The Category of Time in English , Russian and French Phraseology

In the paper we make an attempt to analyze linguistic and cultural descriptions of phraseological units of English, Russian and French reflecting the category of time. In the study of each language about 200 of phraseological units associated with the category of time were taken, which were divided into 5 groups representing different phraseo-semantic concepts. We have carried out a semantic analysis of the data of phraseological units identified by national-cultural peculiarities of expression of time category. The results can be used in the practice of teaching English, Russian and French as foreign languages, in courses on linguistics, and are also taken into account compiling dictionaries.


Introduction
The perception of time, accuracy and punctuality, the desire to do things consistently or constantly switch from one to another, the value of time -these and many other features and aspects concerning time, fundamentally different in different parts and regions of the world.This work contributes areas of social and humanitarian knowledge, cultural studies and linguistics studying the relationship and interaction of language and culture.At the present stage of linguistics much attention is paid to comparative analysis of languages.
Many scientific schools and scientists recognize time as one of the basic universals of culture.
There are differences in the perception of the category of time in different linguistic cultures, as in the modern world there is a clear separation of cultures on monochronic in which the main emphasis is on individual achievement and work with formal data as well as polychronic, where there is an emphasis on developing interpersonal relations and dealing with people.
The aim of the study: the identification and description of the ways, expressing the category of time in the phraseological units (PUs) in English, Russian and French.
The object of the study has the following objectives in accordance with the aim: to study and carry out a semantic analysis of the PUs which expresses the category of tense in English, Russian and French; to identify national-cultural peculiarities of PUs in terms of the category of time.The theoretical base for the study was the work of Russian and foreign scientists who have made significant contributions to elaboration of the problem: Arsentyeva, 2016;Vinogradov, 1977, Kunin, 2005;Maslova, 2004;Teliya, 1996;Wierzbicka, 1992;O'Dell & McCarthy, 2010;Lakoff. & Johnson, 1980;Glucksberg, 1993;Makkai, 1987;Cacciari &Tabossi, 1988 and so on.

Theoretical Framework and
PUs were selected from several phraseological dictionaries, forming a semantic field of time.
The term semantic field is a set of language units united in a certain common component of value -semantic sign.The semantic field including PUs linked by a categorical value -the temporality, is called "phraseo-semantic group".In this study, the time category was considered as the basic semantic component.
The presence of the key words in the language is an important principle linking the culture of the people with the lexical language structure.Precisely key words can give an idea about a particular culture.This concept is used to transmit subtle shades of meaning in different languages.Wierzbicka (1992) states that every language has its own set of lexicalized concepts and offers its own categorization and interpretation of the world.She claims that the concepts are needed to explain and describe surrounding reality with the help of "keywords" of the language (1992,1999).Wierzbicka (1992) suggested about 60 universal semantic elements: movement, action, life, death, possession, speech, similarity, space and time, the key words of this category are "before, after, now, long, long time and some time".
The national identity of the concepts is the most clearly manifested in the presence of nonequivalent concepts in national sphere of concepts.The nonequivalent concepts can be identified through the non-equivalent linguistic units.The non-equivalent unit is always an indicator of the presence of some uniqueness, the national identity of the concept in the minds of the people (Nagumanova, Gainullina, & Shemshurenko 2017).

Methods of study
The specific nature of the material under study and the assigned tasks have determined the choice of methods of the linguistic analysis.The main methods used in the work are: the comparative-typological method, the method of a component analysis, as well as the inductive method in identifying and interpreting the national-cultural specifics of PUs characterizing time.

