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Document Details : Title: Body-Part Idioms in Syriac Subtitle: A Pragmatic Study Author(s): MATTI, Ala' A. Journal: ARAM Periodical Volume: 24 Date: 2012 Pages: 117-147 DOI: 10.2143/ARAM.24.0.3009256 Abstract : This pioneering research scrutinises the use of body parts in idiomatic expressions in the Syriac language (a member of the Semitic family). It shows how Syriac speakers utilise body parts in daily interactions to express their ideas more effectively. Furthermore, the study tries to explain why and when these idioms are employed, and the tacit meaning which the interlocutors share. It also tries to illustrate the pragmatic similarities and/or differences between Syriac idioms and their English counterparts i.e. to what extent these two cultures converge and/or diverge as far as body-part idioms are concerned. Besides this, the study attempts to show that neighbouring cultures (viz. Syriac and Arabic) affect each other. In addition, the current study attempts to shed some light on the semantics of Syriac body-part idioms to show whether they are semantically decomposable, less decomposable or nondecomposable by scrutinizing their components. |
