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1、Holistic Integration：A New Perspective for the Study of English Idioms英语习语研究新视角：整合处理法AbstractIdioms, which are the quintessence of the English language, are pervasive in our everyday linguistic repertoires. The creation of idioms reflects new ways in which individuals construct concepts of the world
2、 and convey them vividly. However, due to the different cultural backgrounds and a low level of linguistic competence in the target language, people who learn English as a second language are at a distinct disadvantage in understanding English idioms, idiom comprehension becomes a great obstacle bet
3、ween the communications of people. In view of this problem, the author of this thesis tries to propose a new method called holistic integration to help people familiar with a wide range of idioms and able to use them appropriately in context.The holistic approach to English idioms is motivated by th
4、e theory that holism puts emphasis on wholes rather than the single part and highlights the interdependence of its components.One of the features of this approach is that it integrates information from background knowledge and organizes parts into an organic, unified whole. To be more specific, holi
5、sm access involves integrating syntactic, semantic, cognitive and social cultural factors into an organic, unified whole when an idiom is processed. The thesis consists of four parts. A preview of each part is provided as follows.Part one is devoted to presenting the origins of the idioms by explori
6、ng the different background knowledge of cultural diversity. Part two is about the features of idioms, which give a broad sense of what an idiom is like and what kinds of characteristics it has, including the general characters and the distinct properties which only belong to idioms and make them un
7、ique and singular. Part three begins to introduce the holistic approach and brings up some competences in pragmatics, figuration and socioculture. And in order to assist these competences, the holistic approach of idiom comprehension further specifies a variety of strategies the learner can employ.
8、Part four is a conclusion about the entire thesis construction and suggestfor further exploration.Key Words: holistic approach; idioms comprehension; flexibility; idiom processing摘要习语，作为一种相对固定的表达用语，渗透于人们的日常语言活动，是英语语言中的精粹。习语的出现反映了人们构建世界观，并形象表达自己的一种新方式。然而，由于文化的多样性，以及二语习得中对英语习语缺乏理解，使得习语成为人们交流中的一大障碍。鉴于此
9、，本文作者提出了一种新方法：整合处理法。这种方法试图让人们了解更多的习语及其它们在语境中的运用。整体论注重整体而不偏重于单个部分，并强调各个部分之间的相互依赖性，这是整合处理法的理论依据。整合处理法的特征之一是将相关背景知识和信息作总体整合，并把各个部分集中成一个有机统一整体。具体来讲，在处理习语时，将句法、语义、语用、认知和社会文化等因素整合成有机的统一体。全文共四部分组成，每部分的概要具体如下：第一部分通过对文化背景的探讨，提出了习语形成的渊源。第二部分是对习语形成及其特征的描述，让人们了解了广义的习语的形成，及习语的特征，包括它与其它短语相同的特征以及它独有的特征。第三部分提出习语的整合
10、处理法,并指出了习语在语用、修辞以及社会习俗方面的语言能力要求。为了帮助提高这些能力，本文还提出了一系列的习语理解策略以便语言初学者运用。第四部分是结束语，这部分对文章的内容结构作了总结，并在此基础上提出要进行更深的研究和分析。关键词：整合处理法；习语理解；习语可变通性；习语处理 AcknowledgmentsThis thesis is the joint efforts of both the author and the teachers in Foreign Languages Department. On accomplishing this paper, I would like
11、to express my gratitude to my academic adviser Wan Li for her insightful guidance, profound knowledge and support throughout the course of writing. With her contribution, this paper has been perfectly finished. Thanks again for the great help and other teachers of our department. At the same time, I
12、 want to give my sincere thanks to my classmates and friends who gave me a lot of help during the data collecting. Last but not the least; I will extend my heartfelt thanks to my parents who have been always supporting and encouraging me.ContentsINTRODUCTION11 THE ORIGINS OF IDIOMS31.1 INFLUENCE OF
13、GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS31.2 INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CUSTOMS41.3 INFLUENCE OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS51.4 INFLUENCE OF HISTORICAL ALLUSIONS62 FEATURES OF IDIOMS82.1 General Features82.2 Distinct Properties103 HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ENGLISH IDIOMS.123.1 Background Study123.2 Holistic Integration133.2.1 Developing
14、 Competence in Pragmatics133.2.2 Developing Competence in Figuration 153.2.3 Developing Competence in Socioculture16 3.3 Intergrating Processing Strategies183.3.1 Repeating the Idiom and Requesting Its Information183.3.2 Analyzing the Idioms183.3.3 Guessing from the Context193.3.4 Using the Literal
