Usage of idioms in the modern English language

Firstly, idiom is an expression which meaning is not predictable from the usual meaning of its constituent elements or from the general grammatical rules of a language, and that is not a constituent of a larger expression of similar characteristics. Secondly, idiom is a construction or expression of one language parts of which correspond to the elements in source language but structure and meaning of which is not matched in the same way in the recipient language. That`s why the same meaning of idioms in different languages can be similar or different. It can be demonstrated by examples of idioms compared in English and Kazakh and Russian languages.

Considering from the translation theory perspective, idioms can be divided into those which have equivalents in Russian and Kazakh languages and those, which do not have equivalents.

1. To have a narrow escape – еле спастись – құрып қала жаздау 
2. To be as white as a sheet – белый как простыня – төбе шашы тік тұру
3. A write-off – списать со счетов – жұмысқа жарамау
4. Across the board – не оставить никого за бортом – барлығын қамту
5. Strike while the iron is hot – куй железо пока горячо – темірді қызған кезде соқ
6. Saddled with debt – по уши в долгах – қарызға батқан
7. Calculated risk – оправданный риск – тәуекелге бел бауған
8. Heads will roll – головы полетят – қырып-жоятын
9. Roaring trade – торговля кипит – қызған сауда
10. Trade something off – выменять –айырбастау
11. To have a real heart-to-heart with – разговор по душам – сырласу
12. That`s all water under the bridge – кто прошлое помянет, тому глаз вон – жабулы қазан жабулы күйде қалды
13. At a premium – на высоте – ең үздік
14. Nothing ventured, nothing gained – кто не рискует, тот не пьет шампанского – іске кіріспеген сәтілікке жетпес
15. The sky`s the limit – нет предела совершенству

Like all mentioned above, almost every idiom can be translated without loss of information or semantic meaning. It always depends on the situation and on the context the idiom bears. Translator`s experience is of the essence as well. During simultaneous interpretation translators do not usually have enough time to recall the relevant equivalent of definite idiom, that is why interpreters must be really on the ball and have a good intuition. But translating in written form, translators are given more opportunities to make more adequate translations. While translation dictionaries need to be found in order to make a translation, based on the data given in the dictionary.

Conclusion

Summing up,  several summaries have been made.

This course paper gives incontrovertible evidences and facts that idioms play great role in our speech.

Idiom is a phenomenon existing in language, which in its turn is constantly changing, developing and growing. Idioms reflect almost all the changes occurring, or peoples` attitude towards it. And facts and dates of historical development of idioms  mentioned in the theoretical part of the course paper clearly proves it.

By the means of the comparative method we compared differences in the usage of idioms in American English and British English (See theoretical part, chapter 2 ).

Using numerous examples we proved once again that “Idioms reflect events of different periods of time.” (See theoretical part, chapter 1).

The future of idiomatic expressions in the English language seems certain. This development will continue through new mediums like the Internet and interactive mediums. It is hard to say what this will do to idioms and what kind of new idioms are created. This will be an interesting development to follow, and by no means does it lessen the humor, variety and color of English language. 

The list of used literature

1. Баранов А. Н., Добровольский Д. О. «Идиоматичность и идиомы. Вопросы языкознания», №5, стр.51-64
2. (The) Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms. Ed. E.M. Kirkpatrick and C.M. Schwarz. Ware, Hertfordshire: Wordsworth Editions Ltd., 1995
3. Stephens J. F. American studies in the United States. In U.S. Society & Values. # 15, pp 5-10
4. www.elsmania.com/students/idioms/Business_idioms.html
5. idiomation.wordpress.com/category/idioms-from-the-21st-century/
6. englishleap.com/Idioms/English_idioms/Meaning_of_Idioms/List_of_Idioms_with_Examples
7. http://ref.rushkolnik.ru/v38239/?page=7
8. http://knowledge.allbest.ru/languages/c-2c0a65625b3bd78b4d43b88421206c27.html
9. http://www.bachelorsdegree.org/2011/01/30/30-common-english-idioms-and-the-history-behind-them/
10. The review of English Studies. 1926 Oxford University Press
11. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/list_of_19th-century_English-language-idiom
12. Goodale M. Collins COBUILD Idioms Workbook. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1995
13. Верещагин Е. М., Костомаров В.Г. Национально-культурная семантика русских фразеологизмов// Словари и лингвострановедение. М: Русский язык - 1982, сс. 89 - 98