МЕЖДУНАРОДНАЯ КОНФЕРЕНЦИЯ
АКАДЕМИЧЕСКИХ НАУК
20
THE ROLE OF SOMATIC IDIOMS IN CHARACTER SPEECH FOR
SOCIAL STATUS AND IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION IN GERMAN
NOVELS
Bakbergenov Aybek Esbergenovich
1st year master's student of Linguistics: German
language specialty, Karakalpak State University
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16809785
Abstract.
This article examines the role of somatic idioms in German novels
as a means of shaping character speech to reflect both social status and personal
identity. Drawing on examples from authors such as Thomas Mann and Juli Zeh,
it highlights how div-related expressions convey not only vivid imagery but
also culturally embedded meanings. These idioms act as markers of class
distinction, emotional disposition, and interpersonal relationships, allowing
readers to infer subtle social and psychological nuances. By analysing the
cultural resonance and narrative function of such idioms, the study
demonstrates that they are integral to authentic characterisation and the
depiction of complex social worlds in German literature.
Keywords
: somatic idioms, German literature, character speech, social
status, identity construction, cultural metaphor, literary stylistics
Language in literature is never neutral; it is a deliberate tool through which
authors construct identities, convey relationships, and portray the complexities
of social life. Among the various linguistic devices available to writers, somatic
idioms—expressions involving references to the human div—stand out for
their ability to combine vivid imagery with cultural depth [3]. In German novels,
such idioms not only enrich the narrative style but also serve as subtle markers
of a character’s social status and personal identity.
Somatic idioms in German are deeply embedded in the cultural
consciousness. Phrases like die Nase hochtragen (“to carry one’s nose high”) or
kalte Füße bekommen (“to get cold feet”) convey far more than their literal
meaning. They evoke social attitudes, emotional states, and personal traits in
ways that are immediately recognisable to native speakers. When placed in the
mouths of fictional characters, these idioms function as social signifiers. A
character who habitually uses expressions implying pride or self-assurance
signals an awareness of their elevated position in the social hierarchy, whereas
one who uses idioms of defeat or hesitation may be associated with lower status
or personal insecurity.
Authors have long recognised that idiomatic language is a key element of
authentic dialogue. In Buddenbrooks, for example, Thomas Mann differentiates
МЕЖДУНАРОДНАЯ КОНФЕРЕНЦИЯ
АКАДЕМИЧЕСКИХ НАУК
21
between upper-class and working-class characters through the idioms they use.
High-status figures often choose expressions that emphasise dignity and
resilience, such as den Kopf hochhalten (“to keep one’s head high”), while less
privileged characters favour idioms suggesting submission or resignation, like
den Kopf hängen lassen (“to let one’s head hang”). This contrast reinforces the
class distinctions at the heart of the novel’s social world, making the language
itself a reflection of the broader societal order [1].
Beyond social status, somatic idioms are a powerful means of identity
construction. They reveal psychological tendencies, emotional priorities, and
cultural affiliations. In Juli Zeh’s Unterleuten, a character who frequently uses
Hände (“hands”) idioms—such as etwas in der Hand haben (“to have something
in hand”)—projects a sense of agency and control, shaping the reader’s
perception of them as competent and influential [5]. By contrast, another
character’s repeated resort to Hals (“neck”) idioms, like jemandem die Kehle
zuschnüren (“to strangle someone”), paints a more confrontational, even
aggressive persona. Through such patterns, authors weave linguistic habits into
the fabric of characterisation, allowing idioms to become recurring motifs that
echo the thematic concerns of the novel.
The cultural implications of somatic idioms cannot be overlooked. Since
idioms are grounded in shared knowledge and cultural metaphors, their
successful use in literature depends on a mutual understanding between writer,
character, and reader. Expressions like die Stirn bieten (“to offer one’s
forehead”) not only convey bravery but also tap into historically embedded
values in German-speaking societies, thereby reinforcing a sense of cultural
continuity. At the interpersonal level, idiomatic choice becomes a marker of
group belonging. When two characters share similar idiomatic repertoires, they
signal solidarity and mutual recognition; when their idiomatic usage diverges,
the distance between them—whether social, ideological, or emotional—
becomes more apparent.
Ultimately, somatic idioms in German novels are more than stylistic
decoration. They are loaded with narrative potential, capable of revealing a
character’s social position, emotional inclinations, and cultural grounding in just
a few words. They function as micro-signals that, when accumulated throughout
a text, build a coherent image of a fictional personality and their place in the
story’s social order. Through their careful deployment, authors can make
language serve as a mirror of life, reflecting the subtleties of human interaction
and the enduring power of culturally rooted expression.
МЕЖДУНАРОДНАЯ КОНФЕРЕНЦИЯ
АКАДЕМИЧЕСКИХ НАУК
22
Conclusion
. Somatic idioms in German novels operate as far more than
decorative linguistic devices; they are potent tools for conveying social
positioning and constructing identity within fictional worlds. Through their
culturally resonant imagery, these expressions give depth to character speech,
enabling authors to reveal class distinctions, personal dispositions, and
relational dynamics with remarkable economy. The consistent use of certain
idioms can form linguistic patterns that echo a character’s values, emotional
tendencies, and place in the social hierarchy, while contrasts in idiomatic choice
can expose tensions, inequalities, or solidarity between characters. Because
idioms draw on shared cultural knowledge, they bridge the gap between
fictional dialogue and real-world language use, making character portrayals
more believable and socially grounded. Ultimately, the strategic deployment of
somatic idioms underscores the intricate interplay between language, culture,
and identity, demonstrating that even the smallest linguistic details can shape
how readers perceive and connect with a literary character.
References:
1. Burger, H. (2015). Phraseologie: eine einführung AM beispiel dês Deutschen.
Erich Schmidt Verlag.
2. Dobrovol'skij, D., & Piirainen, E. (2021). Figurative language: Cross-cultural
and cross-linguistic perspectives (Vol. 350). Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG.
3. Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (2003). Metaphors we live by: afterword. Chicago, IL:
U of Chicago P.
4. Moon, R. (1998). Fixed Expressions and Idion1s in English: A Corpus-Based
Approach. Oxford University Press.
5. Zeh, J. (2016). Unterleuten: roman. Luchterhand Literaturverlag..
