Principles of Classification of Phraseological Units in English

Phraseology and principles of classification of phraseological units in English

Lecture 4. Criteria for Classification of Phraseological Units.

Phraseology is a branch of lexicology studying phraseological units (set expressions, praseologisms, or idioms (in foreign linguistics). Phraseological units differ from free word-groups semantically and structurally: 1) they convey a single concept and their meaning is idiomatic, i.e. it is not a mere total of the meanings of their components 2) they are characterized by structural invariability (no word can be substituted for any component of a phraseological unit without destroying its sense (to have a bee in one’s bonnet (not cap or hat). 3) they are not created in speech but used as ready-made units. Unlike a word, a phraseological unit can be divided into separately structured elements and transformed syntactically (On the instant he was thinking how natural and unaffected her manner was now that the ice between them had been broken. (Th. Dreiser, ‘An American Tragedy’). I... found this man in a kind of seizure, and went for help. This broke the ice between us, and we grew quite chatty, without either of us knowing the other's name. (H. Pollitt, ‘Serving My Time’).

There are many terms for phraseological units, but the best one is “set expressions”, for it accentuates the specific qualities of phraseological units: stability, idiomaticity, integrity, syntactic indivisibility. The central problem is the criteria of distinguishing them from free word groups. Shakhmatov and Fortunatov singled out the following criteria: stability, idiomaticity, function and context.

Criterion of stability means that the components of phraseological units follow each other in the definite constant order, there can be no substitution for them. This view point has been criticized, since many phraseological units lack absolute stability and admit variations.

Criterion of idiomaticity is based on the lack of motivation. Vinogradov singled out the degrees of idiomaticity: a phraseological unit is based on a phraseological fusion, which is non-motivated at all, e.g. to kick the bucket. Free word groups can be perceived through the metaphorical or metonymical meaning, e.g. to wash one’s dirty linen in public. Phraseological collocations are stable set word groups which still have a clear motivation but strictly limited vocabulary, e.g. to shrug one’s shoulder. This view point has been criticized, for there is no distinct boarder line between phraseological units and word groups on one hand and word groups and phraseological collocations – on the other.

Criterion of function presupposes that phraseological units are grammatically and stylistically inseparable, in a sentence they behave like a single syntactic form, e.g. He wrote it in a long run. This view point has been criticized, as the same phraseological units may be inseparable in 1 type of syntactic context, but quite separable in another, i.g. take care - care was taken.

According to the criterion of context phraseological units have a fixed meaning (unlike free word groups). Амосова subdivided them into phraseological units and phraseological idioms. Phraseological units are 2 member groups in which 1 of the members has a specific meaning dependent on the 2nd member (small hours = early).

Fortunatov and Shakhmatov paid much attention to the syntactic analysis of phraseological units. Their classification is known as structural.

Vinogradov’s classification is synchronic. It is based on the motivation of the unit, i.e. the relationship between the meaning of the whole and the meaning of its component parts. The degree of motivation is correlated with the rigidity, indivisibility and semantic unity of the expressions. It suggests 3 types of phraseological units: phraseological fusions, phraseological units, phraseological combinations.

Smirnitskii constructed a classification which is reversed in comparison with Vinogradov’s one: 1) traditional phraseological units, 2 phraseological combination with the faded phraseological units (e.g. to fall in love). 3 idioms which have no motivation (e.g. as dead as a doornail). Kunin has many classifications, the main is based upon the combination of functional, semantic features: 1) nominative phraseological units, 2) communicative phraseological units (proverbs and sayings), 3) phraseological units with combined function (interjectional phraseological units, modal phraseological units (e.g. as sure as I’m sitting here)). According to the character all the units may be divided into: 1) expressions with variable verbal or nominal elements (e.g. not to stir / lift a finger), 2) expression with variable pronominal elements (e.g. to pull one’s leg), 3) expressions which combine 2 types of variability (to give s.o (nominal) a piece of one’s mind (pronominal)). Алёхина classified phraseological units and divided them into14 core patterns. The most productive ones are: 1) N+N (foot-force), 2) Adj+N (heavy father), 3) N+Adj (to bleed white),

4) Npossessive case+ N (the devil’s delight), 5) V+N (kick the bucket), 6) Prep+N,

7) N+prep+N (the king of birds – an eagle), 8) Adv+Adj (so so),

9) Adj+Adj (pretty good), 10) V+Adj (to go wild).

And each of these patters has a certain derivational ability.

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