26. Idiom and metaphor.

Many scientists agree on the statement that language is said to have two functions: it serves as a means of communication and also as a means of showing one’s thoughts. The first function is called communicative, the second – expressive. In connection with the second function there arises the problem of the interrelation between the thought and its expression. As for the problem of expression J. Middleton Murry considers that “Style is a quality of language which communicates precisely emotions or thoughts or a system of emotions or thoughts peculiar to the author. “Emotion and expressivity are most intensely conveyed by use of semantic stylistic means”12 , thus the literal use of language treats reality in the true light of its existence while the figurative use of language treats reality in the terms of an individual imagination, feeling and attitude. In other words literal language states facts and ideas, figurative language unfolds their emotional and expressive interpretations. The figurative use of language evokes an individual emotional response to reality.

Metaphor is a relation between the dictionary and contextual meaning based on similarity of certain properties or features of the two corresponding concepts”13 . Metaphor is usually called a compressed or hidden simile.It is a figure of speech in which a word or a phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them. Metaphors are comparisons that show how two things that ae not alike in most ways are similar in one important way.Metaphor presents a challenge for translation.Metaphors can be translated in the following ways:

Translation of phraseological units

1. Phraseological unities

There are 4 groups of phraseological unities according to the principles of translation:

•Phraseological unities, which have Russian counterparts with the same meaning and similar images. They can often be traced to the prototype: biblical, mythological, sayings etc.

*Not all that glitters is gold.

•Phraseological unities, which have the same meaning but express it through a different image:

To many cooks spoil that broth – У семи нянек дитя без глазу

The equivalents having a local color should be avoided:

*To carry coals to New Castle” – заниматься пустым делом

•Phraseological unities, which have no equivalents in Russian and are rendered by explanation.

Little pitchers have long ears – дети любят слушать разговоры взрослых

•Phraseological unities, which have word equivalents:

shake a leg – отплясывать

hang fire – медлить, мешкать

2. Phraseological fusions. They are usually interpreted.

*To show the white feather – проявить себя трусом

*To dine with duke Humphrey – остаться без обеда

Sometimes these fusions have equivalents in the TL

*Red tape – волокита, бюрократия

The meaning of phraseological fusion may often be rendered by a series of alternative phrases.

*to get the whole hog – делать что-либо основательно; доводить до конца; не останавливаться на полумерах; идти на все

3. Phraseological collocations.

*To take part, to throw a glance, to take one’s temperature