By definition, “idioms are not expected to behave linguistically as phrases but as long words” (Moreno 2007:177) and are not awaited to allow internal transformation. Idioms appear as isolated lexical units. They are linguistic expressions and involve metaphors, metonymies, pairs of words, idioms with it, similes, sayings, phrasal verbs, grammatical idioms and they “are assumed to be a matter of language alone” (Kövecses 2002:199).
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms (ODI), the English word idiom derives from the Greek word idios meaning “private, peculiar to oneself”. An idiom “is a form of ex-pression or a phrase peculiar to a language and approved by the usage of that language, and it often has a signification other than its grammatical or logical one” (ODI 1999). These expres-sions have become rigid within the language. They are used in a fixed way without reference to the literal meaning of their component words.
The common phenomenon that the meaning of an expression is difficult or even impossi-ble to deduce from the meaning of the components it is composed of is called Idiomaticity (Fiedler 2007:22). The meaning of the components is difficult to derive because of the arbi-trariness in form and meaning. However, if idioms were arbitrary, they would not be moti-vated. The aim of this term paper is to observe the motivation of idioms of <fear> and thereby determine that idioms are not arbitrary. Therefore, chapter 2.1 presents an overview of idioms and motivation, especially metaphorically motivated expressions (chapter 2.1.2). Prediction and motivation will be distinguished in chapter 2.1.1. The emotion <fear> and the difference between this term and the related word <anxiety> will be described in chapter 2.1.3 to sim-plify the importance of distinguishing the different meanings of terms of <fear>. Eventually, the onomasiological approach will be discussed in chapter 2.2. Therefore, I will give examples of idioms of <fear> and <anxiety> in English as well as in German and observe their kinds of motivation. According to Kövecses (2002:202), the motivation of idioms arises from meta-phor, metonymy and conventional knowledge. This sentence shall present my hypothesis for this term paper.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction – definition of “idiom” and problem description
2 Idioms of <fear>: An onomasiological approach
2.1 Idioms and Motivation
2.1.1 Predictability and Motivation of meaning
2.1.2 Idiom and Metaphor
2.1.3 Definition of the emotion fear and difference between FEAR and ANXIETY
2.2 Kinds of Motivation of idioms of <fear>
2.2.1 Metaphorical Motivation
2.2.2 Metonymical Motivation
3 Conclusion
4 Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to examine the underlying motivations of idioms related to the emotion of <fear>, challenging the assumption that these expressions are entirely arbitrary. By utilizing an onomasiological approach, the study investigates how conceptual systems, specifically metaphors and metonymies, bridge the gap between the literal component parts of idioms and their figurative meanings.
- Theoretical definition of idiomaticity and motivation.
- Distinction between the emotions of fear and anxiety.
- Analysis of metaphorical motivation in idioms of fear (e.g., FEAR IS COLD).
- Investigation of metonymical motivation (e.g., PHYSICAL AGITATION).
- Cross-linguistic observations between English and German idiomatic expressions.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.2 Idiom and Metaphor
Conceptual metaphors and symbolisation can create an idiomatic expression. Conceptual metaphors arise from the comparison of abstract concepts to more concrete ones (Hirotoshi:36). To explain conceptual metaphors it is beneficial to use an example. The concept of to spill the beans is “from within to without”, because both the original scene and the extended figurative sense have this concept in common (ebd.37). Similar idioms which are motivated by the same concept are for example let the cat out of the bag, or come out of the closet. This indicates that these idioms are on a conceptual level with to spill the beans. According to Hirotoshi (37),”conceptual metaphors established at a primitive level are the foundations of various idiomatic expressions”.
