The Comparison of English,Tatar and Russian idioms

Исследовательская работа

«The comparison of English, Tatar and Russian idioms »

Вагапова Лилия Нургалиевна

МБОУ «Лицей№159 », Советский район, г.Казань

Казань 2015

Contents:

1 INTRODUCTION

2 CONCEPT OF IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS

3 CLASSIFICATION OF THE IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS CHARACTERISING THE PERSON

4 THE ANALYSIS OF THE IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS CHARACTERISING THE PERSON , ORIGIN, COMPONENTS

5 CONCLUSION

6 REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION

Language is the most important component of culture. It is impossible to understand another culture without knowing its language well. The problem of learning foreign languages is very important today. Foreign languages are the most efficient means of information exchange between the people of our planet. When learning a foreign language you are to learn the culture and history of the native speakers. The understanding of the native speakers’ language is the international problem. Idioms come to be a very numerous part of a language. Idioms cover a lot of drawbacks of a language and it is one-third part of the colloquial speech.

Nowadays English is worth not just knowing, but it is worth really knowing. There is a great importance to understand up-to-date English. English is the chief language of international business and academic conferences, and the leading language of international tourism. English is the main language of popular music, advertising, home computers and video games. Most of the scientific, technological and academic information in the world is expressed in English. International communication expends very fast. The English language becomes the means of international communication, the language of trade, education, politics, and economics. People have to communicate with each other. It is very important for them to understand foreigners and be understood by them. In this case the English language comes to be one but very serious problem. A word comes to be a very powerful means of communication but also can be a cause of a great misunderstanding if it is not clearly understood by one of the speakers.

The understanding of the native speakers’ language is the international problem for our students. Our secondary schools teach the students only the bases of the English language. They do not prepare them to the British streets, and accommodations. Idioms come to be a very numerous part of English. Idioms cover a lot of drawbacks of the English language and it is one-third part of the colloquial speech.

A huge number of idioms are commonly used in speech, in magazine articles, dialogues, to make the language of bright and colorful shades of meaning. It is obvious that without knowing the meaning of idioms we can not understand the essence of a joke, because almost all the jokes are based on the phraseology. Idioms are widely used in all areas of our lived, and if you know their exact translation, it is possible to use them very well in the right time.

Getting acquainted with phraseologism at English lessons, I became interested in the topic. After all, as Alexander Kunin said, “Phraseology – a treasure of a language”. Idioms are not only reflecting the culture and life of a language, but also help to make it more expressive and emotional. Idioms are often brightly national. Subject phraseology is so complicated and specific that it makes learning new information, enriching lexicology, semantics, history, language, etymology, general linguistics.

The purpose of this work is to study idiomatic expressions that describe the person in English, Russian and Tatar languages, selected from the English – Russian phrase book A. Kunin, the dictionary for Russian phraseology R. Yarantsev, Tatar – Russian – English dictionary S. Garifullina and works of art literature.

The aim of this work is to identify similarities and differences in the mentality of English, Russian and Tatar people through a comparative analysis of idiomаtic expressions.

Tasks:

Explore the value of idioms.

To classify the idioms in English, Russian and Tatar;

Identify the classification of idioms on various topics;

Study and analyze idiomatic expressions describing human, English, Russian and Tatar;

Research methods:

The method of analysis and synthesis.

Method of comparison.

Method of questioning.

Phraseology – an extremely complex phenomenon, the study of which requires its own method of research, and the use of data from other sciences – lexicology, grammar, style, phonetics, language history, philosophy, geography.

The theoretical significance of the results: The curriculum of secondary school gives a certain level of knowledge in the language. But it is not enough to study some linguistics, lexicology, stylistics. There is no doubt that in addition to the regular vocabulary, you need to seriously worry about the enrichment of the speech set phrases – idioms of the language is spoken.

CONCEPT OF IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS.