15、meaning193.3.5 Using the Background Knowledge203.3.6 Making a Metaphorical Extension20CONCLUSIONS21BIBLIOGRAPHY23IntroductionWhat are idioms? “Idioms consist of set phrases and short sentences” and “idioms are expressions that are not readily understandable from their literal meanings of individual
16、elements.”(Zhang, 2004: 174) Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines idioms as “ a fixed group of words with a special meaning which is different from the meanings of the individual words.” “Most phrasal lexemes are idioms, especially a sequence of words which is semantically and often sy
17、ntactically restricted.” (Hu, 2001: 106) In this paper, the study shows that an idiom consists of at least two words, of which the structure is usually stable and the meaning is unpredictable from its formation, that is, an idiom is an expression whose meaning does not seem to follow logically from
18、the combination of its parts and the “the rules of language”.The word idiom comes from Greek and means own to peculiar. So an idiom is a mode of expression peculiar to a language which can not be explained grammatically. Idioms are not only colloquial expressions, as many people believe. They can ap
19、pear in formal style and in slang. They can appear in poetry, drama and the Bile.It is generally agreed by idiomatologists that the process of “idiomaticization” lies in their development. Idiom creation is a matter of great spontaneity. A perspective idiom may be picked up in one sphere of activity
20、, tranfered to another, mentioned occasionally, sized upon for perceived effectiveness, then ehier dropped and forgotten or used on and ever larger scale. Gradually, idioms form an essential part of the general vocabulary of the language, in fact, it is difficult to speak or write without using idio
21、ms.“Idioms are multifaceted linguistic objects, whose study involves various viewpoints and different approaches. They are not only complex, but also in many respects elusive. Any attempt to provide categorical, single-criterion definition of idioms is always to some degree misleading and infeasible
22、”. (Wang, 2007: 51). In other words, idioms resist simple definition. Idioms are characterized by a number of distinct properties: semantic, syntactic, cognitive and sociolinguistic. A definition of idioms must therefore be sufficiently expressive and flexible to handle the full range of combination
23、s of these properties.English abounds in idioms, which are characterized by their colorful and thought-provoking expressions. A right use of them in speech and writing will add much to variety, strength and vividness of the language.“Every language is part of a culture. As such, it cannot but serve
24、and reflect cultural needs.”(Hu, 2001: 250). Idioms, as an important part of language are naturally indispensable to culture. Idioms are fixed phrases with particular meanings, and they play an increasingly important role in peoples dailylife. Both oriental and Westernpeople are accustomed to use id
25、ioms because they are concise, vivid and humorous. Idioms contain a lot of cultural information and reflect the differences in history, geography, religion, custom and thinking mode of different ethnic groups. Idiom is a mirror of culture. English idioms are permeated with a strong flavor and intert
26、wined with the influences of vivid national character; it comprises the historical and cultural background as well as the attitude to life and the ways of people. The formation of English idioms is influenced by such cultural factors as geographical conditions, historical developments, customs, reli
27、gious beliefs, literature and arts of the British nation. From the above mentioned, it is easy to see that idiom comprehension has been the huge problem that lies in the communications and causes lots of misunderstandings and conflicts. From this perspective, the author tries to propose a new method
28、 which is called holistic integration. This approach aims at integrating all of the factors including the semantic, progmatic and cultural factors into a whole and then comprehense and interpretate idioms on this basis.In order to accomplish this thesis, the author has read a large amount of books.
