Problems of Phraseological Modification

The designative & expressive functions of phraseologisms are discussed, noting that phrases are basically expressive. The ambiguity of phraseologisms is exemplified with German material. Modification of phrases is accomplished by substitution (the replacement of one or more of its constituents) & expansion. Text-related substitutions are characterized & the replacement of basic constituents by synonyms, antonyms, or hyperonyms in paradigmatic substitution is discussed in detail. The expansion of phrases by means of the extension of adjectival, adverbial, or nominal attributes is studied. Both types of modification fill the gaps in the designative & expressive potentials of a lang, contributing to the formation of potential lexical units, & the enrichment of the informational & cohesive dimensions of a text. Z. Dubiel