Abstract

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Title:: The Generation and Nature of Compound Idioms:A Case Study on Idioms in The Analects of Confucius

Keywords:: idioms; compound idioms; The Analects of Confucius; four-character idioms; nature of idioms; boundness of morphemes

Abstract:: Compound idioms refer to idioms whose literal meaning is basically consistent with their intended meaning. However, few people focus on the reason why they can be regarded as idioms. When it comes to grasping idioms’ nature and distinguishing them from other types of phrases, compound idioms are always related to a host of perplexing problems. Based on the idioms in The Analects of Confucius, this paper discusses the generation and nature of compound idioms. Besides, it points out that idioms are characterized by: loss of their etymological storylines and original referents; integrity in conceptualization; four characters in form; and composition of bound morphemes. Also, it is these features that differentiate compound idioms from free phrases and idiomatic phrases.