组合性成语的生成及性质——以源于《论语》的成语为例

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

组合性成语是指字面意义和整体意义基本一致的成语,这些成语何以成为成语,很少有人关注,在认识成语的性质、确定成语与其他短语的划界等方面,很多纠缠不清的问题都涉及到这类成语。本文以源于《论语》的成语为例,讨论了组合性成语的生成及性质,指出意义上的去情节化、去指称化,概念化的整体性以及形式上的四字格、组成语素的非自由性是成语的重要特征,也是组合性成语区别于自由短语和惯用语的重要特征。

Compound idioms refer to idioms whose literal meaning is basically consistent with their in-tended 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 idi-oms are always related to a host of perplexing problems.Based on the idioms in The Analects of Confu-cius, 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.