CONTENT:
Introduction
Chapter I. Theoretical background of
the concept of phraseological unit
1
.
1
Semantic peculiarities of Idioms
1
.
2
Classification of Idioms
1
.
3
The difficulties in using and translating
the English language idioms
Chapter II. Contrastive analysis of
idioms expressing “body parts” in the
English, Kyrgyz and Russian languages
2
.
1
Idioms with the components of “Body
parts”
2
.
Complete equivalents of English Body
Idioms in Kyrgyz and Russian
2
2
.
3
Incomplete equivalents of English Body
Idioms in Kyrgyz and Russian
INTRODUCTION
The idioms - an essential and extremely dedicated language components, the most
striking, unique, unusual, culturally significant and nationally specific, able to
express not only the features of the language, but its speakers attitude, mindset,
mentality, national character and thinking style.
The English idioms, it is very rich and diverse in form and semantics. Idioms- an
extremely complex phenomenon, the studying of which requires its own research
methods and the use of data from other sciences - lexicology, stylistics, history,
language, etc
No doubt that the idioms give our speech the brightness, originality and national
character, which distinguishes the languages from each other. However, when
talking about national identity, we can not ignore the fact that idioms are present in
all languages and are a universal feature.
As noted the L.P. Smith somatic idioms being “the core of idiomatic speech” of
modern English language, is the actual theme for many contrastive research. In
spite of the many works, which devoted to data theme group, the contrastive study
of somatic idioms of three English, Russian and Kyrgyz languages did not consider
till nowadays.
The appointed reason is the conditions of our theme choice and the topicality
because the complex study of somatic lexis of English, Russian and Kyrgyz
languages in semantic word formation and lingua cultural aspect was not the
subject of research.
The topicality of the work is to compare phraseological units of three not cognate
languages certain lexical – semantic fields.
The object of this study are idioms of tree languages: English, Russian and
Kyrgyz, which is a mixed number of languages being compared. And we studynot
all phraseological fund of these languages, but only the lexical – semantic fields “
Body parts”. This is such idioms, which contains in its composition the
components “body parts” or so-called somatic idioms. For example :to be glad to
see back of someone, to be all ears, to knock one’s head against a break wall.
(English). Сидеть на шее у кого-либо, совать голову в петлю, с гулькин нос.
(Russian). Кулак мурунду шылып салгандай, баш териси он, бутун бут колун
кол кылуу.(Kyrgyz).
The aim of the work is to study semantic features of somatic idioms in English,
Russian and Kyrgyz languages and make a contrastive analysis. To achieve this
arm was accomplished the following tasks:
1.Give a definition of phraseological units and consider the theoretical materials on
theme “semantic classification and comparative Phraseology”.
2. define the concept of “somatism”.
3. study and analyzing the connotative meaning of idioms with components “Body
parts” in English, Russian and Kyrgyz languages.
4.classified the somatic idioms based on their semantic features
5 expose to contrastive analysis the somatic idioms of three languages.
6. Study and determine the main linguistic and extralinguistic facts, which have
influence on equivalents of idioms and identify the degree of inter language
equivalence.
As a theoretical material served the work of home and foreign linguists in sphere
of phraseology, semantics and comparative phraseology: V.V. Vinogradov, A.V.
Kunin, A.P.Nasarov, Osmonova J. Solodub U.P. and many others.
Source of this research were more than 4000 somatic idioms in English, Russian
and Kyrgyz languages together. Also special phraseological and different types of
dictionaries served as a source of this work.
Theoretical significance is that the results of our research paper can be used in the
solution of very actual problems, as a general translation’s theories and so in
studying idioms of not cognate languages by method of contrastive analysis.
Practical value is that result of our research can be served as rich and variety real
materials for future studying and development of somatic English idioms and their
equivalents in Russian and Kyrgyz languages.
The new approach of this work is to study the English, Russian and Kyrgyz
somatic idioms deeper and consider their metaphorical meanings.
The structure of the work consists of introduction, two chapters, conclusion and
bibliography.
In first chapter “The theoretical background of research” was considered the main
concept of research: “The concept of phraseological unit”, “Semantic classification
of phraseological unit”, “Historical development of comparative Phraseology”.
In the second chapter “ Contrastive analysis of idioms expressing “body parts” in
English, Russian and Kyrgyz languages” was researched the somatic idioms of
these languages. By analyzing was determined the figurative meanings of
somatism, was made the contrastive analysis of somatic English idioms and their
equivalents in Russian and Kyrgyz.
Chapter I. Theoretical background of the concept of phraseological
unit
1.1. Semantic peculiarities of Idioms
Phraseological Unit (also called idiom), a word group with a fixed lexical
composition and grammatical structure; its meaning, which is familiar to native
speakers of the given language, is generally figurative and cannot be derived from
the meanings of the phraseological unit’s component parts. The meanings of
phraseological units are the result of the given language’s historical development.
Phraseology studies such collocations of words (phraseologisms, phraseological
units, idioms), where the meaning of the whole collocation is different from the
simple sum of literal meanings of the words, comprising a phraseological unit. The
founder of the theory of phraseology is a Swiss linguist Charles Bally (1865-1947),
who first coined the term phraseology within the meaning of “partition style,
leaning the phrase” but the term has undergone several changes and today is used
in the other three meaning:
1. Choice of words, a form of expression, the wording
2. The language style, style
3. Expression, phrase.
These definitions are supported by British and American monolingual dictionaries.
The question of phraseology as a linguistic discipline was first raised by the soviet
linguist E.D. Polivanova, who believed that the phraseology “take apart and stable
position…in the linguistic literature of the future, when a coherent statement of the
problems our science is devoid of random gaps”. B.A Larin was the first scientist
after Polivanova again raises the question of phraseology as a linguistic discipline.
Thus over the past decade has grown beyond the phraseology of one the section of
lexicology and turned into an independent linguistic discipline, which has its own
object and its methods of investigation.
Object and the key concept of phraseology is the notion idiom, or phraseological
unit.
Difference in terminology “set-phrases”, “idioms” and “word-equivalents”reflects
certain differences in the main criteria used to distinguish types of phraseological
units and free word-groups. The term “set phrase” implies that the basic criterion
of differentiation is stability of the lexical components and grammatical structure
of word-groups.
There is a certain divergence of opinion as to the essential features of
phraseological units as distinguished from other word-groups and the nature of
phrases that can be properly termed “phraseological units”. The habitual terms
“set-phrases”, “idioms”, “word-equivalents” are sometimes treated differently by
different linguists. However these terms reflect to certain extend the main
debatable points of phraseology which centre in the divergent views concerning the
nature and essential features of phraseological units as distinguished from the so-
called free word-groups.
The term “set expression” implies that the basic criterion of differentiation is
stability of the lexical components and grammatical structure of word-groups.
The term “word-equivalent” stresses not only semantic but also functional
inseparability of certain word-groups, their aptness to function in speech as single
words.
The term “idioms” generally implies that the essential feature of the
linguistic units under consideration is idiomaticity or lack of motivation. Uriel
Weinreich expresses his view that an idiom is a complex phrase, the meaning of
which cannot be derived from the meanings of its elements. He developed a more
truthful supposition, claiming that an idiom is a subset of a phraseological unit.
Ray Jackendoff and Charles Fillmore offered a fairly broad definition of the idiom,
which, in Fillmore’s words, reads as follows: “…an idiomatic expression or
construction is something a language user could fail to know while knowing
everything else in the language”. Chafe also lists four features of idioms that make
them anomalies in the traditional language unit paradigm: non-compositionality,
transformational defectiveness, ungrammaticality and frequency asymmetry.
The term “idiom”, both in this country and abroad, is mostly applied to
phraseological units with completely transferred meanings, that is, to the ones in
which the meaning of the whole unit does not correspond to the current meanings
of the components.
Language communicational function is a leading one. It conveys information
from one communicant to other. Despite the character of transferring information
the building material of the communicative process is words, word blocks, among
which are phraseological units, the units which convey this information.
Informative value of these units is not equal that’s why they color the
communicative process in which they participate differently. Komisarov claims
that “meanings are sense blocks on the basis of which content of expression is
formed”. It is important to notice that these ‘blocks’ have different weight and
loading in the text structure (9, p. 74).
Phraseological units are more informative than words and in the
communicational process they have larger communicative loading.
Semantic complexity is one of the most essential qualities of phraseological
units. It’s resulted from the complicated interaction of the component meanings
(meaning of prototype, of semantic structure etc.). All these components are
organized into a multilevel structure.
Idioms contain all information in compressed form. This quality is typical of
idioms, it makes them very capacious units (idiom is a compressed text). An idiom
can provide such a bright explanation of an object that can be better than a
sentence. We can compare idioms with fables (the Prodigal son). Idioms based on
cultural components are not motivated (the Good Samaritan, the Troy horse).
Phraseological meaning contains background information. It covers only the
most essential features of the object it nominates. It corresponds to the basic
concept, to semantic nucleus of the unit. It is the invariant of information conveyed
by semantically complicated word combinations and which is not derived from the
lexical meanings of the conjoined lexical components.
According to the class the word-combination belongs to, we single out:
• idiomatic meaning;
• idiophraseomatic meaning;
• phraseomatic meaning (after Ryzhkova).
It contains 3 macro-components which correspond to a certain type of
information they convey:
• the grammatical block;
• the phraseological meaning proper;
• motivational macro-component (phraseological imagery; the inner form of
the phraseological unit; motivation).
Phraseological unit is a non-motivated word-group that cannot be freely made
up in speech but is reproduced as a ready made unit.
Reproducibility is regular use of phraseological units in speech as single
unchangeable collocations.
Idiomaticity is the quality of phraseological unit, when the meaning of the
whole is not deducible from the sum of the meanings of the parts.
Stability of a phraseological unit implies that it exists as a ready-made
linguistic unit which does not allow of any variability of its lexical components of
grammatical structure.
Idioms and fixed expressions. Idioms are fixed expressions that are usually
not clear or obvious. The expression to feel under the weather, which means to feel
unwell is a typical idiom. The words do not tell us what it means, but the context
usually helps.
There are some simple rules how to deal with idioms. At first it’s important
to think of idioms as being just like single words, then we must record the whole
phrase in the notebook, along with the information on grammar and collocation.
This tin - opener has seen better days. (it is rather old and broken down;
usually of Things, always perfect tense form). Idioms are usually rather informal
and include an element of personal comment on the situation. They are sometimes
humorous or ironic. As with any informal “commenting” word. That’s why we
must be careful using them. It’s not a good idea to use them just to sound “fluent”
or “good at English’. In a formal situation we can’t say: “How do you do, Mrs
Watson. Do take the weight off your feet. ” (sit down) instead of “Do sit down” or
“Have a seat”. It is important to know that their grammar is flexible. Some are
more fixed than others. For instance, Barking up the wrong tree (be mistaken) is
always used in continuous, not simple form, e.g. I think you’ re Barking up the
wrong tree. Generally, set expression, for example, come to the wrong shop, go the
way of all flesh, make somebody’ s blood boil, are idiomatical, they are also
named phraseological. Besides, there are set expression such as pay a visit, make
one’ s appearance, give help. Their interpretation is disputable. Some linguists
consider them to be a not idiomatical part of phraseology, which is opposed to
idiomatical. If the expression is idiomatical, then we must consider its components
in the aggregate, not separately.1 Idioms are a part of our daily speech.2 They give
expressiveness and exactness to oral and written language. It’s not easy to master
idioms fluently. Word - for - word translation can change the meaning of the
idiom. I’ve understood, that the study of the English lexicology should necessarily
include study of phraseology. So, what is an idiom and phraseology? How can we
translate idioms? Is it possible to translate idioms word for word and not to change
their meaning?
