Study on English Idioms on Human Organs《人体部位相关英语习语研究》25.doc

毕 业 论 文Study on English Idioms on Human Organs人体器官相关英语习语研究摘 要习语是人类语言文化的结晶,正确地使用会给我们的话语及写作增添光彩。许多学者对此进行了深入研究。但是对于人体部位的习语研究却很少。文章对英语习语的定义，特点与分类进行总结，找出一般规律；讨论了英语中与人体器官相关的习语，详细分析了习语的来源，涉及宗教，神话，传奇，寓言等方面；分析人体器官习语的特点，从修辞，变异，省略，等角度论述，找出共性与不同；不同的人体器官可以表达人类的不同感情，以高兴，害怕，伤心等感情为例，说明人体器官习语的多样化特点，指导人们的言行，；器官习语应用广泛，最后介绍了器官习语在文化交际中的应用，并提出对此学习的方法；强调了研究英语中与人体器官有关习语的重要意义，并指出了该文的不足。关键词：英语; 习语; 人体; 器官 Study on English Idioms on Human OrgansAbstractIdioms or set phrases are important products of the language and culture of a society. Proper use of them would add color to ones speech and writing. Yet, few people have studied English idioms with respect to parts of human body. Briefly, it introduces definitions of English idioms, their characteristics as well as their classification; it probes into the origins, how they are related to religions, myths, legends or fables; the history, the colloquial speech of common people, the literatures, and classical works.It explains the characteristics- the figurative meaning and variants; therefore, we find out the same and their differences in human-organ idioms.Also it deals with the applications to cross-culture communication, and gives some suggestions to learners in learning course.We summarize the whole by reinforcing the significance of the thesis, pointing out lacks of theoretical foundations in the thesis, and hoping further study on English human-organ idioms can make the study more complete.We draw a conclusion that different human-organ idioms express different emotions of human beings, i.e. happiness, unhappiness, fear, worry, anger, etc; we can see that human-organ idioms convey a diversification of emotions of human beings, it instructs behaviors of human beings in their daily life. Therefore, we should not expect to act exactly like a foreigner, but to guide ourselves to avoid cultural misunderstanding and conflicts. We should know the implicative and characteristics of idioms on human organs with the communicative behaviors, and to find where the misunderstanding and conflicts may lie as well as the ways to avoid them.Key Words: English; Idiom; Human; OrganContents摘 要IAbstractIIChapter One Idioms and Language1.1 Definitions of idioms1.2Characteristics of idioms1.2.1 Semantic unity.1.2.2 Structural stability1.3Classification of idioms1.3.1 Idioms nominal in nature1.3.2 Idioms adjectival in nature1.3.3 Idioms verbal in nature1.3.4 Idioms adverbial in nature1.3.5 Sentence idiomsChapter Two Origins of Idioms on Human Organs82.1 Idioms on human organs from religion92.2 Idioms on human organs from Myths, Legends or Fables122.3 Idioms on human organs from great works14Chapter Three Characteristics of Idioms on Human Organs193.1 Figurative meaning of idioms on human organs193.2 Variants of idioms on human organs213.2.1 Regular variants223.2.2 Irregular variants223.2.3 Elliptical or shortened forms233.2.4 Synonyms and antonyms24Chapter Four Emotions in Idioms on Human Organs344.1 Human Organ Idioms Related to Happiness354.2Human Organ Idioms Related to Unhappiness374.3Idioms Showing Fear, Worry, Bitterness or Something Alike39Chapter Five Applications of Idioms on Human Organs44Chapter Six Conclusion47Acknowledgements49Bibliography50Chapter One Idioms and LanguageIdioms consist of set phrases and short sentences, which are peculiar to the language and loaded with native culture and ideas. Therefore idioms are colorful, forcible and thought-provoking. Strictly speaking, idioms are expressions that are not readily understandable from their literal meanings of individual elements; for example, fly off the handle (became excessively angry) and put up with (tolerate). In a broad sense, idioms may include colloquialisms, catchphrases, slang expressions, proverbs, etc. they form an important part of English vocabulary. This chapter will deal with idioms in terms of their definition, characteristics, and classification. 1.1 Definitions of idiomsThis section presents definitions of English idioms according to three authorized English dictionaries with a brief analysis about them.Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English (1979:428) defines an idiom as (1) language of a people or country; specific character of this, (2) (gram.) succession of words whose meaning is not obvious through knowledge of the individual meaning of the constituent words but must be learnt as a whole.Longman Dictionary of American English with Chinese Translation (1992:613) defines an idiom as: (1) a phrase which means something different from the meanings of the separate words. (2) the way of expression typical of a person or a people in their use of language.And Websters New World College Dictionary (1996:670) defines an idiom as: (1) the language or dialect of a people, region, class, etc. (2) the usual way in which the words of a particular language are joined together to express thought, (3) a phrase, construction, or expression that is recognized as a unit in the usage of a given language and either differs from the usual syntactic patterns or has a meaning that differs from the literal meaning of its parts taken together, (4) the style of expression characteristic of an individual,(5) a characteristic style, as in art or music.An idiom means a kind of a set phrase or the common people often quote sentence, like a stock expression. Next come to the characteristics of idioms.1.2 Characteristics of idiomsIn the part, the characteristics of semantic unity and structural stability will be particularly explained.1.2.1 Semantic unityBeing 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. However, their meanings are not often recognizable in the meaning of the whole idiom. Likewise, the part of speech of each element is no longer important. Quite often the idiom functions as one word, for instance, till the cows come home, which comprises a conjunction till, an article the, a noun cow, a verb come, and an adverb home, means “forever” and functions as an adverb, thus replaceable by the word forever. The same can be said of keep in mind (rememble), take off (imitate), like a breeze (easily), and so on.1.2.2 Structural stabilityUnlike free phrases, the structure of an idiom is to a large extent unchangeable. First, the constituents of idioms cannot be replaced. However lip service (support only in words, not in fact) is not to be changed into mouth service, kick the bucket (die) into kick the pail or strike the bucket; bury the hatchet (come to friendly or peaceful terms) into bury the ax, and so on.Second, the word order cannot be inverted or changed. For example, by twos or threes and tit for tat are not to be turned into by threes or twos or tat for tit. Similarly, the lions share is not to be replaced by the share of the lion.Third, the constituent of an idiom cannot be deleted or added, not even an article. For instance, out of the question means impossible. If the article the is deleted, the idiomatic will be lost and it will signify no question instead.1.3 Classification of idiomsStudies on English idioms have provided a variety of criteria for classifying idioms. Here, I prefer criterion of grammatical functions. Knowledge of the grammatical functions of idioms will undoubtedly beneficial to learners. By this criterion, idioms may be classified into five groups.1.3.1 Idioms nominal in natureIdioms of this class have a noun as the key word in each and function as a noun in sentences,White elephant a+n (something useless and unwanted but big and costly)Flesh and blood n+conj+n (relatives or family)1.3.2 Idioms adjectival in natureThe idioms listed below function as adjectives but the constituents are not necessarily adjectives, e.g.Up in the air adv+prep+n (uncertain)Beyond the pale prep+n (beyond the limit of proper behavior)Cut and dried a+a (already settled and unlikely to be changed)1.3.3 Idioms verbal in natureThe structures of such idioms can be divided into phrasal verbs and verb phrases.Phrasal verbs are idioms which are composed of a verb plus a prep and/or a particle, as look into, go on, put off, turn on, get away with, and so on. Other verb phrases are such like:Call it a day v+pron+n (decide or agree to stop either temporarily or for good)Come back to earth v+adv+prep phrase(stop imagining or dreaming)Make ends meet v+n+v (earn what it costs to live)1.3.4 Idioms adverbial in natureTooth and nail n+n (with great violence and determination)In nothing flat prep+pron+n (in a very little time; soon)Through thick and thin prep+a+a (through all difficulties and troubles)1.3.5 Sentence idiomsAll is not gold that glitters.Kill the goose that laid the golden eggs.Sentence idioms are mainly proverbs and sayings, including colloquialisms and catchphrases. This chapter can come to a conclusion that, an idiom must be well established and accepted through common practice. In general, no element in an idiom can be changed without destroying the sense as a whole. As we cannot say:” wash ones hands of something instead of “wash something of ones hands”. An idiom usually has an implied meaning. It cannot be interpreted only according to its literal meaning. As to play with somebodys nose may sound ridiculous but can be understood in a figurative sense“to mock or insult somebody”However, the definitions and criteria mentioned above may not be as perfect as they should be. There are many scholars who still work on idioms. But this thesis will focus on idioms