29、And some books do help a lot in the data collectings.Language and Culture by Kramsch Claire helps the author trace back to the cultural backgrounds of the language and therefore find out different sources of idiom formations. This book has paved the way for the whole thesis to explore the deep reaso
30、ns why there exist so many misunderstandings in idiom comprehension.In the book Language and Culture Contexts in Translating written by Nida, the author has learned that language especially the idiom is not only the word activity but also has a close connection with the social context, which require
31、s to understand the idioms concerning the progmatics.What make a great contribution to the accomplishment of the thesis is the book holistic approach forEnglish idioms which is written by WangYing. Most of this paper is inspired by the thought of this book. The book has highlightened that idiom comp
32、rehension is a complex activity which requires mapping the thought into the meaning of the phrases and considers its meaning from the different kinds of aspects, such as the semantics, progmatics and linguistic competences.1 The origins of Idioms In English-speaking countries, idioms are pervasive f
33、rom debates to everyday conversations .A good mastery of idioms becomes a significant symbol of a persons command of the language. However, because of a low level of linguistic competence in the target language, people who learn English as a second language are at a distinct disadvantage in understa
34、nding English idioms. We must know the origins of English idioms so that we can learn English well.1.1 Influence of Geographicial ConditionsThe generation of idioms is closely connected to peoples living environment. To some extent, “the geography has an impact on idiom formation, and the language w
35、ould be different in terms of the ecology, the climate and the environment”. (Zhuang, 2002: 127). U.K is an island country, and England is the first largest island in Europe. It has a winded seacoast. Therefore, the position of U.K., an island, has a vital meaning for its own development, and has a
36、huge influence on forming idioms. In English vocabulary, thousands of idioms are related to the water, fish, ship and sea. Since Britain is an island country, people who live along seacoast and whose livelihood is dependent on the sea will have idioms about water, sailing, island and fish. For examp
37、le, “ to take the wind out of somebodys sail”, “at sea”, “to trim ones sail to the wind”, “never offer to teach fish to swim”, “full fish”, “sail under false colors”, etc.Whats more, climate, agriculture are also another factor in the living condition. While Britain is located in western hemisphere,
38、 with North Temperate Zone and marine climate, so “west wind” is the symbol of spring. The west wind blows from the Atlantic Ocean is warm and gentle, so that Britain abounds in rain can be proved in some idioms concerning rain: “to make hay while the sun shines”, “to rain or shine”, “rainy day”, “a
39、s right as rain”etc. （Chitra, 2000: 35）The British people are good at hunting and fishing, which produced idioms like “ride on the high horse”, “feel like a fish out of water”.There are also many idioms from agriculture. Agricultural life has given rise to “beat around/about the bush”, “a hard row t
40、o hoe”, “have all ones eggs in one basket”, “put out to grass”, etc. (Greene, 1988: 15)1.2 Influence of Social CustomsThe custom of one nation is formed through a long history and firmly rooted in peoples mind. It is characterized with national color and acts as an important source of idioms.Culture
41、 is always embodied in customs and habits. These customs and habits are the representative of the way of living in a certain speech community and they are mirrored in the speaking habit of the language. Food is one of the aspects of cultural tradition that are reflected in English idioms. In most Eu
42、ropean countries, bread, butter, jam, cheese, etc, are their daily food of meals. Therefore, there are many which have to do with food and cooking, such as “bread and butter”, “hard cheese” as well as “to butter both sides of ones bread”.(Claire, 2000: 19) On the other hand, many idioms are also rel
43、event to animals. In English vocabulary, there are numerous idioms like, “To help a lame dog over a stile”, “love me, love my dog”,“dog days”,“as strong as an ox” ,“birds of a feather”, etc.Another important custom element that plays a key role in the course of forming idioms is social fashions. The
44、 social fashion is traditional habit or is popular in a period of time in society; it contains living habit, etiquette, tradition, behavior standards, and ways of social communication and so on. Everyone lives in the environment of social fashion and traditional habit, and the atmosphere of this env
45、ironment influences their daily life. And these influences at the same time reflect the language, especially the English idioms. For example:Let ones hair down: to relax after a period of tense. In the past time, in whatever occasion, the English womens hair were very clean and tidy, which comb up i
46、n the forehead, only when they were alone could they allow to let their hair down. Therefore, people use the idiom of “let ones hair down” to express their relaxation after a long time of working and tense situation.Take off ones hat to someone: pay ones respect to someone. Long ago, the English peo
47、ple wore the hat as a fashion. When they greeted with people in the social occasion and showed the respect to someone, they took off their hat. For this reason, “take off ones hat to someone” extends the meaning to show the respect to someone.Go down the aisle: get married, enter into matrimony. The
48、 westerners almost believe the Christianity, their weddings always hold in the church. When the wedding starts, the father of the bride always companies with her walk down the aisle. Therefore, the idiom “go down the aisle” is produced to indicate “get married”.1.3 Influence of Religious BeliefsReligion, which is the manifestation of the culture and reflects the vital part of human thought, is an important source for idioms. Most of westerners are Christians, who believe that the world was created by God. They think that God is of mighty power and sacred. God, Christ, Devil, Adam and
