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Imamurat G.T., Yskaknabi A.

  


FEATURES OF THE CHINESE IDIOM *

  


Аннотация:
the Chinese language has a huge number of idioms. It can be explained by the fact that phraseological expressions originated in ancient times are still in use, and the modern language is continuously replenished with new ones. The knowledge and ability to use in speech idioms correctly and appropriately has always been valued in China and is considered an indicator of education and readiness. Thus, the purpose of this article is to study the peculiarities of the Chinese idiom. The object of the study is an idiom   

Ключевые слова:
idiom, Chinese, peculiarities of linguistics, borrowing, words   


УДК 1

Imamurat G.T.

Karaganda Buketov University

(Kazakhstan, Karaganda)

 

Yskaknabi A.

Master of Pedagogical Sciences, senior lecturer

Karaganda University named after E. A. Buketov

Karaganda Buketov University

(Kazakhstan, Karaganda)

 

FEATURES OF THE CHINESE IDIOM

 

Abstract: the Chinese language has a huge number of idioms. It can be explained by the fact that phraseological expressions originated in ancient times are still in use, and the modern language is continuously replenished with new ones. The knowledge and ability to use in speech idioms correctly and appropriately has always been valued in China and is considered an indicator of education and readiness. Thus, the purpose of this article is to study the peculiarities of the Chinese idiom. The object of the study is an idiom.

 

Keywords: idiom, Chinese, peculiarities of linguistics, borrowing, words.

 

To date, the place of idioms in Chinese linguistics remains quite modest. Phraseology is not singled out as an independent section of linguistics, phraseological expressions are considered depending on the goals and objectives of a particular study in the sections of lexicology and stylistics. The source of the vast majority of idioms is Chinese classical literature, historical and philosophical parables, legends and myths, borrowings from other languages.

There are many different understandings of what an idiom is in Chinese. L.H. Wing believes that an idiom is a fixed phrase [1]. The modern Chinese dictionary interprets «idiom» as a long-used, concise stereotypical phrase or short sentence [2]. Most Chinese idioms consist of four words. Some idioms are not difficult to understand, such as «trivial masterpiece, then first». Some idioms need to know the source or allusions to understand the meaning, for example: «the shadow of a meadow», i.e., to be frightened by one's own imagination.

Comparing the above-mentioned distinction in idioms, we can find that the most important difference between foreign-language and Chinese idioms lies in structure. Chinese idioms generally consist of four characters, while foreign-language idioms contain phrases of two or more words. Nevertheless, Chinese idioms can be used as a sentence component and can independently express the full meaning. Chinese idioms are usually determined by the meaning of the word, in contrast, the meaning of some Chinese idioms cannot be understood literally, as one must know the historical source of the idiom. Therefore, the basic characteristics of idioms are different.

  1. Su-kong believed that the main features of idioms are as follows:

- idiomaticity;

- reproducibility;

- semantic integrity of meaning;

- stability;

- the disintegration of its composition, the separately formed structure;

- structure [3].

As a special language form, idioms are derived from words or phrases that have been used by people over a long period of time. They can be explained in the words of modern language, and they are often used in everyday life. As stable word combinations with specific and coherent established meanings, idioms have distinctive features:

- rhetorical features (comparison, metaphor, metonymy, hyperbole).

- national character (idioms are created with the help of folklore and are closely connected with people and their environment);

- semantic integrity (Chinese idioms function as a single block of meaning);

- structural features (they consist of four characters).

From the point of view of the intercultural approach, the need of non-native speakers of Chinese to interpret such idioms will inevitably cause the need to actualize the knowledge of the ways of representing such cultural values by means of the native language. Mastering the cultural content of idiomatic expressions can take place precisely by comparing the equivalent phraseological units in different languages.

The main feature of idioms is the archaic nature of the vocabulary. Some idioms have features of old grammar and old pronunciation. Thus, the main feature of idiomatic expressions is emotional coloring. All proverbs, phrases and sayings are characterized by wit, originality and ease of use. It reflects the peculiarity of everyday live speech of the people with its unusual and bright vocabulary, harmonious turns of phrase. The interpretation of Chinese idioms cannot help but move a person to compare the structure of these idioms with the structure of similar phenomena, familiar to them from the standpoint of their native language and native culture. Accordingly, the ability to construct one's own verbal and nonverbal behavior in accordance with the norms of the culture of the studied language is formed, and to do so while being aware of the culturally determined differences in such behavior.

Idioms are often used by Chinese speakers in everyday speech and in writing because they are expressive phraseological units and carry philosophical connotations. For example, «青出于蓝"»- blue paint is derived from indigo (surpass your teacher). When used correctly, these idioms can convey the message succinctly, and at the same time, very concise and bright, which is an indicator of the educated person. Examples:

- «人山人海» - the people are visible and invisible;

- «自相矛盾» - to contradict oneself;

- «温故知新» - to know the past and understand the present better, etc.

