INTRODUCTION
Rationale of the study
English is the most widely used language globally, ranking second in the number of speakers after Chinese It is recognized as an official language in 60 out of 196 countries, with approximately 1.5 billion people speaking it and another 1 billion actively learning it This prevalence highlights the advantages of English over less commonly used languages, making it a valuable asset for communication worldwide.
Reading literature is a captivating way to learn English, as it enhances vocabulary and exposes readers to diverse cultures and beliefs This immersive experience offers insights into different ways of life, allowing readers to view the world from unique perspectives Through literature, we gain personal insights into the thoughts and reasoning of others, enriching our understanding of humanity.
Short stories are a concise form of literature that provide an effective way to engage with the English language They offer insights into pacing and plot development, allowing readers to appreciate how authors craft complete characters within limited space By reading short stories, you gain a snapshot of a writer's abilities and unique style, making them an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their literary experience.
Reading and comprehending short stories can be challenging due to cultural differences between languages, making it difficult to grasp the full meaning, especially when idioms are present.
Nattinger and De Carrico (1992), as cited in Tajali & Tehrani (2009), highlight idioms as a crucial subcategory of formulaic language, emphasizing that proficiency in using such language is essential for achieving native-like fluency Fernando (1996) asserts that “No translator or language teacher can afford to ignore idioms or idiomaticity if a natural use of the target language is an aim” (p 234) Supporting this view, Wray notes that a lack of formulaic sequences in learners' speech leads to unidiomatic expressions, underscoring the importance of idioms in language acquisition and teaching.
Crick, Pawley, and Syder (1983), as cited in Tajali & Tehrani (2009), emphasized that fluency in native speakers relies not just on individual vocabulary but also on the ability to recall phrases and larger chunks from memory, which eases processing In contrast, ESL learners who focus solely on single words face greater challenges and require more time and effort to communicate effectively Therefore, it is crucial to educate students about the importance of language chunks and their application in effective communication.
Many people believe that a larger vocabulary equates to greater vocabulary knowledge, but it's essential to consider another aspect: a learner's understanding of how words can be combined This aspect is referred to by some linguists as 'lexical phrases' or 'lexical items,' while others use the term 'multi-word chunks.'
The concept of 'chunking,' introduced by Miller (1956) and referenced by Ellis (2001), refers to the formation of lasting associative connections in long-term memory, which is essential for achieving automaticity and fluency in language These multi-word expressions, including idioms, proverbs, sayings, phrasal verbs, and collocations, play a crucial role in both language use and acquisition However, this vital aspect of vocabulary knowledge has been largely overlooked until recently.
Understanding idioms can be quite challenging in conversations and literature appreciation Nevertheless, it is crucial for learners and researchers to focus on this aspect for deeper comprehension and effective communication.
This study explores English idioms in renowned short stories, aiming to enhance comprehension and interpretation of idiomatic expressions Understanding idioms in literature is crucial for English learners, as it not only enriches their vocabulary but also aids in recognizing new idioms While idioms are commonly used across languages, the specific wording and metaphorical meanings differ, making direct translations challenging.
Aims and Objectives of the study
The study is aimed at investigating the grammatical and semantic features of idioms in some famous English short stories
In order to achieve the aforementioned aim, the researcher has set the following specific objectives:
- to describe the grammatical and semantics features of idioms
- to find out the difficulties encountered by students in reading idioms in short stories
- to offer some suggestions for learning idioms in English short stories.
Scope of the study
Due to the limitation of time and ability, the researcher just focuses on studying idioms and idiomatic expressions collected from 10 famous English short stories as listed in the appendix.
Design of the study
The study is divided into three parts:
Part I is the Introduction in which rationale, aim of the study, method of the study and design of the study are presented
Part II is the Development that includes four chapters:
Chapter I is an overview of theoretical background which includes definition, formation and meaning of idioms; definition and some necessary factor affecting short story; and translation of short story
Chapter II is a preparation of data collection procedures
Chapter III is an investigating into the grammatical and semantic feature of idioms
Chapter IV: finds out some difficulties faced and give suggestion to solve them
Part III is Conclusion that indicates strengths and weaknesses of the study as well as some suggestions for further research.
DEVELOPMENT
Idioms are fundamental to all languages, making vocabulary acquisition essential for learning any language, whether it's your first or a subsequent one The creation of new words is an ongoing process, highlighting the continuous nature of language evolution and the importance of expanding one's vocabulary.
