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8. Певцова С.В. Особенности редакторской подготовки переводных изданий факсимильного типа / С.В. Певцова // Вестник МГУП. - 2013. - № 8. -С. 126-134.
THE MEANING, USAGE AND TRANSLATION OF ENGLISH «FOOT» IDIOMS INTO TURKISH
© Oktay Chetin1
Osh state university, Kyrgyz Republic, Osh city
As a body part foot is one of the most important organs of human being. We stand, walk and continue life by using our feet. This article may be accepted as a short comparative study which deals with the meaning of «foot» between the selected English and Turkish idioms. In addition, the article focuses on the similarities, differences in meaning, images and syntactical complex of both languages. Finally, the article touches upon the translation of English foot idioms into Turkish.
Key words: idiom, foot, human body, English, Turkish, comparative, study, language, Similarities, differences in meaning, images, syntactical complex.
Idioms occupy a very important place in our life. We usually express our feelings and expectations effectively by using the idioms. In other words, idioms encompass our life from all its aspects. The different situations of our daily life can be better communicated and described by the contribution of the idioms. It means that consciously or unconsciously, we often use them in the different walks of social life.
As a natural bridge idioms carry the old traditions of a nation to present day and teach them to new generation with beautiful, attractive, short and effective expression.
In addition, idioms are limitless treasure of moral and traditional values. Therefore, it can be said that all nations more or less learn some historical, cultural and traditional principles from the idioms. Hence, idioms may be accepted as important chain of advises for a nation from the ancestors.
An idiom may be defined as follows:
«idiom is an expression that cannot be readily understood according to the actual meanings of the words in the expression» [Wanda Kelly, Stephanie Bueh-ler, America Teachers Created Recourses, 2011. Page 36].
1 Старший преподаватель.
«idiom is the mode of language used by a particular people or by an individual» [Cunningham W.T. The Nelson Contemporary English Dictionary, Nelson Thornes Publications, 1977. Page 258].
«idiom is a combination of fixed words which, ease speech and writing and sometimes can not be understood logically» [Qotuksoken, Yusuf, Deyimlerimiz, Ozgul Yayinlan Egitim ve Ogretimde Kaynak Kitaplar Dizisi, istanbul, 1992].
«idiom is a traditional way of saying something» [Hirsch Eric Donald, Trefil Joseph F. Kett, James S. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Printing, 2002. Page 154].
All the given definitions show that, idioms are not only a simple group of words or kinds of fixed metaphorical structures but they are also colourful part of tradition.
No doubt dealing with the idioms give a fresh imputes to the developments of literature. However, idioms are not always transparent the richness and the figurative meaning of idioms prevent even the native speakers of language from proper understanding of them. Therefore, at times, idioms are understood in their literal meaning and at times, they should be understood metaphorically without losing the connection of their literal forms.
As a body part foot is one of the most important organs of human being. We stand on, walk and continue life by using our feet. This article may be accepted as a short comparative study which deals with the meaning of «foot» between the selected English and Turkish idioms. In order to indicate the similarities and differences, first of all an English idiom was given on the top as a source, after that either Turkish idiom or its translation into English was written. Then similarities and differences in meanings, images, and syntactical complex elaborated. Furthermore, translation cases of English idioms into Turkish were analysed. Finally, the usage of English and Turkish idioms demonstrated with examples.
English and Turkish 'foot' idioms;
- Land on one's feet - Dort ayak ustune du§mek - (Land /fall on one's four feet).
Meaning of English idiom: «Come out of a bad situation successfully. To be luckily» [Holleman John, American English Idiomatic Expressions in 52 Weeks, Chinese University Press, 2006. Page 78].
Meaning of Turkish idiom: «to get rid of all unsecure and bad situations successfully» [Asim Bezirci, Deyimlerimizin sozlugu, Genda§ Yayinevi, istanbul, 1990. Page 126].
English and Turkish idioms focus on a critical and bad situation that was normalized by successful and lucky person. Both idioms describe a person who is lucky and succeeds to change all negative factors to his benefit. Actually, English idiom depicts the situation by using the image of «on feet» However, to demonstrate the definite success, Turkish idiom use the image of «on four feet» with two more additional metaphor. In Turkish tradition it is very common to say «you fell
on your four feet like a cat» to those who always escape dangerous situation. Finally, it can be said that both idioms have the same meaning and nearly same images.
Syntactical complex of the idioms:
English = V + PP + Possessive + N; Turkish = Adj + N + PP + V
Translation: Despite having different syntactical complex English idiom finds its meaning in Turkish. Also the additional two more feet in Turkish idiom do not cause English to miss any meaning.
English example: «Her first year was terrible, but she landed on both feet» [Spears Richard A, Kirkpatrick Betty, ingilizce Deyimler Sozlugu, ALFA Basim, 2000, istanbul. Page 188].
Turkish example: «Sen onun igin merak etme! O, her zaman dort ayak ustune du§er» [Hamidoglu Fethi Gozler, Ornekleriyle Turkgemizin agiklamali Buyuk Deyimler Sozlugu, inklap ve Aka kitapevleri, 1975, istanbul. Page 136].