Classification of idioms. Term “phraseology” is defined as a section of
linguistics, which studies word collocations, and, on the other hand, a set of all
steady combinations of words of the language. The stock of words of the language
consists not only of separate words, but also of set expressions, which alongside
with separate words serve as means of expressing conceptions.3
According to the Academician V. V. Vinogradov’s classification
phraseological units may be classified into three groups: phraseological fusions,
phraseological unities and phraseological collocations.
Phraseological fusions4 are completely non - motivated word - groups, such
as heavy father – “serious or solemn part in a theatrical play”, kick the bucket –
“die”; and the like. The meaning of the components has no connection whatsoever,
at least synchronically, with the meaning of the whole group. Idiomaticity is, as a
rule, combined with complete stability of the lexical components and the
grammatical structure of the fusion. Phraseological fusions are called “traditional”,
“set expression with fixed nomination”, “combinations”, ”set expression” in works
of other researchers.
1Каменецкайте Н. Л. Синонимы в английской фразеологии.М.: «Международные отношения», 1971, с. 3.2Судзиловский Г. А. Сленг – что это такое?Английская просторечная военная лексика.М.: Военное издательство, 1973, с. 37.3Ворно Е. Ф., Кащеева М. А. и др. Лексикология английского языка.Л.: Учпедгиз, 1955, с. 123.4Ворно Е. Ф., Кащеева М. А. и др. Лексикология английского языка.Л.: Учпедгиз, 1955, сс. 124 - 125.
Phraseological unities5 are partially non - motivated as their meaning can
usually be perceived through the metaphoric meaning of the whole phraseological
unit. For example, to show one’ s teeth, to wash one’ s dirty linen in public if
interpreted as semantically motivated through the combined lexical meaning of the
component words would naturally lead one to understand these in their literal
meaning. The metaphoric meaning of the whole unit, however, readily suggests
“take a threatening tone” or “show an intention to injure” for show one’ s teeth and
“discuss or make public one’ s quarrels” for wash one’ s dirty linen in public.
Phraseological unities are as a rule marked by a high degree of stability of the
lexical components.
Phraseological collocations are motivated but they are made up of words
possessing specific lexical valency which accounts for a certain degree of stability
in such word - groups. In phraseological collocations variability of member -
words is strictly limited. For instance, bear a grudge May be changed into bear
malice, but not into bear a fancy or liking. We can say take a liking (fancy) but not
take hatred (disgust). These habitual collocations tend to become kind of clichés
where the meaning of member - words is to some extent dominated by the meaning
of the whole group. Due to this, phraseological collocations are felt as possessing a
certain degree of semantic inseparability.
Classification of idioms for better understanding and learning.Vocabulary.
Idioms can be grouped in a variety of ways. According to “English Vocabulary in
Use” there are 3 groups of idioms.6
Classification of phraseological units according to their structure. There are
two groups of idioms: nominal a black sheep (of the family) [shame of the family],
and verbal to take risks (to risk) as I’ve already told you. As one can see on the
5Каменецкайте Н. Л. Синонимы в английской фразеологии.М.: «Международные отношения», 1971, с. 3.6PhraseologyofmodernEnglishhttp://vernadsky.dnttm.ru/h4/w01358.htm
diagram, there are more verbal idioms, approximately 65 percent, than nominal
ones. In both groups there turns out to be too many idioms, therefore such way is
difficult for remembering.
Academician V. V. Vinogradov’s classification. There are three groups of
idioms according to this classification. The problem is the same as in the previous
case. It’s not easy to remember all of these phraseological units.
Classification of phraseological units according to the parts of speech.7
There are four groups: nominal phrases: hard luck [misfortune]; adjective
phraseological units: all fingers and thumbs [clumsy]; verbal: to get on like a house
on fire [to make progress]; adverbial: vice versa [conversely]. At last I tried to
divide idioms into several groups, as it’s written in “English Vocabulary in Use”. I
also added some more of them. According to this classification idioms can be
divided into following groups. As everyday spoken language is full of fixed
expressions that are not necessarily difficult to understand (their meaning May be
quite’ transparent’) but which have a fixed form which does not change the first
group is everyday expressions. These have to be learnt as whole expressions.
These expressions are often hard to find in dictionaries. For example as I was
saying (it takes the conversation back to an earlier point). This group includes three
sub - groups.
Conversation - building expressions – these are some common expressions
that help to modify or organize what we are saying. There are many expressions
like these. For example: as I was saying (it takes the conversation back to an earlier
point). Some everyday expressions can be grouped around key words. The
preposition “in” for example occurs in several expressions: in fact (really), in
practice (actually). Common expressions for modifying statements are also a part
of this group. For example: as far as I’m concerned (from my point of view).
7Арнольд И. В. Лексикология современного английского языка.М.: 1959.
As...as... similes and expressions with ’like’ are easy to understand. If you see the
phrase as dead as a doornail, you Don’ T need to know what a doornail is, simply
that the whole phrase means “totally dead”. But it’s important to remember that
fixed similes are not “neutral”; they are usually informal or colloquial and often
humorous.
Idioms describing people8 can be divided into two sub-groups:
Idioms connected with positive and negative qualities, for example: His
fingers are all thumbs (he’s clumsy) or She has iron nerves (she’s composed). How
people relate to the social norm, for example: I think Mary has a secret to hide (She
keeps something from us). I have divided idioms describing feelings or mood into
three sub - groups. They are positive and negative feelings, moods and states. For
example: to get on someone’s nerves (to exasperate), to have a horror of (to
disgust), to be as happy as the day is long (extremely content). Physical feelings
and states. For example: to burst into tears (to cry). And people’s fear or fright. For
example: She was scared stiff, (very scared). Next group is idioms connected with
problematic situations. The first sub - group is problems and difficulties. For
example: a hard luck (failure). The second sub - group is idioms related to
situations based on get. For example: to get frustrated (defeat). The third sub -
group is changes and staves in situations. For example: to change one’s mind
(think better of it). At last idioms connected with easing the situation. For example:
to do well (recover), to get off lightly (escape). Idioms connected with praise and
criticism, for example: to go on at someone (criticize). Idioms connected with
using language and communication. Idioms connected with communication
problems. For example: to have a row with somebody (to quarrel). Good and bad
talk. For example: stream of consciousness (flow of words). Talk in discussions,
meetings, etc. For example: to strike up (a conversation) (to start a conversation).
8 Michael McCarthy, Felicity O’Dell. English Vocabulary in Use.CambridgeUniversity Press, 1994.
Idioms – miscellaneous. Idioms connected with paying, buying and selling. For
example: to save up for (put by). Idioms based on names of the parts of the body.
For example: to lend an ear (to listen to). Idioms connected with daily routine. For
example: to do up (tidy up). There are also single idioms which cannot be included
into described above groups. For example to run out (to come to an end) and some
special groups of expressions in “Blueprint” such as all along (always), all in all
(as a result), all of a sudden (unexpectedly). The last group of idioms is proverbs.
For example: “Out of the frying Pan and into the fire” (from one disaster into
another).
The background and etymological origins of most idioms is at best obscure.
This is the reason why a study of differences between the idioms of American and
British English is somewhat difficult. But it also makes the cases, where
background, etymology and history are known, even more interesting. Some
idioms of the "worldwide English" have first been seen in the works of writers like
Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott, Lewis Carroll or even in the paperbacks of
contemporary novelists. An example of Shakespearian quotation can be found in
the following sentence: "As a social worker, you certainly see the seamy side of
life." Biblical references are also the source of many idioms. Sports terms,
technical terms, legal terms, military slang and even nautical expressions have
found their way to the everyday use of English language. Following are some
examples of these, some used in either American or British English and some used
in both:
"Having won the first two Tests, Australia is now almost certain to retain the
Ashes." (Ashes is a British English idiom that is nowadays a well-established
cricket term.)
"In his case the exception proves the rule." (A legal maxim -- in full: "the
exception proves the rule in cases not excepted". Widely used in both American
English and British English.)
"To have the edge on/over someone." (This is originally American English
idiom, now established in almost every other form of English, including British
English.)
"A happy hunting ground." (Place where one often goes to obtain something
or to make money. Originally American English idiom from the Red Indians'
Paradise.)
In the old days English idioms rarely originated from any other form of
English than British English. (French was also a popular source of idioms.)
Nowadays American English is in this position. It is hard to find an American
English idiom that has not established itself in "worldwide English" (usually
British English). This is not the case with British English idioms which are not as
widespread. It has to be remembered that it is hard to say which idioms are actively
used in English and which are dying out or have already died. Idioms are
constantly dying and new-ones are born.
Some idioms may have gone through radical changes in meaning. The
phrase - There is no love lost between them - nowadays means that some people
dislike one another. Originally, when there was only the British English form, it
meant exactly the opposite. The shift in meaning is yet unexplained. All dialects of
English have different sets of idioms and situations where a given idiom can be
used. American English and British English may not, in this respect, be the best
possible pair to compare because they both have been developing into the same
direction, at least where written language is concerned, since the Second World
War. The reason that there is so much American influence in British English is the
result of the following:
Magnitude of publishing industry in the U.S.
Magnitude of mass media influence on a worldwide scale
Appeal of American popular culture on language and habits worldwide
International political and economic position of the U.S.
All these facts lead to the conclusion that new idioms usually originate in the
U.S. and then become popular in so-called "worldwide English". This new
situation is completely different from the birth of American English as a "variant"
of British English. When America was still under the rule of the Crown, most
idioms originated from British English sources. Of course there were American
English expressions and idioms too, before American English could be defined as
dialect of English. Some examples of these early American English idioms follow:
"To bark up the wrong tree."(Originally from raccoon-hunting in which dogs
were used to locate raccoons up in trees.)
"Paddle one's own canoe." (This is an American English idiom of the late
18th Century and early 19th Century.)
Some of these early American idioms and expressions were derived from the
speech of the American natives like the phrase that "someone speaks with a forked
tongue" and the "happy hunting ground" above. These idioms have filtered to
British English through centuries through books, newspapers and most recently
through powerful mediums like radio, TV and movies.
Where was the turning point? When did American culture take the leading
role and start shaping the English language and especially idiomatic expressions?
There is a lot of argument on this subject. Most claim that the real turning point
was the Second World War. This could be the case. During the War English-
speaking nations were united against a common enemy and the U.S. took the
leading role. In these few years and a decade after the War American popular
culture first established itself in British English. Again new idioms were created
and old ones faded away. The Second World War was the turning point in many
areas in life. This may also be the case in the development of the English language.
In the old days the written language (novels, poems, plays and the Bible)
was the source from which idioms were extracted. This was the case up until
WWII. After the war new mediums had established themselves in English-
speaking society, there was a channel for the American way of life and the popular
culture of the U.S. TV, movies and nowadays the interactive medium have
changed the English language more to the American English direction. Some
people in the Europe speak the Mid-Atlantic English, halfway from the British
English to American English.
The influence of American English can even be seen in other European
languages. In Finland, we are adopting and translating American English proverbs,
idioms and expressions. It can be said that the spoken language has taken the
leading role over the written and the only reason for this is TV and radio. Most
proverbs and idioms that have been adopted to British English from American
English are of spoken origin. This is a definite shift from the days before WWII.
What will this development do to the English language? Will it decrease its value?
This could be argued, but the answer would still be no. Languages develop and
change. So is the case with English language and idioms.