The idiom (phraseological unit) is important expressional means of language. The idiom is a set expression with independent value. In the majority of the idioms are created by the people and therefore are closely connected with interests and daily occupations of simple people. Idioms illustrate both a way of life, and a geographical position, both history, and the traditions of this or that community united by one culture. Idioms are fixed expressions that are usually not clear or obvious. The expression to feel under the weather, which means to feel unwell is a typical idiom. The words do not tell us what it means, but the context usually helps.

There are some simple rules how to deal with idioms. At first it’s important to think of idioms as being just like single words, then we must record the whole phrase in the notebook, along with the information on grammar and collocation.

Value of the idiom doesn’t consist of values of words making it, idiom components usually can’t be traded places, replaced with others. All idioms as a whole have values. The idiom is equivalent to the word not only on value, but also on a syntactic role; it is always one sentence part:

Shelooks a sight in that dress.

Thatpen – pusher still hasn’t found a job yet.

Depending on degree of motivation of value of the phraseological unit the word meaning, entering into its structure and from degree of their connection pick out the following types of phraseological units ( according to V. V. Vinogradov):

Phraseological unions

Phraseological unities

Phraseological combination

In this work the term idiomatic expression as phraseological units for research was selected only on semantics, that is what anyway characterize the person, instead of the structure and on degree of connection of their components will be used furher.

3. CLASSIFICATION OF THE IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS CHARACTERISING THE PERSON

During research of idiomatic expressions the following types were carried out:

Choosing the most common Englishidiomatic expressionsdictionaries and literature.

Choosing from English language Russian and Tatar equivalents

Classification of idiomatic expressions by three groups:

The idiomatic expressions describing character of the person;

The expressions describing appearance of the person;

The idiomatic expressions describing behavior of the person in various situations;

The idiomatic expressions describing character of the person, position in society, material welfare.

3.2 The idiomatic expressions describing appearance of the person.

3.3 The idiomatic expressions describing behavior of the person in different situations.

THE ANALYSIS OF THE IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS CHARACTERISING THE PERSON, ORIGIN, COMPONENTS.

Except the above-named classification, we paid attention to some groups of idioms which are joined in one content. It is very important concerning food and people’s character.

4.1. The associations connected with food, products.

As the food is an important part of an every day life, idiomatic expressions with “food names” directly reflect mentality of this language community. The people certainly used names of those products which were for a habitual food. Such expressions are peculiar only for English people, Russians and Tatars have only a few amounts of such idioms. It is explained by the special attitude to food. Both Russians and Tatars don’t use idioms which mention food to characterize people. That’s why they don’t have associations to describe people with fruits or vegetables names.

As for British they are more loyal. Here we can see examples:

As red as beetroot-красныйкакрак

Ascoolasacucumber-холодный, как лёд, невозмутимый, хладнокровный

Pie-eyed-в стельку пьяный

Arottenapple (badnews)-неприятный, плохой, нечестный человек

Fullofbeans-быть энергичным, полным сил

Abigcheese-большая шишка

Acoachpotato-безвылазно сидящий дома перед телевизором

Amousepotato-человек, который большую часть проводит сидя у компьютера

Russians have such phrases;

тёртыйкалач-the skilled (skilled person who is difficult for deceiving)

малокашиел-It is weak in any relation.

In the Tatar language there is a phraseавызбәлешләндерергә,that means to pout, take offense (сделатьротбеляшом)

4.2. Relationships with neighboring states. Historical events.

The Anglo-Dutch war of the 17^th became the reason of emergence of the new phraseological units representing Dutches in quite unpleasant light. (“Dutch”)

British began to use the word Dutch in various negative values, for example as “unpleasant”, “drunk”, “cruel” and etc. For the characteristic of the person and his behavior British still often use idiomatic expressions with “Dutch” keyword:

