Английские идиомы и их эквиваленты в русском языке

(English idioms and their Russian equivalents)

CONTENTS:

I.

INTRODUCTION

II.

MAIN PART

English idioms and their Russian equivalents

II.1.1 Types of idioms

II.1.2 Classification of Idioms

II.1.3 The difficulties of translation

III.

CONCLUSION

IV.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

V.

CONTENTS

I.

INTRODUCTION

In linguistics, phraseology is the study of set or fixed expressions, such

as idioms, phrasal verbs, and other types of multi-word lexical units in which the

component parts of the expression take on a meaning more specific than or

otherwise

not

predictable

from

the

sum

of

their

meanings

when

used

independently.

An idiom is a set expression that has a meaning different from the sum of the

literal meanings of its components. The English language is rich in idiomatic

expressions. They present a great variety of constructions and combinations which

are mostly unchangeable and may not follow basic rules of grammar. Idioms make

the

language

more

picturesque.

They

make

each

language

more

individual,

colourful and rich. Idioms reflect the history of the nation, its traditions and

customs, folk songs and fairy-tales, as well as its culture.

The meanings of some idioms can be easily understood (in general; come out;

at first; the root of all evil); the meanings of other idioms cannot be understood

from the meanings of their components (on end; pack it in; high and low; hard

cash). Some idioms contain proper names (a Jack of all trades; Uncle Sam; meet

one's Waterloo); some other idioms are comparisons (as clear as a bell; as the crow

flies). Proverbs and sayings may also have idiomatic character (every cloud has a

silver lining; still waters run deep; it never rains but it pours).

There are two features that identify an idiom: firstly, we cannot understand the

meaning of the idiom from the individual words; and secondly, both the grammar

and the vocabulary of the idiom are fixed, and if we change them we lose the

meaning of the idiom.

The theme of the present work is “English idioms and their Russian

equivalents”.

The aim of my research work is the studying of foreign words that have

become a part of the modern Russian language. In my work the methods of the

observing prevail and the research work discovers different aspects of the bilingual

problems (English and Russian languages) as well.

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.

The objective of the work is an attempt to study all the aspects of idioms, the cases

of their usage and to analyze the frequency of idioms usage referring to English

and Russian.

To achieve the set aim I determine the following tasks:

1. to classify idioms;

2. to study the problem of the translation of idioms;

3. to understand the aim of the modern usage of idioms;

4. to distinguish different kinds of idioms;

For writing this work a number of scientific sources devoted to the problem of

idioms have been analyzed. As the material for the research many idioms were

taken from dictionaries and fiction.

For gaining the aim I used the following methods:

1. description;

2. observation;

3. critical study of scientific literature and fiction;

It should be mentioned that the study deals with two languages, belonging to

different language families.

Theoretical value consists in revealing the fact that idioms can't and mustn't be

translated

directly

as

such

a

branch

of

language

as

idioms

are

inseparably

connected with nation's mentality and mode of life.

The practical value consists in the fact that the present work is a valuable

manual for specialists concerned with teaching English and those who study

English.

Structurally the presented work consists of: introduction, two chapters,

conclusion, bibliography.

The introduction reveals the general survey of the whole work and determines

idioms as an essential part of the general vocabulary.

The first chapter deals with semantic and stylistic identity when translating

idioms.

The second chapter deals with approaches to the developing students' language

awareness on the base of using idioms in classes.

MAIN PART

“English idioms and their Russian equivalents”.

2.1.1 Types of idioms

Idiom is a set expression that has a meaning different from the sum of the literal

meanings of its components. In other definition, it is a phrase where the words

together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the

individual words. In another definition, an idiom is a speech form or an expression

of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood

from the individual meanings of its elements. There are examples of idiom in

almost all languages, and many thousands unique to English. It can be fun—and

difficult—to learn idioms in other languages, which introduce us to different ways

of thinking and challenge our own idiomatic understanding of things in our own

language.

