Typology of Idiomatic and Set Expressions
The idiomatic and set expressions, i.e. lexically and often structurally stable units of lexicon present a universal phenomenon. Structurally, they may be in all languages 1) Sentences idioms (time and tide wait for no man); 2) Word-group idioms (Ten Commandments, to be or not to be); 3) Metaphorically generalized proper names (sometimes geographical names) as Jack Ketch (hangman), Tom Pepper (great lier), Tom Tailor (tailor), Tom Thumb (a small man, a Liliputian), Mrs. Grundy, Tom, Dick, and Harry, Nosy Parker.
Presumably common in all languages are also the paradigmatic classes of idioms which may be substantival(the Trojan horse, the sword of Damocles); verbal(to have one's heart in one's mouth, to take the bull by the horns); adverbial(by and again, tit for tat), etc. Idiomatic expressions in English and in other languages may perform common functions in the sentence, namely, that of a) the subject (Hobson's choice is an idiom); b) the predicate/predicative (That was a Hobson s choice for him); c) the object (He translated correctly the idiom "Hob-son’s choice " into Russian); d) the adverbial modifier (He will do it by hook or by crook).
Besides, idiomatic expressions exist in all languages either as 1) absolute equivalents having all components the same and absolutely identical or slightly different meaning in some languages of a historically, culturally and mostly geographically close region, as is the case with the idiomatic expressions of the European area as the heel of Achilles, the Trojan horse, the tree of knowledge, thirty pieces of silver, etc. 2) Idiomatic expressions may also exist as near equivalents, i.e. when having in some (usually different) languages one or more components missing or different as in other (contrasted) languages. For example: to kiss the post, as pale as paper; grass widow, measure twice, cut once; to know smth. as one knows his ten fingers. Or in Japanese: to live like dog and monkey, i.e. to live as cat and dog: 3) The third common class of idiomatic expressions and not only in the contrasted languages constitute genuine and approximate idiomatic analogies. Cf. a fly in the ointment, make haste slowly.
National idiomspresent a separate universal feature pertained to all languages. These idioms are formed on the basis of the component parts/ images characteristic of a definite national community and its language. Thus, only in English exist such idioms as to dine with Duke Humphry, to cut off with a shilling, or to accept the Chiltern Hundreds, and only in Russian such idioms as ехать в Тулу со своим самоваром, утереть нос кому-то, etc.
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Typologically relevant is also the identification of the group of regular international idioms,which are common, however, only in some groups of geographically closer languages (cf. European, South-Asian, and Far Eastern). Nevertheless there scarcely exist universal idioms of the same lexical meaning and the same component structure. This is the result of the historical development of languages which were exerted in different geographical/racial areas to different cultural, religious and other influences. Thus, all European nations and their languages have been influenced by Greek and Roman cultures and by Christianity. As a result, there are many not only words but also idioms borrowed from Greek, Hebrew and Latin (cf. Pandora’s box, Herculean pillars, Gordian knot, between Scylla and Charybdis, to cross the Rubicon; I came, I saw, I conquered; the Ten Commandments, wise Solomon, prodigal, son/to be in (the) seventh heaven and many others). These and the like idiomatic expressions, including several proverbs and sayings, have usually absolute or near equivalents in languages of one culturally and geographically common area.
Words and expressions to the lecture
conjoined – совместный
pattern – модель
inseparability – неотделимость
unity – единство
to retain – сохранять
apparent – явный
fusions – сращение
to surbodinate – подчинять
figurative – переносный, образный
fiddle – скрипка
point blank – поставить вопрос прямо
to vary – варьировать
indivisible – неделимый
obsolete – устарелый
spurs – шпоры
attendance – забота
to win one’s spurs – доказать смелость
translation loan – калька
mare – кобыла
breed – порода
discord – разногласия
tit for tat – отомстить
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spick and span – clean and neat – чистый и опрятный
Question to the lecture
1. What is the difference between free and stable word combination?
2. What are the most important features of phraseological word combinations?
3. How can praseological combinations be classified?
4. What are the peculiarities of praseological unities?
5. What are the features of phraseological fusions?
6. What are the structural groups of idioms (set expressions)?
7. Are paradigmatic classes of idioms common in the contrasted languages?
8. What functions can praseological combinations perform in the sentences?
9. What do you can know about national idioms?
10. What can you say about international idioms?
Lecture 9
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