Language acquisition involves continuously learning new words and expanding the meanings of familiar ones However, certain categories of language, such as idioms, collocations, proverbs, and fixed expressions, are often overlooked by educators These expressions carry specific cultural meanings and are characterized by word combinations that frequently appear together in discourse This includes a diverse array of phrases, such as phrasal verbs and compounds, collectively known as multiword lexical items or formulaic sequences Native speakers predominantly use these expressions, yet idioms, in particular, remain the most neglected in both language use and learning.
An idiom, as defined by Sinclair (1991:172), is a combination of two or more words that collectively convey a specific meaning or effect in communication This expression cannot be understood solely by interpreting its individual words literally; rather, it carries a figurative meaning recognized through common usage.
According to Webster's Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language (1989), an idiom is defined as a fixed multiword expression whose meaning cannot be entirely inferred from the individual words it comprises, functioning as a self-contained lexical unit.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (1933), an idiom is a unique expression or grammatical construction specific to a language, characterized by a phraseology that is accepted through common usage, and it conveys a meaning that differs from its literal grammatical or logical interpretation.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Idiom
Idioms are fundamental to all languages, making the acquisition of vocabulary essential for learning any language, whether it's your first or a subsequent one Additionally, the creation of new words is a continuous process, highlighting the ongoing nature of vocabulary expansion.
Language acquisition is a continuous process, as we constantly learn new words and expand the meanings of those we already know However, certain categories of words, such as idioms, collocations, proverbs, and fixed expressions, are often overlooked by language educators These expressions carry specific cultural meanings and are characterized by word combinations that frequently appear together in discourse This includes a diverse array of phrases like phrasal verbs, compounds, and idioms, collectively known as multiword lexical items or formulaic sequences Such expressions are predominantly found in the speech of native speakers Among these, idioms are particularly underrepresented in both language use and instruction.
An idiom, as defined by Sinclair (1991:172), is a combination of two or more words that collectively convey a specific meaning or effect in communication These expressions possess figurative meanings that cannot be inferred from the literal definitions of their individual components, and their significance is understood through common usage.
According to Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language (1989), an idiom is defined as a fixed multiword expression whose meaning cannot be entirely inferred from the individual words it comprises, functioning as a self-contained lexical unit.
An idiom, as defined by The Oxford English Dictionary (1933), is a distinctive form of expression or grammatical construction unique to a particular language It represents a specific phraseology that is accepted through common usage, often carrying a meaning that differs from its literal grammatical interpretation.
This study defines idioms and idiomatic expressions as fixed phrases where the collective meaning differs from the individual meanings of the words.
According to Stathi (2006:27), idioms can be categorized into two types: those defined by semantic idiomaticity, such as "kick the bucket" and "spill the beans," and those characterized by a fixed form, like "by and large." McCarthy & O'Dell (2008) highlight that idioms often relate to themes including animals, the sea, sports, body parts, food and drink, colors, and sensory experiences They serve to describe various aspects of life, including physical appearance, character, work, health, and success Additionally, idioms often originate from work and technology.
Many idioms originate from an era when agriculture was prevalent, reflecting the rural lifestyle and its connection to farm animals Expressions such as "the black sheep of the family," "take the bull by the horns," and "don't count your chickens" illustrate this agricultural influence Additionally, idioms often draw from themes related to rural life and transportation, showcasing the deep-rooted ties between language and the everyday experiences of people in these settings.
Many idioms stem from everyday life in rural settings or common transportation experiences, such as "strike while the iron is hot," "put somebody through the mill," "eat like a horse," and "put the cart before the horse." Additionally, idioms can also emerge from the fields of science and technology.
Numerous idioms have originated from the fields of science and technology, such as "she has a short fuse," "we are on the same wavelength," and "I need to recharge my batteries." Additionally, idioms also emerge from the realms of sports and entertainment, enriching our language and expression.
Each year, numerous idioms emerge in the English language, often inspired by sports and entertainment, such as "have a good innings," "dice with death," "behind the scenes," and "play second fiddle." Additionally, idioms also originate from literature and historical contexts, enriching the language further.
Numerous idioms in the English language have their origins in literature and history, such as "sour grapes" and "the goose that laid the golden eggs." Additionally, many idioms stem from biblical references and the works of Shakespeare, including phrases like "the salt of the earth" and "your pound of flesh." Furthermore, idioms can also be derived from the meanings associated with human body parts, showcasing the rich and diverse sources of idiomatic expressions in English.