Semantic analysis of phraseological units of time
In our study, with the purpose of carrying out a semantic analysis of English, Russian and French PUs expressing the category of time, the following phraseo-semantic groups were formed, expressing concepts: early -late; the past -the future, always -never; now -later; long -fast.
1.In the studied languages, the concept of "early" is of great importance, especially in business.Time is always appreciated very highly, so working people do not waste it in vain.
As a rule, such PUs get a positive evaluation in these languages, confirming the value of time.
To express the concept "early" in the English, Russian and French cultures, images such as the sun, dawn, birds are used: a cock, a lark and a chicken.In these languages, there is no particular difference between PU expressing the concept "early".
PUs with the concept "late" have often a negative connotation -inaction, fatigue or delay in the given languages.
2. In the English, Russian and French languages, there is a tendency to hyperbolize the prescription of events.If it is necessary to show that the event took place a long time ago, historical events, names from fairy tales or the Bible are most often used, and also differences in constituent images are observed.
To express the concepts of "the past", "long ago" the following PUs exist in these languages: 1) for ages (амер. in ages)целую вечность, не помню и когда -cela fait un bail/ une paye; 2) the good old daysстарое доброе время -bon vieux temps; 3) in the days of old/ in olden days; in the days of yoreв былые времена, в старину, во время оно -de longue date and etc. Specific realities are used to refer to the past, such as proper names, which can only be understood in the context of a particular culture: when queen Anne was alive, when Adam was a boy; в незапамятные времена, во времена царя Гороха, Адамовы веки; dans des temps antйdiluviens and etc. PUs expressing the concept of "recently" are not well spread in English, Russian and French, in general, they are interpreted negatively.Such connotation emphasizes the conservatism of people, the preference for the stability of life, and also the cautious attitude to the new in these cultures.
Representatives of monochronic cultures are characterized by a significant number of idioms expressing the future because the English and French live for the future, unlike the Russian rather polychronic culture.Such PUs are characterized by a positive evaluation such as: 1) par le temps qui court; 3) time and tide wait for no man, time pressesвремя не ждет, время не позволяет -le temps presse, il n'est que temps и т.д.
In the compared cultures delay in the performance of work, postponement of important cases for later, idleness or laziness are condemned.
The following PUs have the meaning "in time": 1) to the minute, in time, on timeточно, пунктуально, минута в минутуbien а l'heure, а temps; 2) to the (very) momentточно в указанный срока l'heure indiquйe; 3) in due timeкак нельзя кстати, минута в минуту fort а propos and etc.Such qualities as accuracy and punctuality of business and the principle of "time is money" are highly valued in Western culture, especially in business.
The PUs denote the notions of "later" and " untimely": 1) there is no hurry, there is plenty of timeвремя терпит -avoir assez de temps; 2) praise a fair day at night; never fry a fish till it is caughtцыплят по осени считают; не дели шкуру неубитого медведя -il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué, il ne faut pas se moquer des chiens avant qu'on ne soit hors du village, and etc.
In English, Russian and French cultures the following PUs have the negative connotation with the meaning of untimely action.Representatives of monochronic cultures, known for their conservatism, prefer stability and are wary of unexpected events even to the arrival of uninvited guests.
5. PUs that reflect the concept of "long -fast" in English, Russian and French have both positive and negative connotations.Examples of PUs that express the concept of "long" can be: 1) as long as Jared/as old as Jared -Аредовы векивge de Yared, vieux comme Yared; 2) as long as Methuselah/as old as Methuselah -Мафусаилов век -vieux comme Mathusalem; 3) for a long time, a coon's ageдолгое время, целая вечность -longtemps, depuis une йternitй, les siиcles and etc.
In English, Russian and French cultures there are also PUs that give a positive assessment of speed and swiftness when every second is valuable: 1) smb is running for all he is worth/show a clean pair of heelsодна нога здесь, другая там, только пятки сверкают -prendre ses jambes а son cou, prendre la poudre d'escampette, а toutes jambes; 2) in the twinkling of an eye/at the drop of a hat, before one can say "Jack Robinson"в два счета, в один миг, в мгновение ока -en un clin d'oeil, en cinq sec and etc.

Results
Representatives of polychronic cultures (spiral time perception), inhabiting the countries of Latin America, southern Europe, the Arab East, Asia and Africa, never do things according to a clear algorithm or in a strict sequence by plotting them as a set of possibilities.It is not typical to attach great importance to daily routine or punctuality for these cultures trends.
Representatives of monochronic cultures (vector perception of time) -residents of the USA and Western European countries are characterized by the time and the future planning, consistent implementation of affairs, precision, punctuality, and focusing on goal achievement.
It is difficult to determine the type of time perception in Russia.For the European part of the country a vector with respect to time (monohronic) is typical, whereas in the Asian part, the linearity and value of time is markedly reduced (polychronic).
British and French representatives of monochronic culture focus on work with formal data, task, and individual achievement.While in polychronic Asian there is a focus on establishing interpersonal relationships and dealing with people.
In English, French and Russian languages, as is well known, the concept of «early» is of great importance, especially in the business community and the business, as is the personification of success in business, diligence and hard work.PUs with the concept of «later» in English, Russian and French language will have a negative connotation -inactivity, fatigue, or delay.
The concept «recently» in PUs in English, Russian and French does not appear much, and basically, they are interpreted negatively.This connotation emphasizes the conservatism of the Englishmen, a preference for stability in life, as well as the cautious attitude towards something new in these cultures.
A characteristic feature of monochronic cultures representatives is future planning, the anticipation of any event, success or failure, the British and French rather live in the future, in contrast to the Russian culture, the British and French rather live in the future.
In accordance with the semantic analysis, the abstract concept «always», as a rule, differs by a positive connotation in idioms of the English, French and Russian languages.The negative connotation inherent in the English, French and Russian PUs expressing the concept «never».
In compared cultures we usually criticize: the delay in execution of work, putting important things off for later, laziness, omission or passive waiting.

Conclusion
Comparative aspects of phraseological studies are of a great interest, both for the development of the General theory of phraseology and for the study of common and distinctive features of the studied languages, interrelations and differences in their subsystems.The part of this scientific problem is a comparative description of the semantic field "Time" of PUs establishing similarities and differences in the content of these PUs in English, Russian and French.
Literature Review 180 English, 190 Russian and 195 French PUs selected from unilingual -and bilingual phraseological dictionaries, handbooks and encyclopedias are served as methodological basis of research.