Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
110
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
110-112
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
ABSTRACT
This given article deals with idioms and their background. It classifies idioms as phraseological units in linguistics.
Idioms represent a unique aspect of language that combines cultural significance with linguistic structure. In addition
to this, it investigates the definition of idioms, characteristics of idioms, the role of idioms in communication, and
cognitive perspective on idiom comprehension.
KEYWORDS
Phraseological units, classification of idioms, types of idioms, linguistic structure.
INTRODUCTION
Idioms are a fascinating area of study within linguistics,
particularly in the field of phraseology. They represent
a unique aspect of language that combines cultural
significance with linguistic structure. This article aims
to explore the theoretical background of idioms as
phraseological units, shedding light on their
definitions, characteristics, classifications, and the role
they play in communication. Idioms are multi-word
expressions whose meanings cannot be inferred from
the meanings of their individual components. For
example, the English idiom "kick the bucket" means
"to die," which is not deducible from the literal
meanings of "kick" and "bucket." This non-literal
nature makes idioms a compelling subject for linguistic
analysis.
Phraseological units refer to fixed combinations of
words that function as single semantic entities.
According to Mikhail Bakhtin's concept of dialogism,
these units can carry significant cultural and contextual
Research Article
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND OF IDIOMS AS PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS
Submission Date:
October 05, 2024,
Accepted Date:
October 10, 2024,
Published Date:
October 15, 2024
Crossref doi
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajps/Volume04Issue10-16
Rakhmidinova Gulbodom
Tashkent Medical Academy, Uzbek and foreign languages department, English teacher, Uzbekistan
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ajps
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
111
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
110-112
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
meaning beyond their literal interpretation. Idioms fall
under this umbrella, being characterized by their
stability (they tend not to change form easily) and
semantic opacity (the meaning is not obvious from the
individual words).
1. Fixedness: Idioms typically exhibit a level of rigidity in
terms of structure; alterations in form often lead to
changes or loss in meaning.
2. Semantic Opacity: The meaning derived from an
idiom is often metaphorical or symbolic rather than
literal, making them hard to interpret without prior
knowledge.
3. Cultural Context: Idiomatic expressions frequently
reflect cultural norms and values, providing insight into
the society from which they originate.
4. Invariance: While idioms may evolve over time, they
generally resist changes in wording or syntax. Linguists
classify idiomatic expressions based on various criteria:
1. Types based on Meaning:
- Pure Idioms: Completely non-literal phrases (e.g.,
“spill the beans”).
- Semi-idiomatic Expressions: Phrases that contain
both literal and figurative elements (e.g., “a big fish in
a small pond”).
2. Types based on Structure:
-
Verbal Idioms: Focused around verbs (e.g., “give
someone a hand”).
- Noun Phrases: Fixed phrases functioning as nouns
(e.g., “a dark horse”).
3. Types based on Usage:
- Proverbs: Traditional sayings that convey wisdom
(e.g., “a penny saved is a penny earned”).
- Colloquial Expressions: Informal phrases used in
everyday conversation (e.g., “hit the road”). Idiomatic
expressions enrich language by adding color and depth
to communication. They allow speakers to convey
complex ideas succinctly and can evoke strong
emotional responses due to their cultural resonance.
Understanding idiomatic language is crucial for
effective cross-cultural communication since direct
translations often fail to capture intended meanings.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion recent cognitive linguistic research
suggests that understanding idioms involves mental
imagery and cognitive mapping rather than mere
memorization. This perspective emphasizes how
speakers draw upon their experiences and knowledge
when interpreting these expressions. Idioms as
phraseological units play an essential role in language
by emdiving cultural nuances and offering unique
ways to express ideas. Their study encompasses
various dimensions
—
from structural characteristics to
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
112
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
110-112
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
cognitive processing
—
making them an integral part of
linguistic research. As language continues to evolve, so
too will idiomatic expressions, reflecting changes
within culture and society. By exploring the theoretical
background surrounding idioms, we gain insight into
not only how language functions but also how it
shapes our understanding of human experience across
different contexts.
REFERENCES
1.
D.V.Subanova. Translation of idioms in English and
Uzbek. Article /Spirit Time. Berlin. 2018
2.
Lomonosov M.V. Russian grammar. Preface
[Electronic resource]. URL: http: //
www.ruthenia.ru/apr/textes/lomonos/lomon01/
preface.htm.
3.
Madrakhimov I. O’zbek tilida so’zning serqirraligi
va uning tasniflash asoslari
(= Polysemy of words in the Uzbek language and
basics of their description): author. dis. ... Cand.
philol. sciences. Tashkent, 1994. 25 p.