Idioms can be classified in different groups according to their originations:

•

From the bible

•

From Greek mythology

•

From ancient Rome

•

From Shakespeare's works

•

From the works of other English writers

•

From the works of foreign writers

In my work I studied only four of them: idioms from the Holy Bible, idioms

from Greek mythology, idioms from ancient Rome and from Shakespear’s works.

Religion has always influenced on a personality, society and culture. Any

religion implies not only certain world-view, but is confirmed by written and

historical sources. It is a fact that one of the most influential sacred writings has

been the Holy Bible. During lots of centuries The Bible has been the source of

quoting and appearance of new idiomatic phrases. Every new language assimilated

the heritage of the Bible.

More often the difference in use of the biblical idioms in

various languages, in this case English and Russian languages, actualizes the

problem of the adequate translation of the phrases and expressions like these.

Idiom

Meaning

Russian equivalent

Eye

for

Eye, Tooth

for

tooth

to show that you believe

i f

s o m e o n e

d o e s

something

wrong,

that

p e r s o n

s h o u l d

b e

punished

by

having

the

same thing done to them

Oко за око, зуб за зуб

Forbidden Fruit

something,

especially

something sexual, that is

even

more

attractive

because it is not allowed

Запретный плод

Can the leopard change

his spots?

a

person's

character,

especially if it is bad, will

not change, even if they

pretend it has

“горбатого могила

исправит”

To sweet blood

to work very hard

Пролить семь потов

A drop in the bucket

a

v e r y

s m a l l

o r

unimportant amount

Капля в море

Manna of the heaven

something

miraculous;

God’s grace

Манна небесная

Doubting Thomas

a skeptic who refuses to

believe

without

direct

personal experience

Фома неверующий

The Greek language and specifically Greek mythology has had a tremendous

influence on the English language. In our everyday lives we use Greek root words

and definitions all the time.

Idiom

Meaning

Russian equivalent

Achilles' heel

the most vulnerable spot

ахиллесова пята –

самое уязвимое место

Alpha and Omega

the beginning and the

end

альфа и омега – начало

и конец

Between Scylla and

Charybdis

between two equally

disastrous alternatives

(also: between two fires;

between the devil and the

между Сциллой и

Харибдой – в

безвыходном

положении; между

deep sea; between the

hammer and the anvil)

двумя одинаково

губительными

вариантами выбора

(также: меж двух огней;

между молотом и

наковальней)

Cut the Gordian knot

to solve a difficult

problem quickly and

boldly

разрубить гордиев узел

– разрешить трудную

проблему быстро и

смело

Herculean labour

very difficult work

requiring extraordinary

strength

геркулесов труд – очень

трудная работа,

требующая

необычайной силы

Olympian calmness

imperturbable calmness

олимпийское

спокойствие –

невозмутимое

спокойствие

Authors may sometimes be the creators of idioms. This is especially true of

William Shakespeare, who coined many hundreds of new words in English and

created phrases that are still in use today. We will see some examples of these

below. Authors also may use idioms in their works of literature in dialogue to show

a character’s nature and speech patterns.

Idiom

Meaning

Russian equivalent

To be or not to be

Быть или не быть

Midsummer madness

a temporary lapse into

foolishness, senseless

behavior, folly, etc.,

especially during the

summer

Sweets to the sweets

There’s the rub

V.1.1 Classification of Idioms

Term “phraseology” is defined as a section of linguistics, which studies word

collocations, and a set of all steady combinations of words of the language. The

stock of words of the language consists not only of separate words, but also of set

expressions, which alongside with separate words serve as means of expressing

conceptions.

Idioms can be grouped in different ways. I classified them in groups according

to their semantics.