Idioms often use body parts to convey specific qualities or abilities, such as "use your head," "the idea never entered my head," and "she broke his heart." Expressions like "he opened his heart" and "I speak from the bottom of my heart" illustrate the connection between language and human emotions Additionally, phrases like "the news finally reached her ears" and "keep your mouth shut" further demonstrate how idioms can encapsulate feelings and actions.
Many idioms are rooted in feelings and emotions, such as "give him a black look," which conveys disapproval, "lose your bearings," indicating confusion, and "in seventh heaven," expressing extreme happiness Other phrases like "in high spirits" reflect joy, while "it was love at first sight" captures instant attraction, and "come out of your shell" signifies gaining confidence.
1.1.3 Grammar and meaning of idioms
Many idioms exhibit unconventional grammar, where words typically functioning as verbs, adjectives, conjunctions, or prepositions are used as nouns For instance, adjectives can appear as nouns in phrases like "all of a sudden" and "through thick and thin." Similarly, verbs are represented as nouns in expressions such as "the do’s and don’ts" and "on the make." Conjunctions and prepositions also take on noun forms, seen in idioms like "ifs and buts," "on the up and up," and "the ins and outs." Additionally, uncountable nouns may seem countable, as illustrated by phrases like "the living daylights" and "in all weathers."
Short story
A short story is a concise work of prose fiction designed to be read in a single sitting, concentrating on a self-contained event or a series of interconnected events, with the aim of eliciting an emotional response from the reader.
"single effect" or mood, however there are many exceptions to this
A dictionary defines a short story as a fictional narrative that is typically shorter than a novel, focusing on a limited number of characters Its primary goal is to achieve a unified emotional effect, often emphasizing mood over intricate plot development.
Short stories are a unique literary form that, while incorporating elements like plot and resonance similar to novels, do so to a lesser extent Although distinct from novels and novellas, authors of short stories often utilize a shared set of literary techniques, showcasing their creativity within a more concise framework.
Short story writers often view their creations as a unique blend of artistic and personal expression, striving to transcend traditional genre classifications and rigid structures.
Short stories have a long-standing significance in literature, with their impact acknowledged for centuries The concise nature of short fiction often resonates more with readers than longer narratives As acclaimed British author William Boyd suggests, we are inherently attracted to well-crafted short stories.
Short stories resonate with a profound aspect of our nature, creating a unique essence during their telling They distill our shared experiences and provide a temporary understanding of our complex journey through life, ultimately leading us towards oblivion.
Short stories generally range from 1,000 to 4,000 words, though some can extend up to 20,000 words and still be categorized as short stories Works under 1,000 words are often called "short short stories" or "flash fiction."
William Trevor likens the novel to an intricate Renaissance painting, while viewing the short story as an impressionist work that captures an explosion of truth He emphasizes that the power of a short story lies in its selective inclusion and exclusion of details, focusing on eliminating meaninglessness In contrast, he notes that life often feels meaningless, and while novels reflect the complexities of life, short stories are more concise and focused, representing a vital form of art.
Raymond Carver expresses that both his stories and poems are concise, sharing a similar writing style and emotional impact He emphasizes that the compression of language and emotion found in his short works is distinct from that of novels, highlighting that short stories and poems are more closely related to each other than to longer narratives.
Lorris Moore emphasizes that a short story must quickly address its central point and then subvert expectations, transforming skepticism into an art form Unlike longer narratives, short stories have a focused mission that involves a deep exploration rather than broad storytelling Similar to poetry, every line is crafted with precision, and like a play, the narrative unfolds deliberately, scene by scene While aiming for vividness and authenticity, short stories should minimize unnecessary elements, ensuring a lean and impactful narrative.
Flannery O’Connor emphasizes that the essence of a short story lies not in its brevity but in its depth and richness of meaning A short story should provide a profound experience that transcends simple statements, as it conveys complex ideas that cannot be expressed otherwise The true understanding of a story emerges through personal experience, and when asked about its meaning, the best response is to encourage the reader to engage with the story itself Ultimately, the significance of fiction is rooted in the lived experience it offers, enhancing our comprehension of its themes and messages.
Russ Hills underscores the significance of unique events in a short story, stating that "something happens, however slight it may be," and that these events are not repetitive occurrences He asserts that the actions within a story unfold only once, leading to a transformation in the character This change, regardless of its magnitude, ensures that the character will never again experience or react in precisely the same manner.
