Idiomi, lecture 06, 12 13

Inflectability of FEIsInflectability of FEIs

Inflectability of verbs in predicate Inflectability of verbs in predicate FEIsFEIs

VerbsVerbs in in predicate FEIspredicate FEIs normally inflect, normally inflect, although there may be restrictions on although there may be restrictions on numbernumber, , tensetense, , aspectaspect, , voicevoice and and moodmood..Also, other lexical items that supply Also, other lexical items that supply subjects, objects and prepositional objects subjects, objects and prepositional objects almost always inflect fully. The exceptions almost always inflect fully. The exceptions involve requirements for inserted nouns to involve requirements for inserted nouns to be plural (e.g. be plural (e.g. X+Y rub shouldersX+Y rub shoulders, or , or X X rubs shoulders with Yrubs shoulders with Y))

Inflectability of nouns in FEIsInflectability of nouns in FEIs

The problem of inflectability mainly involves the The problem of inflectability mainly involves the fixed nouns and adjectives in FEIs.fixed nouns and adjectives in FEIs.Nouns in non-metaphorical FEIs are more likely Nouns in non-metaphorical FEIs are more likely to to inflectinflect than ones in metaphors. than ones in metaphors.Nouns Nouns billbill, , conclusionconclusion, and , and questionquestion inflect freely inflect freely in FEIs in FEIs foot the billfoot the bill, , a forgone conclusiona forgone conclusion, and , and beg the questionbeg the question..The nouns in The nouns in kick the bucketkick the bucket, , bite the bulletbite the bullet and and spill the beansspill the beans do not change, but in FEIs do not change, but in FEIs have have a chip on one’s shouldera chip on one’s shoulder, and , and (have) a frog in (have) a frog in one’s throat one’s throat both nouns pluralize.both nouns pluralize.


When we talk about particular FEIs, nothing systematic When we talk about particular FEIs, nothing systematic accounts for the way in which words denoting parts of accounts for the way in which words denoting parts of the body inflect in some FEIs, in accordance with the the body inflect in some FEIs, in accordance with the number of the grammatical subject or referent, but not in number of the grammatical subject or referent, but not in others. The problem is at its most acute where the FEI others. The problem is at its most acute where the FEI contains an item (often metonymic) such as contains an item (often metonymic) such as eyeeye, , earear,or ,or handhand, which is singular in the FEI, but normally found in , which is singular in the FEI, but normally found in pairs in the real world. These items rarely, if ever, occur pairs in the real world. These items rarely, if ever, occur in plural in FEIs. For example, FEIs containg an item in plural in FEIs. For example, FEIs containg an item ear:ear: a word in someone’s a word in someone’s earear, , be beaming from be beaming from earear to to earear, , bend someone’s bend someone’s ear ear (“peglati koga”), (“peglati koga”), (with) half an (with) half an earear, , keep one’s keep one’s earear to the ground to the ground, , lend someone an lend someone an earear, , play play something by something by earear, , turn a deaf turn a deaf earear..


In terms of inflectability, there is an In terms of inflectability, there is an interesting distinction between interesting distinction between He has He has pulled our legspulled our legs (which refers to separate (which refers to separate occasions) and occasions) and He has pulled our legHe has pulled our leg (which refers to a single occasion affecting (which refers to a single occasion affecting the plural referent of the plural referent of our).our). The distinction The distinction can also mean that with the plural forms, can also mean that with the plural forms, the focus is on the the focus is on the individual individual experiencersexperiencers, whereas with the singular, , whereas with the singular, focus is on the focus is on the massmass..


(1)(1) Like a lot of Mt Isa old-timers, he’ll yarn to Like a lot of Mt Isa old-timers, he’ll yarn to visitors, happily visitors, happily pulling their legspulling their legs a little, a little, becoming just a little impatient with complaints becoming just a little impatient with complaints about modern living in the outback.about modern living in the outback.

