Stable word combinations in Russian and English

The word in the language has a certain lexical meaning that is revealed in a particular situation. Often words acquire one or another meaning only by entering into grammatical and logical connections with other lexemes. These are stable combinations of words, where the latter, when linked together, form a new single meaning.

Lexical compatibility of words

In speech, the words are not isolated, but surrounded by other words with which they must be combined lexically, grammatically, logically. For example, the word flower requires agreement in number, gender and case, that is, the adjective or participle should be masculine, stand in the singular and in the nominative: a forest flower . If you use an adjective that is not suitable in the sense ( cloudy flower ), then the lexical compatibility of words is violated.

Stable word combinations are an absolute connection, in which components can not be replaced. So, the combination of a solar bunny has the meaning of a "reflected sunlight". If you replace one component of a given combination, it will lose its value (combinations of a sunny day, a cowardly bunny no longer have the meaning indicated). In short, the lexical compatibility of words in stable expressions is absolute and traditional.

Semantic compatibility of words, that is, semantic, is inherent in the native speakers of the language genetically. Intuitively there is the possibility of using the phrase apple orchard and the comedy of the apple garden variant.

Phraseologisms

Words that require beside themselves specific components, a lot. It happens that the reason for the restriction of the compatibility of a word lies in its attachment to a certain environment - these are stable combinations of words, they are called differently phraseological. This is the term of the French linguist Charles Bally, meaning "phrase-word". Indeed, stable combinations of words (phraseological units) consist of several components (this is typical of the phrase), but are synonymous with one word: hack on the nose - remember, water in the mouth dial - shut up, open your mouth - be surprised .

Discussions of linguists

The science that studies the structure and features of phraseological units is called phraseology. Scientists-linguists are discussing the question of its scope. There are disagreements in the theoretical substantiation of phraseological units. In certain groups of linguists any stable combinations of words that are fixed in the language are called this way. Lexicographical observations allow us to judge various approaches to this issue. Only those stable combinations in which meaning is not treated by describing individual components are considered to be phraseological units. So, phraseological units to sharpen lyas or fly in the clouds can not be explained by the description of each word. An indivisible, well-established combination makes sense of such constructions.

Many linguists do not include sayings, aphorisms, speech stamps to phraseological phrases . They believe that phraseological units (stable combinations of words) are those combinations that are equivalent to one word.

Classification of Vinogradov-Shansky

Victor Vladimirovich Vinogradov, an outstanding Russian linguist with a world name, described in detail the stable combinations of words in Russian and classified them. In his works, phraseological units are divided into phraseological fusion (idioms proper), phraseological unity and phraseological combinations. Nikolai Maksimovich Shansky expanded the classification of Vinogradov, singling out a group of phraseological expressions.

Folding

Combinations include combinations whose semantics are clear only in a concrete connection. The value of idiom components is not visible at all. The semantics of fusion is uneven hour, miracles in a sieve, throwing a glove, hitting buckshot, giving hand and others can not be explained by the interpretation of each word. The meaning of the idiom is derived from the traditionally established fusion. The formation of phraseological units is a long historical process that takes place in a specific language.

The incarnation of the history of the language is a stable combination of words. Examples of such fusion: headlong, get trapped, how to drink . They are difficult to translate, because they are not motivated by the meaning of each word. It is impossible to rearrange words and replace components in splices.

Unity

Phraseological unity, in contrast to fusion, consists of semantically motivated components. Their indivisible meaning is based on the metaphorical similarity of one of the words with the meaning of the whole phraseology. The phraseology of burying talent in the land has the meaning of "wasting its resources in vain", it is explained by a metaphor: bury it in the ground - "hide, hide." Phraseological unity is less idiomatic than fusion. Unity can be diluted in other words, sometimes replace one of the components. For example, in the phraseology of calling things by their proper names the pronoun is sometimes replaced: to call things by their own names . Phraseological unity is called idiomatic expressions.

Combinations

The semantics of phraseological combinations consists of the values of all components that make up a stable expression. At the same time, there is a free component and a connected one in combination. The set of values of each of them reveals a single value of the expression. For example, phraseology, the sworn enemy includes the attached word sworn and free enemy . Also in the combinations of a bosom friend , a delicate position, a frosty frost , gnashing teeth and others.