DutchcourageDutch-пьяному море по колено

InDutch-в немилости, в плохих отношениях

To talk like Dutch uncle-читатьмораль

Dutch uncle-суровый наставник

Dutch concert-пьяный ор

In relationships of Russians with Tatars were hard times too. The Tatar-Mongol yoke which about 250 years proceeded in Russia, couldn’t but affected Russian and Tatar expressions. Uptonowthereisanexpression «Незваный гость хуже татарина», «Татарщина», «Сирота Казанская». Due to the invasion Ivan the terrible in Kazan in the 16^th century many colloquial idiomatic expressions with a keyword “урыс” in which the word “Russian” is to the equivalent words “terrible”, “cruel”, “dirty”, “incorrect” appeared. Also there are many negative phrases with the word “Tatar”. However there are some expressions which are used in the Tatar language in positive or neutral value. For example, the phrase “урыскапкасы” and means now “elegant, carved gate”, once the offensive word “маржа” for Russians (the scornful word in relation to the Russian woman), got now an additional positive shade and is often used in value “beautiful”, “elegant”.

4.3 Religion.

The Bible became the primary source of many idioms of English. In this case it is possible to consider as idioms only those expressions which are used in speech not in religious value, and characterizing household, daily aspects of life, it is frequent even with playful contest. Quotations from the Bible in which the religious subject is actual, aren’t idioms.

It is known that British are very believing people, and perfectly known Bible and certainly constantly use “bilble” expressions in speech, and they can be found in the most unexpected texts and situations. We can see then in texts about nuclear physics, law, TV serials, in books of recipes, video games… For example, “the fly in the ointment” expression (ложкадёгтявбочкемёда) was paraphrased in “Bush is the fly in Bilar’s ointment” for demonstration the relationships of politicians.

Here you can see the examples of the “Bibleizm” which are used for the description of people. We included expressions in the same group with keywords God, a sin, a devil, the devil…

- Doubting Thomas-Фоманеверующий

- Good Samaritanin-добрыйсамаритянин

- The apple of my eye-зеницаока

-Milkandhoney-молочные реки, кисельные берега

- A still small voice-голоссовести

-Uglyassin –уродливый, страшный как чёрт

- A thorn in the flesh-бельмовглазу

- The dead spirit of somebody-точнаякопиякого-л.

- Dare devil-бедовая голова

In Russia there are certainly too the idiomatic expressions having bible roots, and the Russian people use expressions from the Bible “Фоманеверующий,какзеницаока,плотьикровь,неотмирасего,козёлотпущения,блудныйсын,волквовечьейшкуре”. The same as British, Russians often transform set expressions, trying to adapt them for a concrete situation. Journalists “are especially guilty” in this regard. In headings of newspapers it is possible to meet such headings, as “Приблудныйсынэфира” or “Несыромединым”.

In the Tatar language there are a lot of the idiomatic expressions which have come from the Koran, and also with the word “Алла”, “жан” “җен”

Алланың кашка тәкәсе-пуп земли

Алла бозавы-кроткий как овечка

Җен кебек ямсез-страшный как черт

Җен алмаштырган- страшный как черт

Мәхшәр сарыгы- баран безмозглый

Җан көеге-зануда

Пәри ялаган- уродливый, некрасивый

4.4 Literature

In modern English there is a set of idiomatic expressions, which main function is to strengthen esthetic aspect of language. Many phraseological units occurred in connection with customs, realities, historic facts, but the most part of English phraseological fund, anyway arose thanks to art literary works.

Works of the well-known English classic W. Shakespeare are one of the most important references on number of the phraseological units which have enriched English. Their number is of over hundred. Here are some of the Shaksperizms characterizing the person:

Pride of place-высокоеположение

The sere and yellow leaf –старость,дряхлость

The green-eyed monster-ревность

Curled darlings-богатыеженихи, «золотаямолодёжь»

Midsummer madness-умопомрачение

A Daniel comes to judgment-честный,проницательныйсудья

Fancyfree-со свободным сердцем, ни в кого не влюблённый

Everyinchaking-с головы до ног, целиком, во всех отношениях

More sinned against than sinning-незаслуженнообиженный

Saladdays-молодо-зелено

Goodmenandtrue-верные, порядочные, хорошие люди

A large number of phraseological units created by Shakespeare entered into the general use, and it shows that Shakespeare is genius and very popular. Except Shakespeare , many other writers enriched Enlish phraseological fund. For example:

Fallonevildays-впасть в нищету, бедствовать (Джон Мильтон)