(2)(2) Ms Thomson is already making plans for next Ms Thomson is already making plans for next year’s eisteddfod: ‘It has proved so popular we year’s eisteddfod: ‘It has proved so popular we must limit the number of acts but all children must limit the number of acts but all children will take part.’ It’s a worthy cause but is Ms will take part.’ It’s a worthy cause but is Ms Thomson Thomson pulling our legpulling our leg by saying the by saying the eisteddfod is part of the Excellence In eisteddfod is part of the Excellence In Education In the Outback?Education In the Outback?


There seems to be insecurity amongst speakers There seems to be insecurity amongst speakers concerning pluralizations – the FEIs are concerning pluralizations – the FEIs are comparatively infrequent, plural subjects are not comparatively infrequent, plural subjects are not that common, and the rules are not formalized.that common, and the rules are not formalized.A partial solution is suggested by the occasional A partial solution is suggested by the occasional use of an inserted plural marker: use of an inserted plural marker: collectivecollective is is used as a grammatical device in metaphorical used as a grammatical device in metaphorical FEIs with plural subjects or referents and FEIs with plural subjects or referents and indeterminate rules for pluralization; indeterminate rules for pluralization; corporatecorporate is also used in this way, although this insertion is is also used in this way, although this insertion is influenced by management or business context.influenced by management or business context.

Inflectability of nouns in FEIsInflectability of nouns in FEIsIn all examples, the action denoted by the FEI is a mass experience or In all examples, the action denoted by the FEI is a mass experience or joint action, rather than affecting people individually:joint action, rather than affecting people individually:

1.1. But advertisers have since mostly seen that they have But advertisers have since mostly seen that they have shot themselves shot themselves and their viewers in their collective feet.and their viewers in their collective feet.

2.2. Banks, building societies and other high street lenders look set to Banks, building societies and other high street lenders look set to put a put a collective hand in their pocketscollective hand in their pockets to help people in debt. to help people in debt.

3.3. ...it is qualitatively different from the old review of the franchises where, ...it is qualitatively different from the old review of the franchises where, provided provided the corporate nose had been kept reasonably cleanthe corporate nose had been kept reasonably clean, a , a renewal was virtually certain.renewal was virtually certain.

4.4. Tobacco was carrying health warnings in the West and it seemed prudent Tobacco was carrying health warnings in the West and it seemed prudent not to not to put all your corporate eggs into one basketput all your corporate eggs into one basket..

Shoot someone in the footShoot someone in the foot = do or say sth. stupid which causes problems for = do or say sth. stupid which causes problems for youyou

Put one’s hand in one’s pocketPut one’s hand in one’s pocket = give money to charity = give money to charityKeep one’s nose cleanKeep one’s nose clean = keep out of trouble, esp. trouble with law = keep out of trouble, esp. trouble with lawPut all one’s eggs in one basketPut all one’s eggs in one basket = make everything dependent only on one = make everything dependent only on one

thingthing

Distribution of proverbs in main and Distribution of proverbs in main and subordinate clausessubordinate clauses

The author did not record in her database the tenses in which FEIs The author did not record in her database the tenses in which FEIs occurred in her corpus; she did not record mood choices of occurred in her corpus; she did not record mood choices of interrogative and imperative either, except where they were interrogative and imperative either, except where they were fossilized and near-mandatory, nor the clause types in which FEIs fossilized and near-mandatory, nor the clause types in which FEIs occurred in her corpus.occurred in her corpus.

However, the distribution of proverbs in main and subordinate However, the distribution of proverbs in main and subordinate clauses shows some regularity. 20% of proverbs occur in clauses shows some regularity. 20% of proverbs occur in subordinate clauses, typically report clauses. In this way, the subordinate clauses, typically report clauses. In this way, the selection of the proverb represents a further level of distancing or selection of the proverb represents a further level of distancing or interpretation on the part of the speaker/writer, reporting and interpretation on the part of the speaker/writer, reporting and sheltering behind received wisdom.sheltering behind received wisdom.

Examples of proverbs used in Examples of proverbs used in subordinate clausessubordinate clauses

1.1. There comes a point when we have to say There comes a point when we have to say enough is enoughenough is enough..

2.2. Dudgeon, who throughout his professional life Dudgeon, who throughout his professional life stressed that stressed that prevention is better than cureprevention is better than cure, , had the highly original idea that preliminary had the highly original idea that preliminary trials should be undertaken in closed religious trials should be undertaken in closed religious communities.communities.