In her selected short stories, Alice Munro likens a story to a house rather than a road, inviting readers to explore its intricate spaces As you wander through the rooms and corridors, you discover how they interconnect and how your perspective shifts when viewed from different windows This immersive experience alters both the reader and the story itself, revealing new layers with each revisit, whether the narrative is simple or complex, sparsely or richly detailed.
It also has a sturdy sense of itself of being built out of its own necessity, not just to shelter or beguile you.”
Sharing a similar point of view, Meg Wolitzer confirms that “in short stories, I don’t think characters or their situation or their surrounding change as frequently as they turn.”
1.2.2 Necessary factors for a successful short story
The success of a short story largely hinges on its subtext, which embodies the "untold" elements that lie beneath the surface To engage readers effectively, a story must provide clear hints and thought-provoking questions that encourage them to use their imagination to explore these deeper layers Ultimately, creating depth in a narrative is essential, and writers should leverage this complexity to enrich the storytelling experience.
The passage of time is a crucial factor in the success of a short story, as it allows for deeper plot development and more significant character evolution While powerful narratives can be conveyed in a brief timeframe, extended periods enable characters to undergo meaningful transformations, often requiring multiple catalysts for change For instance, placing a character in prison for a year carries far more weight and impact than a mere week or two, highlighting the importance of time in storytelling.
Translation of short story
The definition of translation varies upon linguists all around the world There are some typical concepts as follow:
Translation is a complex process that involves re-contextualizing a text from one language to another This linguistic operation is heavily influenced by various extra-linguistic factors and conditions The interplay between the internal linguistic elements and the external contextual influences contributes to the intricacy of translation.
- Translation is the replacement of the textual material in one language (SL) by equivalent textual material in another language (TL) (Catford, 1965)
- Translation is made possible by an equivalent of thought that lies behind its different verbal expressions (Savory, 1968)
Translation is the process of transforming a message from a specific source language into a form that can be understood by readers of the target language, as defined by Houbert (1998).
Translation involves converting a text from one language to another while preserving the original message's meaning and formal characteristics (Bell, 1991).
Translation involves interpreting the meaning of a source text in one language and creating an equivalent target text in another language that conveys the same message, as defined by Nida (1959).
Semantic loss in translation occurs because a single word can convey different meanings based on its context, as it may possess multiple interpretations (Almasaeid, 2013) There are two primary types of meaning: denotative meaning, which refers to the straightforward dictionary definition devoid of emotional nuances (Elewa, 2015), and connotative meaning, which includes the emotional or associative implications that accompany a word beyond its literal definition (Lyons, 1977: 176).
To investigate semantic loss in story translation, the researcher will utilize Baker’s typology of equivalence between Arabic and English, which effectively addresses non-equivalence issues, particularly at the word level This theory is chosen for its comprehensive analysis of equivalence problems between the two languages According to Baker (1992), equivalence is a relative concept influenced by various linguistic and cultural factors While Baker identifies 11 types of non-equivalence at the word level, this study will concentrate on four specific types to examine semantic loss in the translation.
(a) Culture – Specific terms in two languages; after analyzing the story in both languages, there are some word culturally bound, there are no equivalent words in the target language
(b) The terms that are not lexicalized in the target language like
These words can’t be represented by using a single word in the target language, but by using a phrase Yet, this phrase can’t be convey the implicit meaning of the word
(c) English lacks a specific term (hyponym)
(d) The target language lacks a super-ordinate
Syntactic loss in translation between Vietnamese and English can be attributed to the inherent linguistic complexities of both languages According to Al-Jabr (2006), these complexities arise from the unique features of each language, impacting the translation process.
When examining the linguistic characteristics of both the source and target languages, it becomes evident that Vietnamese sentence structure differs significantly from that of the target language.
For example, in an English idiom, the order of its element is not the same as the one in Vietnamese when being translated
English: Fell in love, as if truck by a pistol shot
Vietnamese: Phải long em như thể bị bắn bởi khẩu súng (Literal translation)
Vietnamese: Yêu em như thể tôi vừa bị trúng phải tiếng sét ái tình (Communicative translation)
The difference in syntactic features causes syntactic loss
Cultural loss in translation often arises from idiomatic expressions and metaphors that are deeply rooted in specific cultures As Nida (1964: 130) highlights, the complexities posed by cultural differences can present greater challenges for translators than variations in language structure.
