Describing something that does not adhere to or employ the established, characteristic expressions, figures of speech, or phrasing of a particular language or style. It refers to the absence of common idioms or culturally specific phrases, often resulting in language that is more literal, direct, and less reliant on figurative language or established conventions. It prioritizes a straightforward and potentially universal mode of expression, avoiding expressions whose meaning is derived from specific contexts or cultural understandings. This is often encountered in translation, technical documentation, and certain forms of writing designed for global audiences or clarity.
Non-idiomatic meaning with examples
- The software documentation adopted a Non-idiomatic style, using clear, concise language instead of common programming idioms, making it easier for developers from various backgrounds to understand and implement the code. The focus was on accessibility over local context, as the international project used translations for each individual country.
- When translating the novel, the translator chose to render the dialogue in a Non-idiomatic way, replacing culturally-bound phrases with direct equivalents, sacrificing some of the original flavor for the sake of clarity, so it could be understood more broadly in many different languages, without significant loss of context.
- The artist’s style, although technically masterful, leaned towards a Non-idiomatic portrayal of emotion; instead of using expected symbolic imagery, they relied on direct representation, a way to express their art to every cultural perspective, thus making their work easier to grasp.
- The legal document was crafted in a Non-idiomatic fashion, precisely defining each term and avoiding any colloquialisms or regional phrases to prevent any ambiguity and potential for misinterpretation during any legal proceeding.
- Despite the richness of the original text, the chosen translation emphasized a Non-idiomatic approach, prioritizing the accurate conveyance of the information, even at the cost of capturing the specific nuance and colloquial tone of the native text.