Phraseology across continents

Abstract

Phrasemes appear in many forms of discourse, and it is often assumed that native speakers of the same language in different countries will recognize, and probably use, the same phrasemes (Svensén 2009). It is also assumed that native speakers will interpret the same phrasemes in the same way. This view, however, fails to consider regional differences and age, frequently neglected in the literature. The following study examined phraseme familiarity, interpretation and use by different age groups in the UK and Australia over a nine month period in 2008. The data revealed that while there were many differences in phraseme familiarity and use, there was more similarity within age groups than within the same country. Interpretation also varied between age groups. A generational model of phraseme recognition and use is thus more accurate than a regional model, and reflects the differing cultures of varying speech communities.