Translating metaphors and idiomatic expressions from English to Vietnamese often results in a loss of meaning, making it difficult for the target audience to grasp the intended message Two examples illustrate these cultural losses effectively.
Vietnamese : Tên của người hoặc nhân vật là Jack Frost
Vietnamese : Nhân vật biểu tượng cho mùa đông ở các nước phương Tây
The difference in cultural features causes cultural loss
Literal translations of metaphors and idiomatic expressions often fail to convey their intended meanings due to cultural differences, which can hinder the reader's comprehension of the overall context This issue can lead to cultural losses in translation In both examples, the underlying implication is that the girl is extremely thin and impoverished.
METHODOLOGY
Data collection procedures
During the research, I chose 10 short stories which were written by many famous authors Below are names and plots or summaries of them
"The Story of B24," a gripping short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, was first published in The Strand Magazine in March 1899 Narrated in the first person as a letter, it follows a man who has spent three years in prison, asserting his innocence of murder Through his account, he unveils a captivating tale of burglary, murder, and a potential miscarriage of justice.
"The Tell-Tale Heart," a short story by Edgar Allan Poe published in 1843, features an unnamed narrator who attempts to prove his sanity while recounting the murder of an old man with a disturbing "vulture-eye." The narrator meticulously plans the crime, dismembers the body, and conceals it beneath the floorboards However, his overwhelming guilt manifests as a haunting thumping sound, which he believes to be the heartbeat of the deceased, ultimately leading to his unraveling.
In "Desiree's Baby," the narrative begins with Madame Valmonde visiting Desiree and her child, reflecting on Desiree's past as a foundling discovered by Monsieur Valmonde He found her abandoned near a stone pillar, and while many believed she was left by a group of Texans, Madame Valmonde felt she was a divine gift due to her inability to have children Eighteen years later, Armand Aubigny falls in love with Desiree upon seeing her again, despite their long acquaintance since childhood Monsieur Valmonde suggests investigating Desiree's origins before their relationship deepens, but Armand, deeply in love, dismisses any concerns about her lack of a family name and marries her, believing he can provide her with a new identity.
Madame Valmonde is in for a shock when she visits L’Abri after a month and sees her grandchild's surprising appearance While Desiree notes how much the baby has grown, she remains blissfully unaware of any issues, expressing her happiness Since the birth of their son, Armand, who was once strict and harsh, has shown a noticeable change, softening significantly in his demeanor.
When Desiree's baby turned three months old, a noticeable shift occurred in their household dynamics Sensing something amiss, Desiree felt the growing distance from her husband, Armand, who became increasingly cold and distant towards both her and their child One afternoon, while in her room, Desiree observed her baby alongside a young quadroon boy who was fanning him, and the striking resemblance between the two unsettled her, prompting her to send the boy away.
When Armand arrives back home, Desiree asks him about the baby
Desiree confronts her husband about their baby's racial identity, asserting that the child is not white, which implies she isn't either Despite Desiree's insistence on her own physical traits that indicate her whiteness, her furious husband dismissively compares her to their mixed-race slaves, undermining her claims.
In her time of desperation, Desiree reaches out to her mother, Madame Valmonde, seeking assistance and love Madame Valmonde invites her to return home, but when Desiree confides in her husband about her situation, he rejects her and sends her away Heartbroken, Desiree takes her baby and leaves, choosing not to head toward the Valmonde home but instead vanishing into the depths of the bayou.
Weeks later, Armand organizes a bonfire to dispose of Desiree's belongings, during which he discovers several letters Among these are simple notes from Desiree during their engagement, as well as a poignant letter from his mother to his father In this letter, his mother expresses gratitude for her husband's love but also reveals a heartbreaking secret: she is thankful that her son will never learn the truth about his mother's past.
"belongs to the race that is cursed by slavery."
- "The Gift of the Magi" is a short story by O Henry first published in
1905 The story tells of a young husband and wife and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money
This sentimental story, celebrated for its moral lesson on gift-giving, has gained popularity for adaptations, particularly during the Christmas season Its well-known plot features a twist ending that exemplifies comic irony The tale is said to have been penned at Pete's Tavern on Irving Place in New York City.
The story "Gifts of the Magi," originally published in The New York Sunday World on December 10, 1905, later appeared in book form in the O Henry anthology titled The Four Million in April.