- Stand on one's own two feet - Kendi ayaklari ustunde durmak - (Stand on one's own feet).
Meaning of English idiom: «To manage one's own affairs without help» [McLaren Elizabeth, Kirkpatrick C.M. Schwarz, The Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms, Chambers Harrap Publishres, 1993, UK. Page 112].
Meaning of Turkish idiom: «To do all tasks without getting the help of others» [http://www.tdk.gov.tr].
Above given English and Turkish idioms figuratively describe the self-sufficient person who does everything without anybody's contribution. It can be said that both idioms use the same images. Despite the similarities between the images of the idioms English particularly focuses on two feet while Turkish remarks it generally as feet.
Syntactical complex of the idioms:
English = V + PP + Possessive + Determiner + Adj + N; Turkish = Pron + N + + PP + V.
Translation: In the case of translation English idiom «Stand on one's own two feet» finds its equivalent in Turkish as «Kendi ayaklari ustunde durmak» Both idioms share the same meaning however, in this translation «two feet» doesn't find its equivalent in Turkish. As a result of that, English loses meaning of «two» which doesn't make any important difference in meaning. It can be said that translation is not complete but only caught its meaning in Turkish.
English example: «and now he is standing on his own two feet» [Thom Dworsky, Interior Fields, Lulu.com, 2013. Page 125].
Turkish example: «O iyiyi, guzeli ve faydaliyi nereden ve kimden olursa ol-sun almak ama kendi oz degerleri ile kendi ayaklari ustunde durmak taraftaridir» [Mehmed Akif edebi ve fikri akimlar, Turkiye Yazarlar Birligi, 2009. Page 72].
- Put one's foot down-Ayak diremek (Drag one S foot (as resistance)).
Meaning of English idiom: «To be strict or firm» [Heinemann English Dictionary, CTPS, China, 2001. Page 393].
Meaning of Turkish idiom: «to be strict» [Ali Puskulluoglu, Arkada§ Turkge sozluk, Arkada§ Yayinevi, Ankara 1994. Page 306].
As we know the people have different dispositions. In accordance with their nature some of them soft while others very strict and hard in their relations. English and Turkish idioms figuratively describe the strict nature of a person who is very firm. English idiom demonstrates the strict personality by using the image of «putting foot down» On the other hand, Turkish idiom expresses the same character by using the image of « dragging foot» no doubt both idiom express the same situation but in different images.
Syntactical complex of the idioms:
English = V + Possessive + N + Adv; Turkish = N + V
Translation: English idiom «Put one's foot down» finds its equivalent «Ayak diremek -Drag one's foot (as resistance)» If we take a look on the Turkish equivalent It only reflects the general meaning of strict personality. Different images, language structures and cultural differences between British and Turkish nations allow only meaning - based translation.
English example: «He'd tell that when she got back; put his foot down and forbid these annual trips to Marietta» [Butler Mary Anne, Broken Country-Broken Soldier, Fireship Press, Newyork, 2009. Page 174].
Turkish example: «Ey bir i§e yaramaz adam! §eytan huyunda ayak direyip §eytanla§inca senden §eytan da kagmaktadir» [Jalal al-Din Rumi, Mesnevi, Milli Egitim Basimevi, 1960. Volume 1. Page 150].
- Have one foot in the grave - Bir ayagi gukurda olmak: (Have one foot in the hole).
Meaning of English idiom: «At the very verge of death» [Brewer Ebenezer Cobham, Wordsworth Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, Wordsworth Editions, Great Britain, 2001. Page 500].
Meaning of Turkish idiom: «to be very close to death. Used old people» [Omer Asim Aksoy, Atasozleri ve deyimler sozlugu, Ankara Universitesi Basimevi, 1971. Page 642].
The above given idioms figuratively express the physical condition of an old person who supposed to be very close to death. Actually, both idioms have the same meaning but different images. In other words, both idioms used the different metaphors. For instance, to express the death English idiom used «grave» as a metaphor. On the other hand, Turkish idiom used «hole» as a metaphor for the same purpose. In Turkish culture having one foot in hole means somebody's death is very soon.
Syntactical complex of the idioms:
English = PP + Adj + N + Preposition + N; Turkish = Adj + N + Adv + V
Translation: Despite differences in syntactical complex and images English idiom finds its meaning in Turkish. The differences between the used metaphors as «grave» and «hole» doesn't cause any missing in meaning.
English example: «stop talking like an old man who has one foot in the grave» [John Marriott, Desperado's Woman, Trafford Publishing, US, 2012. Page 132].
Turkish example: «Esasen efendisinin ölümünden sonra onun da artik bir ayagi Qukurda sayilir» [Berkand Muazzez Tahsin. Sevgim ve gururum, inkilap ve Aka Kitabevleri, 1976. Page 171].
- Shoot oneself in the foot - Kendi ayagina sikmak - Shoot oneself in the foot.
