Phraseological modifications in colloquial Spanish: The case of readers’ comments in written sports media online.
Document Type
Paper Presentation
Presenter Language
Spanish
Research Area
Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis
Location
MBSC Gallery Room 308
Start Date
18-10-2024 9:30 AM
End Date
17-10-2024 10:00 AM
Abstract
Phraseology is a sub-field of Linguistics at the intersection between Lexis and Syntax. Broadly speaking, phraseologists are interested in the form, function, and use of multi-word expressions (e.g., ‘dumb as a rock’, ‘to hit on someone’, ‘and so on’, ‘for the record’, etc.). Phraseological units (henceforth PUs) are the object of study of phraseology. They are defined as a group of at least two words which displays some degree of fixedness, stability and, sometimes, idiomaticity. In this study, we understand PUs in the widest sense, that is, including not only prototypical PUs, but also any discursive sequence that has been conventionalized and are recognizable by the linguistic community as a fixed and often idiomatic structure (quotations, sayings, titles of literary works, movies, TV shows, commercial slogans, etc.). Even though fixedness and stability are distinctive features of PUs, phraseological modifications (henceforth, PM) constitute a valuable stylistic device in different genres and types of texts, resulting in the most creative area of phraseology (es para reír y no echar gota; lo que el arbitraje te da, el arbitraje te quita etc.). This study analyzes the manipulation of PUs in the readers´ comments section of Marca, the leading Spanish sports newspaper online, as participants follow national soccer games in real time. The goal is to assess the additional value that modifications bring to the user´s message. This involves identifying not only the number and types of PMs but also the effects these modifications achieve. We follow a pragmatic approach, and thus we focus on the illocutionary force of these PUs within the context in which they appear. Our preliminary analysis of the data indicates that commentators modify well established PUs for several reasons, including message intensification, mockery, or as a mere ludic resource. Phraseological studies often reveal cultural and sociolinguistic nuances embedded in language and highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of language. By examining PUs and their modifications, this research provides innovative insights into cultural values, beliefs, and social norms within a dynamic community of language users—readers of online sports media. Hence, this study offers a unique perspective on informal language use in real-time communication where participants engage almost simultaneously resembling face-to-face interactions despite being conducted over digital platforms.
Keywords: phraseological unit, modification, sports newspapers comments.
Phraseological modifications in colloquial Spanish: The case of readers’ comments in written sports media online.
MBSC Gallery Room 308
Phraseology is a sub-field of Linguistics at the intersection between Lexis and Syntax. Broadly speaking, phraseologists are interested in the form, function, and use of multi-word expressions (e.g., ‘dumb as a rock’, ‘to hit on someone’, ‘and so on’, ‘for the record’, etc.). Phraseological units (henceforth PUs) are the object of study of phraseology. They are defined as a group of at least two words which displays some degree of fixedness, stability and, sometimes, idiomaticity. In this study, we understand PUs in the widest sense, that is, including not only prototypical PUs, but also any discursive sequence that has been conventionalized and are recognizable by the linguistic community as a fixed and often idiomatic structure (quotations, sayings, titles of literary works, movies, TV shows, commercial slogans, etc.). Even though fixedness and stability are distinctive features of PUs, phraseological modifications (henceforth, PM) constitute a valuable stylistic device in different genres and types of texts, resulting in the most creative area of phraseology (es para reír y no echar gota; lo que el arbitraje te da, el arbitraje te quita etc.). This study analyzes the manipulation of PUs in the readers´ comments section of Marca, the leading Spanish sports newspaper online, as participants follow national soccer games in real time. The goal is to assess the additional value that modifications bring to the user´s message. This involves identifying not only the number and types of PMs but also the effects these modifications achieve. We follow a pragmatic approach, and thus we focus on the illocutionary force of these PUs within the context in which they appear. Our preliminary analysis of the data indicates that commentators modify well established PUs for several reasons, including message intensification, mockery, or as a mere ludic resource. Phraseological studies often reveal cultural and sociolinguistic nuances embedded in language and highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of language. By examining PUs and their modifications, this research provides innovative insights into cultural values, beliefs, and social norms within a dynamic community of language users—readers of online sports media. Hence, this study offers a unique perspective on informal language use in real-time communication where participants engage almost simultaneously resembling face-to-face interactions despite being conducted over digital platforms.
Keywords: phraseological unit, modification, sports newspapers comments.