Expressions

The phraseological expressions isolated by NM Shansky are phraseological units consisting of free words. There are no related items. Often phraseological expressions are similar to stamps, proverbs, winged expressions and aphorisms. For example, all ages are submissive to love, all the best, to new meetings, not a day without a line . In the process of speech, phraseological expressions are not invented by the speaker, but are given up from memory.

Phraseologisms in English

A rich fund of English phraseology, which for centuries has been replenished with numerous borrowings from Latin, German, French, and Spanish, is of particular interest to linguists. Knowledge of the phraseology of a foreign language shows the level of an interpreter. High qualification of such a specialist helps to avoid language misunderstanding.

Stable combinations of words in English can be divided according to VV Vinogradov's classification. Phraseological fusion is most difficult for translation, since the words that make up its composition are connected. The semantics of such constructions follow from the general meaning. For example, kick the bucket is not translated literally as a kick and bucket. Here the words, communicating with each other, give a special meaning, which can be translated by Russian phraseology to reach out .

Phraseological unity in English exists in parallel with homonymous free expressions. For example, to keep a dog and bark oneself as a phraseology it is important to "do the work of a hired man". The translation of the homonymous free combination means "to have a dog that barks at the master." High expression of phraseological unity is a feature of the English language.

Phraseological combinations allow the replacement of one of the components. The composition of these includes words with a fixed value and free. The phraseology to have a narrow escape , allowing the omission of the component to have , is translated by the Russian combination to be saved by a miracle . This group of phraseological units is most simple to translate because of the inclusion in it of combinations of mythology, scripture ( Sisyphean labor, Adam's apple, and Hill's heel, Ariadne's thread, apple of discord and others).

English proverbs, sayings without allegorical meaning, refer to phraseological expressions. They consist of words with free meanings, but are traditionally reproducible: many men many mind is translated by Russian phraseological expression as many people, so many opinions.

Phraseological Foundation

Phraseologisms by origin can be historical (primordial) and borrowed. Persistent are often stable combinations of words with negative pronouns, with archaisms and historicisms. For example, there is nothing to cover; Nothing at all; no one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten; Word of mouth; In the bosom of nature; One as a finger; To build up the rottenness; Not a bast shit.

Borrowed it is considered to be such stable combinations of words that entered the language in ready form, often without translation. The ways of borrowing phraseological units are different. Mythology, ancient literature, Holy Scripture, masterpieces of world literature bring into the language stable combinations of words. Examples of phraseological units, taken from the Latin language: alma mater, the idea of fix, tete-a-tete. The Bible gave such stable expressions as the prodigal son, the lamb of God, the wolf in sheep's clothing, washing his hands and many others. From the works of fiction went into the phraseological foundation of the Russian language of expression and was there a boy? (M. Gorky), our smaller brothers (S. Esenin), the distribution of elephants (M. Zoshchenko).

The use of phraseological units in speech

Speech of the speaker, who widely uses phraseological expressions, sounds bright, beautiful and expressive. Phraseologisms emphasize a person's fluency in a word, show the level of his education. Knowledge of the phraseology and the appropriate use of stable expressions speaks about the perfection of language proficiency.

The ability of phraseological units to make speech more imaginative and lively is appreciated by journalists, writers, politicians, diplomats and representatives of other professions connected with communicative activity and speech influence. Writers often modify phraseological units, adding components to them, often epithets, which makes the speech even more imaginative and expressive. The meaning of stable combinations of words acquires an ironic character when replacing part of a stable turnover.

The contamination of phraseological units is used by publicists in the headlines of articles, essays, complaints. Modified expressions refer to a separate group of phraseological units - occasionalisms.

Phrasebook

When using stable combinations of words, it is necessary to know exactly their semantics, to take into account the stylistic originality. Associative errors in the use of phraseological units, when the component is incorrectly called, is replaced by a paronym or a word similar in sounding ( falling in the spirit, at least counting ), speak of ignorance of the history of the language and the etymology of the language. Incorrect, inappropriate use of phraseological expressions drastically changes the meaning of the statement, distorts it, makes it ridiculous ( they sang their swan song, send school graduates to the last path ). Phraseological dictionaries help avoid such errors. They give an interpretation of the phraseological unit, explains the origin, synonymous words and expressions are given. In bilingual and multilingual editions an equivalent translation is given.