Issina G.I., Kalashnik Y. V.

Karaganda State University named after Y.A.Buketov

To the problem of classification of phraseologisms’

conceptual types

The study of phraseological figurativeness is one of the main and perspective aspects of modern phraseology development. World vision through the phraseological images is specific for each nationality and can be observed as one of characteristics of language system specificity. In this case the great interest is presented with comparative phraseologisms as one of the more efficient means of figurativeness and expressiveness.

“The figurativeness as real peculiarity of various levels’ language units is manifested in their ability to call in our consciousness visual images, bright pictures on the basis of which we accept objectively real and definitely logical content of these units…”[1].

By phraseological figurativeness we mean “combined vision of two pictures” out of which the third one, new, appears absorbing all the necessary significant features of the previous ones. In other words, we may say about the image as ‘the form of new idea’s embodiment.

As the result of combinability of these features new structures are formed in our consciousness, so called ‘concepts’. The concept is “mental representation which determines the way things associate with each other and how they refer to definite categories… ”[2]. The main role which concepts play in our thinking is categorization; it is the ability to group all the objects possessing definite similarities into corresponding classes.

No doubt, phraseologisms bear the “pictorial” character, among which we mark out the following types: “pictures”, concept-schemes, concept-frames and concept-sceneries.

‘Pictures’. In the capacity of “pictures” let’s consider the following examples:

1) (As) gaudy as a peacock. Here we may observe that the inner form of this phraseological unit describes the image of an overdressed person compared with a peacock. In Webster’s dictionary the following definition is given to the object of comparison: a peacock – the male peafowl having long tail coverts which can be spread at will displaying brilliant colours. So, we imagine a person who is tastelessly dressed up.

2) (As) slippery as an eel. We consider an eel as snakelike fish with a smooth slim skin. As the result we have an image of a person who reminds us a crinkly snakelike fish. For example: I am morally certain he uses money to get what he is after as freely as a fireman uses water. He is as slippery as an eel. (Th. Dreiser, ch. XXVI)

The following phraseological units can be presented as pictures: (as) dry as mummy, (as) graceful as swan, (as) motionless as carving, (as) bald as billiard ball and so on. These pictures mentioned above are revealed in the process of comparison with real objects of surrounding world.

Among comparative phraseologisms the concept-myths also can be met. These concepts are built according to the human’s fantasy; they are facts of imagination having no originals in real life.

Let’s consider vivid examples of such phraseologisms:

1) (as) proud as Lucifer, the subject of imagination here is Lucifer - mythological creature in the image of Devil;

2) to look like a ghost. According to the Webster’s dictionary a ghost – the soul of a dead person believed to be an inhabitant of the unseen world or to appear in bodily form to living people.

Concepts-schemes. The scheme in many cases reminds a cognitive picture but as a metaphorical standard of ‘measures and weights’ phraseologisms are used for figurative, approximate rating from the one side and rather exact rating of subjects and phenomena of surrounding world from another.

As the example of the concept-scheme let’s consider the following comparative phraseologism: (as) tall as maypole (a maypole – a tall flower-wreathed pole forming a centre for May Day dances (MWD). This phraseological comparison determines the notion of height because of formation of corresponding cognitive picture. In such way the comparative phraseologism (as) tall as maypole means not just ‘tall’ but “very tall” (dimensional seme is actualized). This image relates more to the scheme not to the picture, because the notion “very tall” is nominal and not definite for each person.

The other example of phraseological concept-scheme is (as) big as a barn (a barn – a building used especially for storing hay and grain, and for housing livestock /MWD/). The image of comparison is presented as the volumetrical measure and as the result of which the whole unit means “very big, huge”.

Dimensional semes or semes of measure are included into semantics of such comparative phraseologisms as: (as) numberless as the sands; (as) old as hills; (as) long as one’s arm.

1)… the old ponny’s teeth were as long as your arm. (K.S. Prichard, “Haxby’s Circus”, ch.XIX)

2) Fifty-five must seen as old as the hills to a girl like you. (A. Wilson, “Anglo-Saxon Attitudes”, part I, ch. I)

3) … she is a fine woman. Heart big as a barn. (T. Capote, “In Cold Blood”, part III)

Concepts-frames. As the concept-frame the following phraseological units can be presented:

1) (as) fickle as a fortune. According to the Webster’s dictionary fortune means: a) an apparent cause of smth that happens to one suddenly and unexpectedly: chance, luck; b) what happens to a person: good or bad luck; c) fate, destiny; d) riches, wealth. The concept-frame combines separate “parts” of knowledge into one entire: She is as fickle as a fortune; it’s one favourite today and another tomorrow with her.

2) (as) safe as a bank: here as the object of comparison the word a bank is presented, which is associated with the following notions: 1) an establishment concerned especially with the custody, loan, exchange or issue of money, the extension of credit and the transmission of funds; 2) a stock of or place for holding smth in reserve (MWD).

The concept-frame implicates a complex situation, which may be compared with “a shot” in the border of which everything may get what is typical and essential for given circumstances. Thus, frame is totality of stored associations in memory.

Concept-sceneries. The concept “scenery” is a special kind of concept realizing the seme of action, the idea of development. The scenery always has a plot character.

The seme of motion and action can be observed in the following phraseological comparisons as: swing like pendulum; go off like hot cakes; fall from smb. like a garment and so on.

Some of the concept-sceneries imply the action of role principle: watch smb. like a hawk; avoid smb. like a leper; fling smb. aside like an old glove.

Thus, we have concepts which, saying figuratively; we may “touch with hand”. They are the ideal images built in consciousness, they aren’t burdened with the relation of link between the subject which exists “beyond us” and its representation “inside us”. So, the concept is the ideal and integral content with different degrees of brightness and clearness in which human’s knowledge about facts of material and spirit existence is reflected.

The literature used:

1. Солодуб Ю.П. Образность фразеологизмов и фразеологическая номинация // Особенности семантики фразеологизмов. – Ростов-на-Дону, 1989.

2. Akmajan A., Demers R.A. Linguistics. – 2-nd ed. 1984.

3. The Merriam – Webster Dictionary. – N.Y., 1974. – 849p.

The information about authors:

1)

1. Исина Гаухар Иликешевна

2. Казахстан, г. Караганда

3. Карагандинский государственный университет им. Е.А.Букетова

4. доктор филологических наук, профессор.

2)

1. Калашник Юлия Владимировна

2. Казахстан, г. Караганда

3. Карагандинский государственный университет им. Е.А.Букетова

4. бакалавр иностранной филологии

5. дом.тел. 8(7212)416482; сот. тел. 8(701)5323869, 8(700)5323869

6. почтовый адрес:

Калашник Юлия

ул. Кривогуза 43 кв.26

г. Караганда 100019

Казахстан

7. e-mail: Ula_Luck87@mail.ru