Heaven on Earth-райземной (ДжонМильтон)

A bag of bones-прохвост,пройдоха (ЧарльзДиккенс)

JohnBull-насмешливое прозвище англичан (Дж. Арбентнот)

Ascoolascucumber-совершенно невозмутимый , спокойный (Дж. Гей)

ManFriday-преданный слуга (Д.Дефо)

PaulPry-человек, сующий нос в чужие дела (Дж. Пул)

Moverandshaker-влиятельный человек (А.О.Шонесси)

аs merry as a marriage-bell-оченьвесёлый,полныйжизни (Дж.Г.Байрон)

In Russian literature we can see phraseological units thanks to I.A. Krylov’s creativity:

мартышкин труд - бесполезное, никому ненужное занятие

медвежья услуга – помощь, от которой только хуже стало

рыльце в пуху - о человеке, который сам виноват как минимум в части того, в чём он обвиняет других

а Васька слушает да ест - не обращая внимания на критику, продолжать делать нехорошее дело

как белка в колесе - весь в делах

попрыгунья-стрекоза - о ветреной, непостоянной женщине

A.S. Griboedov’s comedy «Гореотума» is divided into aphorisms and popular expressions too for example:

герой не моего романа – не в моём вкусе

In the Tatar language there are a lot of bright author’s phraseological units too:

Мәнди анасы да белә-всем известно (М.Магдиев)

Май чүлмәгенең тышыннан билгеле-по внешнему виду можно судить о содержании (М.Магдиев)

Кеше китә-җыры кала-человек умирает, но его добрые дела остаются(М.Магдиев)

Урман сарыгы-леший (Г.Тукай)

Су анасы-неопрятная (Г.Тукай)

Тел күмү-перестать говорить, забыть (Г. Морат)

Йөз суы-авторитет, уважение (А. Юнус)

4.5 The associations connected with animals

People can not live without animals, since ancient times they live in close relations with each other. Watching animals, people began to see in the human qualities such as pride, cunning, patience, hard work.

There are associations connected with animals, which is coincide with people. For example:

As cunning as a fox-хитрыйкаклис-төлке кебек хәйләкләр

Dumbasfish-нем как рыба-балык кебек төлсез

Tiredasadog-устал как собака-эт кебек арырга

Adarkhorse-темная лошадка-кара ат

As stubborn as a mule-упрямкакосел-ишәк кебек карышу

Her bark is worse than her bite-лает,нонекусает-

Eat like a horse-ест как лошадь-ат урынына ашау

A dog’s life-собачья жизнь-эт газабы

raraavis-белая воронa-ак карга

These are so-called international idioms, they are identical by origin and contents. Each animal could cause various associations which were created under the influence of various popular legends. For example, a horse in Russians and Tatars is a symbol of endurance, patience, hard work; confirmation to that the phraseological unit is to work as a horse ( ). And British have a horse rather a symbol of nobility, aristocratism, than diligence: to be on high horse(высокомернодержаться). Besides, British always said that horse riding is the hobby of high society. This national feature explains existence in English of a huge number of idiomatic expressions with a keyword “horse”. Silly people are compared with chickens in England: like a headless chicken-какбезмозглыйцыпленок; chicken-livered, chicken-hearted-заячьядуша,трусишка.

As we see, Russians use the phrase «заячьядуша », «трусливкакзаяц».The hare causes the same associations in Tatars:

It is interesting that in the Tatar language there are a lot of idioms with the word “dog” with negative subject:

эт газабы-собачья жизнь

эт белән эт булу-с волками жить по волчьи выть

эт әрсезе-наглый до предела

эт аваз-сквернослов

эт ашамас зат-человек непристойного поведения

эт кадәр дә күрмәү-за человека не считать

эт куу-гонять лодыря

эт җанлы-собачье отродье

эт туе-сброд, шушера

From these examples we can see that people don’t like dogs. British people have negative attitude towards a dog too:

Dressed up like a dog’s dinner-одетьсявульгарно,неряшливо

Dog’s breakfast-беспорядок,бедлам

Dog in the manager-собаканасене

Go to the dogs-терятьпозицию

You can’t teach an old dog new trick-старуюсобакуновымтрюкамненаучишь

Letsleepingdoglie-не буди лихо пока оно тихо.

