An 'Idiom' is an expression in the usage of a language that has a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements; for example "raining cats and dogs" is an expression that is used to convey the meaning of "raining heavily", but this meaning most of the time cannot be derived from the denotative meaning of the single words that constitute the whole expression. Moreover, an idiom can be looked at as a combination of words whose meaning can be either transparent (can be easily worked out of the literal meaning of the individual words) or opaque (there is no resemblance between the meaning of the individual words and the meaning of the idiom itself).
Consider the following examples of transparent idioms that are reasonably obvious:
1. ‘Throw someone to the lions’ means ‘intentionally to put someone in a difficult position’, as in: All the commanders were responsible for the tragedies in their last operation, but they threw that junior officer to the lions when they asked him to address the journalists on the reasons of defeat.
Idioms like ‘sell someone down the river’ and ‘kick the bucket’ are examples of the opaque:
1. Understanding the words of the expression ‘sell someone down the river’, for instance, will not help you recognize that it actually means ‘to betray, or be disloyal to’, as in: The kidnapper who was caught by the police refused to sell his associates down the river. Thus, having such idioms in one book and learning their meaning would be absolutely of a significant help.
Interestingly, some English idioms are similar to expressions in other languages, which makes it easy for the learner to figure out their meaning, as in ‘hold one’s horses’ which means ‘to stop someone or something, or to make them calm’, for example: Hold your horses, I said to my wife when she started packing her luggage.
Succinctly stressed, idioms and multi-part verbs (along with their Arabic equivalents) are considered of paramount importance for a wide range of Arab learners of English. Idioms are very useful to effectively communicate with English speakers. And this treasury would be a helpful learning tool that provides learners with a large number of English idioms and phrases along with example sentences and Arabic equivalent.
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Words of Wisdom Supplement
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this treasury is to provide Arab learners of English with a comprehensive collection of widely used idioms and multi-part verbs, including their Arabic equivalents. The book aims to improve communication skills and fluency in English by familiarizing learners with common idiomatic expressions.
- Understanding and using English idioms effectively.
- Learning the meanings and usage of multi-part verbs.
- Exploring the cultural context of idioms.
- Comparing English idioms with their Arabic counterparts.
- Appreciating the role of idioms in everyday communication.
Chapter Summaries
Preface: This preface defines idioms, differentiating between transparent and opaque idioms, and provides examples illustrating their varied origins and usage across different fields and social contexts. It highlights the challenges in understanding idioms due to their cultural and field-specific nature. The preface emphasizes the social function of idioms, particularly their use as euphemisms to soften potentially harsh or distasteful expressions. The inclusion of multi-part verbs is justified by their frequent occurrence and the difficulty in deducing their meaning from individual components. Finally, it introduces the supplementary section on proverbs and sayings.
Words of Wisdom Supplement: This supplement introduces essential English and Arabic proverbs and sayings, emphasizing their use of idioms and figurative language. The selection reflects the social and moral values mirrored in these expressions, highlighting both praise and criticism of societal behaviors. Examples cited include sayings from Jane Austen and the Prophet Mohammad, reflecting a diverse range of cultural and historical influences. The supplement underscores the practical wisdom and moral lessons conveyed within these proverbs and sayings.
Keywords
English idioms, multi-part verbs, Arabic equivalents, communication skills, cultural context, euphemisms, proverbs, sayings, figurative language, vocabulary acquisition, language learning.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Guide to English Idioms and Multi-Part Verbs
What is the purpose of this book?
This book aims to provide Arab learners of English with a comprehensive collection of widely used idioms and multi-part verbs, along with their Arabic equivalents. Its goal is to improve English communication skills and fluency by familiarizing learners with common idiomatic expressions.
What are the key themes explored in the book?
The book explores the understanding and effective use of English idioms, the meanings and usage of multi-part verbs, the cultural context of idioms, a comparison of English idioms with their Arabic counterparts, and the role of idioms in everyday communication.
What topics are covered in the Preface?
The Preface defines idioms, differentiating between transparent and opaque idioms, and provides examples. It highlights the challenges of understanding idioms due to their cultural and field-specific nature. It emphasizes idioms' social function, especially as euphemisms. The inclusion of multi-part verbs is justified, and the supplementary section on proverbs and sayings is introduced.
What is included in the "Words of Wisdom Supplement"?
This supplement presents essential English and Arabic proverbs and sayings, focusing on their use of idioms and figurative language. It reflects the social and moral values in these expressions, showcasing both praise and criticism of societal behaviors. Examples from Jane Austen and the Prophet Mohammad illustrate diverse cultural and historical influences. The supplement emphasizes the practical wisdom and moral lessons conveyed.
What are some key words associated with the book's content?
Key words include: English idioms, multi-part verbs, Arabic equivalents, communication skills, cultural context, euphemisms, proverbs, sayings, figurative language, vocabulary acquisition, and language learning.
What is the structure of the book?
The book includes a preface, a main section covering idioms and multi-part verbs, and a supplementary section dedicated to proverbs and sayings. It also provides a table of contents and a summary of the key objectives and themes.
Who is the target audience for this book?
The target audience is Arab learners of English who wish to improve their fluency and communication skills by mastering idioms and multi-part verbs.
What makes this book unique?
The book's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive approach, combining English idioms and multi-part verbs with their Arabic equivalents, providing a culturally sensitive and comparative perspective for Arab learners.
- Citar trabajo
- Awni Etaywe (Autor), 2017, Essential English idioms and multipart verbs, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/353467