How then does American English differ from British English in the use of
idioms? There are no radical differences in actual use. The main differences are in
the situations where idiomatic expressions are used. There have been many studies
recently on this subject. American English adopts and creates new idioms at a
much faster rate compared to British English. Also the idioms of American English
origin tend to spread faster and further. After it has first been established in the
U.S., an American idiom may soon be found in other "variants" and dialects of
English. Nowadays new British idioms tend to stay on the British Isles and are
rarely encountered in the U.S. British idioms are actually more familiar to other
Europeans or to the people of the British Commonwealth than to Americans, even
though the language is same. The reason for all these facts is that Britain is not the
world power it used to be and it must be said that the U.S. has taken the role of the
leading nation in the development of language, media and popular culture. Britain
just doesn't have the magnitude of media influence that the United States controls.
The future of idiomatic expressions in the English language seems certain.
They are more and more based on American English. This development will
continue through new mediums like the Internet and interactive mediums. It is hard
to say what this will do to idioms and what kind of new idioms are created. This
will be an interesting development to follow, and by no means does it lessen the
humor, variety and color of English language.
1.3. The difficulties in using and translating the English language idioms
Some say, translation is art based on knowledge. Of course, an interpreter
must have a good knowledge of the idioms of the two languages as well as take
decisions to the best of his (her) knowledge and taste.
Suppose one has to interpret the idiom "метатьгромыимолнии (вчей-л.
адрес)" which is rather frequently used in the Russian press. The interpreter who
wants to make his translation idiomatic has to look up a dictionary of Russian
idioms to be sure of the idiom's meaning,and then to find in a dictionary of English
idioms an adequate English idiom. This process seems to be ideal but our
interpreter soon realizes that translation begins where dictionaries end.
The interpreter would realize that the idiom "метатьгромыимолнии" may
mean three things in one: (1) бытьвстрашномгневе, (2)
выкрикиватьбранныесловаи (3) чтоподобныедействия — "гнев" и "крик"—
делонапрасноеилинеразумное.
So, it seems impossible to find a single English equivalent for all contexts.
At first glance, however, it appears quite possible to find several English idioms
and translate the Russian idiomatically 'by parts', that is,(1)
"бытьвстрашномгневе" may be expressed by 'to be beside oneself with rage' or 'to
go up into the air' (i.e. explode with rage) or 'to fly off the handle' (which may,
sometimes, correspond to the Russian "онсловносцеписорвался");(2)
"выкрикиватьбранныеслова" can be idiomatically expressed by 'to jump down
smb.'s throat' (i.e. shout angry words at smb. though (3) it is needless and/or
unwise to do) or by 'to go off the deep end' (i.e. speak with unduly anger).
However, the resulting combination of an idiom of 'rage' and of that 'of needless
shouting' appears to be too long in time to suit interpretation purposes, e.g., 'Beside
herself with rage, she was jumping down his throat' or even 'She went up into the
air and off the deep end about it'. The latter— we may note— sounds particularly
funny due to the zeugma's effect. (Recall Ch. Dickens' zeugma: 'She fell into a
chair and a fainting fit simultaneously'.)
On the other hand, the shortest way of translating the idiom
"метатьгромыимолнии" may well be 'to hurl thunderbolts at smb.', that is, by
means of a metaphor devised by experienced translators. This metaphor does not
exist in the English language but is well understood when the context helps. We
realize, at the same time, that the latter part of our combined equivalents, that is, 'to
jump down smb.'s throat' and 'to go off the deep end' seem to be satisfactory for the
purpose because their usage cannot be imagined beyond the scope of anger.
As one can see now, interpreters are not able to deal, in their work, only with
the idioms (e.g., "Привычка—втораянатура") that may have, in English, their
ready-made equivalents (e.g., 'Custom is second nature'). Interpreters have to be
ready to create what we might call 'contextual equivalents' which do not exist in
dictionaries.
And it is not at all enough to know the existing types of translation, that is,
for example, to know that Russian idiomatic phrases can be translated by means of
(1) an English absolute monoequivalent ("складыватьоружие" - 'to lay
down one's arms'),
(2) or by a relative equivalent ("встречатьчто-либовштыки" - 'to meet
smth. at dagger-point'),
(3) or by a selected synonym ("метатьгромыимолнии" might, depending
on a context, be translated either as 'to jump down smb.'s throat' or 'to go off the
deep end' or 'to go up into the air', etc., etc., etc.),
(4) or metaphorically ("метатьгромыимолнии"- ‘tо hurl thunder bolts at
smb.'),
(5) or, the last and the least, by a description ("встречатьчто-
либовштыки"- ‘tо give smth. a hostile reception' or 'to meet smth. With
resistance', or the like).
It is only natural that this very classification9 (as any other) can and does
show the result of the translation, whereas the process of translation is really quite
different.
The choice of a particular type of translation is secondary and subordinate to
the requirements that our translation should be (a) adequate and (b) idiomatic.
Besides, the choice also depends on (c) the circumstantial factors of the language.
NOTE: The use of a descriptive translation may be justified, for one, if a
certain idiom is repeated twice in the same paragraph. To avoid tautо1оgу and
present a better style of narration, it is acceptable to translate one of the phrases
descriptively.
One must learn how to translate an idiom by an idiom (e.g.,
"встречатьвштыки" by 'to meet at dagger-point') because descriptive translations
9 Катцер Ю., Кунин А., Письменный перевод с русского языка на английский. М., 1964, с. 94-100; 104-109
(e.g., 'to meet with resistance') almost always happen to be not only emotively
blank but also unable to serve as a basis for our applicating, in the process of
translation, such important and necessary stylistic means as puns (e.g.,
"Онавстретилапредложениевштыки, ноштыкиееоказалисьтупыми".) or anti-
idiomatic additions (e.g., "Онивстретилинашепредложениебуквальновштыки".)
and many others to be thoroughly considered by us in this book later on.
Here are just the three idioms: "разводитьруками", "ахиллесовапята" and
"метатьгромыимолнии". They deserve to be considered separately;
разводитьруками.
We see that, firstly, the phrase "разводитьруками" can be taken for a free
word-combination and it would be an error, to do so. Secondly, I he idiom is in
common with the language of gestures. And "Онразвелруками" is often translated
as 'He shrugged his shoulders', for the Russian gesture is rarely employed in the
English 'language of gestures'. And, thirdly, it is common knowledge that this and
any gesture can mean different things and, thus, is to be understood accordingly.
For instance, one may shrug one's shoulders as a sign of regret, astonishment, lack
of understanding or information. And this is why this Russian phrase sometimes
complicates the translators' life, and one would especially appreciate knowing that
this phrase is frequently used both in the press and in colloquial speech. See how it
is translated by our brothers-in-arms. Twoexamples:(1) Папа-краб ходил,
жаловатьcя капитану, тот только развел руками: «Жалуйтесь на них в
Марселе, если угодно...» (А. Толcтой)
Papa crab went to complain to the captain but the latter only shrugged his
shoulders: "You may complain about them in Marseilles if you wish..."
(2) Очень много богатства и очень мало настоящего искусства. В
общем это то, что французскиехудожники, безнадежно разводя руками,
называют «стиль Триумф». (И. Ильф, Е. Петров)
There was much wealth but little real art. As a whole, it was what French
artists, helplessly shrugging their shoulders, called "style triumph."
Thus, one can see that the nut is not so hard to crack. It is most often enough
to 'shrug one's shoulders' and add the words 'in bewilderment' or 'helplessly', or
anything that the gesture may mean.
ахиллесовапята
The phrase "ахиллесовапята" (tr.: 'the Achilles' heel') is easier to dial with,
for it exists only as an idiom. The phrase means: 'The weak or vulnerable spot in a
man's character or a state's (company's, etc.) affairs.' (According to the legend,
Achilles, with the exception of one heel, was protected against every weapon his
enemies might use.) And 'the Achilles' heel' as a phrase has the definite article and
the apostrophy to be observed and not to be 'bruised'. Example:
Но увы! и у него была ахиллесова пята, и он имел слабости... Подсохин
любил писать. (И. Ламечников)
But alas! He had the Achilles' heel, too. Yes, he also had his own
weakness... Podsokhin was fond of writing.
метатьгромыимолнии
The phrase "метатьгромыимолнии" exists only as an idiom but its happens
to be misleading. This phrase does not necessarily mean 'to frighten smb.' as one
might wrongly guess. It means 'to be furious at smb.'
One can try and select a synonym (like 'to go off the deep end about smth.')
out of the group of English synonyms but... the Russian context may oppose it, for
these English phrases may turn out to be too colloquial to be used, say, in the
translation of a newspaper text.
It seems, therefore, that in most of the cases we may safely use the method
of translating this Russian phrase, 'literally and metaphorically', for a metaphor
itself shows its colouring and intention in a flexible way: it is understood from the
context, and the stronger the language of the context is the stronger the metaphor
will sound. And the suggested metaphor is 'to hurl thunderbolts at smb. (or smth.)'.
This metaphor seems sufficient but it requires a material object for the
action, that is, for 'hurling thunderbolts' at something worth 'hurling thunderbolts'
at. In other words, one cannot 'hurl thunderbolts', say, at a 'fact' or an 'idea'. One
can always do so at a 'person' as well as at something which is a 'state', 'company',
'newspaper' or the like. And in such cases as when there is no material object for
our metaphorical action, one may resort-to the idiom 'to blow one's top' and say,
for example, 'He blew his top... at the fact that...' or '...when he heard that...', which
would mean just 'to be fuming'. The phrase 'to blow one's top' is used in the
English press and is not very negative though it is quite expressiveChapter II.
Contrastive analysis of idioms expressing “body parts” in English, Kyrgyz and
Russian languages
2.1. Idioms with the components of “Body parts”
The interest to the idioms which consists of “body parts” in their structure
rose in last years. Somatism or somatic idioms are idioms as leading or dependent
components is the word denoting not only outer physical form of human organisms
(head, hand, foot) but and the element of heart vascular, the nervous and other
systems (blood, spleen, brain, lever).
Idioms with the component somatism appears independently from each
others in various period and in different languages as since they have general base
in observation by man himself, part of own body in general physical and
psychological sign of man.
Somatic idioms provoke the interest among the researchers of linguists. The
term “somatic” was first brought in Finn Urgic. F.Vakk is considering the idioms,
which have in their composition the word denoting human body parts, came to the
conclusion, that they are one of the ancient layer of languages’ phraseological
lexis.
On the whole, somatic idioms were researched in detail by comparing the
Russian somatic idioms with idioms of other languages. Such idioms were studied
by U.A. Dolgonolov (on material of Russian, English and German languages), V.F.
Sknar (English and Ukraine languages) and others.
Most of the scientist noted that somatism concern to the ancient and very
significant categories of the lexis and possess high opportunities to forming the
idioms. We agree with the opinions of scientist.
The scientists not always understand the term “somatism” the same. For
example; F. Vakk determines this term as aggregate of stable word complex,
having in their structure denoting body parts of human and animals, the humans
nervous and bone system. Also he includes in somatism the set expression which
appeared in result of describing of symbolic gesture and mimicry.
An other scientist O. Nasarov includes in somatic only idioms naming the human
body parts. He does not consider the gesture and mimic idioms in the group of
somatic idioms.
As for the studying of English somatic idioms, we know the work of N.A.
Vlasov, E.L. Delichenko, also it presented good in dictionaries of L.P. Galperin,
V.K. Muller and was deeply studied in work of E.S. Aderson, D.L.Allison and
others.
Thus, by somatic idioms understands the idioms which have word in their
structure, denoting outer parts and organs, also inner organ of the body (human and
animals).
