英语词汇学串讲6.ppt

VIII. Idioms Idioms consist of set phrases and short sentences, which are peculiar to the language in question and loaded with the native cultures and ideas. Strictly speaking, idioms are expressions that are not readily understandable from their literal meanings of individual elements. In a broad sense, idioms may include colloquialisms, catchphrases, slang expressions, proverbs, etc． 出题形式：填空，选择, 定义 2004(41) idiom 2003 2.Idioms in the course book are used in a ______. A．broad sense B．narrow sense C．figurative sense D．special sense 答案：A 8.1 Characteristics of Idioms 8.1.1．Semantic Unity语义的整体性： Being phrases or sentences, idioms each consist of more than one word, but each is a semantic unity ． Though the various words which make up the idiom have their respective literal meanings, in the idiom they have lost their individual identity, i.e. their meanings are not often recognizable in the meaning of the whole idiom． like a breeze（easily） The semantic unity of idioms is also reflected in the illogical relationship between the literal meaning of each word and the meaning of the idiom．Many idioms are semantically inexplicable． E.g. wear one’s heart upon ones sleeve 8.1.2 Structural Stability Unlike free phrases, the structure of an idiom is to a large extent unchangeable First, the constituents of idioms cannot be replaced． lip service Secondly, the word order cannot be inverted or changed． by twos and threes Thirdly, the constituents of an idiom cannot be deleted or added to, not even an article． out of the question: impossible out of question (no question) Finally, many idioms are grammatically unanalysable． diamond cut diamond 出题形式：填空，选择, 定义，简答 2006 5. The semantic unity of idioms is reflected in the _________ relationship between the literal meaning of each word and the meaning of the idiom as in “rain cats and dogs”. A. illogical B. logical C.