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The Play of Familiarity and Predictability in English Business Idioms

Author

Listed:
  • Alexandra-Lavinia Istratie-Macarov

    (“Ovidius†University of Constanta)

  • Alina Leonte

    (“Ovidius†University of Constanta)

Abstract

This study looks at the use of idioms by Romanian business students learning English as asecond language. An experiment has been conducted, in which 119 students of economic scienceswere given the task to match 20 idioms to contexts in which they may be used (short sentences fromwhich the idiom had been removed). The students were explained beforehand that each idiommatches one sentence, that all sentences are taken from business contexts and that none of theidioms is used literally. They were also asked to rate the degree of their familiarity with the idiom(1 – Familiar, 2 – Less familiar, 3 – Unfamiliar). The purpose of the study was to restrict thestudents from reverting to the literal meaning of the idioms and from decomposing them, in orderto determine the play of familiarity and predictability in identifying the meaning of idioms.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra-Lavinia Istratie-Macarov & Alina Leonte, 2016. "The Play of Familiarity and Predictability in English Business Idioms," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(2), pages 223-226, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:ovi:oviste:v:xvi:y:2016:i:2:p:223-226
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    Cited by:

    1. Nădrag Lavinia & Buzarna-Tihenea (Gălbează) Alina, 2017. "Teaching ESP through the Internet. Case Study," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(1), pages 183-188, June.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    idiom; predictability; familiarity; business; ESL;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate

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