According to the object of denotation the whole bulk of somatic constructions are
known to be divided into the following groups and such divided was giving in
R.U.Mugu’s work:
1. Somonymic lexis (gr. sōma – body and onym – name) which denotes parts
of the human body (hand, head, leg, neck etc): at hand – подрукой-кол
алдында;to have a good head on one's shoulders – иметьсвоюголовунаплечах-
ийниндебашыбар, dead from the neck up -глупый;
2. Osteonymic lexis (gr. osteon – bone) which denotes parts of the skeletal system
of the human organism: lay one’s bone and “сөөк кармоо;a bone of content-
яблоко раздора; skin and bones- кожа да кости; a skeleton in the closet-
ужасный секрет; to make no bones about smth- не ошибиться в чем-либо; a
skeleton in the cupboard - семейная тайна; “костьми лечь, перемывать
косточки, по косточкам разобрать. сөөгунө бату, сөөгунөн суу чыгуу, сай
сөөгунө жетүү, сөөгунөн өтүп чучугуна жетүү;
3. Angionymic lexis (gr. angeion – vessel) which denotes parts of the circulatory
system of the human organism: too rich for sombody’s blood,in one’s blood, blue
blood ,to curdle one’s blood; проливать свою кровь, кровью заплатить, кровью
смыть,канга баткан, кан сөлү жок,каны катуу,каны суюк, каны оту бар,
кош жүрөк, өпкө кас,каны ичине тартуу, каны суюлуу, канын кайнатуу.
4. Splanchnonymic lexis (gr. splanchna – bowels, viscera) which denotes
internal organs of the human body: at the top of one’s lungs - очень громко; hard
to stomach трудно согласиться; vent on spleen- сорвать злобу на ком-то; to
have the nerve –иметь наглость; from the bottom of the heart - от всей души ;
майлуу жүрө , жүрөгүндө жалы(көптүрүү, өпкөсү казанбактай болуу.
5. Sensonymic lexis (gr. sensus –feeling) which denotes sense organs of the
human body: to be all ears-, слушать внимательно; apple in smb’s eye-
любимая вещь; to count noses – подсчитать присутствующих; to have a good
nose-иметь хорошее чутье; to bite one’s tongue – - прикусить язык;
прожужжать уши, держать ухо во стро, прохлопть ушами, ухом не
повести, вешать лапшу на уши, глаза на лоб лезут, көзү чанагынан чыгуу,
кулак-мээни жейт ,кулак угуп,көз көргүз
6. General body lexis –in the flesh- - лично; to press the flesh -повысить
популярность, здороваясь за руку с избирателями; put flesh on smth –
уточнить что-либо.
The name of the body parts are among the most frequently involved of words
in the idioms formation. According to A. Blum the somatic idioms compose a great
group of modern English lexicology. Most frequently used somatism is hand. Next
in frequency is followed by head, eye, face, foot, nose, finger, heart. Others leg,
arm, back, bone, brain, ear, tooth, skin, shoulder, neck, tongue are used less
but their activity of forming idioms is quite large.
In our work we studied and analyzed more 4000 idioms of three investegated
languages, which were chosen from Phraseological Dictionaries of Kunin, D.I.
Kveselevich, J. Osmonova and from other source.
After analyzing we come to the next conclusion that the most used idioms with
somatic components “body parts” in English and present of using ratesRussian and
Kyrgyz.
English Russian Kyrgyz
«Hand»-13% «Рука»-25% «көз» -22%
«Head»-9% «Глаз»-23% «баш» -18%
«Eye»-9% «Голова»18% «кол» -15%
«Face»-6% «Нога»-14% «Бут» -10%
«Foot»-5% «нос»-10% «бет» -5%
«Nose»-4% «лицо»-4% «мурун»-2%
«Finger»3% «палец»-3% «манжа»-0,5%
It is typical for somatic idioms the compound system of figurative meanings
and high productiveness by word and phrase formation. To this process mostly
undergo the somatisms, which denote the outer parts of human body. In one’s
turn I divided them into three classes:
1) head and face and their parts: eyes, ear, nose, mouth, lip, chin, forehead.
2) Extremity; feet, hand.
3) Inner organs :heart, lung, lever.
Let study some connotative meaning of somatism.
First I examine the somatisms:head and face and their parts: eyes, ear, nose,
mouth, lip, chin, and forehead.
Head- голова- баш –controls the thought and mind. In this regard, it follows the
main connotative meanings of somatism, it stands for prudence and intelligence or
their absence: “to have a good head for something” –“
иметьяснуюголову”-“башыбар” or “to have a good head on one's shoulders” –
“иметьсвоюголовунаплечах” “ийниндебашыбар”.And absence of mind: in
kyrgyz- “ашкабак баш”, “башы жок”, “башы ордунда эмес”.In russian:
“голова садовая”, “ дурья голова”, “Cabbage-head”, “wooden head”, “be soft
in head”.
The next meanings of idioms express the ability of concentration and will: “ to lose
one's head” –“ повеситьголову / понуритьголову”-“башкөтөрбөө; “to keep
one's head” -“ нетерятьголовы”; “to bury one's head” -“
зарытьголовувпесок”-“башынжерденалбоо”.
In Russian and in Kyrgyz languages the component “head” because of its
importance get the meaning “life”: “поплатитьсяголовой / отвечать головой/
заплатить головой”-“башымененжоопберүү”.
Need to note that when in Russian idioms used the component “head”, in English
and Kyrgyz in some cases used the component “brain-мээ”. For example:
“ломатьнадчем-нибудьголову” – “to cudgel one's brains over something” –
“башкатыруу/мээсиноорутуу”.“Brain like a sieve”- someone who has a very
bad memory and forgets the things easily.“All brawn and no brain”- very strong
but not very intelligent.
Some other idioms: “Can't make head or tail of something”- do not
understand it at all. “Have your head in the clouds”- absorbed by your thoughts
that you are not paying attention to what is happening around you. “Rear its ugly
head”- something unpleasant reappears after lying dormant for some time. Also in
Kyrgyz language a lot of idioms with the component ‘баш” used in various
meanings: “башка түк чыккандан бери”- since was born, “ башка чукак”-
somebody who can not have children, “башы бапан, аягы сапан”- something is
mess, “башы баш, багалчагы кара таш”-is use for somebody who does not want
hear anybody, “башы жаздыкта,бели оттукта эмес”-not yet old, “башы кара,
буту айры”-very old. “башы быша элек”-not yet adult, “башын аттоо”-to
leave own husband, change for another man, “ башына чай кайнатуу”-to punish
somebody. As show the analysis the meanings of idioms with this component in
many cases are identity.
Face-лицо-бет. Our faces get red when we are shamed or we get it away. There
are lot idioms with this somatism in English, Russian and in Kyrgyz mostly have
the meanings “reputation, honor, shame”. For example: “Save one’s face”
“сохранить свое лицо” and the apposite meaning “loose one’s face”. “get a red
face”, “give someone a red face”, “have a red face”, “red in the face”-“бетинде
кызылы бар”, “бетинде кызылы жок”, “бетин чиедей кылуу”, “бетине көө
жабуу”, “бети түгөнүү”.
Other English somatic idioms: “two-faced”- somebody who is deceitful or
insincere, “poker face”-someone who has an expressionless face that shows no
emotion or reaction at all,“face that would stop a clock” and “ face that would stop
a bus”-unattractive face, “face like thunder”- look very angry, “long face” and “a
face as long as a fiddle”-sad face, “face like a bulldog chewing a wasp”- very
unattractive, “have the face to”- have a impudence to say or to do something and
ect. InRussian: “смотреть в лицо опасности”, “лицом в грязь не ударит”,
“сохранить свое лицо”. InKyrgyz: “бетинен түгү чыгуу”, and“бетинен
чаары чыгуу”-getangry, beveryangry, “бетинен түгү түшө элек” –young,
notadult.
Eye- глаза-көз is the main part of the head and face of man. Since ancient
times the eye is equated with deity. As far as the most information about the world
comes through sight, the eye considered as the most important organ, so it was
assigned magical power. Here are examples of English, Russian and Kyrgyz
idioms:
The presence of eyes and their openness symbolized getting information and
its authenticity: “see something with one’s own eyes”- “видеть своими глазами”-
“өз көзу менен көрүү”-be sure. “острыйглаз” –“ sharp eye”-“көзү курч” mean
observant; “keep one’s eyes open for someone or something”, “keep one’s eyes
peeled for someone or something”, “keep one’s weather eyes open” -
смотретьвоба (глаза) – be attentive, alert and cautions.To watch avidly, with
great attention:“feast one’s eyes”,“to be all eyes”, “во все глаза глядеть”, “көз
кызартуу”, “көз артуу”. And on the contrary, carelessly: “одним глазом
взглянуть”- "көз чаптыруу”, “ идти куда-то с закрытыми глазами” means to
act not thinking about the danger,“отвести кому-то глаза”- “көзун бое”to
divert somebody’s attention,and on the contrary : “ to open somebody's eyes to
something”- “открыть/раскрытьглазаначто-то”-“көзүначуу” showing
something in its true light. The eyes play important role by expressing emotions
and feelings, of course there are many idioms with this component which reflect
the changing the human emotional states. For example, surprise: “an eye-opener”
– “вытаращить глаза”, “делать большие глаза”, “глаза на лоб лезут”-“көзү
чанагынан чыгуу”. Desirability: “with an eye to doing something” – “положить
глаз на что-либо / глаза загораются”-“көзү кычышуу/көзү кызаруу/көз
артуу”.Envy: “the envy eye / green eyes” –“ дурной глаз”.It is need to note that
there are some idioms in Russian and kyrgyz with the component “eye” which
denoting “death”:көз жумуу- закрытьглазанавеки.
Ear-ухо- кулак as the eyes is organs which get the information from the
outsides. Therefore the most idioms with this somatism often used to denote the
ability of recognize. For example with the meaning “hear not well”: “туго на
ухо”, “кулагы катуу”.Hear very carefully: “be all ears”- “во все уши
слушать”- “кулак салуу.However, always do not listen attentively and is often
done intentionally : “turn a deaf ear to somebody”- “слушать полухо”,
“пропускать мимо ушей”, “ухом не ведет,ухм не шевелить”- “кулагынын
сыртынан кетүү”, “кулак какпоо”. The ears more than eyes take part in
disclosing of secrets, for example: “walls have ear”- “у стен есть уши”; “to
pick up somebody’s ears”-“навострить уши”- “кулак төшөө”. Although the
ears are on head and just get with the hand , but the eyes can not see them, from
this the Russian idiom ; “ не видать как своих ушей”.Without ears we cannot
hear, Kyrgyz idioms “кулак мурун кескендей” means absolutely stillness.
In English language the “ear” provides the basis for next idioms: “have an ear to
the ground”-knows everything, “have a long ears”- be curious, “din somebody’s
ears”-прожужжать уши, “by the ears”-be in quarrel.
In Russian the somatism “ухо” is a basic element for creating next
idioms:“прожужжать уши”, “держать ухо во стро”, “прохлопть ушами”,
“ухом не повести”, “вешать лапшу на уши”- to deceive.
Kyrgyz somatic idioms: “бышы кулак болуу”- to get into the habit of
something, “кулагы жок”- more used against dutiful children as swearing,
“кулагынын кычуусу кануу”-listen something pleasant and get enjoy, “кулагынан
күн көрунүү”- to grow very thin, “кулак-мээни жейт”-telling something again
and again make somebody nerves, “кулак угуп,көз көргүз”- very far,“кулагыма
кум куюлсун”–persuade somebody that was not hear anything. “кулагына алтын
сырга”- remember always, not forget.
Nose –нос – мурунis often in English and Russian idioms have humorous
meaning:“not to see beyond the end of one's nose”
–“дальшесобственногоносаневидеть”; “to stole something under one's nose”,
“from under one’s nose” – “стащитьчто-либоукого-либоиз-подноса”,
“говорить себе под нос”- about that was very close. And when the exams are
coming, saysthat: “на носу” and “мурду саландоо” has the meaning.In English
and Russian languages the “Nose” symbolizes the unhealthy curiosity: “to stick /
poke one's nose into other people's affairs” – “соватьсвойносневсвоедело”. The
next meaning of idioms with this component in three languages the same “to plume
oneself”: “to look down one's nose at somebody / with one's nose in the air” –
“задиратьнос”, -“мурдункөтөрүү/мурдунансемирүү”.
