idiomia

Idiomia is a term used in some linguistic discussions to denote the study and analysis of idioms and idiomatic expressions, within a language or across languages. It examines how figurative meanings are formed, how idioms are stored and retrieved in memory, and how they interact with syntax, culture, and translation. The term is not universally standardized and often appears alongside idiomology, idiomatology, or more general phraseology.

Etymologically, idiomia is a neologism formed from the combining form idio- with a generic -ia suffix for fields of study. It aims to distinguish idiom-focused inquiry from general lexicology, though in practice many scholars treat its concerns under phraseology or figurative language studies. The scope includes fixed expressions, semi-fixed expressions, and the mapping of idioms across languages.

Research topics include semantic opacity, metaphorical extension, fixedness, and cultural references embedded in idioms. Examples like "kick the bucket" or "spill the beans" illustrate meanings not deducible from components, and analysts consider cross-linguistic equivalents and translation challenges.

Methodologically, idiomia draws on corpus linguistics, historical linguistics, psycholinguistic processing studies, and cross-cultural surveys to inventory idioms, trace semantic changes, and assess translation strategies.

Reception is limited; many scholars view idiomia as a niche label or prefer terms such as phraseology or figurative language studies. As a result, the term has not achieved widespread standardization in major linguistic references.

See also: idiom, phraseology, set expression, collocation, metaphor, cross-cultural translation.