In O Henry's "After Twenty Years," themes of friendship, change, guilt, and loyalty are intricately woven into the narrative The story, part of his Selected Stories collection, is told from a third-person perspective by an unnamed narrator It highlights Bob's unwavering dedication to his promise to meet Jimmy at an old New York restaurant, illustrating the profound impact their friendship has had on his life As Bob converses with the policeman, who is actually Jimmy, a sense of camaraderie emerges, despite Bob's misguided belief that Jimmy has not progressed over the past two decades This reflects Bob's failure to recognize the potential for change, as he judges Jimmy solely based on past experiences.
The nighttime setting of the story symbolizes Bob's ignorance regarding Jimmy's life, reflecting his lack of insight into what Jimmy might be doing As the narrative unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident to the reader that Bob remains in the dark about the realities of Jimmy's situation, highlighting the theme of uncertainty and misunderstanding.
The conclusion of the story reveals a significant shift in Jimmy's character, highlighting themes of dedication and guilt Instead of personally arresting Bob, Jimmy delegates the task to another officer, indicating a complex emotional bond and underlying guilt towards his old friend This decision underscores that, despite their past friendship, Jimmy prioritizes his duties as a policeman over personal relationships Unlike Bob, who clings to memories and hopes for a rekindled friendship, Jimmy has moved on, viewing his past without emotional attachment Ultimately, the story illustrates that Jimmy has evolved, placing his commitment to the law above any friendship with Bob, who lives in stark contrast to his values.
- "The Cop and the Anthem" is a December 1904 short story by the United States author O Henry It includes several of the classic elements of an
O Henry story, including a setting in New York City, an empathetic look at the state of mind of a member of the lower class, and an ironic ending
In "The Cop and the Anthem," the main character, Soapy, is a homeless man representing the significant underclass that migrated to New York City in the early twentieth century Notably, Soapy is the only character with a name, highlighting his individuality amidst the vast struggles faced by many during this period.
Set in late fall, the short story depicts Soapy, who confronts the pressing need for winter shelter as the city's trees shed their leaves and a chill fills the air Drawing on his past experiences, he views Blackwell's Island, the local jail, as a makeshift refuge for the homeless The narrative follows Soapy as he devises various strategies to provoke the police into arresting him, hoping to secure a place to stay for the winter months.
Analytical framework
The study aims to analyze the grammatical and semantic features of idioms in English short stories, utilizing Quirk’s classification of parts of speech as the analytical framework.
First, idioms are first classified according to grammatical features They are divided into:
Non-Finite Clause (Ving/ To V/ Vbare/ Ved) Adverbial Clause
Nominal Clause Relative Clause Comment Clause Secondly, idioms are classified according to their meaning They are divided into two different types: idiomatic and non-idiomatic meanings
Seria l No Idiom Phrase Clause
N V Adj Nominal Relative Adverbial Comment
2 Which way the wind blows X
3 The end of the string in your hand X
5 God’s hand strike me down X
8 Talk as the devil would have it X
10 The iron should be on my wrist once more X
11 Had a job to get over it X
15 Had some starts in my life X
16 Lending me a hand to rob X
19 An apple of his eyes X
21 Take the life of the old man X
22 hearkening to the death watches in the wall X
23 the hellish tattoo of the heart increased X
24 A Christmas without punch is sinking a hole to bed rock with nary a pay-streak
25 Stack up on that fer a high card X
26 harking back to childhood memories X
27 Fell in love, as if truck by a pistol shot X
36 Be the death of me X
39 Join in his infernal glee X
46 Stripped by on rosing wings X
48 Steeped in shadow and silence X
Table 2: Idioms classified based on grammatical features
2 Which way the wind blows X
3 The end of the string in your hand X
5 God’s hand strike me down X
8 Talk as the devil would have it X
10 The iron should be on my wrist once more X
11 Had a job to get over it X
15 Had some starts in my life X
16 Lending me a hand to rob X
19 An apple of his eyes X
21 Take the life of the old man X
22 hearkening to the death watches in the wall X
23 the hellish tattoo of the heart increased X
24 A Christmas without punch is sinking a hole to bed rock with nary a pay-streak X
25 Stack up on that fer a high card X
26 harking back to childhood memories X
27 Fell in love, as if truck by a pistol shot X
36 Be the death of me X
39 Join in his infernal glee X
46 Stripped by on rosing wings X
48 Steeped in shadow and silence X
Preparing data
Data, defined as the quantitative or qualitative values of a variable, serves as the fundamental unit of information essential for measurements and analysis It plays a crucial role in research by providing quantitative evidence for hypotheses and supporting qualitative studies This research involves collecting data from notable literary works in both English and Vietnamese, specifically selecting three renowned English novels alongside their carefully chosen Vietnamese translations to analyze their appropriate equivalents.