3.3. You have to accept the notion that You have to accept the notion that two heads two heads are better than oneare better than one..

TransformationTransformation

Polarity (positive vs negative)Polarity (positive vs negative)

NegationNegation is a very basic is a very basic transformationtransformation. . Around 5% of database FEIs are Around 5% of database FEIs are conventionally negative, i.e. a negative is conventionally negative, i.e. a negative is part of the canonical expression. For part of the canonical expression. For example: example: I kid you notI kid you not, , leave no stone leave no stone unturnedunturned, , no laughing matterno laughing matter, , not lift a not lift a fingerfinger, , there is no time to losethere is no time to lose, , (there (there is) nothing new under the sunis) nothing new under the sun..

NegationNegation

A few other FEIs typically occur in A few other FEIs typically occur in negative environments, for example: negative environments, for example: lift a lift a fingerfinger, , a red centa red cent, , at allat all, , in the leastin the least, , be be the end of the worldthe end of the world..

NegationNegation

The proportion of positive and negative clauses as regards FEIs, The proportion of positive and negative clauses as regards FEIs, more specifically proverbs:more specifically proverbs:The typical case is where the canonical form is a negative The typical case is where the canonical form is a negative imperative or modal (imperative or modal (Don’tDon’t..., ..., You can’tYou can’t...): such examples can be ...): such examples can be transformed to positive predicates, although a negative evaluation transformed to positive predicates, although a negative evaluation may still be implied, e.g.:may still be implied, e.g.:

(1)(1) He wanted to He wanted to have his cake and eat ithave his cake and eat it – somehow to marry Mrs. – somehow to marry Mrs. Simpson and yet to remain on the throne. = Simpson and yet to remain on the throne. = you can’t have your you can’t have your cake and eat itcake and eat it

(2)(2) Well, Mr Patten will do his best to Well, Mr Patten will do his best to make a silk purse out of a make a silk purse out of a sow’s earsow’s ear, and the audience will know it was not his idea. = , and the audience will know it was not his idea. = you you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s earcan’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear (= you cannot make (= you cannot make a good quality product, using bad quality materials)a good quality product, using bad quality materials)

NegationNegation

In a few cases, proverb tokens have their In a few cases, proverb tokens have their conventional polarity (either negative or conventional polarity (either negative or positive), but are then contradicted in the positive), but are then contradicted in the further text:further text:

(1) (1) VarietyVariety, as the poet William Cowper first , as the poet William Cowper first observed, observed, may be ‘the very spice of life’may be ‘the very spice of life’. . But in motor racing, But in motor racing, the less the variety, the less the variety, the spicier the contestthe spicier the contest..

PassivizationPassivization

There are FEIs where passive forms are at There are FEIs where passive forms are at least as common as active forms:least as common as active forms:

(1) X bears something in mind(1) X bears something in mind

something is borne in mindsomething is borne in mind

(2) X cuts Y short(2) X cuts Y short

Y is cut shortY is cut short

PassivizationPassivization

There are FEIs where there is no evidence in the There are FEIs where there is no evidence in the corpus of active forms:corpus of active forms:

(1)(1)something is cheered something is cheered toto the echo the echo = shout and = shout and call a lot in order to support someonecall a lot in order to support someone

(2)(2)X is laughed out of courtX is laughed out of court = dismiss something = dismiss something presented in earnest as ridiculouspresented in earnest as ridiculous

(3)(3)X is mentioned in dispatchesX is mentioned in dispatches = be commended = be commended for one’s actions by name in an official military for one’s actions by name in an official military reportreport

Nonfinite usesNonfinite uses

FEIs can be used as –FEIs can be used as –inging forms forms or or infinitivesinfinitives::

(1)(1)Or some writers felt they had earned the right in the Or some writers felt they had earned the right in the Seventies, and now had the duty, to participate in the Seventies, and now had the duty, to participate in the reassessment of the Left, if necessary by reassessment of the Left, if necessary by washing dirty washing dirty linen in publiclinen in public. Most writers have done a bit of both.. Most writers have done a bit of both.

