Means of IDIOM in Translation Learning

IDIOM

From: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom

An idiom is a word or phrase which means something different from what it says - it is usually a metaphor. Idioms are common phrases or terms whose meaning is not real, but can be understood by their popular use.

Because idioms can mean something different from what the words mean it is difficult for someone not very good at speaking the language to use them properly. Some idioms are only used by some groups of people or at certain times. The idiom shape up or ship out, which is like saying improve your behavior or leave if you don't, might be said by an employer or supervisor to an employee, but not to other people.

Idioms are not the same thing as slang. Idioms are made of normal words that have a special meaning known by almost everyone. Slang is usually special words that are known only by a particular group.

To learn a language a person needs to learn the words in that language, and how and when to use them. But people also need to learn idioms separately because certain words together or at certain times can have different meanings. In order to understand an idiom, one sometimes needs to know the culture the idiom comes from.

To know the history of an idiom can be useful and interesting, but is not necessary to be able to use the idiom properly. For example most native British English speakers know that "No room to swing a cat" means "there was not a lot of space" and can use the idiom properly, but few know it is because 200 years ago sailors were punished by being whipped with a whip called a "cat o'nine tails".^[source?] A big space was cleared on the ship so that the person doing the whipping had a lot of room to swing the cat.

A better understanding of an idiom is that it is a phrase whose meaning cannot be understood from the dictionary definitions of each word taken separately.

From:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/50238047/Idioms

Definiton:

Idiom is an expression that has a meaning different from the usual meanings of the individual words within it.

Example: we’re all in the same boat means  “We’re in a similar situation”, NOT  “we’re all in a watercraft together”.

From

http://spanish.about.com/cs/vocabulary/g/idiomgl.htm

Definition: As used in this site, "idiom" most often refers to a phrase or expression that cannot be understood by knowing what the individual words in the phrase mean. For example, "to roll out the red carpet" is to extravagantly welcome a guest; no red carpet is needed. The phrase is misunderstood when interpreted in a literal fashion. An example of a Spanish idiom is "no está el horno para bollos, which literally means "the oven isn't ready for bread rolls." The phrase generally means "the time isn't right." Although most idiomatic phrases are of primarily colloquial usage, there are many that are acceptable in standard speech and writing.

Another meaning for "idiom" is a specialized language or a distinctive pattern in the usage of a language. As such, it can refer to the way a language is used in a given region; in such usage, an idiom usually isn't seen as distinctly different as a dialect is, although sometimes "idiom" and "dialect" are used interchangeably. An idiom can similarly refer to the language patterns used within a certain profession or other subgroup. For example, it might be said that college students have their own idiom.

Functions of Idioms

http://grammar.about.com/od/il/g/idiomterm.htm

"People use idioms to make their language richer and more colorful and to convey subtle shades of meaning or intention. Idioms are used often to replace a literal word or expression, and many times the idiom better describes the full nuance of meaning. Idioms and idiomatic expressions can be more precise than the literal words, often using fewer words but saying more. For example, the expression it runs in the family is shorter and more succinct than saying that a physical or personality trait 'is fairly common throughout one's extended family and over a number of generations.'"
(Gail Brenner, Webster's New World American Idioms Handbook. Webster's New World, 2003)

SWEARING WORDS

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/swearing

Purpose

1. To make a solemn declaration, invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing, in confirmation of and witness to the honesty or truth of such a declaration.

2. To make a solemn promise; vow.

3. To use profane oaths; curse.

4. Law To give evidence or testimony under oath.

v.tr.

1. To declare or affirm solemnly by invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing.

2. To promise or pledge with a solemn oath; vow: He swore his oath of allegiance to the queen. See Synonyms at promise.

3. To utter or bind oneself to (an oath).

4. Law To administer a legal oath to: All the witnesses have been sworn.

5. To say or affirm earnestly and with great conviction.

n.

A swearword.

