Проект по английскому языку «Phraseological units and idioms proper»

Министерство образования и науки

Луганской народной республики

Государственное образовательное учреждение высшего

Профессионального образования Луганской народной республики

«Луганский национальный университет имени Тараса Шевченко»

Кафедра английской филологии

Научно-исследовательская работа на тему:

«Phraseological units and idioms proper»

Выполнила:

Студентка 3 курса

Специальности

«Английский язык и Литература»

Мазенкова А.С.

Проверил: Новикова А.А.

Луганск 2019г

CONTENTS

1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………. 3

2. Main part ……………………………………………………………………4

2.1. The history of the issue……………………………………………..4

2.2. The definition of the term “idiom”…………………………………….5

2.3. Types of idioms………………………………………………………8

2.4. Comparing and analyzing English, Russian and Kazakh idioms..9

2.5. Idioms groups……………………………………………………….11

3. Conclusion………………………………………………………………….15

4. References……………………………………………………………………16

1.Introduction

Foreign language learning is the attainment of a new national culture, the attempt to connect to it. Phraseology, which is an integral part of a kind of Treasury of any language, especially can greatly assist this introduction. Phraseological units reflect a long history of people and their unique culture and way of life. That is why it is so important to study them.

Idiom (the idiom) is an important expressive means of language. An idiom is a set phrase with a separate meaning. The majority of idioms are created by people, and therefore closely related to the interests and daily activities of ordinary people.

           In idiomatic expressions reflects the views associated with work, lifestyle and culture of the people. They fully reveal the national specifics of language and identity. Thus, the main purpose of idioms - giving speech of a particular expression, unique originality, accuracy and imagery.

The purpose of this research: through a comparative analysis of idiomatic expressions in English, Russian and Kazakh languages to identify similarities and differences in the mentality of the peoples in question.         

To achieve the aim I have set before myself the following objectives:

the definition of criteria for the analysis of idiomatic expression in English, Russian and Kazakh languages;

- definition and analysis of the factors most strongly influencing the nature of idiomatic expressions.

To achieve the objectives of this work were used:

descriptive method as the source; the gathering of material, classification of material

comparative method-comparison of idiomatic expression in English, Russian and Kazakh languages

method of analysis: analysis of idiomatic expression in each of the considered language groups separately, as well as groups of idioms, equally occurring in all considered languages.

2. Main part

2.1. The history of the issue

About phraseology has written many articles, books, dissertations, and interest in this area of language has not dried up, neither the researchers, nor those who are simply indifferent to the word.

Phraseology as an independent linguistic discipline appeared in the 40-ies of XX century in Soviet linguistics. Background of the theory of phraseology was laid in the works of A. A. Potebnya, I. I. Sreznevsky, A. A. Shakhmatov and F. Fortunatov. Influence on the development of phraseology was also provided by the ideas of the French linguist W. Bali (1865-1947).

The subject of phraseology as a section of linguistics research are categorical features of phraseological units on the basis of which highlights the main signs of frazeologicheskie and the question about the essence of phraseological units as the particular units of language and identification of regularities of functioning of phraseological units in speech and their formation processes. However, there is a single subject of research and despite the many detailed development of many of the issues of phraseology to the present time, there are different points of view on what is idiom, what is the volume of phraseology of the Russian language. Lists of idioms of the Russian language, proposed by different scholars, so different from each other, that we can justifiably speak of various, often opposite, even mutually exclusive views on the subject of research and the inconsistency and confusion in the scientific terminology used to refer to the relevant concepts. This explains the unclear understanding of the goals, objectives and the very essence of the term "phraseology", and the fact that there are not enough specific uniform classification of phraseologisms Russian language from the point of view of their semantic unity. Although the most common (clarifications and additions) is the classification of V. V. Vinogradov. The underdevelopment of the basic concepts of English phraseology, though in this area, and a large number of works, many of which are of considerable interest, leading to numerous, often contradictory, interpretations of the same question, the emergence of some confusing work, transferring to the English phraseology schemes developed for the Russian language, as well as to the dispersal of creative researchers. Nevertheless, among the works of the English phraseology distinguished doctoral dissertation N.N. Amosova and created on its basis the book " fundamentals of English phraseology ", which is the most significant of what has been written in English phraseology. You can also mention the works by T. I. Arbekovo, I. V. Arnold, V. V. Vinogradov, A. V. Kunin, K. G. Mid A. A. Ivanova and English-Russian phraseological dictionary by A.V. Kunin. Kazakh phraseology highlighted in the works of the following authors: M. Lameboy, A. J. Gasymovoy, A. Bolganbaev, G. Smagulova.