Another way to explain conceptual metaphors is the concept of anger from Lakoff (1987:381; Kövecses 2002:205). In his opinion, the following concepts demonstrate the metaphorical comprehension of <anger>: MIND IS A CONTAINER and ANGER IS A HOT FLUID IN A CONTAINER. Conceptual metaphors act as motivations for idiomatic expressions, states Hirotoshi (38). They are important for the addresser as well as for the addressee to represent almost the same images and meanings. Thus, conceptual metaphors are the basis for the interpretation of idioms (ebd.38). Summarized, “when one conceptual domain is understood in terms of another conceptual domain, we have a conceptual metaphor” (Kövecses 2010:324). Between the domains exists a systematic mapping.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction – definition of “idiom” and problem description: Provides the fundamental definition of idioms as non-arbitrary lexical units and outlines the paper's goal to explore the motivation behind expressions of fear.
2 Idioms of <fear>: An onomasiological approach: Analyzes the theoretical mechanisms of idiom motivation, including the psychological distinction between fear and anxiety and the role of metaphors and metonymies.
2.1 Idioms and Motivation: Establishes that idioms are systematically linked to conceptual systems rather than being arbitrary strings of words.
2.1.1 Predictability and Motivation of meaning: Distinguishes between the weak notion of motivation and the strong notion of predictability in idiomatic meaning.
2.1.2 Idiom and Metaphor: Explores how conceptual metaphors, such as mapping abstract emotions to concrete containers or physical states, function as the basis for figurative expressions.
2.1.3 Definition of the emotion fear and difference between FEAR and ANXIETY: Defines the specific psychological parameters of fear and distinguishes it from the non-specific apprehension associated with anxiety.
2.2 Kinds of Motivation of idioms of <fear>: Details the specific source domains used to conceptualize the target domain of fear.
2.2.1 Metaphorical Motivation: Identifies and categorizes metaphorical models like FEAR IS COLD and FEAR IS PHYSICAL WEAKNESS.
2.2.2 Metonymical Motivation: Examines physiological symptoms, such as increased heart rate or inability to breathe, that serve as metonymical bases for fear idioms.
3 Conclusion: Summarizes findings that idioms are semantically rich and motivated by physiological and conceptual structures.
4 Bibliography: Lists the academic sources and references used throughout the study.
Keywords
Idioms, Fear, Anxiety, Motivation, Onomasiological approach, Conceptual Metaphor, Metonymy, Cognitive Linguistics, Semantics, Figurative Language, Idiomaticity, Physiological Symptoms, Source Domain, Target Domain
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
This paper focuses on the onomasiological study of idioms related to the emotion of <fear>, analyzing how these expressions are motivated by conceptual structures.
What is the central research hypothesis?
The author hypothesizes that idioms are not arbitrary, but are instead motivated by metaphors, metonymies, and conventional knowledge derived from our conceptual system.
What distinguishes the author's approach to idioms?
The author uses an onomasiological approach, which looks at how different labels (idioms) are used to express a specific conceptual category (fear), rather than just analyzing the words themselves.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study applies cognitive linguistic principles, specifically those defined by scholars like Kövecses, Lakoff, and Dobrovol’skij, to map the relationship between source domains and target emotional domains.
How are fear and anxiety differentiated in this work?
Fear is described as having a specific object and being an adaptive response to potential danger, whereas anxiety is defined as a non-specific, time-building feeling without a clear external object.
What are the main metaphorical models for fear identified?
The primary models identified include FEAR IS COLD, FEAR IS PHYSICAL WEAKNESS, FEAR IS A HOSTILE BEING, and FEAR IS A SPONTANEOUS DEFECTION.
Does this paper compare English and German idioms?
Yes, the author includes examples from both languages to illustrate how different cultures represent similar conceptual motivations through idiomatic structures.
What is the significance of the "metonymical concept" in the analysis?
Metonymical concepts allow the author to link specific physiological symptoms, such as sweating or increased heart rate, directly to the experience of fear, providing a physical grounding for the figurative language.
- Quote paper
- Sarah Nitschke (Author), 2010, Idioms of <fear>: An onomasiological approach, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/157421
