THE ROLE OF SOMATIC IDIOMS IN CHARACTER SPEECH IN GERMAN NOVELS

Abstract

This article examines the role of somatic idioms in character speech in German novels, highlighting their significance in characterization, emotional intensification, and socio-communicative interaction. Somatic idioms, understood as idiomatic expressions involving body parts, are deeply rooted in embodied cognition and cultural metaphors. Drawing on examples from works such as Thomas Mann’s Buddenbrooks, Alfred Döblin’s Berlin Alexanderplatz, Erich Maria Remarque’s Arc de Triomphe, and Günter Grass’s Die Blechtrommel, the study demonstrates how these idioms reflect social class distinctions, intensify psychological portrayal, and enrich dialogue with irony and humor. The findings suggest that somatic idioms serve not only as linguistic ornaments but also as powerful tools that make character speech more authentic, emotionally charged, and culturally grounded.