The Influence of the Myths of Greek and Roman on English希臘羅馬神話對英語習語的影響

1、The Influence of the Myths of Greek and Roman on English希臘羅馬神話對英語習語的影響摘 要:學習英語，不僅是學習語言，而且應該了解英語的文化背景。英語習語是英語發(fā)展過程中沉積下來的，使英語詞匯更豐富，更富有活力。通過研究英語習語的定義，特征，以及希臘羅馬神話對英語習語的影響，更深層次的了解了英語習語和英語的文化。 英語習語是英語語言的一個重要組成部分，它是英語知識的縮影。它包括英語語言所特有的固定的詞組和短句，它的結構靈活，可長可短，也言簡意賅，意味深長。本文簡單介紹了它的來源之一，希臘羅馬神話對英語習語的影響。希臘羅馬神話是古代文化重要

2、的組成部分，對整個西方文化產生了廣泛深遠的影響，大量源于希臘神話的詞語，特別一些習語通過文學作品進入英美社會生活，不但增加了英語的詞匯量，而且增強了英語的表達力。關鍵詞：英語習語；定義；特征；希臘羅馬神話Abstract: Learning English is not only studying language itself, but also understanding its culture background. English idioms are the quintessence of the language. It helps English vocabularies bec

3、ome more and more abundant and vigor. Through study the definition and characteristics of English idiom, and the English idioms from myths of Greek and Roman. We get the better understanding in English idioms and culture. English idioms are an important part of the English language, it is the epitom

4、e of the language. It includes the special and fixed phrase and short sentences that only the English language has. The structure of English idioms is flexible, it can be long or short, and it is compendious. The article lets us know one of its origination: the influence of the Myths of Greek and Ro

5、man on English. The Greek and Roman mythology is an important part of the ancient culture that has vast and deep influence on the whole western culture. So many expressions from myths of Greek and Roman, specially some idioms, getting into the society life of Britain and America, through the works o

6、f literature and art. It is not only enriching the English vocabularies, but also enhancing the sense of express.1 Key words: English idioms, definition, characteristics, Greek and Roman mythologyContents摘要1關鍵詞1Abstract1Key Words2Introduction41 Definition of Idiom51.1 From English Dictionaries51.2 F

7、rom Scholars62 Characteristics of Idiom72.1 Structure of Idiom72.2 Semantic Characteristics of Idiom73 English Idioms from the myths of Greek and Roman9Conclusion13Bibliography14Acknowledgement15IntroductionEnglish idioms are concise, comprehensive and vivid, and are generally used figuratively. The

8、 meanings of idioms are often implied in the images and figures they contain. Therefore, during the course of study, one should not ignore the idioms; their strong national and cultural characteristics should be taken into consideration for the purpose of better cross-cultural communication. English

9、 has a great number of idioms, which mainly have the allusions from three great resources the “Bible”,“Greek and Roman myths”and the“works of Shakespeare”. Another resource English idioms come from is the historic events in Europe. The ancient Greek myths are the precious heritage of the world liter

10、ature. Many figures and history allusions made a notable impact to the European literature and went to peoples everyday. Greek created beautiful myths when it developed from clan commune to slave society. They held an important position in the history of human culture and farreaching influence. The

11、significant influence of Greek mythology can be observed on various aspects of western society. It acts not only as an abundant and dynamic resource of western literature and culture, but also as a key to learning and studying the languages of western countries for its deep rooting in these language

12、s. This article introduces some English vocabularies that come from ancient Greek and Roman myths. They are some idioms, some words concerned with some images in the myths.1 Definition of IdiomAn idiom is a construction, expression, etc. having a meaning different from the literal one or not accordi

13、ng to the usual patterns of the language. 2 It includes two elements: Firstly, their meaning is unpredictable even when their component words are known. Secondly, their patterns may be unusual. This is the idiom's definition in the language and culture.1.1 From English DictionariesWe all can fin

14、d the definition of “idiom” in every English dictionary, but according to the different understand and thought of idiom for the different editors, and also it is difference of their wording of a letter diction and emphasis. 3There are four strips of definition of idiom, which from the authority Engl

15、ish dictionaries. (1) A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words. 4 (2) An idiom is an expression which functions as a single unit and whose meaning cannot be worked out from its separate parts. 5 (3) Idiom is an expression established

16、in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in grammatical construction or in having a meaning that cannot be derived as a whole from the conjoined meanings of its elements. 6 (4) A phrase, construction, or expression that is recognized as a unit in the usage of a given language and

17、 either differs from the usual syntactic patterns or has a meaning that differs from the literal meaning of its parts taken together. 7 These dictionaries are uniform of the characterization of idioms meaning, but each one has different emphasis on other aspect. For example, the word-building, all t

18、he definitions have not point out how many words an idiom should be. They only put to use the phrases separately:“a group of words”,“an expression”,“a construction”. The meaning is mumbling, because word, phrase, clause, sentence, also belong to these category. So it is difficult to find the idioms

19、true scope from the different definition above all. 1.2 From ScholarsThe definitions from dictionaries usually stand for some collection standpoint, with its definitive, especially the authority dictionaries. But the scholars engage in special study of some domain, so their standpoints have the equa