2.2.The definition of the term “idiom”

An idiom is a set expression, the meaning of which is different from the literal meanings of its components. It refers to a figurative meaning that is known only through common use. Idioms present a great variety of structures and combinations that are mostly unchangeable and often not logical and may not follow basic rules of grammar.

Another formulation of “idiom (Dubrovin M., 'Russian-English Idioms) is set phraseological units which meaning does not result from the meaning of its components.The definition by Dean Curry is “the assigning of a new meaning to a group of words which already have their own meaning”. Idioms are informal in nature and although they appear in literature, they are not necessary considered to be “literary”. They are often colloquial, often slang, and through overuse can become cliches. Idioms may be adjectival, adverbial, verbal, or nominal. They also may take the form of traditional saying and proverbs.

What for do we use idioms?

1. For emphasis, e.g. The singer’s second album sank like a stone, [failed completely]

2. To comment on people, e.g. Did you hear Tom has been invited for dinner with the prime minister? He’s certainly gone up in the world! [gained a better social position - or more money - than before]

3. To comment on a situation, e.g. The new finance minister wants to knock the economy into shape, [take action to get something into a good condition]

4. To make an anecdote more interesting, e.g. It was just one disaster after another today, a sort of domino effect, [when something, usually bad, happens and causes a series of other things to happen]

5. To catch the reader’s eye. Idioms - particularly those with strong images - are often used in headlines, advertising slogans and the names of small businesses. The writer may play with the idiom or make a pun (a joke involving a play on words) in order to create a special effect, e.g. a debt of dishonour instead of the usual debt of honour, [a debt that you owe someone for moral rather than financial reasons]

6. To indicate membership of a particular group, e.g. surfers drop in on someone, meaning to get on a wave another surfer is already on.

We will see and hear idioms in all sorts of speaking and writing. They are particularly common in everyday conversation and in popular journalism. For example, they are often found in magazine horoscopes, e.g. You’ll spend much of this week licking your wounds [trying to recover from a bad experience], or in problem pages, e.g. Do you think that my relationship has run its course? [come to a natural end] However, idioms are also used in more formal contexts, such as lectures, academic essays and business reports, e.g. It is hoped the regulations will open the door to better management, [let something new start].

2.3.Types of idioms

Binominals

Binomials are a type of idiom in which two words are joined by a conjunction (linking word), usually and. The order of the two words is fixed. For example, we always say black and white, NOT white and black: Managing climate change isn't a black and white issue, [separate and clear]

Trinomials

Trinomials are a similar type of idiom, in which three words are joined, e.g. I’ve looked here, there and everywhere for my glasses but can’t find them, [everywhere]

Euphemisms

Euphemisms are a type of idiom used to avoid saying words which may offend or be considered unpleasant. They are useful to learn, as they will help to communicate using language which is appropriate for the situation.

2.4. Comparing and analyzing English, Russian and Kazakh idioms

There is a plenty of Russian and Kazakh phraseologisms that don’t have any analogs in the English language.

While comparing and analyzing English and Russian idioms, I noticed a similarity in their structure, figure of speech and style:

A part of these idioms has become international, and there are a lot of languages pretending on their primordial (in each language they are considered to be its own or they are considered to originate in it).

It’s interesting that many Russian, Kazakh and English expressions take their origin from the Bible. The Bible is the reachest source of phraseological units. This greatest work has enriched Russian and Kazakh as well as English with similar units (phrases).

