Elaboration on Production of Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions by ESL Learners

Abstract

Learning a language implies learning both, its literal and figurative elements. Idioms, as figurative expressions in language, are considered as very important part of communication, since they are commonly and very often used in English language in speaking and writing, as well as in formal and informal context. The aim of this paper is to present results of a study which purpose is aimed to investigate whether there is a correlation between idioms knowledge and idioms production. The study is conducted at International Burch University on the multicultural students of English Language and Literature Department on the assumption that even if learners of ESL are being taught and exposed to hear idioms, understand them and are aware of their importance, still, they are reserved when it comes to their usage in communication. Answers have been sought on the following research questions: Can students recognize idioms? Do students understand idioms? Do students use idioms in their communication? We have seen that participants despite their awareness don’t use as much idioms while communicating, speaking or writing which all require productive language skills. It may be the result of lack of exposure to English in its cultural environment.

Keywords

• figurative expressions, idioms knowledge, idioms production

İngilizce'yi Yabancı Dil Olarak Öğrenen Öğrencilerin Deyimleri Kullanmalarının Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Bir dilin tam olarak bilinmesi o dile ait kelimelerin gerçek ve mecazi anlamlarıyla birlikte bilinmesidengeçmektedir. Deyimler mecazi anlam açısından iletişimin çok önemli bir parçası olarak kabul edilir. İngilizce’de deyimler hem resmi ve günlük yaşamda ve hem de konuşma ve yazma alanında yaygın ve çoksıklıkla kullanılmatadırlar. Araştırmamızı Uluslararası Burç Üniversitesi’nin İngilizce Öğretmenliğibölümünde okuyan İngilizce deyimleri ders içi ve dışında kullandığnı düşündügümüz cok milletten oluşanöğrenci topluluğına uyguladık. Gelen sonuçları araştırma sorularımızla değerlendirmeye çalıştık: Öğrenciler deyimleri fark edebiliyorlar mı? Öğrenciler deyimleri anlayabiliyorlar mı? Öğrenciler deyimleri günlükkonuşmalarında kullanabiliyorlar mı? Araştırma sonucunda şunu gördük ki katılımcılar deyimlerinfarkında olsalar da anlasalar da günlük kullanımlarında, yazmalarında ve konuşmalarında İngilizcedeyimleri kullanmamaktadırlar. Bunun da katılımcıların İngiliz kültürüne aşinalıklarının eksikliğindenkaynaklanbileceğini düşünmekteyiz.

Keywords

• Deyimler, mecazi anlam, iletişim, günlük konuşma, farkındalık..

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