Martha Graham

4 6.3

An American dancer and choreographer who changed modern dance

proper noun
/ˈmɑrθə ɡræm/

: Martha Graham

Martha Graham revolutionized modern dance with her innovative choreography and powerful performances.

Examples

Many consider Martha Graham to be one of the most influential figures in American dance history.
Martha Graham is celebrated for her groundbreaking approach to modern dance, which emphasized emotional expression.
The techniques developed by Martha Graham are still taught in dance schools around the world.
Many consider Martha Graham the mother of modern dance.
Martha Graham revolutionized dance with her innovative techniques.
Throughout her career, Martha Graham pushed the boundaries of dance, inspiring countless artists worldwide.
Many iconic performances by Martha Graham showcased her unique style and deep understanding of human emotion.

Surface Forms

Martha Graham main

Morphology

Martha + Graham

This is a proper name referring to a specific individual; the constituents 'Martha' and 'Graham' carry no independent lexical meaning that would indicate she is a dancer or choreographer. Proper names are culturally specific and require background knowledge or exposure, so a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words would not be able to derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Martha Graham belongs to a famous American dancer who changed dance by using strong, sharp movements and a new way of moving the body to show deep feeling. So her name now stands for 'modern dance' and a style and training that many dancers still learn.