Tongue-язык-тил is symbolize the communication and transfer of
information: “to have lost one's tongue” –“ языкпроглотить”-“тилин жутуу”;
“the word is on the tip of my tongue”-“ наязыкевертится”-“тилинин учунда
туруу” means that one knows , but can not remember. Often in idioms has the
meaning of organ is guilty for being too talkative. In such case it has the negative
semantics: “wag one’s tongue”-“языком трепетать”- “тили менен орок
оруу”: “to hold one’s tongue/ keep still tongue in one’s head / between one’s
teeth”- “держать язык за зубами”- “Тилин тишине катуу”: “a clever tongue
will take you anywhere”- “язык до Киева доведет”: “a fool’s tongue runs before
his wit”- “язык мой враг мой”- тил учунан”.
The negative meaning expressing the “talkativeness”:“one’s tongue is too long for
one’s teeth”, “have a long tongue”- “слишком длинныйязык”, “язык без
костей”-“тили узун”, “тили оозуна жукпоо”. “To oil one’s tongue” –
льстить.“A sharp tongue” – “острыйязык”- “тили суук”.
In the language world view “tongue” reflects as is a “tool” of speech and the
second is the concept “language skill”.
1. It can hold , bite, prevent its movements: “keep one’s tongue between one’s
teeth”-“прикусить язык”- “тилин тиштоо”; “keep a still tongue in one’s
head”- “Тилин тишине катуу”: “loosen one’s tongue”-“развизать / связать
язык”- “тилин байлоо”.
2. In this case: “keep a civil tongue in one’s head”- “тилинен бал тамуу” ,
“have a glib tongue”- не лесть словом в карман”means to speak well,
polite(good manner of talking).“найти общий язык”- “тил табышуу”, “тилин
билүү”, “говорить на разных языках.
Mouth-рот-оозwith this component formed many somatic idioms, consider the
difference and similarity of their figurative meanings. In English: “down in the
mouth”- look unhappy, discouraged or depressed. “from hand to mouth”- don't
have enough money to save, whatever you earn is spent on food and other
essentials,“make one’s mouth water”- food that looks and smells extremely
good.“foam at the mouth”-someone is extremely angry about something, “put
money where your mouth is”- to give financial support to activities or causes that
you believe are right, “open one’s mouth too wide”- to demand too much, “make a
poor mouth”-topretend being poor, “keep one’s mouth shut”- don’t speakdon’t
make somebody nervous, “have a big mouth”-very talkative.
InRussian: “не открыть рта”, “остаться с открытом ртом” -
fromsurprising, “заткнуть рот кому-либо”, “у всех на устах”.
In Kyrgyz: “оозго алгыс”-impossible to say it, bashful words, “оозго түшкөн
алма”. “оозго суу ууртап алгансуу”and “ооздоруна сөз албоо”- don’t say any
words, “ооз көптүрүү”mean to boast, “оозу менен орок оруу”- mere words, idle
talk, “оозунан кара суу келүү”- be very hungry, “эне сүтү оозуна татуу”- be
in very fifficultness, “эне сүтү оозуна кете элек”- an unexpierense, young
person, “оозу мурдунан чыгуу”- eat more than you can.
As show the examples the main meanings of the component “mouth” are come
from its function. The humanity speak with the help of organ mouth, that why in
most case denote “talkativeness, silence”.
Neck-шея-моюн this component used in formation idioms with different
meanings, for examples: “break one`s neck (to do something)”- to do all one
possibly can, to work very hard to do something, “breathe down (someone`s)
neck”- to watch someone closely (often by standing right behind them), to pressure
someone to do something, ‘a crick in one's neck”- a painful cramp in one's neck,
“dead from theneck up”- to be very stupid, “a kink in one's neck”- a cramp in one's
neck that causes pain, “a millstone around someone's neck”- a burden or handicap
for someone.-каменьнашее; “neck and neck”- exactly even in a race or contest, “a
pain in theneck”- an annoying or bothersome person or event, “risk one's neck (to
dosomething)- to risk harm in order to do something, “save (someone`s)
neck/skin”- to save someone from danger or trouble or embarrassment, “stick one`s
neck out forsomeone or something”- to do something dangerous or risky for
someone, “up toone's neck in something”- to have a lot of something, to be much
involved or busy with something, “wring (someone's) neck”- to be extremely
angry at someone, “a yoke around (someone's) neck”- a burden for someone,
something that oppresses people.
In Russian language the idioms with this component are the followings:
“гнутьшею”-to work hard, “гнатьвшею”-to expel, without hesitation,
“нашеевиснуть”and “ нашеювешаться”is about a women obsessive seeking
men’s attention, “ пошеямбить”-to beat, “навязыватьнашею”-,
“надетьсебенашеюхомут”, “намылитькому-
либошею”,“нашеесидетьиливисетьукого-н ”,
“сломатьилисвернутьшеюначем-н”-to fail or die,
In Kyrgyz language : “мойну жар бербөө”and “мойнунан байлаган
иттей”-don’t have any pleasure to do something, “мойну менен тартуу”-get
punishment, what has been done, “мойнуна алуу”-to admit one’s mistake,
“мойнуна сорпо төгүлүү”-be in very difficult situation, “моюн алышуу”-be in
harmoniously condition, next idioms means “do not obey somebody or
disobedient, naughty person”: “жоон моюн”, “моюн бербөө”, “моюн таптык
кылуу”, моюн толгоо”, тоң моюндук кылуу”.
Forehead - лоб- чеке. In English there is no any idiom with this
component, but in Russian and in Kyrgyz used and has different meanings. In
Russian: “налбунаписана”- it is clear, obvious, “лбамисталкивать”- cause to
quarrel, “поставлятьлоб”- to risk, “влобневлетало”- do not understand.
In Kyrgyz have next meanings: “чекеге чыккан чыйкан”- to hinder,
obstacle, “чекеге чертип туруп”- choose easy but carefully, “чекеге черте
албоо”- can not beat, even touch. As we see the meaning of this component
completely different in these languages.
Tooth-зубы-тиш- is an ancient emblem of the aggressive and defensive
force. F.eg: “to show one’s teeth”, in Russian “скалитьзубы”,
“иметьзубпротивкого-либо”. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” -
“окозаоко, зубзазуб”; “armed to the teeth”-“вооружён дозубов”.
Other interesting meaning of idioms with component “tooth”sing of oldness:
“long in the tooth”, “тишибуудай, чачыкуудай”, “тиш каккан” .Get
experience in something: “cut one’s tooth in smth”- “тиши чыгуу”.
Kyrgyz idioms with meaning “be hungry”: “Тишинкиринсоруу”,
“тишинтишкекоюу”.
Russian somatic idioms with meaning “talking nonsense”-“зубычесать”, to
fail-“зубыломать”, to distract – “зубызаговаривать”, do not want to talk-
“говоритьсквозьзубы”.
Hair-волос-чач can be considered as a possible attribute of head or
independently. Usually, the word in idioms acquires the meaning of any emotion.
For example, fear: “one's hair stood on end” -“волосы
дыбомвстают”-“чачытиктуруу/чачыүрпойүү”. Disappointment: “to tear one's
heard out” -“рвать насебеволосы”.
In English: Let one's hair down-to relax and enjoy themselves, not a hair out
of place- one’s appearance is perfect, “split hairs”- pay too much attention to
differences that are very small or not important.
InRussian: “схватиться за волосы”, “ до седых волос”, “ ни на волос”,
“ на волоске висеть”, “на волосок от чего-н”,
InKyrgyz: “чач кирпиги жетпөө”-somethingisnotenough, “чач
этектен”and “чачтан көп” mean something is verymuch, a lot, “чачы агаруу”
–be in a deep depression.
The second classes are the extremity; feet, hand and their parts.
Hand- руки- кол has following meaning “hard working, skill, trade” so
particularly the hand connected with manual labor. Idioms with such meaning in
three languages: “a safe pair of hands”, “ a dab hand” , “a old hand” –
“умелыеруки” “золотыеруки, мастер”, “на все руки”, “колунан көөрү
төгүлгөн”. And on the contrary “idleness”: “ folding one’s hands”, “to sit
twiddling one’s thumbs”, “сидеть, сложаруки’’, “колунан кокон тыйын
келбөө”.
The Hand particularly used in many cases with the meaning “Finding something
by somebody and getting it”: “to take something in hand / lay hands on”
-“наложитьрукуначто-либо / прибратьчто-либокрукам / взятьвсвоируки”;
“to hold well in hand” – “ держатьвсвоихруках”;” to take oneself in hand” -“
взятьсебявруки”; “hands off!” -“руки прочь”;” to fall / get into somebody's
hands” - “попастьсявчьи-либолапы”. In kyrgyz with the same meaning:“кол
алдында”, “кол салуу”, “колго алуу”.The next meaning is “human activities” :
“to give a free hand” –“ развязать руки”; “to be tired / bound hand and foot “
–“ быть связанным по рукам и ногам”-“колу жолу байлануу”,know something
extremely well: “know something like the back of your hand”- “беш колундай
билүү”. The meaning of communication and exchange: “ change hands” –
“пеходить из рук в руки / ходить по рукам / из рук в руки”; “at first / second
hand” –“из первых / вто-рых / третьих рук (узнать, знать, купить что-
либо)”.
The right hand plays a more important role than the left: “one’s right hand
man”-“правая рука”- “оң колу” means “to be closest assistant”. And the idiom: “
not to let one's left hand what one's right hand does” –“ леваяруканеведает,
чтотворитправая” is used when talking to condemn controversial actions or the
actions of those who work inconsistently, in all direction. In many languages “the
right side” associated with something commendable, and the “left side” –
something that deserves a negative evaluation that is the concept of right is “good”
and the concept of the left is “bad”.
Other Idioms with somatism “hand” : “hand over” -pass on something, “get
out ofhand”- become impossible to manage, “know something like the back of your
hand” -know something extremely well, “have your hands full” - be very busy, “in
hand” -under control, “live hand to mouth” - only earn enough money for food,
“give someone a hand “- help someone, “have someone in the palm of your hand”
-have influence over someone, “be caught red-handed”- be caught doing
something bad.
“To throw in (up) one’s hands” – out off the game, “to win hands down” –
to gain a victory.
Other idioms: “кол башындай”- something very small, “кол кабыш
кылуу”- to help, “ колу жука”- be in financial difficult, “ колу туткак”-petty
thief, “колу тар” and “колу чүрүш”-greedy man,
Foot-нога- бут this somatism reflect the meaning of stability, instability and
the conviction itself: “to stand on one's own two feet” –“ стоятьобеимино-
гаминаземле”; “to feel/find one's feet” –“ обрести (твёрдую)
почвуподногами”;” to get back on one's feet” –“ встатьнаноги”- “бутуна
туруу”; “ to cut the ground from under one's feet / to pull the rug from under
one's feet” – “выбитьпочвуиз-подног”; “ to be with one foot in the grave” -“
стоятьоднойногойвмогиле”- “бир буту көрдө, бир буту жерже”
In English the component “Foot” involved in the formation of idioms with
different meanings: “put your foot in it”- say or do something you shouldn't, “have
itchy feet”- not able to settle down in one place, “keep someone on their toes” -
keep someone alert, “stand on your own two feet” - be independent, “have two left
feet” - be awkward or clumsy, “ walk on eggshells”- be careful about what you say
or do, “foot the bill”- pay the bill, carry smb. of his feet - вскружитькому-
либоголову,“to be dead on one’s feet ,smb’s legs are giving away” –be very
tired,“as cold feet” –cowardice, “to think on one’s feet” –quick think out, “to find
one’s feet” -найтиместовжизни, “feet first” - to die, “ to put one’s best foot
first” –to make very effort , “to fall on one’s feet” -
суспехомвыйтииззатруднительногоположения, “take to one’s feet” -
уноситьноги.
