Non-native perspective on idioms

[Charles Wells]

Frank Abate said:
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It is also true that "non-native speakers" have a perspective that is of
great value to lexicography.  In English, it is well known that "non-native
speakers" are often far better at detecting idiomatic expressions than
"native speakers".  There are a number of Japanese dictionaries of English
idioms, for instance, which have been real eye-openers for me as to what
seems unclear to someone learning English as a second/later language.
Native speakers use English idioms, and use idiomatic English, often without
realizing that they are using words metaphorically, playfully, or whatever.
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We have learned much from the four exchange students who have lived with us
over the years.

Example that recently came up:

I am going to a movie tonight.
--means I am going to a movie theatre to see a movie.

I am going to watch a movie tonight.
--means I am going watch a movie run in someone's home on a VCR

Our student said the second and meant the first.  If I heard someone say

I am going to see a movie tonight

I would assume this meant in a theater, but perhaps that is a function of
my age (63).

--Charles Wells




Charles Wells, 105 South Cedar St., Oberlin, Ohio 44074, USA.
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home phone: 440 774 1926.
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