20、l definitive as the dictionaries. There are some scholar definition of idiom as follow. (1) An idiom is a combination of two or more words which functions as a unit of meaning 8(2) A phraseological unit involving at least two polysemous constituents, and in which there is a reciprocal contextual sel

21、ection of subsenses will be called an idiom. 9(3) An idiom is a set phrase of two or more words that means something different from the literal meaning of the individual words. 10(4) Common expressions used in colloquial speech with accepted, figurative meanings that differ from their present-day li

22、teral meanings. 11Just mentioned above the first three scholars, their standpoints are uniform of the characterization of idioms meaning. They all think that an English idiom should make up of two words at least. But the last one seems to only the usage of oral style, thats an idiom. But what are id

23、ioms? Its opinions vary and more explanatory more confused. Next, to study the characteristics of idiom. 2 Characteristics of Idiom2. 1 Structure of IdiomThe structure of English idiom, mainly embody the lack of some capacity on the word-building, such as: the replacement of the expressions, the mob

24、ility of the place, the variety of the voice, the alternation of the mumble. An idiom must be an accepted phrase. With a close structure, the accepted phrase could not be separated and broke up. For example,“make haste” can not add the object in middle, writing down“make him haste”, its wrong. The c

25、ompose words of the idiom could not be replace at will. For example, “smell a rat” can not be changed by “smell a mouse”. Although“rat” and “mouse” are synonyms, the meaning of the idiom is not exist. Another example, “dark horse”means“the surprising winner”, but “dark” is changed by “black”, it onl

26、y means“that horse is black”. Its possible to be changed into another idiom, if compose words have a little change. For example,“before long” means soon after, but “l(fā)ong before” means long long ago. Another example,“out of question” means no doubt, but “out of the question” means impossible. 2.2 Sem

27、antic Characteristics of IdiomThe entirety of the meaning, its the important characteristics of English idioms. The fixed phrases and sentences in idioms semitone can not be divided. It can not be comprehended by the separate word, but by the entirety of the whole phrase or sentences meaning. For ex

28、ample,“rain cats and dogs” means “to rain heavily”;“As hot as the Black Hole of Calcutta”means “very frowzy”;“to put heads together”means“think out a plan with other people”;“for all the tea in China”means“though you give me all the money in the world, I will not do that thing”. The duality on the m

29、eaning of some idioms, thats to say.They have not only the literal meaning, but also the idioms meaning. If someone has not read the context, its difficult to determine the expression, which is the literal meaning or the idioms meaning. For example, “a rainy day” means “a wet day”, thats its literal

30、 meaning, but the idioms meaning is “in hard time”;“miss the boat”means“not catch up the boat”, but the another meaning is “l(fā)ose ones opportunity”;“there is no love lost between them”means“they are in love with each other”, the another meaning is “they are disgusted with each other”;“give someone a

31、kick” means“kicked at somebody”, the another meaning is“make somebody feel happy”. Violate the thought and life logic on some idioms literal meaning. For example, “face the music”means “face the difficult courageously”, is not only the collocation of the phrase illogical, but also it is different be

32、tween the idioms meaning and the literal meaning ;“eat ones head off”whats the meaning, someone would say,“Oh, my god, he ate his head off”. But the real meaning is “to eat too much”;“eat ones hat”means“never do something”;“marry with the left hand” means “to marry with the common, not a noble”;“thi

33、nk on ones feet” means “supple thought”; “the world and his wife” means “many people, a lot of people”. The imagery of the language. Imagery is one of the English idioms traits, it is always used to describe things and explain reasons. It is not only lively but also accurate. The words are very ters

34、e and compendious and they always arouse plenty of imaginations. For example,“fall off ones chair” is a metaphor, means “very surprised”; “there is more of Sampson than of Solomon in him”. It means,“A person whose body is very strong but his emotion is very simple”;“Huger is the best sauce”. It mean

35、s“Any food to a hunger is delicious food”; “Homer sometimes nods”. It means,“Although you are an oracle, you will also make mistakes”; “Spend money like water” means“use money wastefully”;“Live on wind pudding” means “a persons life is unknown”. 3 English Idioms from the Myths of Greek and RomanThe

36、significant influence of Greek mythology can be observed on various aspects of western society. It acts not only as an abundant and dynamic resource of western literature and culture, but also as a key to learning and studying the languages of western countries for its deep rooting in these language

37、s. As for English, Greek mythologys influence can be found in great amount. Greek created beautiful myths when it developed from clan commune to slave society. And then the myths are adapted by Roman, they enhanced the influence of Greek Myths. They held an important position in the history of human

38、 culture and far-reaching influence. From the linguistics point of view, Greek and Roman myths have a great influence on European language until now. This article introduces some English vocabularies that come from ancient Greek and Roman myths. They are some idioms, some words concerned with some i

39、mages in the myths, such as“the Trojan Horse”, “Pandoras Box”,“the Apple of Discord”, and “Achilles Heel”, which are known to all. But it is not enough to understand the meaning of idioms, to known some stories of Greek myths, is also very interesting. “Apple of Discord” means“any subject of disagre

