[Lexicog] Phrase -- Long Word, With Gaps

[bolstar1]

     What is a set phrase, but simply a long word with gaps? I came 
to this conclusion many years ago when teaching English in Korea, 
who's students -- when allowed contact with native speakers (not 
merely educated Korean English teachers) -- seemed to lose their 
appreciation for the finer points of grammar and vocabulary, and 
glommed onto the study in how English speakers really, actually, 
truly spoke. That required a focus on phrases. They quickly had me 
dialoguing and feeding-back with them in conversational English, 
which meant with all the color and imagination of real language -- 
including idioms, cliches, aphorisms, proverbs, allusions (e.g. 
Bangalore is the silicon valley of India), turns of phrase, 
expressions, quotable quotes, etc. (e.g. What native speaker would 
not immediately recognize the speaker, and the meaning, of the two 
intial, and othewise banal, words in the quote "Ask NOT...?"). And 
the more I dialogued with them and checked the phrases against 
standard idiom dictionaries, the more dejected I became at the dearth 
of the very expressions and allusional references that consitute the 
spoken English language.  
     But phrases are an odd bird, and are subject to more of the "you-
have-to-be-there experience" than simple grammar and vocabulary. This 
contextual learning, versus memorization learning, takes space (on 
paper, as well as in the flesh). Set phrases often convey a single 
idea (but with two elements -- subject and predicate). They often are 
simply -- and simple -- noun phrases, or simple verb phrases (with an 
added emotional/connotative context, or a teaching point). `A penny 
saved is a penny earned.' can be considered a phrase, an idiom, a 
proverb, and an aphorism. But Franklin simply meant "Save your 
money."  
     This is another reason, amongst many, I'm waiting with bated 
breath for a true e-reference world. And this, not merely to be able 
to append (via link-clicks) cursory treatments of single-word 
definitions, but to include pronuciation (words stressed within 
phrases, as opposed to words in isolation), etymologies, regional 
variations, frequency evaluation, degrees of 
emotion/emphasis/vulgarity/politeness, appropriateness in differing 
contexts, exemplative and real-world uses, synonyms and synonymous 
phrasing (e.g. `(get) angry' =  1) see red  2) go through the roof  
3) (be) as mad as a hornet  4) have a hissy fit  4) lose one's 
cool/one's temper...the list goes on and on.). Linked backgrounds of 
proverbs, allusions, and aphorisms would be an alleviation of a 
source of angst and puzzlement amongst learners, especially in 
humorous contexts. 
     As a simple example, when dictionaries list `model', definitions 
include words like: good example, pattern, paradigm, prototype, rule, 
epitome, ideal, exemplar. This often begs the question of the meaning 
of the original word. Synonyms naturally are relied upon. But one 
rarely finds corresponding phrasal equivalents or examples (much less 
with with usage notes and pronunciation). 
     In the following example, various phrases could be substitute 
for `model', often assuming the rhetorical form of "allusion":  1) 
the gold standard of...; the bench mark' (or benchmark) of...' (model 
for physical, qualitative, or quantitative measuring)  2) a `fairy-
tale story' (model of ultimate success story)  3) `the flag bearer 
of...' (model of performance; leadership)  4) `a living legend'; `the 
stuff of legend'; `the pin-up girl of...'; `the poster boy 
of...'; "If there ever was a (something), he is it."; `in true 
(something) fashion'; `picture perfect'; `piece de resistance' 
(French for idyllic or exemplary) --  (model exemplifying a 
particular trait of a person/thing)  5) `hold someone/something up as 
a... model'; `roll out a new... model'; `a proof-of-concept model' = 
context wording  6) `the spittin' image of...' (model of physical 
likeness)  7) `an `all-singing, all-dancing...' (model of product 
(business) signifying all-roundedness  8) `America's sweetheart' 
(model of esteem; adoration; adulation)  9) `capture the moment' 
(model of image, impression, concept)  10) `It starts at the top'.; 
`For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The 
eyes of the people are upon us'. (John Winthrop quote) -- (model of 
leadership behavior, in quoted form). 
     One note regarding pronunciation: accent marks are 
straightforward in words (though variations exist between regions), 
but often are lost in phrasing. In fact, there are no consistant 
rules in phraseology, but are subject to custom and to placement. Who 
ever heard of a `shoe shop', not a `shoe shop'? In the previous list 
of phrases, `a living legend' stresses the noun `legend', not the 
participle adj. `living'; but with `spittin image' it's the reverse, 
stressing the participle adj. `spittin', not the noun `'image'. 
     The e-revolution in publishing will be a watermark in deepening 
and broadening the tools of the lexicographer/student. Particularly 
appealing to me is foldable, portable, paper-thin, downloadable, 
interactive reference works that allow drilling (which were projected 
to be forthcoming, yeeers ago). It's disconcerting that these e-
products are so slow in coming to market. There's just a whole lot of 
work to be done. Lexicographers of the world, unite! 

Scott Nelson
   


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