Here are some of them:

2.5. Idioms groups

I continued to do my research work with dividing the idioms into the groups. I decided to choose the idioms that seemed to be the most interesting for learning and using in my study of the English language. I looked through some dictionaries of the idioms and set-expressions.

The first group of idioms I picked up is people’s character. We live in the society where each person estimates other people and their behavior, traits of character and expresses his opinion. Here are some descriptions which characterize me, you, your friends and people who are around us.

Full of beans: If your friend says that he is full of beans. It doesn’t mean that he has eaten many beans today, he means that he has a good mood. Example: The head of the company was full of beans after he was informed that his company won the tender.

Ball of fire: You shouldn’t be panic when somebody says that you are a ball of fire. You won’t burn. This person means that you are very energetic. Example: Sally is a real ball of fire. She works late every night.
Move up in the world: If somebody moves up in the world it means that he has become a successful person. Example: The young man is working hard and he is moving up in the world.
Be all thumbs: If somebody says that you are all thumbs it means that you are very awkward. Example: - Hey! You are pouring my coffee on the table! 
- Oh, I'm so sorry! I have been all thumbs today.

The second group is the idioms about the time. In the modern English language there are many idiomatic phrases that help people to explain an abstract meaning of the time easily.

Like clock work: This phrase describes regular definite events. Ex.: “He is as regular as clockwork in his habits – he goes to the bank every Friday”.

Against the clock: This phrase means that the time “works against you”, and you feel the lack of it for fulfillment of some affairs. Example: “Hurry up! You are working against the clock! We have very little time to do it”.

Time of your life: Somebody says it that when he enjoys what he does, when he has a good time. Example: “The children were tired out when they arrived home – they’d had the time of their lives playing in the mud, without their parents there to tell them to keep clean”.

Not born yesterday: We say this idiom when we want to show that it is difficult to deceive us. Example: “This car has a lot of faults. You must think I was born yesterday if you expected me to buy this car”.

The third group is the idioms with religious ideas. Faith is something that helps people to live. And it isn’t extraordinary that in our speech there are phrase about this part of our live.

Sing form the same hymn sheet: This idiom means that people say the same things, having the same points of view. Example: All political parties sing from the same hymn sheet.

Ninth circle of hell: In the Dante’s Aligere’s work “God’s comedy” in the Ninth circle of hell the main character met the most terrible sinner, and saw the most horrible punishments which were given to them. That’s why when something is very bad it is the ninth circle of hell. Example: Our politics in economics is the ninth circle of hell.

Come hell or high water: When something must certainly happen, this event will happen even if flood starts or hell falls. In this case English use this idiom. Example: Finish the project come hell or high water! Meet me at the airport come hell or high water!

The fourth group is business idioms. In this group there are idioms which you can use when you speak with your foreign business partners or when you tell about your firm.

To be in the red: a person or a firm is in the red when they have debts. On the one hand red color is the color of danger, problem. And absence money is a suitable situation. On the other hand in England and America banks sent to debtors letters where “You have debts! Return them” which was written by red inks. Example: The phone company found itself about three millions dollars in the red.

Bad egg: Bag egg is a person that you can’t trust. He is a swindler. Example: This businessman has a reputation of a bad egg. Nobody wants to deal with him. 

Fat cat: Fat cat is a person that has much money. But in this phrase there is disapproval shade of meaning. You can call somebody a fat cat if you don’t approve the way this person spends his money. Example: The owner of this company decided to sponsor “LDPR”. What a fat cat! 

Hot potato: Have you ever held a hot potato in your hands? You don’t want to drop it but you can’t hold it any more because it’s too hot and you throw it from one hand to the other hand while it isn’t getting cold. Hot potato is a tickly question. It is hard and unpleasantly to deal with it. Example: This new local small business law is a true hot potato in our region!

The fifth group is the idioms about the computers. Nowadays we can’t imagine our life without it. That’s why here are some idioms which are connected with computers.

