French Idiomatic Expressions: a Universe beyond Words

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Ain Shams University

Abstract

An idiomatic expression is a group of words whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meaning of the elements that compose it. It has a metaphorical and conventional meaning that has been established by usage. The objective of this article is to examine French idiomatic expressions through a sample of examples taken from several dictionaries dedicated to French expressions and phrases. In the first section, we will discuss the fixed sequences, called phraseological units, which include idiomatic expressions. We will then study the characteristics that allow us to recognize them, their most recurrent syntactic structures, and their origins drawing from the most varied sources. The last section will be devoted to the “défigement” of idiomatic expressions. We will show how this process, frequently used in advertising, can be exploited for pragmatic effects.

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