related to human organs.Chapter Two Origins of Idioms on Human OrgansIn this chapter, the definitions and origins of idioms of part of human body idioms will be analyzed. It is believed that an analysis of definition and origin of body idiom can not only make idiom learners recognize systematically why and how a body idiom comes into use, but also help them use appropriately it in daily life.By human-organ idioms in English, we mean the English idioms that are related to a part of human body, (e.g. eye, ear, hand, arm, etc.) or the part of human body, which is implied in the contexts. Head: The head is thought to be the most important part of the human body，so a leader is often compared to a head. The head is where the brain is located. It is naturally associated with ideas and intelligence.Eye: The eyes are extremely precious to us. That is why we say" Mind your eye! when reminding someone to be careful. Not only human beings and animals have eyes, many things also have" eyes"- the eyes of a ship, the eye of a needle, the eye of a typhoon, and so on.More examples, the cats got your tongue means you are very quiet; you dont speak; pulling ones leg means joking, teasing; to be all thumbs means to be clumsy, to be bad at doing something; to have a chip on ones shoulder means to have an angry attitude; to put ones foot in ones mouth means to say something embarrassing; to keep ones nose to the grindstone means to continue working hard; by the skin of your teeth means to just make it.There are still many such vivid examples remained. However, the sources of idioms on human organs are various, and particular explanations will be given below.2.1 Idioms on human organs from religionReligion is an important source of human-organ idioms. Owning to different religions, English and Chinese people use different figures in their own part of body idioms with religion allusions. Here are some examples: apple of the eye which means favorite people, Adams apple which means the projection at the front of the neck formed by the thyroid cartilage of the larynx, throat.Since the sixteenth century, no other English works had so much influence on written and oral English as the Bible did. Legends, myths, figures, fables and maxims in the Bible are known to all in European countries. When talking with each other or when writing something, people quote from the Bible so often that many allusions enter daily life through long usage. For example, an eye for an eye, meaning a punishment, which hurts the criminal in the same way as he hurts someone else, is from the New Testament: Ye have heard that it hath ever said an eye for an eye. AndA tooth for a tooth:But I say unto thee, that ye resist for evil: but whoeverShall smite thee on thy right cheek; turn to him the other also.Wash ones hand of (something) means to refuse to have anything more to do with or to accept responsibility for. The original sentence is from the New Testament: “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it”.Bow down ones ear means to listen respectfully. It is from the Old Testament:In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed:Deliver me in thy righteousness.Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thouMy strong rock, for a house of defense to save me.For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore forThy names sake lead me, and guide me. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak: mans good intention is liable to be subdued by his frail (sensual) nature. It is from the Old Testament:And he (Jesus) cometh onto the disciples, and findeth themAsleep, and saith unto peter, what, could ye not watch with me one hour?Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, But the flesh is weak.There are also some other human body idioms from the Bible, such as Eat ones own flesh Lead by the nose Shake the dust from ones feet End of all things is at hand Lift up somebodys head Pour out somebodys heart Shoot out the lip Smite somebody under the fifth rib Have itching ears 2.2 Idioms on human organs from Myths, Legends or FablesMyths are stories by which ancient people interpreted the origin of the world, natural phenomena and public activities. There are lots of myths in ancient Greek literary works. Myths are not scientific, because in old days, productive forces were so limited that peoples ability to recognize the world was too poor. They wondered at the origins of the world, natural phenomena and some contradictions existing in their daily lives. So myths were gradually created.No matter what myths, or legends, or fables are, they are all the generalization and summary of principles, basic laws and cognition, which are generalized into one or two idioms. That is the