Another group of idioms of this class is formed by non-parallel constructions. In terms of morphemic composition, they are not infrequently four morphemes. However, among the idioms of non-parallel construction there are also idioms consisting of five or more morphemes. For example: «井水不犯河» - one does not interfere with the other, do not interfere with each other (well water does not mix with river water).

Professor R.W. Gibbs pointed out such characteristic features of the new idioms:

  1. A stable structure consisting of four characters, no character in the idiom can change its position in the structure, be changed, replaced, or removed.
  2. The style of the language is informal, with a colloquial flavor.
  3. The source of new idioms is the internet: various news, stories, quotations, etc. Therefore, the meaning of such idioms is often difficult to understand without knowing the context.
  4. The use of expressive turns of phrase like antithesis, rhetorical question or comparison [4].

Thus, having studied the works of Chinese researchers, the key term for this work was identified, as well as the main features of phraseological neologisms. Thus, idioms play a bright and concise role in the expression of language, have many metaphors, contrasts and formulations. After all, an idiom is a fixed phrase that has some characteristics that other types of fixed phrases do not have. These characteristics can be expressed in two aspects: form and content. They are stereotypical, idiomatic, historical, and national. S. Chen studied four characteristics of idioms:

- the most characteristic feature of idioms is that idioms consisting of four syllables make up the vast majority;

- refers to the historical nature of idioms;

- structural solidification;

- integrity in meaning [5].

The existing results of idiom research are varied, and many scholars have discussed historical sources, classification and characteristics of idioms. However, among the idioms reflecting the traditional, historically established value system in the Chinese family, there are very few idioms about a daughter. Speakers of the Chinese language and, consequently, the Chinese mentality, when asked, usually recall only one, which, if used in relation to a boy, is with a somewhat ironic connotation:

«掌上明珠» - pearl in the palm of the hand (about a beloved child, above all a daughter).

In the field of linguistic competence, the idioms we consider are able to represent knowledge about the ways of representing the value orientations of a particular culture in the language under study (Chinese): knowledge about realities, about cultural icons.

This situation seems to be connected with the fact that in ancient times many Chinese families lived very poor and the birth of a daughter was perceived as the appearance of a sponger. In addition, when a daughter reached marriageable age, she would go to her husband's family, so any expenses for her were considered unnecessary. The problem was also aggravated by the modern demographic policy in China, which until recently prohibited having more than one child in the family. In this regard, if the family had a girl, the parents had to resign themselves to the idea that they would no longer have an heir-boy. This contributed to various relapses: selective abortions, or even getting rid of the unwanted child after delivery. If a girl did come into the world, there was often alienation between her and her parents, especially her mother, leading to various family problems and conflicts. Although today the state has allowed Chinese families to have more than one child, in the language picture of the Chinese world, including in phraseology, of course, there is still the traditional idea of the problem of the girl in the family.

In conclusion, we would like to point out that in the Chinese «naive language picture of the world», that is, in the mind of an ordinary Chinese person who is not burdened with special linguistic knowledge, idioms are primarily represented as phraseological expressions, and all other non-verbal expressive means, although close to them, but still another part of the linguistic environment. Phraseological expressions of this language hide a large amount of information about how the same world is viewed by a completely different civilization, largely different from us, how the ancestors of the Chinese conducted their life, respected traditions and developed culture. They bring to us folk legends, legends that still exist today, as many of the phraseological expressions appeared just because of the instructive stories that filled the ancient works of Chinese philosophers. They are introduced into speech along with common words and are regularly used in the speech of the entire population.

There are a huge number of countries and peoples on our planet, each of which keeps its own special coloring, not always understood by representatives of other states. The symbolism of idioms still occupies a significant place in the life of the Chinese people, it plays a rather large role in the transmission of the cultural heritage of China. Acting as a constituent component, this or that opinion reflects the peculiarities of the worldview of the Chinese population, bringing a special specificity to the meaning of idioms.

 

REFERENCES:

 

Wing L.H. (2017). Best Chinese Idioms // Hai Feng Publishing Co. – China: Hong Kong. – 286 p.

Huang Y.K. (2004). A Dictionary of Chinese Idiomatic Phrases. – Hong kong: Peacock. – 62.

Su-kong L. (2001) Chinese Idioms and Their English Equivalents. - Taipei: Hsin Shi Lin. – 121 p.

Gibbs R.W., Bogdanovich J.M., Sykes J.R., Dale J. (1997). Metaphor in idiom comprehension // Journal of Memory and Language. – 37. - 141-154.

Chen S. (2001) Chinese Literature: a historical introduction. - USA: Ronald. – 44.

  


Полная версия статьи PDF

Номер журнала Вестник науки №4 (49) том 1

  


Ссылка для цитирования:

Imamurat G.T., Yskaknabi A. FEATURES OF THE CHINESE IDIOM // Вестник науки №4 (49) том 1. С. 24 - 29. 2022 г. ISSN 2712-8849 // Электронный ресурс: https://www.вестник-науки.рф/article/5440 (дата обращения: 29.03.2024 г.)


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