Meaning of English idiom: «To carelessly or foolishly damage one's own interests» [Brenner Gail, Webster's New World American Idioms, Wiley publishing, Indianapolis, 2003. Page 89].
Meaning of Turkish idiom: «To harm one's own benenfits» [Mehmet kara, Deyimler Sözlügü, Nesil Basim Yayin A.§, 2014].
English and Turkish idioms focus on the behaviour of a person who stupidly harm his own future benefits. Actually, the careless behaviour of a foolish one is beautifully depict by English and Turkish idioms. Both idioms used the image of «shooting oneself in foot» In fact, the «foot» is a metaphor that symbolizes the benefit of person. In the case of shooting literally in the foot man falls down. On the contrary, if the shooting is figuratively then man loses the benefits.
Syntactical complex of the idioms:
English = V + Pronoun + Preposition + N; Turkish = Pronoun + N + V
Translation: Similarities in meaning and images between the two languages ease the translation of the English idiom into Turkish without losing or missing its complete meaning.
English example: «We have discussed these matters before, and I feel you shoot yourself in the foot» [Homer Frederic D. The Interpretation of Illness, Purdue University Press, 1988, USA, Page 134].
Turkish example:»Aydinlanmanin aklini sinirlamakla kendi ayagina bir kur§un sikmak e§ anlamdadir» [Bayram Kaya, Türk felsefe tarihi, Asya §afak Yayinlari, istanbul, 2005. Page 325].
Table 1
English idiom Turkish idiom Translation to Turkish-Turkish equivalent Similarity in meaning Similarity in images Similarity in translation Similarity in syntactical complex
Land on one's feet Dort ayak üstü-ne dü§mek Land/fall on one's four feet + + English: V+PP+Possessive+N Turkish: Adj+N+PP+V
Stand on one's own two feet Kendi ayaklari üstünde durmak Stand on one's own feet + + English: V+PP+Possessive+Determiner+Adj+N Turkish: Pron+N+PP+V
Put one's foot down Ayak diremek Drag one's foot + English: V+Possessive+N+Adv Turkish: N+V
Have one foot in the grave Bir ayagi fukur-da olmak Have one foot in the hole + English: PP+Adj+N+Prep+N Turkish: Adj+N+Adv+V
Shoot oneself in the foot Kendi ayagina sikmak Shoot oneself in the foot + + + English: V+Pronoun+ Prep+N Turkish: Pronoun+N+V
To sum up:
Similarities and differences between English and Turkish idioms were elaborated in this article. It can be said that we observed remarkably similarities in meaning, images. However, due to some peculiarities of both English and Turkish no any similarities found in syntactical complex.
The translation of English idioms into Turkish demonstrated the possibility of the translation of idioms into different languages only by using the language universals and similar elements present in target language. In the end, it can be said that the literal translation of idioms will make no any sense in target language.
The table 1 displays the similarities and differences.
Bibliography:
1. Wanda Kelly, relheuB einahpetS, emAraci esruoceR detaerC srehcaeT, Page 36.
2. Cunningham W.T. The Nelson Contemporary English Dictionary, Nelson Thornes Publications, 1977. Page 258.
3. Qotuksoken, Yusuf, Deyimlerimiz, Ozgul Yayinlan Egitim ve Ogretimde Kaynak Kitaplar Dizisi, istanbul, 1992.
4. Hirsch Eric Donald, Trefil Joseph F. Kett, James S. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Printing, 2002. Page 154.
5. Holleman John, American English Idiomatic Expressions in 52 Weeks, Chinese University Press, 2006. Page 78.
6. Asim Bezirci, Deyimlerimizin sozlugu, Genda§ Yayinevi, istanbul, 1990, Page 126.
7. Spears Richard A., Kirkpatrick Betty, ingilizce Deyimler Sozlugu, ALFA Basim, 2000, istanbul. Page 188.
8. Hamidoglu Fethi Gozler, Ornekleriyle Turkgemizin agiklamali Buyuk Deyimler Sozlugu, inklap ve Aka kitapevleri, 1975. istanbul. Page 136.
9. McLaren Elizabeth, Kirkpatrick, C.M. Schwarz. The Wordsworth Dictionary of Idioms, Chambers Harrap Publishres, 1993, UK. Page 112.
10. Thom Dworsky, Interior Fields. Lulu.com, 2013. Page 125.
11. Mehmed Akif edebi ve fikri akimlar, Turkiye Yazarlar Birligi, 2009. Page 72.
12. Heinemann English Dictionary. CTPS, China, 2001. Page 393.
13. Ali Puskulluoglu, Arkada§ Turkge sozluk, Arkada§ Yayinevi, Ankara 1994. Page 306.
14. Butler Mary Anne, Broken Country-Broken Soldier, Fireship Press, New York, 2009. Page 174.
15. Jalal al-Din Rumi, Mesnevi, Milli Egitim Basimevi. 1960. Volume 1. Page 150.
16. Brewer Ebenezer Cobham, Wordsworth Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, Wordsworth Editions, Great Britain, 2001. Page 500.