THE BODY

Idiom

Meaning

Russian translation

All ears

Awaiting an explanation

весь во внимании

Cold shoulder

To pay attention to

холодный приём

Old hand

A person with a lot of experience

in something

быть опытным

Sweet tooth

A great liking for sweet-tasting

foods

сладкоежка

Itchy feet

A strong impulse to travel

чемоданное

настроение;

охота

к

перемене

мест;

не

сидится дома

Long arm of the law

The

far-reaching

power

of

the

authorities

рука закона

Elbow room

Enough space to move or work

in

простор

Eye-catching

Tending to attract attention

выделяющийся

THE FOOD

Egg head

A

very

studious

and

academic

person

заучка / ботан

Big cheese

An influential person

очень важная

персона, большая

шишка

Top banana

The chief person in a group

в о ж а к ,

л и д е р ;

заправила

Bad apple

A troublemaker

негодяй, подлец

Couch potato

A lazy person who watches too

much TV

лежебока;

домосед,

лентяй; сидень

Tough cookie

A very determined person

крутой орешек, также

хулиган, грубый тип

Sour grapes

Pretending to dislike something

you cannot have

зелен виноград

Lemon law

An American law that protects

purchases of faulty cars

отшить кого-то

THE TIME

Behind times

Being old-fashioned

отставший от жизни

Time flies

When time passes quickly

время летит

Wasting time

Doing

something

with

no

purpose

тратить время

The big time

The top level of a profession

очень, сильно

THE BOOKS

A closed book

Something that you accept has

completely ended

закрытая книга

An open book

Someone that is easy to know

about

because

nothing

is

kept

secret

что-то очевидное

Read

someone

like

a

book

To

understand

easily

what

someone is thinking or feeling

в и д е т ь

ч е л о в е к а

насквозь

The oldest trick in the

book

A dishonest action that has been

used many times before

ч т о - т о

о ч е н ь

очевидное, не новое /

старый трюк

In

someone’s

good

book

Used for saying that someone is

pleased with you

быть

любимчиком

у

кого-то

By the book

Following all the rules for doing

something in a strict way

следовать

правилам,

не жульничать

Bring

someone

t o

book

To punish someone when they

have done wrong

заставить

кого-либо

подчиниться,

повиноваться

Take

a

leaf

out

of

someone’s book

To copy what someone else does

because

they

are

successful

at

doing it

подражать

кому-л.

/

следовать примеру

Don’t judge a book by

its cover

Not

to

form

an

opinion

about

someone

only

from

t h e i r

appearance

встречают по одежке,

а провожают по уму /

не

суди

книгу

по

обложке

Cook the books

To change accounts and figures

dishonestly, usually to get money

фабриковать

(стряпать)

бухгалтерские

книги*(сознательно

подтасовывать,

фальсифицировать

бухгалтерские

данные для создания

неправильного

впечатления

о

делах

компании

THE MONEY

Balance the books

M a k e

s u r e

a l l

m o n e y

i s

accounted for

закрыть,

забалансировать

бухгалтерские книги

Bring home the bacon

Earn

money

to

support

your

family

з а р а б ат ы в ат ь

н а

жизнь,

обеспечивать

с е м ь ю

/ преуспеть,

добиться успеха

Nest egg

Money that have been saved up

деньги,

отложенные

н а

б у д у щ е е ;

накопления

Go Dutch

Split a bill equally

выгодное

предприятие;

тёплое

местечко; синекура

Gravy train

A job which pays a lot of money

for little effort

выгодное

предприятие;

тёплое

местечко; синекура

Golden handshake

A

payment

made

to

departing

employee

золотое рукопожатие,

выходное посособие

Cheapskate

A

person

who

will

not

spend

much money

м е л ка я

д у ш о н к а ;

скряга; крохобор

COLOUR

Green thumb

A special ability to make plants

grow

талант, способность к

с а д о в о д с т в у ,

к

выращиванию

растений

Yellow-bellied

A coward

трусливый

Golden opportunity

A very good chance to achieve

something

о т л и ч н а я

и

исключительная

возможность

Red tape

A

set

of

rules

which

stop

progress

бюрократические

препоны;