Phrasal Verbs:

swear at

To use abusive, violent, or blasphemous language against; curse. (Untuk menggunakan bahasa kasar, kekerasan, atau hujat terhadap kutukan)

swear by

1. To have great reliance on or confidence in: He swears by his personal physician.

2. To have reliable knowledge of; be sure of: I think she left early, but I couldn't swear by it.

3. To take an oath by: He swore by all the angels and saints of heaven.

swear in

To administer a legal or official oath to: swear in a mayor.

swear off Informal

To pledge to renounce or give up: She has sworn off cigarettes.

swear out Law

To obtain (a warrant for arrest) by making a charge under oath.

Definition: http://www.elook.org/dictionary/swear.html

1.    [verb] utter obscenities or profanities; "The drunken men were cursing loudly in the street"
Synonyms: curse, cuss, blaspheme, imprecate

2.    [verb] to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true; "Before God I swear I am innocent"
Synonyms: affirm, verify, assert, avow, aver, swan

3.    [verb] promise solemnly; take an oath

4.    [verb] make a deposition; declare under oath
Synonyms: depose, depone

5.    [verb] have confidence or faith in; "We can trust in God"; "Rely on your friends"; "bank on your good education"; "I swear by my grandmother's recipes"
Synonyms: trust, rely, bank

http://www.scribd.com/doc/89515841/Swear-Words-in-English

Definition:

-          Consider taboo, impolite or offensive

-          Speaking offensively (Allan, Kand Burridge, K 2006, Forbidden Words: Taboo and censoring of language).

Swearing words are mainly related to:

1.      Blasphemy – related to God and Religion

2.      Ancestral allusions- related to ancestors

3.      Disgusting things

4.      Certain animal names

5.      Anatomical references – related human body organs

6.      Sexual references

Daily use:

1.      Signify emotions

Example: anger, surprise, joy, frustation. (Jay, T 2009, The utility and ubiquity of taboo words)

Quote: ‘swearing is like using the horn on your car...’ (Timothy, J 2009)

2.      Relieve physical pain.

The decrease in pain perception.

3.      Increase cold endurance

e.g : The ability to keep hands immersed in cold water for longer time than usual.

Problem

1.      Daily Use

Cause offence to other speakers, often unintentionally.

2.      Pronunciation and misunderstanding

·         Word endings

·         Vowel sounds.

COMPARE:  Sheet [∫i:t]           - Shit! [∫It]

                    CRAB [kræb]        - CRAP [kræp]

Recomendations For English Learners

1.      Avoid sensitive topics.

2.      Use technical and euphemistic expressions.

e.g: Clinical terms-human body.

3.      Tip: Pardon My French

Forgive me my strong language.

Conclusion

1.      Swearing: talking offensively.

2.      Swear words are :

a.      Related to many sensitive topics

b.      Used commonly in daily life.

c.       Easy to be misunderstood.

3.      English learned should:

a.      Try to avoid taking about sensitive topics.

b.      Use euphemism, technical expressions instead.

From:

http://grammar.about.com/od/rs/a/swearwordterm.htm

Definition:

A word or phrase that is generally considered blasphemous, obscene, vulgar, or otherwise offensive.

Definition:

http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/swear-words.html

The unacceptable and rude words of a language are known as the swear words , or bad language. They include the strongest and most offensive words; stronger than slang and colloquial language.

How to Use Swear Words in English

http://reallifebh.com/how-to-use-swear-words-in-english

Are you scared of swear words? Are you unsure of when to use them? It’s good to be cautious, because it’s delicate.
Swear words can be one of the most difficult parts of a language to master, as you have to be careful when practicing them. Some people may get really offended by their use.
But even if you don’t want to use swear words, you still need to understand them as they are quite common in the English language. You may not say them, but you still want to understand what’s going on during TV, a movie, a book, a conversation or any other type of English you may be trying to understand.

Why Use Swear Words?

Swear words, love them or hate them, are an integral part of a language. To master fluency, you must master swear words. But why do people use them? What’s the point?
When you use swear words, they allow you to convey emotion that would otherwise not be as easy to communicate. Swear words increase your vocabulary and give you a wider range of emotions to invoke than if you didn’t use any.
Some swear words are extremely versatile and can be used in many different ways. When you begin to overcome your negative gut-reaction, you may start to see the beauty in all of these amazing swear words.
Of course, it’s important not to overuse swear words, just like you wouldn’t want to overuse any word. However, because some swear words are so interchangeable, it can become easy to just rely on a few swear words as the majority of your vocabulary.
The most important lesson to take home from swear words is to just notice how they make you react and ask yourself why these feelings arise inside you.
Below is a list of the nine most common swear words in English with the many different ways in which they are used.
It’s important that when you practice swear words that you do it with close friends who can help guide you towards the proper time and place to use them. But when in doubt, use them with people who are near your age.