Blue screen of death: Blue screen of death describes the situation when all computer screen became blue and many words, symbols and letters appear on it which you can’t understand. They advise you to restart the computer. Example: Running this program always ends by a Blue screen of death.

All hardware sucks: This phrase means that all computer system is disable to fulfill your orders. Example: I’m afraid that there is nothing to do else, because your all hardware sucks.

The most interesting group for me is comparative idioms. In order to make them we must use the construction as…as. I like this group because there are very funny. For example, when you want to say that you are very hungry you can say that you are as hungry as a hunter, etc.

As hungry as a hunter: very hungry. Example: I haven’t eaten anything all day that’s why I am as hungry as a hunter.

As good as gold: very good. Example: This boy helped me very much. He is as good as gold.

As easy as pie: very easy. Example: "I thought you said this was a difficult problem. It isn't. In fact, it's as easy as pie."

As strong as an ox: very strong. Example: I think that this man does sports because he is as strong as an ox.

As red as a beetroot: very red Example: Now Ann’s face is as red as a beetroot because she has lied.

3. Conclusion

English, Russian and Kazakh are languages which particularly rich in idioms - those modes of expression peculiar to a language (or dialect) which frequently defy logical and grammatical rules. Without idioms English would lose much of its variety and humor both in speech and writing.

Idioms can be quite clear (in general; come out; at first; the root of all evil), or pretty unclear (on end; pack it in; high and low; hard cash). Some idioms have proper names in them (a Jack of all trades; Uncle Sam), some other idioms are comparisons (as clear as a bell; as the crow flies). Proverbs and sayings are idioms, too (every cloud has a silver lining; still waters run deep).

For my work I have chosen useful idioms that native speakers use frequently in their everyday life. These idioms are accepted as part of everyday speech and undoubtedly are of great practical value to you. Many other idioms, though they are often interesting and colorful, are not that necessary in your everyday conversational English.

I think the fact that a person possesses a good vocabulary does not mean that he sounds like a native speaker. The mentality of a nation is expressed not only in grammatically correct sentences but in а variety of phrases that depict peculiarities of history and culture.
I think that I can use many of inter idioms in my speech. I like them. So to be an interesting interlocutor you should acquire the idioms that make speech lively and bright.

4.References

1.Аничков И.Е. Идиоматика и семантика (Заметки, представленные А. Мейе, 1927) / И.Е. Аничков // Вопросы языкознания. - 1992. - №5. - с. 140-150.

2.Гарифуллина А.М. Внутренняя форма идиом как объект лингвистического исследования (на примере ФЕ, выражающих эмоции радости, счастья, удовольствия в турецком и английском языках) / А.М. Гарифуллина // III Международные Бодуэновские чтения: И.А. Бодуэн де Куртенэ и современные проблемы теоретического и прикладного языкознания (Казань, 23-25 мая 2006 г.): труды и материалы: в 2 т. / Казан. гос. ун-т; под общ. ред. К.Р. Галиуллина, Г.А. Николаева. - Казань: Изд-во Казан. ун-та, 2006. - Т. 2. - С.150-153.

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4.Луконина Е.К. Идиоматическая фразеология в языке и речи: (на материале совр. англ. яз.): автореф. дис. на соискание науч. степени канд. филол. наук: спец. 10. 02. 04 "Германские языки" / Е.К. Луконина. - М., 1986. - с. 25.

5.Шитова Л.Ф., Брусина Т.И. English Idioms and Phrasal verbs/ Англо-русский словарь идиом и фразовых глаголов / Шитова Л.Ф., Брусина Т.И.— 3-е изд. — Спб: Антология, 2005. — 256 с.

6.Кеңесбаев І. Фразеологиялық сөздік. – Алматы: «Арыс» баспасы, 2007.-159с.

7.English idioms. Binominals. — [Электронный ресурс]. — Режим доступа: http: // www. saberingles.com.ar

8.Идиомы на пяти языках с переводом и толкованием. — [Электронный ресурс]. — Режим доступа: http://polyidioms.narod.ru/

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