target language (Этот человек
зажиточный хорошо живёт) [1].
During learning English we often meet such set expressions which translation is
made only by means of the dictionary of the English idioms, for example, of in the
blink of an eye –в одно мгновение , cost a fortune – стоить целое состояние,
couch potato –
бездельник
, sell like hot cakes – быть нарасхват.
If you don't know such kind of phrases, then you will fully not manage to
understand original English texts and also to listen to songs or to watch movies.
Idioms decorate our speech and also allow to reduce long offers to small set
expressions, thereby doing the speech of more expressive. If you can use the
English idioms in your speech it speaks about your deep understanding of
language. It is necessary to know their meanigs and to be able to use them
correctly to use especially in informal conversation as in informal conversation
mostly they also are used. The main difference of vocabulary of the native speaker
from vocabulary of the person learning a foreign language according to textbooks
are set expressions.
Besides, studying idioms of any language, we study the national nature and the
culture of the people which on him speaks. The regional geographic value of
idiomatic expressions consists in reliability of their contents. The analysis of
idioms, helps to track the history of the country, to study partially her customs and
traditions, to receive a concept about mentality of the people speaking language.
Many authors, studying idioms, note the fact that they can easier, than any other
language units to accumulate and store information on the past, culture and
traditions of the people and many other.
The Oxford dictionary gives four meanings to word "idiom":
1. It is a manner to speak which is natural and easy for native speakers.
2. This word usage belongs to certain groups i.e. a slang.
3. It is special style of exchanging of information in the organizations, schools, the
universities.
4. The expressions , which have figurative meaning.
However, idioms aren't a separate part of language which can use or not to use, the
y make a great part of the general English dictionary. It is not only colloquial expr
ession,but also they can be used also in formal style of the speech, and in a slang.
Moreover , they can be met in poetry or in Shakespeare's language, or the Bible. It
is clear that the idiom is a number of the words which are not coinciding with val
ue of each of the words of an idiom taken one by one. The way by means of which
words unite often is represented accidental, illogical and even grammatical wrong.
I know one of the most known examples, constructed in a contradiction with rules
of grammar, expression of It's me is (it I). Grammatical anomalies are explained by
the fact that the majority of the English idioms came from folk speech to which
grammatical freedom is peculiar today. Standard of English is transformation of
nouns and adjectives into verbs, in idiomatic expressions any part of speech can
turn into any, for example, adverbs and prepositions into a noun (ups and downs-
взлеты и падения; ins and outs-все входы и выходы), prepositions can perform
functions of a verb (to out with - долой), verbs - function of nouns (to be in the
know - быть осведомлѐнным).
Another feature of English are ellipses, i.e.
omission of words which usually are required by rules of grammar (murder will
out - шило в мешке не утаишь). Using of archaisms became feature of many
daily used colloquial idioms. For example, kith and kin-родня, rack and ruin-
разорение, commonly many words have old, unmodern meaning, so the word
mind meant "memory". This meaning saved in expressions of to keep in mind -
запоминать, to call to mind - вспоминать; other old meaning, "aim", lives in turns
of to change one's mind-передумать, to be in two mind - колебаться. It is often
words, which in itself not making sense connect in idioms.
I think everyone will easily catch a difference between Shakespeare's English and
language of modern writers; but any language, including English, grows and
changes. Expressions and words gain metaphorical value. Sometimes the phrase
which received a figurative meaning is used approximately in the same meaning,
as before. That is why the modern figurative meaning of idioms like: to sail close
to the wind (на грани закона), to keep one's head above water (с трудом сводить
концы с концами), to be left stranded (оставаться в затруднительном
положении) borrowed from the speech of sailors is obviously connected with their
initial meaning.
However, English language has many idioms which people use without knowing
and remembering their initial value: to hold at bay (давать отпор), to show white
elephant on one's hand (обременять себя сохранением чего-то дорогого и
бесполезного), to pull someone's leg (дурачить, подшучивать), to take heart of
grace (воспрянуть духом).
Idioms or phraseological units, represent national specifics of language, its
originality. The rich historical experience of the people is imprinted in
phraseology, the representations connected with religion, work, life and the culture
of people are reflected . Successful phrases are created by people in the most
different fields of activity which all types possess own lexicon, the special terms.
The professional lexis applied in similar situations in other environment accepted
broader value, got into spoken speech, in the literary language and became public
property.
Finally, we can make conclusions:
An idiom is a figure of speech in linguistics, the meaning of which is not
determined by the meaning of the words included in it.
Idioms occupy significant part of the general English dictionary. A common trend
in modern English is usage of idioms widely.
There are some techniques for creating English idioms are:
- a combination of two words: cut and run - cпастись бегством, heart and soul -
всей душой.
- repetition : miles and miles - без конца и края, more and more - ещѐ более;
- repetition of identical sounds: part and parcel необходимая часть;
- rhyming: high and dry - покинутый в беде:
- combinations based on contrast: heads or tails - орѐл или решка;
- combination of two opposite concepts: first and last - первый и последний , ups
and downs - взлѐты и падения;
comparisons: as good as gold-золотой человек, as cool as cucumber -
невозмутимый человек.
Idioms also include colloquial expressions from folk speech, professional
vocabulary that have entered the literary language, often gaining wider meaning.
Most idiomatic expressions are closely related to the interests and daily business of
ordinary people. Their source is the world , nature, professional activities, leisure,
literature and the arts. They reflect the national character, history and culture of the
people, therefore, studying idioms, we significantly broaden our linguistic outlook.
In English, as in any developed languages, there are a huge number of idioms.
Idioms consist of clichés and short sentences that are characteristic of a certain
language and loaded with native ideas. Idioms are colorful expressions that make
you speculate.
An idiom is an expression that is used in a language. Usually these expressions are
specific in grammar, or cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its
elements. We can represent an ordinary classification of the idioms.
Category and Level. First of all , we can categorize them according to their
category and level. Lexical idioms can be any part of speech like nouns, verbs, and
adjectives. Phrasal idioms can be adjectival ("hot potato"). Nominal (piece of cake
"), verbal ("cry over spilt milk "), prepositional ("in a nutshell"), or sentential ("it
takes one to know one").
We can divide them according to sentence type. When it comes to sentential
idioms they can be classified according to the sentence type. Some of them are
imperatives ("knock on wood", "shut up"), some are conditionals ("if the shoe fits,
wear it"),and some have certain special constructions ("the more the merrier", "the
bigger they come, the harder they fall"). Eventually there are questions ("who
knows?", "can the leopard change its spots?")
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