DECLARATIVE VERBS AND BODY PARTS IN ROMANIAN AND FRENCH IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS

Abstract

This study analyzes speech acts through body-based idiomatic expressions in Romanian and French, drawing on Speech Act Theory developed by Austin and Searle. The analysis focuses on assertive, directive, commissive, and expressive acts. In both languages, idioms frequently involve speech organs such as the mouth and tongue, emphasizing the embodied nature of communication. Expressive acts are the most productive, conveying emotions and attitudes through vivid bodily imagery. While Romanian often highlights verbal pressure and confrontation,
French tends to emphasize vocal and expressive dimensions. Body-based idioms are therefore shown to concretely represent speech acts and reflect cultural differences in communicative conceptualization.