40、ement and contention; the root of the trouble, dispute”. For example, He throwing us an apple of discord, we soon quarreled again; another example, this problem seems to be an apple of discord between the Soviet Union and the USA. This idiom came from an interested story of Greek myths. In the Olymp

41、ia, when the gods were assembled, the goddess of Discord appeared in their midst and threw down a golden apple, on which were written the wordsFor the fairest. This apple was at once claimed by Juno, by Minerva, and by Venus, for each of these goddesses believed herself to be the most fair. The thre

42、e goddesses came to Paris, and each in turn offered him a precious gift if only he would award the apple to her. Juno offered him power, Minerva offered him wisdom; but Venus offered him the worlds most lovely woman as his bred, thats Helen. Paris awarded the apple to venues, he gained Helen. But he

43、 lived to cause the destruction of Troy. 12 This apple caused the discord of gods, and also the warfare between two cities. “Trojan Horse”, means “hidden danger, the element of inside danger”. The story is, Greeks made attempt to take the Troy by storm to recover Helen from the Trojan. But ten years

44、 after their landing they had little prospect. But at last Greeks build a great horse of wood, within whose hollow body a number of people may lie concealed. This horse they left on the open plain. Then their ships sailed away till the island of Tenders hides Trojan from view. When the Trojan found

45、the horse, and talked it in triumph into Troy city. When night came, the Greek heroes went out from the secret door in the belly of the horse. Thus the doom of Troy was sealed, and the whole city was quickly becoming one vast funeral pyre. “Pandoras Box”means“a prolific source of troubles”. The stor

46、y is Pandora, who had a lovely face, was made by Zeus to punish Prometheus for stealing fire to human, Mermes presented her to Epimeus-Prometheus brother. And then, the gods sent Epimetheus another gift that was a heavy box, with directions that it was not to be opened. Pandoras curiosity was so gre

47、at that she lifted the lid, and out rushed a great swarm of little winged creatures. These creatures were Troubles; they soon flew about and spread themselves everywhere. People began to have headaches, rheumatism, and other illnesses, they became unfriendly and quarrelsome. “Promethean fire” means

48、“the fire of life”. The story is Prometheus, who was a wise Titan. He helped Zeus to win the war, which Zeus and his brothers and sisters fought against the Titans. The father of gods and men Zeus gave him great power to gratitude for Prometheus help. He sent him to earth and told him to make mortal

49、 man out of clay. Zeus told Prometheus to teach the mortals anything they needed to known in order to live. He was also to teach them the arts, so that they could build beautiful temples to honor the gods. There was, in fact, only one thing he could not teach them, its fire. But without fire, life o

50、n earth was very difficult. Food had to be eaten raw; houses could not be kept warm. Tools had to be of stone, because there was no fire for working metal. But at last, Prometheus got fire from Mount Olympus and brought his fire to earth. The people enjoyed the fires pleasant warmth and beautiful gl

51、ow. “Achilles Heel” means the weak or vulnerable point of a person (organization, country, etc.) The story is Achilles, one of the Greek heroes in the Iliad, another epic attributed to Homer, was taken by mother when he was a child and dipped in the river Styx to make him invulnerable. The water was

52、hed every part of his body except the heel in his mothers hand. It was precisely at this vulnerable point that Achilles was later killed in battle. 13 “Sisyphean Task” means“endless and fruitless drudgery”. The story is Sisyphus, was a tyrant of and cite Greek. He went to the hell when he was dead,

53、and was punished to push a great stone up a hill. When he got the stone on the top of the hill, it fell down again. Then he went down to make it go up again. And so it was, up again, down again, never stopped.14 “To give/throw a sop to Cerberus”means“to bribe an official”. At a side of River Styx(th

54、e entrance of hell), there was a great three-headed watchdog Cerberus, whose barking rings for ever through this desolate plain. He will never let you pass till you have given him one of your cakes to eat. “Cupids Bow”means“to fall in love with somebody”. Goddess Venus had a winged son, named Cupid,

55、 the god of love. Cupid always carried his bow and arrows wherever he flew and wandered. Of the arrows, there were two kinds: the gold-tipped arrows used to quicken the pulse of love and lead-tipped ones to palsy it. “A Damocles Sword”means“forthcoming danger or danger that is always present”, deriv

56、ed from a sword hung by a single hair over Damocles, a courtier of ancient Syracuse, when HW was seated at a banquet. The Greek and Roman mythology is an important part of the Greek and Roman culture and a priceless culture heritage of the whole humanity. It has exerted great influence on the wester

57、n civilization in many respects. The English vocabulary is greatly enriched by the numerous words that originate in the Greek and Roman mythology. ConclusionIdioms are the cream of a language. When people of different cultures interact, idioms serve as a very useful and dominant medium of cross-culture communication, and best manifest the colorfulness, forcefulness, tenseness and connotative richness of the language. Through the use of idioms, we can see the cultural discrepancies in social customs, religious beliefs, the sta