Translating Swear Words

It’s almost impossible to translate swear words, because they are so colloquial and unique to the culture. However, we will do our best to help you understand the words in relation to Portuguese. If you have any suggestions or better translations please feel free to let us know in the comments!

DAMN

Definition

A light swear word, can be said on TV and radio. Damn means to condemn (a person) to suffer eternal punishment in hell, but is more commonly used when expressing surprise or disgust.

PG version – darn (droga)

Different Uses

To express pain or being upset or mad.

• “God dammit / damn / dammit”
  (Que bosta)

To express that you are upset with another person.

• “Hey man, I lost your phone.”
  “Damn you (to hell!)“

Expression of awe or wonder.

• ‘Woah, check out the sunrise.”
  “Daaaaamn.”
  (Porra)

Expression of dismay or disappointment.

• “I can’t find my keys.”
  “Damn….”
  (Porra)

To express how little you care.

• “Hey, what do you want for dinner?”
  “I don’t give a damn.”
  (eu estou nem aí!)

Expressing agreement and encouraging action.

• “I think I’m gonna call her today.”
  “You damn well (better)!”
  (e melhor você fazer)

To add a feeling of stigma/negativity to a noun.

• “That damn teacher gave us a ton of homework.”

NOTE: Don’t confuse damn, with dam. Dam, without the “n” (though it is pronounced the same), is a barrier constructed to hold water back and raise its level, the resulting reservoir being used in the generation of electricity or water supply.

HELL

Definition

Another light swear word, can be said on TV. Hell is a spiritual realm of evil and suffering, often described as a place of perpetual fire beneath the earth where the evil people go to be punished after death.

PG version – heck

Different Uses

To express how unlikely it is for an event to occur.

• “Hey man, do you think Julia will go out with me?”
  “Yeah, when Hell freezes over.” or “You got a snowball’s chance in Hell.”

Expression of anger.

• “I want to break up with you.”
  “Go to Hell!”
  (vai pro inferno)

It’s not important.

• “I can’t find a condom”
  “To hell with it!”
  (azar!)

Used as emphasis for yes/no questions.

• “Do you want to come to the Real Life Yoga on Sunday at 2pm at Praça Floriano Peixoto?
  “Hell yeah!” 

PISS

Definition

Piss is a vulgar term for pee or urine.

PG version – urinate

Different Uses

Used to describe anger.

• “I’m pissed off!”
  (estou puto/a)

Another word for drunk (used by the British, not Americans).

• “He was pissed last night.”
  (Ele chapou o melão ontem)

To express you want to be left alone.

• “Hey, you want some help?”
  “Piss off.”
  (Sai fora)

To show how hard it’s raining.

• “It’s pissing down rain” (Check out the video 5 ways to say it’s raining)
  (Está chuvendo pra calhalo)

BITCH

Definition

Bitch can mean someone who whines and complains a lot or someone who’s angry (usually in regards to a woman).

PG Version – bitch literally means female dog.

Different Uses

To whine or complain.

• “These pants are too big, mosquitos keep bitting me, I don’t like this place.”
  “Hey, stop your bitching.”
  (Para de reclamar)

Servant

• “You’re the boss’s little bitch aren’t you?”
  (Você é o peixe do chefe)

To yell and criticize.

• “My wife just bitched me out over the phone.”
  (Minha esposa encheu meu saco)

Cool / Fun

• “Dude, the party was bitching last night!
  (A festa foi do caralha)

Difficult

• “Life’s a bitch.”
  (A vida e uma merda)

As a response to a stupid comment.

• “Give me $20.”
  “Bitch please.”
  (porro que isso?)

The middle seat in a car.

• “Hey Jim, you’ve got to ride bitch because you’re the smallest.”