(2)(2)A much grander house, the property of firm solicitors, A much grander house, the property of firm solicitors, suffered similar treatment. Again, original, perfectly suffered similar treatment. Again, original, perfectly sound wooden parts were destroyed and, sound wooden parts were destroyed and, to add insult to add insult to injuryto injury, plastic, press-moulded doors inserted., plastic, press-moulded doors inserted.

EmbeddingEmbedding

Embedding involves moving part of an FEI to a relative clause:Embedding involves moving part of an FEI to a relative clause:

(1)(1) Another straw at which we can clutch Another straw at which we can clutch is that if real snow arrives is that if real snow arrives in the near future it will be falling on cold slopes and so will last in the near future it will be falling on cold slopes and so will last reasonably well.reasonably well. = = clutch at strawsclutch at straws

(2)(2) It is not, however, easy to contemplate putting whole federations out It is not, however, easy to contemplate putting whole federations out of action. of action. That is a bullet on which the Arthur Golds of this That is a bullet on which the Arthur Golds of this world have steadfastly failed to bite.world have steadfastly failed to bite. == bite the bullet bite the bullet

(3)(3) The question beggedThe question begged by all those glowing predictions is whether by all those glowing predictions is whether they will ever be fulfilled.they will ever be fulfilled. = = beg the questionbeg the question

(4)(4) This may be This may be a hard bullet for the left to bitea hard bullet for the left to bite, but there is no , but there is no question of what families want.question of what families want. = = bite the bulletbite the bullet

NominalizationNominalization

There are three specific forms of There are three specific forms of nominalizations of FEIs.nominalizations of FEIs.

In the In the firstfirst, the FEI is truncated and reduced to , the FEI is truncated and reduced to one of its clausal components:one of its clausal components:

(1)(1)a new broom sweeps clean - a new broom sweeps clean - new broomnew broom

(2)(2)every cloud has a silver lining – every cloud has a silver lining – silver liningsilver lining

(3)(3)play second fiddle to someone – play second fiddle to someone – second fiddlesecond fiddle


In the In the secondsecond kind of nominalization, verbs kind of nominalization, verbs occur as verbal nouns or participial adjectives, occur as verbal nouns or participial adjectives, or they are replaced by cognate nouns:or they are replaced by cognate nouns:

(1)(1)lose face – lose face – loss of faceloss of face (loss – verbal noun) (loss – verbal noun)

(2)(2)stab someone in the back – stab someone in the back – a stab in the backa stab in the back (stab - cognate noun)(stab - cognate noun)

(3)(3)turn up one’s nose – turn up one’s nose – upturned nosesupturned noses (upturned – participial adjective)(upturned – participial adjective)

(4)(4)waste one’s breath – waste one’s breath – a waste of breatha waste of breath (waste (waste – cognate noun)– cognate noun)


In the In the thirdthird kind, a different lexical item is kind, a different lexical item is formed, often involving the inversion of the formed, often involving the inversion of the original lexical elements:original lexical elements:

(1)(1)keep house – keep house – housekeeperhousekeeper

(2)(2)pick someone’s pocket – pick someone’s pocket – pickpocketpickpocket

(3)(3)take the mickey – take the mickey – mickey-taker, mickey-mickey-taker, mickey-takingtaking

(4)(4)twist someone’s arm – twist someone’s arm – arm-twistingarm-twisting

Transformation to adjectivesTransformation to adjectives

Adverbial and nominal FEIs may be Adverbial and nominal FEIs may be transformed into transformed into adjectivesadjectives. The . The transformations are often hyphenated, and transformations are often hyphenated, and truncation is sometimes involved:truncation is sometimes involved:

(1)(1)(a)round the clock – (a)round the clock – round-the-clockround-the-clock

(2)(2)face to face – face to face – face-to-faceface-to-face

(3)(3)on the spur of the moment – on the spur of the moment – spur-of-the-spur-of-the-momentmoment

(4)(4)clear as crystal – crystal-clearclear as crystal – crystal-clear

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Idiomi, lecture 06, 12 13