The Scope and Content of the Notion of Phraseomatic Unit (Based on the English Language Material)

Abstract

The purpose of the research described in the article is to further develop the definition of phraseomatic units and find their position in the system of idiomatics. The research methods applied in the work include dictionary definitions analysis, semantic analysis, comparative analysis. The results of the research are as follows: in the course of analysis the authors showed the characteristic features of phraseomatic units against the background of other kinds of idiomatic units of language; characterized the types of meaning reinterpretation in the process of phrases’ semantic transposition in general and in the process of phraseomatic units generation in particular; revealed the predominant sphere of their speech usage (the discourse of professional communication). The prospects of further research are: studying phraseomatisms in connection with their terminological function, their ability to determine the most important quality of the object of nomination, are bound to deepen our understanding of their place in the system of idiomatics, and therefore they are sure to bring us closer to solving the riddle of idiomaticity. Phraseomatic units and other idiomatic units of language must be studied within the framework of a unified theory of idiomatics. All kinds of idiomatic units have not only specific but also common features, which makes it possible to unify them into one structural and semantic class.

Keywords

• broadening of meaning
• idiom
• narrowing of meaning
• phraseological unit
• phraseomatic
• semantic transposition