The first English novel to be selected is Wuthering Heights, Emily
Brontở's only novel, being widely regarded as a classic of English literature.
Research methods
This study employs two primary research methods: quantitative and qualitative The quantitative approach allows for data collection and analysis of the frequency of idioms in selected short stories, while the qualitative method provides insights into the grammatical and semantic characteristics of the idiomatic expressions identified.
More specifically, different research methods are used
The descriptive method allows researchers to identify key linguistic features of idioms in English literature by analyzing short stories for themes, plots, characters, and their ideological significance This process includes examining the context of idioms, focusing on the communicative event's topic, purpose, participants, and their social dynamics, as outlined by Nunan (1993) Additionally, the study explores the syntactic and semantic characteristics of these idioms, providing insights into their presence and function within the literary works Ultimately, this analysis reveals the most prevalent linguistic features of idioms in the selected texts.
The interpretative method offers insights into the linguistic characteristics of idioms found in selected English short stories This approach first analyzes the manipulation of various syntactic functions of idioms within the data, revealing distinct semantic features Additionally, leveraging social, cultural, and linguistic knowledge alongside contextual cues, the researcher identifies equivalent expressions in Vietnamese and explains their relevance.
The synthetic method assists researchers in categorizing linguistic features identified in the analysis of idioms within collected English literature Following the description of these features, the most typical ones are synthesized and organized into categories.
Finally, comparative method is employed to find out the similarities and differences in the syntactic and semantic features of idioms in English literature works and their Vietnamese equivalents
In addition to the primary methods discussed, statistical analysis is employed to gather evidence for the study Once data is collected and described, the syntactical and semantic properties of idioms in English literature are manually analyzed to determine their frequency of occurrence These statistical findings support the assumptions or conclusions drawn based on the identified linguistic and behavioral characteristics.
INVESTIGATION INTO THE GRAMMATICAL AND
Grammatical features
In an analysis of 10 renowned short stories, 48 idioms were identified, with 44 of them (over 91%) being phrasal idioms and only 4 (about 9%) being clause-based This indicates a clear preference for phrasal idioms in short stories, likely due to their brevity and ease of comprehension.
The most popular grammatical feature of idioms is forming a verb phrase (52%) In most of the stories which are analysed, the authors use verb phrase as idioms
(1)Keep off the cross ( B24 – Arthur Conan Doyle)
This means that “Stay away from sins/ prison/sorrow”
The phrase is formed with a verb “Keep” as the main part of the idiomatic expression It is combined with a prepositional phrase “off the cross”
(2)Take the life of the old man ( The tell – Tale heart -Edgar Alan Poe) This means that “kill someone”
The phrase is formed with a verb “Take” as the main part of the idiomatic expression It is combined with a noun phrase “the life of the old man”
(3) He had to find some way to take care of himself during the cold weather ( The cop and the anthem, Hemingway)
In this example, two different idiomatic expressions are formed “find some way” and “take care of” with the main parts being the verbs “find” and “take”
The second most popular grammatical feature of idioms is forming a noun phrase (21%)
(1) Eating her head out ( B24 – Arthur Conan Doyle)
This means that “emaciated/sorrow”
The phrase is formed with a noun “Eating” as the main part of the idiomatic expression It is combined with a possessive adjective “her head out”
(2) Bluecoat ( The cop and the anthem - O’Henry)
The phrase is formed with a noun “coat” as the main part of the idiomatic expression It is combined with an adjective “blue”
3.1.1.3 Idioms forming an adjective phrase
This kind of grammatical feature of idioms is about 21%
(1)Stout-hearted( B24 – Arthur Conan Doyle)
The phrase is formed with an adjective “Stout” as the main part of the idiomatic expression It is combined with a noun “hearted”
(2) Moon-faced ( Moon face - Jack London)
This means that “The person who hand a round shape of face”
The phrase is formed with a compound adjective “Faced” as the main part of the idiomatic expression It is combined with a noun “Moon”
A nominal clause is a clause (a group of words containing its own subject and verb) that is taking the place of a noun or pronoun in a sentence
“A Christmas without punch is sinking a hole to bed rock with nary a pay- streak”
( To the man on the trail – Jack London) This means lacks of something make people feel uncomfortable
3.1.2 2 Idioms forming an adverbial clause
An adverbial clause is a type of dependent clause that acts as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb It includes a subject and predicate, though the subject and predicate verb can sometimes be implied and omitted.