However it is to meet idioms with the word “dog” with a positive and neutral meaning in English language:

Hotdog-бутерброд с сосиской

Worklikeadog-работать как вол

As clumsy as a puppy-неуклюжийкакщенок

Dump dog-молчун

Lucky dog-везунчик

Sickasadog-больной как собака

In Russia language we can meet only universal idiomatic phrases with negative meaning, though a dog is the best friend of people.

Conclusions.

Now I would like to make the following conclusions:

Many idiomatic expressions in all three languages have international character and their interpretations are identical and they coincide.

Some idiomatic expressions existing in one languages, but the same quality of behavior of the person cause different associations in different languages.

In each language there are unique, specific idiomatic expressions which have no analogs in other languages.

Idiomatic expressions which are obliged by the origin to creativity of literary figures, are generally property of the people, they seldom get accustomed in other languages.

The analysis of English idioms showed that British are very reserved, hardworking, independent, witty people. Russians and Tatars , unlike British, are much more emotional. Russians are kind, hardworking. Tatars are hardworking, religious, careful people.

The research conducted by us was undertaken for the purpose of detection of some features of the English, Russian and Tatar people by means of the analysis of the idiomatic expressions characterizing the person. As a result of research theme groups of these idiomatic expressions which reflect separate national lines of three people were defined. The analyzed phraseological units being storage of public experience, served as a valuable material in studying of features of English, Russian and Tatar mentalities. The analysis of phraseological units with names of products, fruits, vegetables, idioms of a religious origin, with use of names of animal and author’s idiomatic expressions allows speaking as about similar, and deeply various national features. The individual, peculiar national traits reflected in idioms are connected with specific social and economic conditions, an originality of the historical way, the developed traditions, customs and household realities.

References:

Kunin A.V. “English-Russian phrase book”

Yarantsev R.E. “The dictionary for Russian phraseology”

Garifullina A.M. “Tatar-Russian –English dictionatry”

Vinogradov V.V. “Phraseological units in Russian language”

Smitt L.P. “English phraseology”

Shanskii N.M. “English modern phraseology”

Gafarova F.F. and Sabirova G.G. “Tatar-Russian dictionary”

Lubenskaya S.E. “Russian -Tatar”

Burakova N.B. “Idioms and sayings dictionary”

Works of art literature.

Language is the most important component of culture. It is impossible to understand another culture without knowing its language well. The problem of learning foreign languages is very important today. Foreign languages are the most efficient means of information exchange between the people of our planet. When learning a foreign language you are to learn the culture and history of the native speakers. The understanding of the native speakers’ language is the international problem. Idioms come to be a very numerous part of a language. Idioms cover a lot of drawbacks of a language and it is one-third part of the colloquial speech.

A huge number of idioms are commonly used in speech, in magazine articles, dialogues, to make the language of bright and colorful shades of meaning. It is obvious that without knowing the meaning of idioms we can not understand the essence of a joke, because almost all the jokes are based on the phraseology. Idioms are widely used in all areas of our lived, and if you know their exact translation, it is possible to use them very well in the right time.

The purpose of this work is to study idiomatic expressions that describe the person in English, Russian and Tatar languages, selected from the English – Russian phrase book A. Kunin, the dictionary for Russian phraseology R. Yarantsev, Tatar – Russian – English dictionary S. Garifullina and works of art literature.

The aim of this work is to identify similarities and differences in the mentality of English, Russian and Tatar people through a comparative analysis of idiomdtic expressions.

Tasks:

Explore the value of idioms.

To classify the idioms in English, Russian and Tatar;

Identify the classification of idioms on various topics;

Study and analyze idiomatic expressions describing human, English, Russian and Tatar;

Адрес публикации: https://www.prodlenka.org/metodicheskie-razrabotki/122375-the-comparison-of-englishtatar-and-russian-id