PRAGMATIC AND FUNCTIONAL USES OF IDIOMS
Pragmatic and functional uses of idioms

Summary/Abstract: The paper discusses some characteristics of idiomatic expressions, considered a subtype of multi-word units or phraseological units. The paper is structured in two parts: the first part gives a brief overview of the definition, meaning, structure and typology of idioms, while the second part deals with some of their pragmatic and functional aspects. The analysis of pragmatic idioms points out a few salient features, such as: their occurrence is determined by a particular social situation, the importance of the context of situation for their correct interpretation, their function sometimes overrides their meaning. Some idiomatic expressions are used to perform communicative functions (speech acts) of various kinds, such as greetings, making comments, recommendations, or issuing warnings, prohibitions, etc.

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