There is 6% of adverbial clause in 10 short stories
(1) “Which way the wind blows”
This means “To wait until you have more information before making a decision”
(2) “The iron should be on my wrist once more”
( B24 – Arthur Conan Doyle) This means “Arrested again”.
Semantic features of idioms in some English short stories
The idiomatic meaning of phrases cannot be inferred from the surrounding words, making it essential for readers to memorize their definitions Without this understanding, comprehending the idiom becomes nearly impossible.
You can take these medals, starting from this end, as they hold the rarest value Although they will all be the same when melted down, these particular medals are the most precious to him There's no need to break the locks; simply press the brass knob to reveal a secret spring Begin with the small one first, as it is truly the apple of his eye.
The phrase "Apple of his eye" refers to someone who is cherished and held in high regard by another person Its meaning is not easily inferred without prior knowledge of the idiom.
The idiom "apple of the eye" dates back to the early 9th century in a work by King Alfred, where the pupil of the eye was perceived as a solid, round object Due to its similar round shape, the central part of the eye came to be referred to as the "apple." This connection highlights the popularity of the apple fruit and its resemblance to the eye's pupil.
The term "pupil" originates from the Latin word "papilla," meaning "little doll," and entered the English language in the 16th century This connection highlights the significance of the pupil as a reflection of our miniature image when gazing into someone's eyes Vision plays a crucial role in our lives, making it essential to protect it The phrase "the apple of my eye" symbolizes someone we deeply cherish and respect, emphasizing their importance as one of the most valued aspects of our lives.
Some believe she was drawn to another man, swayed by the wealth of the late Lord, which led her to betray her true love Now, she is filled with regret, realizing she has lost him without gaining anything in return, feeling as though she could be the poorest woman in the parish despite the riches she manages.
The phrase "eat her heart out" refers to experiencing jealousy or envy towards another person's accomplishments or favorable circumstances Additionally, it can signify the presence of intense emotions such as grief, bitterness, or anxiety regarding a particular situation.
The idiom "eat your heart out" is commonly used in a humorous yet exaggerated manner, often conveying a sense of boastfulness When someone employs this phrase, they are essentially implying that the listener will feel jealousy or envy.
Eat your heart out has its root in a Latin saying, “cor ne edito”, which
Plutarch's Parable of Pythagoras, interpreted as "do not torture your soul with worry," emphasizes the importance of avoiding excessive anxiety By the 1500s, this phrase evolved into common English usage, signifying being overwhelmed by worry or intense emotions The transformation of this expression into a humorous taunt remains uncertain.
With just a couple of inquiries, you can quickly discern the prevailing sentiment It's important to note that the sole beneficiary of the crime was the woman herself, as it transformed her from an unhappy wife into a wealthy young widow.
( B24 – Arthur Conan Doyle) This means: To understand what is happening in changing circumstances and to be able to anticipate the future
The windward side is the direction from which the wind originates, making it crucial for sailors, hunters, and farmers to be aware of its location This understanding of the wind's direction has led to the phrase "knowing which way the wind blows" becoming synonymous with skill and insight.
The phrase 'the way the wind blows,' signifying the prevailing opinion, has been in use since the early 19th century An example of this can be found in a November 1819 advertisement by The Times for the book "The Political House that Jack Built," which described it as "A straw - thrown up to show which way the wind blows."
Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues, 1965, encouraged the young to make their own decisions with the lines:
“You don't need a weather man
To know which way the wind blows”
Non-idiomatic meaning allows readers to easily infer the significance of an idiom within a short story by relying on the surrounding context By focusing on the words that precede or follow the idiom, readers can grasp its meaning without confusion This context-based understanding enhances the reading experience, making idioms more accessible and relatable.
The garden was enclosed by a tall wall that posed a challenge to climb, but once I succeeded, the journey became effortless I encountered no one along the way, and the iron gate leading to the avenue stood wide open.
In Conan Doyle's B24, the idiom "plain sailing" refers to a process that is smooth and uncomplicated This interpretation is supported by the preceding sentence, which describes a high wall surrounding the garden, symbolizing a significant obstacle Despite the wall's height, the character successfully navigates over it without encountering anyone, indicating that his task was completed effortlessly and without detection Thus, "plain sailing" encapsulates the idea of achieving success with ease.