组合性成语的生成及性质――以源于《论语》的成语为例

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 intended 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 idioms are always related to a host of perplexing problems. Based on the idioms in The Analects of Confucius, 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