On the Characteristics of English Idioms 英语论文.doc

on the characteristics of english idiomsabstractenglish idioms is the essence of english and is the crystallization of the language, english idioms are generally consists of several words which component fixed phrase or a sentence, so understand and master the characteristics of english idioms for people who learning english are particularly important. idiom is the language users who have long used word combination and phrase which concise form and meaning of penetrating and which contain the most abundant of culture, including saying, idioms, motto, proverbs, and slang, two-part allegorical sayings, and so on. english idioms features include the nationality of idioms, figurative, integrity, concordance, and so on.key words: english idioms; history; characteristic i. the definition of english idioms language is the carrier of culture, idioms is essence of language. the word idiom has a lot of meanings, in generation situation refer to which commonly used together and has a specific form of the phrase. the meanings which those idioms contain that human could not guess what do they mean, if human want to surmise their meanings through the single word. the english idioms include very rich culture implication which has distinct national characteristics. idioms contain many sections, such as proverbs, slangs, sayings, phrases, finalizes, statements and so on. english idioms is a special language phenomenon, it is english language of national essence. british linguists jennifer seidl said: “idioms are not separate part of the language which one can choose to either to use or to omit, but they form an essential part of the general vocabulary of english.” “english is very rich in idiomatic expressions. in fact it is difficult to speak or to write english without using idioms.”(jennifer seidl, p.14)ii. the history of english idiomsfrom sailing: britain is an island country, the british people living in coastal from generation to generation, they long engaged in activities at sea. so there is a big part of idioms has close relationship with ocean, ship, and so on. from religious idioms, religious has important influence in britain and in other english countries. their life many important events are closely related with religion, religious faith lasts long. idioms comes from the bible, the bible in western culture has a pivotal position, which influence all aspects of the social life. from the myths and fable of idioms, ancient greek and roman mythology are very rich; it is rich and colorful, durability which for the world literature provided valuable language materials. it is the worlds most complete, the most abundant mythology system. from ancient literary works of idioms, in british history, the emergence of shakespeare, chaucer and so on who are famous british literature masters and many immortal masterpieces. the sentence in the english literature became britain widespread idioms source. from the military aspects of the idioms, war is between political, ethnic group, the countries contradiction, in order to sweeping away the political obstacles, it had happened many of greatly or small wars in history, therefore, many idioms from the military. from animals and plants of idioms, one of the features of english idioms with animals and plants, a lot of parable have close with people life relevant related pet, poultry. the dog in the british peoples mind is lovely animals, so many idioms about the dog is commendatory. iii. the characteristics of english idiomsenglish idioms including metaphorical phrases, slang, saying, motto, proverb and so on. english idioms are in the important part of the vocabulary in the language, and english idioms are the most abundant in the cultural meaning, the most way of all kinds of rhetoric means concentrated on language style. after english idioms through long use, they were formed its own characteristics: as form is fixed, concise and lively, profound meaning. english idiom is the long-term use of language and the result of the phase english idioms were delay for a long time, english idioms were established by usage with a general language form different characteristics 1. the pluralism of english idioms: 英语习语的多科学综合研究，从不同的视角揭示了习语的内涵和特征，所以“英语习语在类型种类、语义认知、文化内涵以及语用功能上都具有多样性的特征”。（张镇华.p 179）such as:“ a societys culture consists of whatever it is one has to know or believe in order to operate in a manner acceptable to its members, and to do so in any role that they accept for any one of themselves.”(ward haugh. p215)2. the nationality of english idioms: idioms is the mass created in the long-term of the productive labor, idioms have a close connection with national geographic environment, historical background and economic life, customs, religious belief, and values are inseparable relationship. idioms usually using proper parables which could cause peoples association, but this association is the reality of the nation by environment and life experience to decision. so there are many idioms obvious showing different national form.3. the metaphorical of english idioms: language of rhetorical means mostly concentrate on idioms, and metaphor is the most important in figure of speech, most idioms are using visual analogy to make language more lifelike. for example, a porter of station in english called red cap, because to do this group of people with a red hat; the hotel waiter called bell boy, because in the hotel, a guest rang the bell, the waiter will run to come over to service. the basic concept of a culture which the metaphor systems contain a culture structure inevitable with the most basic values are in agreement. (lakoff.p22) the chinese to speak or article boring liken tasteless. a person put into despair, at the end of ones recourse say as down and out etc. generally, there are three types of trope: simile, metaphor and metonymy, each of which possesses unique features because of the occurrence of tenor, vehicle and comparing word .simile is which contain ontology, metaphors and comparing word, such as ：as proud as a peacock, as cool as a cucumber, as timid as a rabbit, like a red rag to a bull, and so on. metaphor contains ontology and metaphors; no include metaphor of the word, such as have a screw loose, have a lot of irons in the fire, and so on. the metonymy is to use things which have close ties to the other things to refer to ontology things. as the proverb: the pen is mightier than the sword, the pen refers to the man of letters, and the sword is referring to the soldiers, meaning the power of literati than soldiers. in english idioms also have another example: a red tape , it is said that in the seventeenth century, british people used to red tape to strapping official documents, it is generally accepted that the custom symbolizes the british officialdom lazy, therefore, people with red tape to refer to bureaucracy . synecdoche is to use the same kind of thing with ontology a thing instead of ontology things. for instance: earn ones bread, in this idiom, bread is part of the necessities of life, but here, instead of the part, refer to the necessaries of life. even homer sometimes nods, homer is 9th - 8th century bc, the most famous ancient greek blind poet, is the great man and the wise westerners worship, the ancestor of western culture, so homer become a great man, and wise men of appellation. the idiom means, it is a great man can make mistakes. 4. the integrity of english idioms: english idioms is independent, fixed part in thelanguage. it often comes in the form of a phrase or short sentences, its meaning often are not the sum of its component part. we must take it as a whole to understand and translation. for example, to lose ones head, it is not lost head, but meaning of disconcertment. the united states scholars makkai thinks, it can not on the literal meaning understanding phrases and sentences, idioms is emphasizing the structure and meaning of the relationship. the editor of牛津当代习语英语词典think “idioms are two or more than two word up a meaningful unit type combination” (cowie. p216). the integrity of english idioms meaning also because many idioms means often by the national history and culture and the formation of literary allusions, and has established the whole significance. such as: in the arms of morpheus (in sleep), morpheus, in greek mythology, the god of sleep. meet ones waterloo, waterloo is napoleon defeat land. these idioms must as a whole to understand and cant take it apart to explain at random. moreover, some idioms not keep grammar rules and logic reasoning, such as diamond cut diamond, cut can not add s, although it does not accord with modern english grammar rules, and like to have ones heart in ones mouth (surprise), literally means to keep ones heart eat, it is also not logical.5. the concordance of english idioms: some idioms is called repetition, it is a kind of structure of the rhetoric. (骆世平.p126) such as: by little and little, again and again, bag and baggage and so on. idioms often use the rhyme harmonious to achieve catchy and easy to remember, the purpose of lifelike, many engl