Phraseological Units with a Numeral Component in English and Ukrainian: A Comparative Aspect

Abstract

It has been proven that phraseology is a linguistic science of phraseological units, which are stable, differently shaped units of language with a fixed meaning, constant composition, and indecomposable structure. Phraseology covers both a set of expressive means of language that are equivalent to words and a special language level whose units are not equivalent to words but only correlate with them. This understanding of a phraseological unit allows us to include in phraseology many clichés inherent in different literary styles, as well as literary quotations, catchphrases, folk proverbs, and sayings. However, such a definition of phraseology is not rigid enough, since it does not consider the structural and semantic differences between all types of phraseological units. It has been proven that phraseological units with numerals as secondary units represent deviations from the traditional structure and semantics of the original word combinations. The study of surface and deep structures is relevant, given the current importance of cognitive research and the explication of the nature of the human factor. Recognition of cognitive significance is quite relevant for their adequate reproduction in the target languages. They are characterized by linguistic stability and formal and semantic integrity. These units belong to linguistic constructions with the appropriate structure, semantics, and pragmatics. In contrast to variable phrases, these polysemous units are marked by bipolarity - open processes of convergence and divergence.