¡No ver tres en un burro! – Idiomatic expressions and proverbs in teaching materials and exam preparation for the Intermediate level (DELE B1-B2)

Abstract

The research presents a qualitative survey of zoonymic phraseologisms collected from preparatory teaching materials for the DELE (Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera) proficiency exam. These phraseologisms were compiled into a dedicated corpus for analysis and data tabulation. The research focuses on zoonymic idiomatic expressions and paremiological units (proverbs) found in these Spanish language teaching manuals and DELE preparation materials. It was investigated how these phraseologisms are presented to additional language learners, including their variations, semantic descriptions, and usage contexts within the teaching materials. In Phraseology studies, zoonymic phraseologisms are considered complex lexical units composed of at least one zoonym and may extend to the level of a compound sentence. These lexical clusters remain crystallized in the language, with their meanings derived from the linear combination of their elements. The theoretical framework is grounded in the works of Corpas Pastor (1996), Ortiz Álvarez (2000), Leal Riol (2011), and Budny (2020). Methodologically, the study presents a sample of compiled zoonymic phraseologisms using the AntConc analysis tool and organized into tables to enhance data interpretation. Thus far, six phraseologisms containing the lexemes burro, perro, and cerdo have been identified across 25 teaching materials. As the research progresses, the corpus will be expanded to include a broader dataset. Ultimately, the findings contribute to providing a valuable reference for educators preparing students for the DELE exam, as well as for researchers involved in the development of teaching materials and phraseological dictionaries.