33
Excerpt [2]
The other pure idiom in the subtitles is
having a ball
as shown in Excerpt [2]
.
In its literal meaning,
having
means to own or possess something and
ball
means a round object that is usually used in the sport. The idiom does not make sense if it is translated literally into
memiliki sebuah bola
. The meaning of the idiom is not to possess a round object, but is to enjoy yourself a lot. The elements
which construct the idiom have lost their literal meaning. The idiom in the subtitles was used by Ben to tell Molly what he felt about his life. He enjoyed his
life as a senior intern in About The Fit.
2. Semi-idioms
According to Fernando 1996, semi-idioms are made up from one or more literal elements and at least one figurative element. Figurative elements cannot be
translated literally. Fernando 1996 also states that semi-idioms may have lexical variations.
Table 4.2 Percentage of Types of Semi-idioms
No Figures of Speech Frequency
Percentage
1 Simile
1 0.8
2 Metaphor
26 20
3 Metonymy
4 3.1
4 Hyperbole
3 2.3
Total 34
26.2
In the findings, the researcher finds thirty four semi-idioms. These semi- idioms are included in simile, metaphor, metonymy, and hyperbole.
Excerpt from 01:21:30,121 01:21:41,164
Ben : Im currently working as an intern, having a ball. And
the best news is, I have a crush on a girl I met at work.
Molly : Im sorry you lost your wife. A110
34
a Simile
Simile compares two different objects with at least one common characteristic Wren Martin, 2000. Wales 2011 notes
as
and
like
are the most common connectives used in simile. There is one semi-idiom which is identified
as simile in the movie.
Excerpt [3]
In Excerpt [3], Ben compared
the nowhere-to-be-thing
with
a ton of bricks.
The nowhere-to-be-thing
means the feeling of emptiness and loneliness. The idiom
a ton of bricks
is interpreted as heavy things. In this context, Ben had a heavy thing with him which was the burden of being alone. Ben felt it was hard to
be alone after his wife passed away. Besides, if someone is hit with
a ton of bricks
, the person can be hurt
.
Therefore, the idiom
like a ton of bricks
indicates how hard, heavy, and hurt to be alone is.
b Metaphor
O‟Dell and McCarthy 2010 state that metaphor is a figure of speech that describes two things which have the same qualities or characteristics. Different
from simile, metaphor does not use explicit markers such as
like
and as. It implies as if two things are one. Metaphor can also be found in the form of phrasal verbs
Knowles Moon, 2006.
Excerpt from 00:01:39,435 00:01:44,605
Ben : The problem was, no matter where I went, as soon as I
got home, the nowhere-to-be thing hit me like a ton of bricks.
B1
35
Excerpt [4]
The example of a metaphor that compares two things is I’m just a big bowl
of mush
. Ben compared himself to mush. Mush is a type of thick porridge made from corn. The characteristic of mush is soft. Ben described himself as mush
which is soft. In this case, soft can mean sensitive and emotional. Therefore, Ben used metaphor to show Jules that he was a sensitive and emotional man.
Excerpt [5]
Excerpt [6]
The next examples of semi-idioms which are categorized as metaphor are shown in Excerpt [5] and [6]. The idioms are
keep up
and
stay up.
As seen in Excerpt [5] and [6], the words
keep
and
stay
still maintain their literal meaning. Both words mean to remain in a particular place and condition.
These idioms can be traced by finding metaphor in the form of phrasal verbs.
Up
is a prepositional particle which literally means towards or in a higher position. However, the idiom
keep up
does not mean to continue going to a high position. Based on the context of the conversation,
keep up
means to continue
Excerpt from 00:24:18,759 00:24:25,098
Jules : We hit our five-year goal in nine months. Cameron: Exactly. Jules, we cant keep up with our own success.
B7
Excerpt from 00:39:07,680 00:39:11,050
Matt : I tried to stay up.
Jules : I know. B12
Excerpt from 01:31:22,214 01:31:25,748
Ben : Im just a big bowl of mush.
Jules : I know that. B29