Heels – пятка – таман.English idioms with component heels express risk
with an element of adventure and fear. Meanings to escape for saving one’s life:
“show one’s heels”, “show clean pair of heels”. These idioms have completely
equivalents in Russian “показатьпятки”, “удиратьтак,
чтопяткиисвуркают”. In Kyrgyz: “таманынжылтыратуу”.
More used English somatic idioms are followings: “come to heel”-submit to
smb,to obey, “on smb’s heel”- “ходить за кем либо попятам”, “get the heels of
smb”-run quickly leaving smb behind. Next idiom “knock smb back on one’s
heels” has two meanings: unpleasantly surprise somebody and disturb somebody’s
success.“Lay by the heel”- to arrest, “with the heels forward”- ногами вперед (the
deceased). “set one back on one’s heels” – surprise somebody. “head over heels in
debt” – погрязатьвдолгах
Russian somatic idioms: “душа впяткиуходит”- be very frightened.
“Бытьподпяткой” -be fully subordinate to somebody, “гнатьсязакем-
либопопятам”-persistently follow somebody. Next idioms with the meaning “to
toady” exist in two languages: “пяткилизатькому-либо”and “ таманынжало”.
In Kyrgyz there are some idioms with component “таман”: “таман акы,
маңдай тер”,, “таман тирөө”-to compete, “тамантузаксалу”-arrest.
“таманынамайтөшөө”-first meaning respect somebody and the second is to
toady. «таманыныналдынантабу»- easy to find something.
Shoulder-плечо-ийинin English:“carry the weight of the world on one's
shoulders”- to appear to be dealing with all the problems in the whole world, “get
the cold shoulder from someone”- to be ignored or rejected by someone, “give
(someone) the cold shoulder”- to ignore try to get into a conflict with others, “have
broad shoulders”- to have the ability to work hard and take on responsibilities and
accept criticism, “head and shoulders above someone or something”- to be
superior to someone or something, “ look over one's shoulder”- to be worried that
something dangerous or bad may happen to you, “on someone's shoulders”-
someone's responsibility , “put one's shoulder to thewheel”- to get busy and do
some work, “rub shoulders with someone”- to be in the same place as others, to
meet and mix with others, “a shoulder to cry on”- someone to whom you can tell
your problems to and then ask for sympathy and advice, “shoulder to shoulder”-
side by side, with a shared purpose, “straight from the shoulder”- an open and
honest way of speaking.
Shoulder as the upper part of the hand symbolized responsibility, work wear,
which they bear: “взвалитьчто-тонаплечи”,” подставитьсвоеплечо”-to help,
“вынестичто-тонасвоихплечах” –to cope with difficulties, without any help.
In Kyrgyz:“ийни бүтөлү” and “ийни кубануу”mean to wear new clothes,
“ийнинде башы бар”- a sensible and realistic person, “ийнинен дем алуу”-to get
worth.
Finger-палец-манжа. In English:“butter fingers” -be clumsy and drop
things, “keep your fingers crossed”-wish something for someone, “under your
thumb”- control someone, “cut a fine figure”- to dress and look good, “to have
finger in the pie” – take part in something.
Next idioms have the meanings “clever trick, make a fool” in two languages: “to
wind round one's (little) finger” – “обвестивокругпальца”, “to turn (или to twist)
somebody round one's (little) finger - обвестикого-л. вокругпальца”;to do
nothing: “not to move a finger” – “палецопалецнеударить”; do not notice
consciously:“смотреть сквозь пальцы”, “not to lay (to put) a finger on smb.”
–“ипальцемнетронуть”; “to dab with one's finger “-“тыкатьпальцем”.
Back –спина- далы
In English: “back-to-back”- next to each other and touching backs, “ behind
someone`s back”- without someone's knowledge, secretly, when someone is
absent, “break one`s back to do something”- to do all one possibly can, to work
very hard to do something, “cover one's back”- to do something to protect yourself
from criticism or future blame, “a crick in one's back”- a painful cramp in one's
back, “get off someone`s back”- to stop criticizing or nagging someone, “get
someone's back up”- to make someone become angry, “give someone the shirt off
one's back”- to be very generous to someone, “have one's back to the wall”- to be
in a defensive position, “off one`s back”- to not bother someone, to remove
someone or something as an annoyance, “on someone`s back”- constantly
criticizing someone, pressuring someone, “a pat on the back”- praise,
congratulations, encouragement, “put one's back into something”- to use great
physical or mental energy to do something, “scratch someone`s back”- to do
someone a favor in the hope that they will do something for you, “stab (someone)
in the back”- to betray someone, “turn one`s back on someone or something”- to
refuse to help someone who is in trouble or need,
Russian idioms with component “Спина”: “спиной повернуться”-put on end to
relationship, “толкать в спину”- to hurry, “распрямить спину”- get a
confidence, “за чужую спину прятаться”-to shift one’s dirty or responsibility to
someone, “спину показать”-to eliminate, “стоять за чьей нибудь спиной”-
manage someone secretly, “говорить в спину”-, “за спиной жить”- live under
one’s protecting, “на чужой спине ехать”-to use the labor of others, “спину
гнуть”-to cringe somebody.
Inner organs of human body: heart, lung, stomach, bone
The word heart – сердце – жүрөк in English, Russian and Kyrgyz culture
associate with soul, feelings, kindness, love and honesty. But what interesting is
that in English and Kyrgyz people use word «heart-жүрөк»and in Russian «душа
(soul) ». May be this connected with such national characteristic as
«русскаядуша». “One’s heart isn’t in it” –“Душа нележит”. “To pull at
someone’s heart" – “Брать кого-либозадушу”.“In one’s heart of hearts” –
“Воглубинедуши”. “To have a heart talk” – “Говорить подушам”. Interesting
fact when the people are freighted, so by English and Kyrgyz the heart goes to
“mouth or throat” “To have one’s heart in one’s mouth
(throat)”-“жүрөгүоозунатыгылуу”, “жүрөгүалкымынакектелүү” and by
Russian people «душавпяткиуходит». Also when wanted to express “devote
oneself completely”: “have one’s heart in something”- “вкладоватьвсюдушу”;
“from the bottom of the heart” – “отвсейдуши”- “жүрөгүнөн кайнап
чыккан”,“one’s heart isn’t in it” –“душанележит”, “to pull at someone’s
heart” – strings – “братького-либозадушу”. “in one’s heart of hearts” –
“воглубинедуши”. “To have a heart – to – heart talk” –“говорить подушам”.
“камень с души свалился”- “жүрөгү бөксөрө түшүү” but in English “ the
weight seems to fall from somebody’s shoulders”.
Describe the such human characters as cowardice and bravery: “heart of
oak”-“майлуужүрөк”, “жүрөгүндө жалы (оту) бар”,
“кошжүрөк”(храброесердце). There are few idioms with the meaning of
“cowardice”: “коенжүрөк”, “суужүрөк”, “бок жүрөк”, “жүрөгү жок”.
Other English idioms with the word “heart”: “break someone's heart” -
upset someone greatly, “learn something off by heart” - learn something
completely, “you're all heart!”- when you tell someone sarcastically how kind they
are, “hand on heart”- promise with sincerity, “have the heart” -be able to give
someone bad news, “a heart of gold” - be a very kind person.
Other Kyrgyz idioms:“жүрөгү ачышуу”, “жүрөгү каноо”, “жүрөгү
жаралуу”, ““жүрөгү атып кетүү”, “жүрөгү калтыроо”, “жүрөгү өлүү”, “
“жүрөгү байлануу”, “жүрөгү жибүү”, “жүрөгүн сууруп берүү” ect.As we
see there are a lot of Kyrgyz idioms with component “heart” which denotes the
feelings of upset, worry, fear and love.
Throat-глотка-кекиртек
In English: “at each other's throats”- fighting or arguing all the time, “cut one`s
(own) throat”- to experience certain failure, to do something that will cause
problems now or in the future, “force (something) down (someone`s) throat”- to
force someone to do or agree to something that they do not want or like, “get a frog
in one's throat”- to get soreness in your throat that prevents you from talking well,
“get a lump in one'sthroat”- to feel like there is something in your throat as if you
are going to cry, “grab someone by the throat”- to feel very interested or excited or
frightened because of a performance or book or idea, “have a frog in one's throat”-
to have soreness in your throat that prevents you from talking well, “jump down
(someone`s) throat”- to suddenly become very angry at someone,“ram something
down someone`s throat”- to force someone to do or agree to something that they do
not want or like, “ shove something down someone`s throat”- to force someone to
do or agree to something that they do not want or like, “slit one`s (own) throat”- to
experience certain failure, to do something that will cause problems now or in the
future, “stick in (someone's) throat”- an idea or situation that is difficult for you to
accept and irritates or displeases you, “one's whistle is one's throat”- to have a
drink, “words stick in one's throat”- one can hardly speak because he or she is so
overcome by emotion.
In Russsian: схватитьзаглотку - to suddenly become very angry at
someone ,перегрызтьглоткукому-л ,заткнутьглоткукому-л ,дратьглоту.
In Kyrgyz: кекиртеги талга илинүү – be very hungry, кекиртектен алуу - to
suddenly become very angry at someone, кекиртегин майлоо – to give money
(means corruption).
Stomach-желудок-ашказан the mostly used English idiom with this
component:
“Can’t stomach someone or something”- to dislike someone or something very
much.
“difficult to stomach (someone or something)/ hard to stomach (someone or
something”- to be unable to accept someone, to be unable to accept something that
you think is unpleasant or wrong, “eyes are bigger than one's stomach”- taking
more food than one can eat. “get butterflies in one`s stomach/ have butterflies in
one`s stomach”- to get a feeling of fear or anxiety in one's stomach. “not have the
stomach for something”- to have no desire to do something because you think that
it is unpleasant or wrong, “turn someone`s stomach”- to make someone feel sick,
to disgust someone. After analyzing we can see that this component is a non
productive in Russian and Kyrgyz languages, as there is any idioms.
Bone- кость-сөөк.In English and in Kyrgyz languages used more idioms
with component bone (сёёк). Let study their similarities and differences. F.eg: “a
bag of bone”-very thin man and Kyrgyz idiom “сөөгу агаруу”-to grow fat. “Lay
one’s bone” and “сөөк кармоо”-to bury died man’s body, “keep the bone green”-
keep one’s healthy and “сөөгу бош”- not fit, “cut the bone” and “сөөккө тамга
салуу” mean to hurt. There are some Kyrgyz idioms which mean “be up sad”:
“сөөгунө бату, сөөгунөн суу чыгуу, сай сөөгунө жетүү, сөөгунөн өтүп
чучугуна жетүү”. Other meanings of somatic English idioms : “make no bones
about something”- to make no mistake about something, to not doubt something,
“know something in one's bones,feel something in one's bones” - to know and
sense something, to have an intuition about something, “as dry as a bone”- very
dry, “bare bones of something”- the most basic and important parts of something,
“a bone of contention”- something that people disagree about, “chilled to the
bone”- very cold, “close to the bone” - something (a story or remark) that is
embarrassing or upsetting,“give somebody a bone to pick”-get loose the enemy,
“have a bone in one’s arm (leg)”-very tired, “be on one’s bone”-be in financial
difficulty, “what is bred inthe bone will not out of the flesh”-“сөөгү менен кошо
жатуу”- «горбатогомогилаисправить».In Russian: “костьмилечь”- do
anything for the sake of achieving the goal, “перемывать косточки”- to gossip,
“по косточкам разобрать”- to discuss in detail.