официальные

формы

и

п р о ц е д у р ы ,

особенно сложные и

требующие

много

времени

Pink slip

A

notice

to

dismissal

from

employment

у в е д о м л е н и е

о б

увольнении

White elephant

An expensive item that is costly

to maintain

обуза

(бесполезная

собственность,

которую

обременительно

держать и от которой

трудно избавиться

Silver screen

The film industry

киноэкран

Blue collar

Working in a manual labor job

"синий

воротничок",

производственный

рабочий

LOVE

Double date

A

date

which

involves

two

couples

двойное свидание

Match made in heaven

A relationship that is likely to be

happy and successful

брак,

заключённый

на небесах

Head over heels

To be very much in love with

someone

по уши влюбленный

Lovey-dovey

Making an excessive display of

affection

влюбленный,

томящийся от любви

On the rocks

A

relationships

experiencing

problems

на грани разрыва

Puppy love

Temporary

infatuation

between

young people

щенячья любовь

Love rat

Somebody

who

had

an

affair

while in a relationship

злостный изменник

Have the hots

To

be

strongly

attracted

to

someone

испытывать

к

кому-

либ о

ф и з и ч е с к и е

чувства

WEATHER

Raining cats and dogs

Raining very heavily

Ливень (льет как из

ведра)

Face like thunder

Being clearly very angry or upset

лицо чернее тучи

Lightning fast

Being very fast

Как молния

Head in the clouds

Have

unrealistic

or

impractical

Витать в облаках

ideas

Storm in a teacup

Exaggerate a problem

Буря в стакане

Chase rainbows

Try to achieve the impossible

г о н я т ь с я

з а

недостижимым

Snowed under

Having too much to do

быть

з а ва л е н н ы м

работой

Under the weather

Feeling unwell, sad or lacking

energy

нездоровый, больной,

п л о х о

с е б я

чувствующий

ROYAL

Queen bee

A woman who thinks she is the

most important person in a group

Пчелиная

матка

/

ирон. первая дама

Crown jewels

The most impressive or valuable

possession you own

Короле́

вские

рега́

лии

/ королевски

е драгоценности (как

атрибуты власти)

Prince charming

An attractive and kind man that

one dreams will make their life

perfect

Принц на белом коне

A royal rain

Something or someone who is

annoying or bad

Раздражитель

Drama queen

Someone

who

tends

to

treat

situations

as

more

serious

or

exciting than they really are

Королева драмы

Live like a king

To live a very comfortable way

and with a lot of more money

than you need

Жить

на

широкую

ногу, шиковать

King’s ransom

A very large amount of money

Целое состояние

Build castles in the air

To have dreams that are unlikely

to become real

Строить

замки

из

песка

To hold court

To talk to a group of people who

are

all

paying

you

a

lot

of

attention

because

you

a r e

interesting, funny or important

Вершить суд

T o

b e

k i n g

o f

something

A man who is the best at doing a

particular thing

Быть королём

V.1.2 The difficulties of translation

I should say that translation is art based on knowledge. Of course, an

interpreter must have a good knowledge of the idioms of the two languages as well

as take decisions to the best of his (her) knowledge and taste. It seems impossible to

find a single English equivalent for all contexts. At first glance, however, it appears

quite possible to find several English idioms and translate the Russian idiomatically

'by parts'.

Idiomatic expressions are generally untranslatable in their true sense. These

may include similes, metaphors, proverbs and sayings, colloquialism and in English

phrasal verbs. If the expression cannot be directly translated, any one of the

following may be tried for better communication and comprehension: 1) retain the

original word, in inverted commas; 2) retain the original expression with a literal

explanation

in

brackets;

3)

use

a

non-idiomatic

or

plain

prose

translation.

T h r e e

e s s e n t i a l

s t a g e s

o f

t r a n s l a t i o n .

