Conferences

PROPER NAMES IN ENGLISH PHRASEOLOGY

ViktoriaZvarych

Kamianets-Podilskyi Ivan Ohiienko National University

Scientific Supervisor: S.I.Nykytiuk

         PROPER NAMES IN ENGLISH PHRASEOLOGY

Abstract :

The article deals with proper names in English phraseology and phraseological fund of language that involves a certain number of phraseological units with proper names, which include anthroponyms, toponyms, zoonyms and mythonyms.

Keywords: Proper names, phraseological units, antroponyms, toponyms, zoonyms, mythonyms.

         Proper names are extremely important for communication and mutual understanding of people. Proper name (onim) – (from Greek – the name, title) is a word, phrase or sentence that is used to allocate to the object, which is called from the crowd, personalizing and identifying the object [3]. The proper names are not directly related to the concept; their main meaning lies in their connection with the denotate and they are a layer of vocabulary that does not require translation. In the linguistic meaning of proper names, the sign of “individual significance” is brought under the category of objectivity, because in the system of language the proper name, as well as the common noun, correlates with the class of objects, reflecting the individuality of each element of this class.

Research questions of proper names in phraseological units are engaged by such scientists as M. Y. Eldzhurkaiieva, A. V. Kunin, A. I. Molotkov, U.Weinreich

So, the aim of the article is to consider the proper names and analyze phraseological units  like : antroponyms, toponyms, zoonyms and mythonyms.

The meaning of proper names at the language level also reflects a number of the most typical group features, such as:

  • correlation with the corresponding lexical and grammatical category –“human”, “animal”, “city”, “river”, etc.
  • distinction of persons by sex;
  • nationality;

The proper names include:

  • (proper names of people),
  • toponyms (proper names of geographic features),
  • theonomies (proper names of deities),
  • zoonyms (names and pet’s names),
  • astronomies (proper names of celestial bodies),
  • cosmonites (proper names of areas of outer space and constellations),
  • phytonyms (proper names of plants),
  • chromosome (proper names of periods of time associated with historical events) etc.

The phraseological fund of any language involves a certain number of phraseological units with a proper name. According to I. A. Molotkov, there are about 2% of the total composition of the phraseological units include the proper name [2].

Phraseological units usually include anthrophonyms, toponyms, zoonyms, mythonyms.

  1. The Anthrophonyms , but do not describe any properties. The invaluable pragmatic convenience of proper names lies in the fact that they make it possible to speak publicly about someone, without agreeing in advance what properties should ensure the identity of the referent [4].

Despite the fact that anthroponyms refer to the naming of people, they give an extremely complex range of categories of names, which is associated with the history of culture, especially the psychology of people, with traditions and many others. They have a conceptual meaning, which is based on the idea of a category, a class of objects. This value is characterized by the following features:

1) an indication that the carrier of the anthroponym-man: laugh like little Audrey – “сміятися, як малятко Одрі”, from the heart to laugh; Billy Hunter –ненажерливий, товстий, незграбний підліток, Brown, Jones and Robinson – “Браун, Джонс і Робінсон”, прості, рядові англійці; Good – time Charlie – гуляка, гульвіса, марнотратник життя.

2) an indication of belonging to a national language community: David and Jonathan – Давид та Іонафан, нерозлучні друзі;; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – людина, в якій бере верх то добрий початок, то злий; let George do it – нехай несе відповідальність інший, мені немає діла до цього.

3) Indication of gender: Tom Tiddler’s ground as opposed to nice Nelly.

  1. a) individual anthroponyms – the admirable Crichton – незрівнянний Крайтон, учений, освічена людина, вчена людина; clever Dick – розумничок, розумниця; big Bertha –німецька гармата великого калібру, John Hancock –власноручний підпис.
  2. b) group anthroponyms –the Scavenger’s daughter – лещата (знаряддя катування); Box and Cox – люди, що займають приміщення по черзі; to astonish the Browns – кинути виклик громадській думці; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – людина, в якому бере то добрий початок, то злий.

One of the main features characterizing phraseological units with the component – anthroponym is the semantic solidity of components allowing them to act as the uniform semantically not dissected unit of language expressing the uniform concept of objectivity. Thus, the semantic structure of phraseological units, expressing the materiality is different [1].

  1. Mythonymsis a peculiar sector of the onomastic space, set up like a real part of it. It includes the names of people, animals, plants, peoples, geographical and cosmographic objects, various objects, etc., never actually existed. A special place is occupied by theanime (names of gods), is most clearly represented in religion, and demonomania (names of various spirits). The names of heroes and titans is the closest likeness of anthroponomy.

This group includes biblical legends and ancient myths.

  1. a) biblical legends: The Apple of Sodom – “красивий, але гнилий плід”, який обіцяє задоволення, насолоду, але приносить лише гірке розчарування; A doubting Thomas – Фоманевіруючий, скептик; The old Adam – “старий Адам”, гріховність людської натури; Alpha and Omega – Альфа і Омега, початок і кінець; A Juda”s kiss – поцілунок Іуди, зрадницький поцілунок; As poor as Job – бідний як Іов; As old as Methuselah – древній, як Мафусаї; Is Saul also among the prophets? Саул у пророках? (про людину, яка відстоює те, на що перед цим він енергійно нападав).

The peculiarity of phraseological units of biblical origin lies in the fact that the original forms of many of them are established in the text of the Bible [3].

Biblical comparative phrases can express a positive or negative assessment, the nature of which depends on the semantics of the first component of the turnover: as beautiful as Lucifer – “красивий, як Люцифер”.

  1. b) ancient myths – a Sisyphean labor – сізіфова праця, важка і марна праця; the Procrustean bed – прокрустове ложе; a Hercules` labor – геркулесова праця, виключно важка справа; the Gordian knot – гордіїв вузол, заплутане сплетіння обставин.
  2. Toponymsas proper names serve the category of geographical objects. In the meaning of place names, as well as other proper names, they consist of at least three components: existential, classifying, individual. Toponymic denotates are numerous – names of continents, oceans, seas, countries, etc.

So, as a conclusion it was found a certain number of phraseological units with proper names and some examples of them. And we must admit that the proper names of the language is an inexhaustible source, which gives the language the brightness of the features of the national character and ensures its enrichment with new expressive means and possibilities.

References:

  1. Кунин A.В. Английская фразеология. Теоретический курс. Москва: Высшая школа, 1970. 169 c.
  2. Молотков А.И. Фразеологический словарь русского языка. Москва: Русский язык, 1978. c. 65
  3. Эльжуркаева М. Я. Проблемы перевода фразеологических единиц: материалы II Междунар. науч. конф. г. Санкт-Петербург, ноябрь 2013 г. Санкт-Петербург: Реноме, 2013. 106 с.
  4. Weinreich U. Problems in the Analysis of Idioms: Substance and Structure of Language. University of California Press: Berkley and Los Angeles, 1984.