Blood- кровь- кан this component has various meaning in composition of
idioms. English idioms: “bad blood (between people)”- anger or a bad relationship
due to past problems with someone, “blood is thicker than water”- family
members are closer to one another than to others, “blood on the carpe”- much
trouble, blood runs cold- terrified or horrified, “blood, sweat, and tears”- great
personal effort, “curdlesomeone's blood”- to frighten someone, “have someone's
blood on one's hands”- to be responsible for someone's death, “in one's blood”- to
be built into one's personality or character, “like getting blood out of a stone”- very
difficult to get something from someone or something, “make someone's blood
boil”- to make someone very angry, “make someone's blood run cold”- to shock or
horrify someone, “too rich for someone's blood”- to be too expensive for
someone's budget.In Russian: “проливать свою кровь”- sacrifice oneself
protecting somebody or something, “кровью заплатить”-get one’s own way,
“кровью смыть”- to revenge , “в крови”- to be built into one's personality or
character, “леденить кровь”- to shock or horrify someone, “кроввь от крови”- a
close relative (father, daughter, brother etc.), a living human body. In Kyrgyz:
“канга баткан”- very difficult situation, “кан сөлү жок”- get pale, “каны
катуу”-want to drink, “каны суюк”-hot –tempered, “каны кас”- anger or a bad
relationship due to past problems with someone,there are many idioms with the
meaning be or make someone very angry:“каны ичине тартуу”, “каны
суюлуу”, “канын кайнатуу”, каны башына тебүү”.As show the analysis the
most of idioms of three languages have similar meanings.
Lung-легкие-өпкө. “At the top of one's lungs”- shout as loudly as possibly.
In kyrgyz language this component used widely and in many cases mean “to boast,
boasting and boaster” : “өпкө көптүрүү”, “өпкөсү жок”, “өпкөсүн колуна
алуу”, next idioms used when somebody loves, especially the children:“өпкө-
жүрөгүн чабуу”, “өпкомдү чабайын”, “өпкөмдү чабайын” .Other
meanings:”өпкө кагуу”-to regret, “өпкө өпкөсүнө батпоо” and “өпкөсү көбүү”
means to cry hard, “өпкөсу казанбактай болуу” and “өпкөсү казандай, өтү
аяктай болуу”- be offended at somebody.
From semantically point of view English, Russian and Kyrgyz body
somatisms may express: human emotions and feelings, traits of human character,
features of different phenomena. Let’s analyze each set of thematic groups. The
examples are taken from above stated body idioms.
1.Human emotions and feelings. All body idioms are very “emotional”,
just a certain number of them are rather “patient”. Idioms, like people created
them, are angry or sad. They laugh, cry, moan, threaten, learn - the same the people
the same are the words.
A positive emotional and expressive nuance can be seen in the idioms which form
a thematic group “Delight, happiness and joy”: carry somebody of his feet -
вскружитькому-либоголову-башын айландыруу, to rub one’s hands -
потиратьрукиотудовольствия. An atmosphere of love and romance is rendered
by the somatisms included in the thematic group “Love and passion”: to win smb’s
hand добитьсясогласиянабрак, to kiss one’s hand to somebody -
послатьвоздушныйпоцелу), to offer smb. one’s hand –просить руки-
проситького-либостатьсвоейженой – колунсуроо.
Some somatisms, however, are full of negative tone. For example, my foot!
(Чертасдва!)Bears a strong resentment, while a woman wrings her hand –колун
шилтоо- when being in desolation and hopelessness.
We also have to mention a thematic group of exhaustion and tiredness,
which is mainly formed by the idioms, having “foot and leg” as constituents: to be
dead on one’s feet -бутун тарта албоо-с ног валиться, somebody’s legs are
giving away (кто-либонеможетстоятьнаногахотусталости).
2. Traits of human character. It is known that the idioms’ meaning is in
certain way leaning on the human nature, his positive and negative features. For
example, laziness is criticized by folding one’s hands (бездействовать).
Poltroonery, cowardice and dread are mocked at by such somatisms as cold feet,
суужүрөк(трусость), to hold one’s hand (воздержатьсяотчего-либо), while
bravery, daring and self-control are expressed by to get oneself in hand-
братьсебявруки. The importance of permanent activity of a person and the ability
to keep his word is highlighted by to think on one’s feet (быстросоображать), a
firm hand (твердое руководство), and a light hand-жеңил кол (ловкость).
A person feels well only in the case of his inner psychological stability,
achieved by the idea of having a good “physiological” pillar, which is known to be
represented by his foot/feet: to find ones’ feet-бутуна туруу
(найтиместовжизни), to be on one’s feet (бытьнезависимым).
The ability of a person to learn and to acquire special professional skills as
well as his experience is rendered by such somatisms as an old hand (опытный/
бывалыйчеловек, a fresh hand (новичок), all thumbs- (неловкийчеловек).
3. Features of different phenomena. This set of thematic groups of
English body idioms deals with cognitive approach to personal and interpersonal
relationships and situations, as well as various aspects of life. For example, the
notions of unity and oneness is rendered by such idioms and proverbs as arm in
arm/ hand in hand, joined at the hip, cheek by jowl (сообща/ вместе), shoulder to
shoulder :плечомкплечу,рукаобруку, биржакаданбаш, бирженденколчыгаруу,
However, permanent peace in relationships between people and countries is
something exceptional and even psychologists speak about the necessity of being
at loggerheads with somebody from time to time, which leads to a kind of fight or
war (in case of countries) and involves a series of concepts as:
- challenge and concession : all hands to the pumps (всенаборьбу), every
man’s hand against one (всепротиводного), gain the upper hand (,
одержатьпобеду), hand it to somebody (признатьчье-либопревосходство);
- attempt and violence : to fight hand in hand (вестирукопашныйбой), lay
violent hands on somebody (применятьнасилие);
- power and influence : to have long hands (влиятельныйчеловек), to be in
somebody’s hands (находитьсявовласти), a hidden hand (тайноевлияние);
- humiliation : to stay in somebody’s hand (, мешатькому-либо);
-actions to cock one's nose - задиратьнос; to trim the sails to the wind -
держатьносповетру; to turn up one's nose at - задиратьноспередкем-л.; to
lead smb. a (divtty) dance - водитького-л. занос; to slam (или to shut) the door in
smb.'s face - захлопнутьдверьпередсамымносомкого-л.; near at hand - наносу;
невидетьдальшесвоегоноса; воротитьнос; натянутьнос; носсносом;
соватьподнос; соватьсвойнос; тыкатьвнос; уткнутьнос; зарубитьнаносу;
оставитьсносом; to make a long nose; on the nose; to count (to tell) noses; to
bite smb.'s nose off; to make smb.'s nose swell; to pay through the nose; to wipe
smb.'s
- death : to have (got) one foot in the grave (стоятьоднойногойвмогиле),
feet first (умереть), to have blood on somebody’s hands (, рукизапачканыкровью
/ бытьвиновнымвсмертикого-либо).
It is known that human life is not cakes and ale as a person has to meet a lot of
hardships, which he has to overcome on his way to success. This idea is rendered
by such somatisms as to put one’s best foot first (приложитьвсеусилия), to play
one’s hand for all it is worth (доводитьделодоконца), with both hands -
работатьнепокладаярук (усиленно), have one’s hands full (захлопотаться).
Even the opposition of notions success - failure is expressed by the somatisms to
fall on one’s feet (суспехомвыйтииззатруднительногоположения), to win
hands down (легкоодержатьпобеду), to throw in (up) one’s hands
(выйтиизигры).
Thus, somatic constructions (built on the basis of names of body parts) as
one of the ancient set expressions in the process of their language functioning
acquire different (both positive and negative) semantic connotations.
As show the facts the somatic idioms do not reflects in its content of any
historical, social facts, as is most often transmit physiological condition of person
appear usually a result of a rethinking of metaphoric phrases that describe the
sensation of the body. That is the appearance of such idioms not connecting with
style of life, culture and history of that or other nations, and consequently they
exist independently from each other in various languages the world.
2.2.Complete equivalents of English Body Idioms in Kyrgyz and
Russian
The completely equivalents of idioms is when English, Russian and
Kyrgyz somatic idioms coincide with meanings, expressiveness, style nuance, but
having unimportant change in component and morphological structure.
In the capacity of examples can be served following somatic idioms in
English, Russian and Kyrgyz languages.
Right hand- правя рука- оң кол
Face to face – лицом к лицу- бетме бет
Stony heart –каменное сердце- таштай (таш) жүрөк.
Bloodforblood- кровь за кровь- канга кан
In first example used the somatic idioms right hand which transfer into Russian
and Kyrgyz languages with the help of such idioms правя рука and оң кол . These
idioms are complete equivalents of English idiom right hand, because they have
the same meaning “main assistant, whom can trust”
Thus, English somatic idioms right hand absolutely coincide with Russian
and Kyrgyz equivalents правя рука and оң кол , which identify by its semantic
meaning, components, figurativeness and stylistic direction.
The somatic English idioms tony heart completely coincide with idioms каменное
сердцеand таштай (таш) жүрөкwith all indications, which stated above,
besides gender categories which absence in English and Kyrgyz languages.
For example:
-She is not a person to go to if you have got problems- she has got a stony heart.
- Если у тебя проблемы, не стоит к ней обращаться - у нее каменное сердце.
- Эгер сен кыйын абалда болсон, анда ага кайрылуунун кажети жок - анын
жүрөгү таш
“Usually such set expressions (idioms) have a complete equivalents, which based
on general regularity’s development of people’s thought, reflect general vital and
different psychological situation for all nations, and that is why can exist
independently from each other in various languages with the same logical meaning
as result of syntactical free word combinations.” (18., p 46).
The completely equivalents of English, Russian and Kyrgyz somatic idioms:
1. to have a good head on one's shoulders – иметьсвоюголовунаплечах -
ийниндебашыбар
2. Open one’s eyes to something- открыть глаза к - либо- көзүн ачуу
3. Showcleanpairofheels-удирать так, что пятки и сверкают-таманын
жылтыратуу.
In first example somatic English idiom to have a good head on one's shoulders
has its equivalents in Russian иметьсвоюголовунаплечахand in Kyrgyz
ийниндебашыбар .These idioms are also complete phraseological equivalents ,
because they identical meaning “a sensible and realistic person”.
Let consider it in example:
- Don’t worry about him. He is adventurous but he has a good head on one’s
shoulders.
- Не беспокойтесь о нем. он любит приключений, но у него есть голова
не плечах.
- Ал жөнундө көп ойлонбо. Ал саякатты жакшы көрөт,бирок анын
ийнинде башы бар.
So the English idiom to have a good head on one's shoulders is coincides
with Russian and Kyrgyz equivalents, which identical in semantic, component,
figurativeness and style.
Such identical inter languages somatic idioms have no national characteristic, so as
they express the condition of any man, independently which nation he is
bellowing. About this the scientist L.K.Bayramova confirmcorrectly “The
coincides of main body parts functions, bring to the identity of inter language
idioms, which denote this function”.