Three essential stages of translation: (a) Forming thoughts in SL. (b) Finding some

suitable expression (with regard to context/register, SL). (c) Recreating the text in

another language (TL). Nida also suggests three important and similar steps in

translating, i.e., (i) analysis of SL text and TL, (ii) transferring linguistic form/items

and (iii) restructuring the text into TL. Here an important point to note is that a

translator

is

not

supposed

to

spot

the

original

text

only,

but

to

explore

and

distinguish the differences between the versions. This also supports the idea that

errors may creep into translation from translation. So translation direct from the

original text is more reliable.

III.

CONCLUSION

The vocabulary of a language is enriched not only by words but also by

phraseological units. Phraseological units are word-groups that cannot be made in

the process of speech; they exist in the language as ready-made units.

They are compiled in special dictionaries. The same as words phraseological

units express a single notion and are used in a sentence as one part of it. American

and

British

lexicographers

call

such

units

«idioms».

We

can

mention

such

dictionaries

as:

L.Smith

«Words

and

Idioms», V.Collins

«А

Book

of

English

Idioms» etc In these dictionaries we can find words, peculiar in their semantics

(idiomatic), side by side with word-groups and sentences. In these dictionaries they

are arranged, as a rule, into different semantic groups. Phraseological units can be

classified according to the ways they are formed, according to the degree of the

motivation of their meaning, according to their structure and according to their part-

of-speech meaning.

To sum up it should be marked that there are many various sources of the

idiom adoptions in English. The English language is full of idioms (over 15000).

Native speakers of English use idioms all the time, often without realizing that they

are doing so. Semantically idioms are divided into three classes:

Pure idioms

Semi idioms

Literal idioms

All the idioms can be divided into two big groups: the primordial and the adopted

ones. The source of the origin of the idioms in the modern English language is quite

various. The adopted idioms are divided into the interlingual and the intralingual

ones. That is why, three groups of idioms can be singled out the primordial English

idioms; the interlingual English idioms that were adopted from many foreign

languages through the different ways of translation; the intralingual English idioms

that were adopted from the American and other variants of the English language.

English idioms are mostly original idiomatical phrases and the source of

their origin is not identified. Such idioms are connected with traditions and customs

of the English folk, its realities and historical facts.

Scientists say the language situation is close to bilingual. It is a typical

situation for the XXI century because more and more new ways of the adoption both

into English and into Russian have appeared. A negotiation in practically all spheres

of life - in science, art, literature, politics, economy and new ways of the adoption

made English the international language. Bilingual influence brought some negative

factors, like fusion or mix of styles. The adoption of foreign idioms has a complex

character and can be studied at different levels, but this research work gives analyses

of the wide variety of adoptions from lots of sources.

The research work makes a contribution into the study of the adequate

translation of English idioms. It touches upon the issue of the equivalents in English

and Russian languages, the problems of full-fledged translation, the problem of

idioms that are total equivalent and the idioms that have analogues, besides the work

studies the idioms that don’t have either equivalents or analogues in Russian.

VI.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Michael McCarthy, Felicity O’Dell. English Vocabulary in Use. Cambridge

University Press, 1994.

2. The Penguin Dictionary of English Idioms, New York, 1989.

3. Арнольд И. В. Лексикология современного английского языка. М.: 1959.

4. Бархударов Л.С., Язык и перевод. М., 1975.

5. Кунин А. Ф. «Фразеология современного английского языка». Издательство

«Международные отношения», Москва

6. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. London, 1997

7. Longman dictionary of English Idioms, Longman. 1980.

8. The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology/ Ed. by C. T.

Onions. Oxford, 1996

9.The Oxford English Dictionary (OED). A corrected reissue of the

New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (NED): In

thirteen vols/ Ed. By J. F. H. Murray, H. Bradley, W. A.

Craigie, C. T. Onions. 3rd ed., revised, with corrections.

Oxford, 1997.