Idiomatic Expressions & Semantic Ranges

Presented by Fena Sara

StartStart 20122012

An idiom is a phrase where the words together have a meaning that is different

from the dictionary definitions of the individual words

What’s

the

definitio

n of

idiom?

Idioms!

Next…Next…

IDIOMS !

• Idioms are funny sayings that have been around for a long time.

• They are not to be taken literally—that means that you shouldn’t do exactly what they say.

• For example, if someone tells you to go fly a kite, that means go away!

“It’s raining cats and dogs!”

Literal

Figurative

Never bite off more than you can chew.

To take on a challenge that is too big

.

Give away a secret

When she started the job, she was still wet behind the ears:

Either very young or inexperienced.

I am very nervous

I have got butterflies in my stomach

You are "barking up the wrong tree" when you are trying to find something, but you are looking in the wrong place.

A task that can be accomplished very easily.

A Piece of Cake

Lend Me Your Ear: To politely ask for someone's full attention.

Never bite the hand that feeds you.

To harm someone who has been helping you.

Bite Your Tongue

To avoid talking

SOME PROBLEM USING IDIOMS :• They are more difficult to

produce• Idioms need specific

settings to be used• You must understand the

idiom as a whole• You use an idiom according

the context• Idioms are too many you

can’t learn all of them

•

SOME BENEFITS USING IDIOMS :

• Extend your knowledge of the language

• Help you to understand more• Build confidence• Increase your vocabulary• Improve your foreign language

SEMANTIC SEMANTIC RANGESRANGES

SEMANTIC SEMANTIC RANGESRANGES

A word might have more than one meaning (in context). The more meanings, the greater the word's semantic range.

This concept is especially important in anthropology when different languages as well as different cultures are involved.

An example might be the word RUN which can mean:

A raceA journeyA routeA damaged piece of fine net (like a

stocking)A boutA flow of waterA durationTo move rapidly on footTo flowTo control (as in machinery)To manage or superviseTo continueTo be a candidateTo carry out or executeTo work

If one attempts to translate “Run” into another, knowing that the word has a great semantic range, then one must be careful of the word or words that is used in the translated language.

The English language, though widely spoken throughout the world, isn’t as easily understood even by some of it’s native speakers. With so many different plays on words, homophones, euphemisms and idioms can be very misleading and even lead to misunderstandings.

Misunderstandings in the English Language

Misunderstandings in the English Language

Sometimes, English sentences can be misinterpreted or figures of speech can be taken literally. The children’s story of “Amelia Bedelia” shows that even native English speakers can get confused.

CONCLUSION

• An idiom is the connotative meaning, so we have to translate it based on its context and as a whole phrase. It means that we can’t translate it separately.

• Like our language, English also has its own style in its language. It also has aphorism, idiom, simile, connotation, denotation, etc.

• Idioms can be learned by understanding, memorizing and practicing.