The analysis shows that most somatic idioms of these three languages are
complete equivalents:
jump down (someone`s) throat - схватитьзаглотку- кекиртектен алуу
to have one foot in the grave - стоять одной ногой в могиле - бир буту көрдө,
бир буту жерде
to have a good head for something –иметьяснуюголову-башыбар
to cudgel one's brains over something – ломать над чем-нибудь голову -баш
катыруу
see something with one’s own eyes- видеть своими глазами- өз көзу менен
көрүү
a sharp tongue – острый язык- тили суук
sharp eye - острый глаз- көзү курч
to open somebody's eyes to something- открыть/раскрыть глаза на что-то-
көзүн ачуу
to get back on one's feet–встать на ноги- бутуна туруу
Cabbage-head -голова садовая- ашкабак баш
show clean pair of heels - удирать так, что пятки и сверкают-таманын
жылтыратуу
со всех ног - put one’s best legs- буту бутуна тийбөө
In many case the complete equivalents can exist only in two languages.
The Russian and Kyrgyz complete equivalents:
найти общий язык - тил табышуу
отвечать го ловой-башы менен жооп берүү
закрыть глаза навеки - көз жумуу
Белая рука - ак кол
Белая кость - ак сөөк
The reasons of appearance of idioms absolutely equivalents can be borrowings
from some third source. Basically from Bible, ancient mythology of ancient Greece
and Rome. For example such idioms in two languages:
Achilles’s heel- ахиллесова пята
Skin and bone-кожа до кости
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth-око за окоб зуб за зуб.
An English idioms coincidewith Russian and Kyrgyz somatic idioms by their
meaning, expressiveness and style nuance we called completely equivalent, in spite
of unimportant change in component and morphological structure.
All these examples show that such unimportant differences don’t influence on
meaning and stylistic character of original expressions.
From complete equivalents need to distinguish the “false equivalents”, which
by complete structure coincides, have the different meaning. Forexamples:
- withone’snoseintheair (смотреть с высоко)- нос по ветру (быть на чеку),
toahair (в точности)- на волосок от (чуть-чуть, едва не)
-тянуть за язык – тилин тартуу, без лица (бледный) - бети жок
(безстыдный).
Consider next examples: Foam at the mouth – спенойуртаthese two idioms are
complete equivalents which coincide with meaning, expressiveness, style nuance,
but their equivalents in Kyrgyz language ооз көптүрүү is their false equivalents,
because has the completely an other meaning “to boast”.
Thus idioms are false equivalents because they have different semantics.
After analysis we see that using of complete equivalents assist to adequate
transferring to the achievement of English idioms into Russian and Kyrgyz
languages.
Thus, as stated above appearance of such idioms not connecting with style
of life, culture and history of that or other nations, and consequently they exist
independently from each other in various languages the world.
2.3. Incompleteequivalents of English Body Idioms in Kyrgyz and Russian
The incompletely equivalents of idioms is when English, Russian and Kyrgyz
somatic idioms coincide with meaning, expressiveness, style nuance, but having
change in component and morphological structure.
But by comparison of interlanguges incomplete corresponding equivalents,
the opinions of scientists are differences.
So the Russian linguist A.V.Kunin classifying the idioms by different ways
of translations in “English- Russian phraseological dictionary” singles out three
types of incomplete equivalents.
1. Russian phraseological equivalents of English idioms coinciding by
their meanings, stylistic directions and figurativeness, but distinguishing by their
lexical components.
2. Russian phraseological equivalents of English idioms coinciding by
their meanings, stylistic directions, but having some differences in number and in
order of words.
3. Russian phraseological equivalents of English idioms coinciding by
their meanings, stylistic directions, but distinguishing by their figurativeness.
The classification of A.V. Kunin distinguishing by its clarity and deeper
studying in theoretically and practical ratio, stood the longer examination of time
and till nowadays is served as pattern of phraseological classifications for other
languages.
One of the first research devoted to the translations of idioms in Turkic
languages is the work of Tatar linguist K.B.Bairamova (2., p.68-69). In her work
she compared the Russian – Tatar idioms, singled out two types of incomplete
corresponding equivalents.
1. Russian phraseological equivalents, coinciding with Tatar idioms by
meanings, but distinguishing by some components.
2. Russian and Tatar idioms corresponding by components, but
distinguishing by volume of the meanings.
Also other scientists expressed their opinions and they are all in different
meanings. In spite these conclusions are the bases for characterization of
incomplete phraseological equivalents corresponding differentlanguages.
We join to the opinions of scientists and understand that the idioms of two or
more languages coincide by their meanings, but distinguish by their lexical
components. For examples:
1. Myfingersitch - у меня руки чешутся – колу кычышуу.
2. one's hair stood on end - волосы дыбом встают-чачы тик туруу/чачы
үрпойүү
As shows the first idiom that in English language the finger but in Russian and
Kyrgyz languages рука and кол itch. From second idioms we see that the
distinguishing components of each languages idiom give increasing meanings to
“the conditions of fright”.
As showed the examples by the complete semantic correspondence, some
idioms of English, Russian and Kyrgyz languages distinguish from each other by
their lexical components. These differences not change the meaning of idioms, but
increase the figurativeness and expressiveness of idioms.
The incomplete equivalents of English somatic idioms in Russian and Kyrgyz
languages:
from the bottom of the heart – от всей души- жүрөгүнөн кайнап чыкк
the weight seems to fall from somebody’s shoulders-камень с души свалился -
жүрөгү бөксөрө түшүү
To have one’s heart in one’s mouth (throat) - душа в пятки уходит -
жүрөгү оозуна тыгылуу
an eye-opener - глаза на лоб лезут - көзү чанагынан чыгуу
turn a deaf ear to somebody- пропускать мимо ушей - кулагынын сыртынан
кетүү
with one's nose in the air– задиратьнос -мурдункөтөрүү
to have lost one's tongue – языкпроглотить -тилин жутуу
the word is on the tip of my tongue - наязыкевертится-тилинин учунда туруу
wagone’stongue -языком трепетать- тили менен орок оруу
keep one’s tongue between one’s teeth-прикусить язык- тилин тиштоо
one's hair stood on end - волосы дыбом встают-чачы тик туруу/чачы үрпойүү
know something like the back of your hand- знатькаксвоипятьпальцев - беш
колундай билүү
myfingersitch - у меня руки чешутся – колу кычышуу.
not to lay (to put) a finger on smb. - ипальцемнетронуть – чекеге черте албоо.
CONCLUSION Phraseology is extremely difficult phenomenon studying of which needs its
own method of research and the use of information of the other sciences –
lexicology, grammar, stylistics, phonetics, language history, history, philosophy,
logics and country-specific studies.
Phraseological units also called idioms, a word group with a fixed lexical
composition and grammatical structure; its meaning, which is familiar to native
speakers of the given language, is generally figurative and cannot be derived from
the meanings of the phraseological unit’s component parts. The meanings of
phraseological units are the result of the given language’s historical development.
In our work we studied idioms with the lexical- semantic field of “body
parts” in three English, Russian and Kyrgyz languages. Somatism or somatic
idioms are idioms as leading or dependent components is the word denoting not
only outer physical form of human organisms (head, hand, foot) but and the
element of heart vascular, the nervous and other systems (blood, spleen, brain,
lever). The such idioms of these investigated languages are presented the enormous
group of idioms, which possess the specific peculiarities. Among them there are all
types of idioms by academic V.V.Vinogradov’s classification: phraseological
fusions (сращение, ширешме) phraseological unities (единства,бирдик),
phraseologicalcombination (сочетания, тизмек).This classification is used in these
three languages.
In our work we conducted a semantic and contrastive analysis of English,
Russian and Kyrgyz somatic idioms. If they bring in order phraseological activity
according to the English, Russian and Kyrgyz languages, we can note that the most
three productive somatism in English: hand, head and eye, in Russian: рука,
глазаиголова, and in Kyrgyz language the most idioms are formed with
component көз, and then баш, кол. As it turned out many somatic idioms do not
reflects in its content of any historical, social facts, as is most often transmit
physiological condition of person appear usually a result of a rethinking of
metaphoric phrases that describe the sensation of the body, for examples: in
English: Have one's heart in the right place- be very kind; break someone's
heart - upset someone greatly; hand on heart- promise with sincerity; have the
heart -be able to give someone bad news. In Russian: бередитьсердце-to excite,
disturb anyone; открыватьсвоесердце- openly talk about their cherished dreams;
трогатьзасердце-strong, deeply upset, cause ecstatic feelings. In Kyrgyz:жүрөгү
ачышуу, жүрөгү каноо, жүрөгү жаралуу.
The analysis of idioms with somatic components allowed us to make the following
conclusions:
1) The lexemes with a given semantics are extremely active in formation of
idioms in third English, Russian and Kyrgyz languages.
2) The idioms with discussed above components “somatism” are
predominantly conversational or colloquial, although found in a book style.
3) The largest number of idioms marked with the words of hand, head, eye
and heart , not only because of the polyseme, but the traditions of the people in
the folklore, in national linguistic with them are linked most of symbols, signifying
how certain concepts and certain conditions of man, expressed by concrete
emotions.
The contrastive analysis of the somatic idioms leads us to draw the following
conclusions:
The idioms with component “body parts” in three investigated languages
possess with increased interlanguage phraseological equivalence. This explained
with that the words naming body parts compile the high frequency and primordial
lexis of every language and very active in forming idioms and as appointed above
the somatic idioms do not reflects in its content of any historical, social facts, as is
most often transmit physiological condition of person, all those heighten degree of
interlanguage equivalence. Have studying all material we have revealed the types
of interlaguages phraseologycal equivalence:
1) Complete equivalents of idioms is when English, Russian and Kyrgyz somatic
idioms coincide with meaning, expressiveness, style nuance, but having
unimportant change in component and morphological structure: to have a good
head on one's shoulders – иметьсвоюголовунаплечах -ийниндебашыбар;
show clean pair of heels - удирать так, что пятки и сверкают-таманын
жылтыратуу; со всех ног - put one’s best legs- буту бутуна тийбөө.
2) Incomplete equivalents of idioms is when English, Russian and Kyrgyz somatic
idioms coincide with meaning, expressiveness, style nuance, but having change in
component and morphological structure: the weight seems to fall from
somebody’s shoulders-камень с души свалился -жүрөгү бөксөрө
түшүү;from the bottom of the heart – от всей души- жүрөгүнөн кайнап
чыкк; to have one’s heart in one’s mouth (throat) - душа в пятки уходит -
жүрөгү оозуна тыгылуу.
3) Analogous equivalents of idioms which coincide only by their meaning and
have the complete different components: to be born with a silver spoon in one’s
mouth – родитьсяподсчастливойзвездой;fall on one’s feet –
выйтисухимизводы;put one’s foot into one’s mouth – сестьвлужу.
4) No equivalents or culture specific idioms when the original forms of idioms
which are not understandable for other nation thoughts and that is why the logical
sense of these idioms can not be put in other nation’s phraseological form by
different: national, historical, geographical, cultural and social- psychological
conditions: English: get one’s feet wet; hair about the heels; a poker face.
Russian: с гулькин нос;ни аза в глаза; притча во языцех; семи пядей во
лбу. Kyrgyz:өпкө көптүрүү; өпкөсүн колуна алуу; башы кара буту айры;
башы жаздыкта, бели оттукта эмес.
After contrastive studying was revealed that the most number of somatic English
idioms have complete and incomplete equivalents. Despite the facts the most
number of these equivalents have in their structure the next somatisms: head,
heart, hand. Such idioms not connecting with style of life, culture and history of
that or other nations, and consequently they exist independently from each other in
various languages the world because they reflect general vital and different
psychological conditions of man independently from nations. All these explain the
few number of culture specific idioms in lexical semantic fields “somatism”.
The results of the investigation can be used in the foreign language teaching and
will undoubtedly facilitate the foreign teaching process. The paper is also of
importance to the translators of English idioms into Russian and Kyrgyz. The
outlined semantic groups of somatic idioms in English, Russian and Kyrgyz are
very appropriate for further contrastive studies in the field.
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