A Contrastive Study Of English & Chinese Idiom Variations

Idioms, which reflect and mirror cultures in the most effective way, are the essence and cream of a language. They are, on the other hand, the crystallization of people's wisdom. Idioms are rich in both English and Chinese languages. As a result, they are popular in language use, both in written and in spoken contexts. Many linguists, both at home and abroad, have made their studies in the field of idioms and have achieved great success.As the two languages have developed much difference in usage, which, to some degree, is demonstrated by the application of idioms, there are many linguists making comparative or contrastive studies of idioms. Nonetheless, studies of idiom variations are far from enough, not to mention a contrastive study. Facing this reality, the author of this thesis, follows the forerunners' suit and makes a contrastive study of idiom variations in the two languages, taking advantage of theories of contrastive linguistics.In order to hit the target, the author of this thesis takes the following steps: First, the theories of contrastive linguistics are reviewed (chapter 1). Second, a brief introduction to the studies of idioms is made, during which the properties of idioms have been discussed (chapter 2). Third, a study of 'idiom variations' is made (chapter 3). Fourth, a detailed contrastive study of idiom variations is made (chapter 4). Finally, a conclusion is drawn presenting similarities and differences (chapter 5).More specifically, idioms (both in English and Chinese)have the following properties: compositeness, institutionalization and semantic opacity. With respect to the form of idioms, they are usually fixed or frozen, which means, they allow no changes. However, there are a number of idioms in the two languages that can have such variations, which are called 'idiom variations' in this thesis. Some variations have been accepted by language users, in other words, they have acquired a legal status, so they are regarded as 'legal variations'. Others, however, are just of one-off flexible uses according to the context of the language users. Though novel but understandable, they are not widely accepted, that is to say, they acquire no legal status, so they are treated as 'illegal variations'.The main target of this thesis is to find the similarities and dissimilarities of idiom variations (both legal and illegal variations) in the two languages. On the one hand, with regard to legal variations in English, we will discuss the following: replacements, additions, deletions, permutations and minor variations including number variations of nouns, tense variation of verbs, article deletions, and built-in variables. When it comes to Chinese legal idiom variations, the following will be focused: Structural changes that includes reversions and compressions, and elemental substitution which covers replacements among synonyms, among non-synonyms, and among elements of the same pronunciation. On the other hand, with respect to illegal variations, in English, the following are our concern: lexical replacements or substitutions, additions or insertions, reversions, and rewording of the components, however, in Chinese, the following: replacements or substitutions, additions or insertions, splitting, reversions and compressions.