Semantics in Phraseology
What is semantics and why is it important in phraseology?
Semantics is the study of meaning in language. It is important in phraseology because it helps explain why idioms often have meanings different from their literal words, like “spill the beans” meaning “reveal a secret.”
Why is context so important in interpreting phraseological units (PUs)?
Because the intended meaning of a PU depends on tone, situation, and relationship between speakers. The same phrase can sound sincere, sarcastic, or humorous depending on context.
What is the main difference between phraseological units and free word combinations?
Phraseological units have figurative and stable meanings that cannot be predicted from individual words (e.g., spill the beans = reveal a secret),
while free combinations retain literal meanings and can be changed freely (e.g., open the door)
.
Why are English phraseological units considered a part of cultural heritage?
Because they preserve centuries of collective wisdom, worldviews, and stylistic richness, reflecting how past generations understood life and expressed ideas through language.
What is the main idea behind Prof. J.V. Arnold’s functional classification of phraseological units?
Prof. J.V. Arnold’s classification organizes phraseological units according to their grammatical and syntactic functions, grouping them into types such as substantive, verbal, adjectival, adverbial, interjectional, conjunctional, prepositional, and sentence equivalents.
Who coined the term semantics and when did it become a formal field of study?
The term semantics was coined by Michel Bréal in 1897, marking the beginning of semantics as a formal branch of linguistics.
What cultural values can be seen in English idioms such as “The early bird catches the worm” and “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”?
They reflect values like hard work, punctuality, adaptability, and respect for local customs — showing how idioms carry cultural and moral lessons.
Why are phraseological units considered culturally bound?
Because their meanings often reflect national traditions, history, and worldview — for example, English the early bird catches the worm shows the value of punctuality, while Uzbek Korpangga qarab oyoq uzat reflects modesty.
What are the main historical sources that contributed to the development of English phraseology?
The main sources include the Bible, folklore, classical mythology, literary works (especially from Shakespeare and Milton), and later, modern media and technology.
How do interstyle phraseological units differ from colloquial phraseological units according to N.M. Shansky’s stylistic classification?
Interstyle phraseological units are neutral expressions used in all styles of language without emotional colouring, while colloquial phraseological units are informal and expressive, often showing affection, irony, or contempt, and mainly used in spoken language.
What are the three main types of semantic motivation in phraseological units?
They are:
1. Motivated (Transparent) – meaning can be partly guessed, e.g., see the light.
2. Partially Motivated – some literal link remains, e.g., break the ice.
3. Non-Motivated (Opaque) – meaning is completely different, e.g., kick the
bucket.
How do phraseological units help speakers express emotions effectively?
They allow speakers to show feelings like joy, anger, or disappointment vividly and naturally, without needing long explanations, making speech emotionally rich.
According to Vinogradov’s classification, how does a phraseological unity differ from a phraseological fusion?
A phraseological unity keeps a metaphorical connection to its literal meaning (e.g., burn bridges = cut off return),
while a phraseological fusion is completely non-literal and unmotivated (e.g., kick the bucket = die).
How have biblical idioms like “forbidden fruit” and “the apple of one’s eye” changed over time?
Originally, they had literal religious meanings, but over time they gained metaphorical and secular meanings, becoming part of everyday English with little awareness of their biblical origin.
What is the difference between phraseological archaisms and phraseological historicisms?
Phraseological archaisms are old expressions that have been replaced by modern words but still describe general concepts, whereas phraseological historicisms have disappeared because the real-life phenomena they referred to no longer exist.
How did the focus of phraseological studies shift over time?
Initially, phraseology focused on the structure and stability of fixed expressions, but later attention moved to how idiomatic meanings arise, considering motivation, context, and semantic evolution.
What role do idioms play in maintaining politeness and interpersonal control?
Idioms let speakers perform speech acts indirectly — such as advising or refusing — in a polite way that avoids confrontation, e.g. “It’s not my cup of tea.”
What is the role of reproducibility in phraseological units?
It means idioms are not created each time but recalled from memory as ready-made chunks, like by heart or in black and white, showing how naturally native speakers use them.
What role did Shakespeare and other Renaissance writers play in shaping English idioms?
They introduced creative and memorable expressions through plays and poetry, many of which entered everyday English, enriching the phraseological system with literary and emotional depth.
Give two examples of bookish phraseological units and explain their stylistic quality.
Examples: “Quirk of fate” and “A game of fate.”
They have a solemn, poetic, and elevated tone, mainly used in written or literary contexts rather than everyday speech
What are some processes that cause semantic shifts in idioms?
Semantic shifts occur through cultural change, contextual reinterpretation, and metaphorisation — for example, black sheep changed from meaning “rare” to “disgraced person.”
In what way do phraseological units make communication more efficient and cohesive?
They act as ready-made expressions that save time, make speech fluent, and link ideas smoothly, helping listeners follow the message easily.
How can studying phraseology improve communication skills?
It helps learners sound more fluent and expressive, understand cultural nuances, and avoid literal translation mistakes, making their speech more natural and emotionally rich.
In what way does modern phraseology differ from traditional forms?
Modern phraseology evolves through media, technology, and internet culture—creating new idioms and expressions—yet it still maintains connections to older cultural and linguistic traditions
Why are phraseological classifications important in language teaching and translation studies?
They help teachers explain idioms systematically according to their form and function, and guide translators in finding equivalent expressions that preserve both the meaning and stylistic tone across languages.