LINGUIST List 25.2814
Sat
Jul 05 2014
Qs: Idiom formation via
transliteration
Editor for this issue:
Alex Isotalo <alxlinguistlist.org>
Date: 01-Jul-2014
From: Israel Cohen
<cohen.izzy
gmail.com>
Subject: Idiom formation via
transliteration
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A Google Scholar search retrieved 2 journal
articles about the transliteration of Buddhist
Sanskrit words/phrases to Chinese idioms:
http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-KDSK200501027.htm
and
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/jbp/bab/2003/00000049/00000004/art00003
My query is: Has anyone else researched or
discussed the formation of idioms via
transliteration into languages other than
Chinese?
I have found these patterns of (English) idiom
formation. In essence they involve the
transformation of a (usually) foreign homophone
into a native homograph.
L1, transliterated > L1 pun, translated >
L2...Ln idioms
Job 19:20 BQoSHi (barely) > B3or SHinai
>by skin of my teeth
L1, transliterated > L2 idiom [, translated
> L3...Ln idioms]
Latin recollectare > Fr cloche/Ger Glock
> ring a bell?
Penn Dutch acht(ung) Grund(be
aware+reason)>US axe to grind
cf German Beweggrund (motive)
Latin sopor quies > Heb SPoR KeVeS >
count sheep! (re sleep)
> modern Hebrew LiSPoR KVaSiM to count sheep
(plural)
L1 & transliterated L1, transliterated
& translated > L2 idiom
Heb/Yiddish BRaKHa (blessing) + BeReKH (leg)
> Break a leg!
cf HatSLakha(success)+BeReKH+BRaKHa >Ger
Hals und Beinbruch!
L2 word/phrase, transliterated > L1,
translated > L2 idiom
secret > Heb miSGeReT (framework, skeleton)
+ SoGeR (close)
> skeleton in the closet
The second column of Origen's Hexapla
http://jts.oxfordjournals.org/content/XXI/1/17.extract
is the Old Testament in the Hebrew language
written with Greek letters. This may have
facilitated the formation of Greek idioms whose
meaning is that of the Hebrew source. Cf the
etymology of ''idiom'' from Greek idioma
''peculiarity, peculiar phraseology,'' from
idioumai ''to appropriate to oneself.''
Linguistic Field(s): Linguistic Theories
Page Updated: 05-Jul-2014