An Analysis Of Idioms With Symmetrical Numerals

As one type of idioms, Idioms with Symmetrical Numerals have its distinct linguistic features and being considered as a special linguistic phenomenon. This thesis chooses Idioms with Symmetrical Numerals in Xinhua Idioms Dictionary complied by Wen Duanzheng as research subjects and conducts quantitative study, the result of which shows that in total there are459numeral idioms, among them237are Idioms with Symmetrical Numerals, taking up about51.6percent.This thesis analyzes idioms from grammatical structure, semantics and pragmatics perspectives. It aims at providing benefits to people’s daily expressions and linguistic researches on numerals idioms after analyzing those Idioms with Symmetrical Numerals.From the perspective of grammatical structure, Idioms with Symmetrical Numerals with Bilingual quarter paratactic numerals are the main format. In paratactic idioms, numerals are easier to appear in pairs to form symmetry and make its structure in balance. As for its internal structure, it is abundant in format, such as subject-predicate and verb-object structure. Among them, single quarter idioms appear most with coalition and subject-predicate, while Bilingual quarter paratactic numerals with M-D coalition, subject-predicate coalition.Form the angle of semantics, it is distinctive in using numerals metaphor and metonymy. Statuette common sense has its great importance in understanding Idioms with Symmetrical Numerals. From the aspect of emotions, though derogatory idioms account for a half, neutral and commendatory Idioms with Symmetrical Numerals follow an increasing tendency. From the semantic side of the format of symmetrical numerals, this thesis lists and analyzes all symmetrical ones, and it finds that "yi......yi" and " qian......wan " are the two most common types.On the pragmatic side, this thesis discusses the structural flexibility and productivity as well as rhetorical devices in use of Idioms with Symmetrical Numerals. The structural flexibility and productivity is elaborated by the relationship between formal format and informal format. Formal format and informal format can achieve transformation by changing sequence, substitution, adding constituents and lessening constituents, among which substitution is the most common one. Rhetorical devices are illustrated from pronunciation, syntax and clause aspects. Five-six-seven foot Idioms with Symmetrical Numerals occupies the most, and collocation idioms with level and oblique tones are predominant in Bilingual quarter idioms. As for its application of figures of speech, dual lattice and mubalagha are the most common rhetorical devices in Idioms with Symmetrical Numerals.