To slap someone with the back of your hand.

• “Did you see that?! She just got bitched slapped!”
  (um tapa)

Check out The Essential Guide to the Word BITCH for more info.

COCK / DICK

Definition

Cock can also be mean a male chicken (rooster), though it it’s not as common to use it this way. The most common use of cock for rooster is where two roosters fight each other, called cock fights.

Dick can be used to mean penis too, but it’s also short for the name Richard. I have no idea how they got that..

PG version – penis

Different Uses

To deny someone an opportunity to hook up with a girl.

• “Dude, that girl just grabbed her friend and took her away from.”
  “What a cock block.”
  (empata foda)

A mean or selfish person.

• “That dick took up two parking spots.”

SHIT

Definition

A vulgar word for fecal matter.

PG version – poop

Different Uses

Can mean horrible or great.

• “That movie was shit!” (uma bosta) and “that movie was the shit!” are opposites. When “the” is added into the front of “shit,” it becomes really good, the best of the best. Note that there is an emphasis on THE in “the shit.”

To be in an extremely bad situation.

• “That sounds horrible!”
  “Yeah, I was walking up shit creek.“

Expression of surprise, dismay.

• “(Holy) shit!”
  (nossa! / que porra)

To be extremely drunk

• “You seemed pretty drunk last night…”
  “Yeah, I was totally shit-faced.”
  (chapado)

An insulting way to say no.

• “Excuse me sir, would you mind filling out a quick survey?
  “Eat shit!”
  (vai se fuder)

To have no luck what-so-ever.

• “Oh no, my cell phone died!”
  “Damn, we’re shit out of luck!”
  (a gente ta fudido)

Someone who’s not very smart.

• “Hey dumb shit / shit for brains!“

Calm down, rise above your problems.

• “Stop crying, man. Get your shit together.”
  (vira homen / dar um jeito na sua vida)

Used in place of stuff / thing(s).

• [Looking for an email, but all you see is spam]
  “I ain’t got time for this shit!
  (não tem tempo para essa merda)

To express disbelief.

• “I have three girlfriends.”
  “Bullshit!”
  (mentira)

Small talk / not talking about anything important.

• “What were you guys talking about?”
  “Oh, we were just shooting the shit.”
  (falando merda)

Big trouble.

• “The cops are coming!”
  “Damn, we’re in deep shit.”
  (a gente está fadido)

Horrible.

• “Have you tried my casserole?
  “Yeah, it tastes like shit.”
  (tem gosto de cu)

To be very smart.

• “Damn, those Real Life guys really know their shit.”

To emphasize ton.

• “I got done a shit ton of work today.”

CUNT / PUSSY

Definition

Vulgar words for vagina. Cunt is a derogatory term for a woman, considered by many Americans to be the most offensive word in the English language—not the case for Australians, they frequently use the term. Pussy can also be used when talking about a “pussy cat.”

PG version – vagina

Different Uses

“What a pussy.” – means you are afraid, “what a chicken” has the same meaning without being vulgar.

“Shut up, you cunt.”

Fraud—”The car salesman fucked me over.” (me fudeu)
Dismay—”Ahh fuck it.” (foda se)
Trouble—”I guess I’m totally fucked now.” (estou fudido)
Aggression, pain—”Don’t fuck with me dude or I’ll fuck you up.” (não fode comigo)
Inquiry—Who the fuck was that? (Que porra que essa?)
Dissatisfaction—I don’t like what the fuck is going on right now.
Bewilderment—What the fuck? (que porra?)
Sex—”Hey baby, you wanna fuck?” (quer transar)
Stupidity—”What a dumb fuck” (que cara burro)
Misfortune—”That’s fucked up.”
Caring—”I don’t give a fuck about your problems.” (estou nem aí)
Agitation—”Hey stop fucking with me, it’s annoying.”
Dismissal—”Fuck off.” (vai se fuder)

Conclusion

Swear words can be fun, and funny, when used in the right context. Just be sensitive to the people around you when you say these words. And remember to practice with your friends to find out exactly how to use the different words. Okay mother fucker?? Let us know what you think, and how we are doing with our Portuguese translation of these delicate, hard to translate words.