Phraseology

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Theme Phraseology. Lexical and
Grammatical Valency. Prepared by Abilova A,
Bazarkhan A , Zhalalov Sh
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Lexical valency (collocability) is the ability of
a word to appear in various combinations (one
pattern, different meanings, e.g. yellow dress
yellow press). To lift and to raise are
interchangeable as synonyms but only raise can be
used with the noun question to raise a question.
Grammatical valency is the ability of a word to
appear in certain syntactic structures (different
patterns, different meanings a boy runs, to run
a factory, the film runs for two hours).
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Phraseology
Phraseology is a branch of linguistics which
studies different types of set expressions.
Set expressions are non-motivated or partially
motivated word groups that cannot be freely made
up in speech, but are reproduced as ready-made
units. e.g. to carry coals to New Castle a
white elephant, to have ones heart in ones
boots to build castles in the air, etc.
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Controversial problems in the field of
phraseology Terminology set-expressions,
phraseological units (V. V. Vinogradov), idioms
(western scholars), fixed expressions, stable
expressions, etc. Distinguishing between
phraseological units and free word groups
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Structural criterion The structural
invariability of
phraseological units no (or rather
limited) substitutions of components E.g. to
carry coals to Manchester - Cf. The cargo ship is
carrying coal to Manchester. restrictions on
the componential extension of phraseological
units E.g. the big white elephant he is having
his heart in his brown(or black) boots. Cf. I
saw a big white elephant in the zoo.
grammatical invariability e.g. from head to
feet. e.g. She built for herself the most
magnificent castle in the air of which she was
the mistress.
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Semantic criterion The meaning in phraseological
units is created by mutual interaction of
elements conveys a single concept the
actual meaning is transferred and opposed to the
literal meaning of a word-combination from which
it is derived. Phraseological units possess
semantic unity.E.g.to have a bee in ones bonnet
(to have an obsession about something, to be
eccentric or even a little mad). The degree
of transference may vary E.g. to skate on thin
ice (to take risks) the small hours (the
early hours in the morning).
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Classification of phraseological units according
to their origin native borrowed
The main sources of native phraseological units
Terminological and professional lexics, e.g.
navigation cut the painter military sphere
fall into line agriculture to put the plough
before the oxen, etc. British literature, e.g.
the green-eyed monster (W. Shakespeare) fall on
evil days (J. Milton) a sight for sore eyes (J.
Swift), etc. British traditions and customs,
e.g. bakers dozen.
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The main sources of borrowed phraseological units
The Holy Script, e.g. the kiss of Judas the
left hand does not know what the right hand is
doing. Ancient legends and myths belonging to
different religious or cultural traditions, e.g.
to cut the Gordian knot. Facts of the world
history, e.g. to meet ones Waterloo
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Functional
classification Nominal (noun equivalents)
small talk, red tape, dogs life, birds of a
feather Verbal (verb equivalents) put ones
best foot forward, to take the bull by the horns,
to beat about the bush, to be in the same boat
Adjectival (adjective equivalents) safe and
sound, high and mighty, spick and span, as good
as gold, as nervous as a cat, as drunk as an owl
Adverbial (adverb equivalents) tooth and nail
(e. g. to fight tooth and nail), by heart, once
in a blue moon, by hook or by crook, without a
hitch Interjectional (functioning like
interjections) my God! goodness gracious! Good
Heavens!
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Semantic classification (V. V.
Vinogradov) phraseological fusions
(???????????????? ????????), phraseological
unities (???????????????? ????????),
phraseological combinations (????????????????
?????????). Semantic
classification (V. V. Vinogradov)
Phraseological fusions the meaning is completely
non-motivated at the present stage of language
development. E.g. red tape,a mares nest, as mad
as a hatter, to show the white feather, etc. The
meaning of the components is completely absorbed
by the meaning of the whole Phraseological
unities are partially motivated, e.g. to stick to
ones guns (to refuse to change ones opinion)
to wash ones dirty linen in public, to clutch at
a straw, to show ones teeth.
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Proverbs, sayings, familiar
quotations Communicative phraseological units
(A.V. Koonin) A proverb is a sentence that has
been disseminated forth, and states a general
truth or gives advice e.g. Idleness is the root
of all evil. A penny saved is a penny earned. The
pen is mightier than the sword. A saying is
any common, colloquial expression, or a remark
often made, e.g. That cat wont jump. Woe betide
you! What will Mrs. Grundy say? Back to the ol
grind stone. are introduced in speech
ready-made their components are constant
their meaning is traditional and mostly
figurative often form the basis for
phraseological units It is the last straw that
breaks the camels back gt the last straw there
is no use crying over spilt milk gt cry over
spilt milk are emotionally coloured and
metaphorical.
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Principles of
Classification A praseological unit is a
complex phenomenon with a number of important
features, which can therefore be approached from
different points of view. The traditional and
oldest principle for classifying phraseological
units is based on their original content and
might be alluded to as thematic. On this
principle, idioms are classified according to
their sources of origin, source referring to
the particular sphere of human activity, of life,
of nature, of natural phenomena, etc.
The principle of classification is
sometimes called etymological. To sink or
swim- to fail or succeed In deep water- in
trouble In low water, on the rocks- in
strained financial circumstances To be in the
same boat with somebody- to be in situation in
which people share the same difficulties and
dangers
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