An investigation into the linguistic features of english and vietnamese riddles

Apart from the things mentioned above, it is a fact that the readers and learners of English as a foreign language often find difficulties in deducing and finding the answers to English

THE UNIVERSITY OF DANANG

UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES

The thesis has been completed at University of Foreign Language

Studies, The University of Da Nang

Supervisor: LE TAN THI, Ph.D

Examiner 1: Huynh Anh Tuan, Ph.D

Examiner 2: Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Van Long

The thesis was orally defended at the Examining Committee Time: October 16th, 2021

Venue: University of Foreign Language Studies

- The University of Da Nang

The thesis is accessible for the purpose of reference at:

- Library of University of Foreign Language studies, The University of Da Nang

- Centre for Learning Information Resources and Communication, the University of Da Nang

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Chapter One INTRODUCTION 1.1 RATIONALE

Riddle is an extremely intelligent kind of humor because human beings enable to reveal their intelligence and a sense of fun in each riddle Moreover, based on creating riddles, human’s proficiency at the use of the language is effectively shown Besides,

it is impossible to negate the importance of riddles in language and

in human life They help us enlarge our knowledge, relax and open our minds to several possibilities Perhaps, for these reasons, many researchers have exploited the riddles in their works According to “

The Language of Riddles” (1982), “A riddle is a complex linguistic

and aesthetic structure” Through studying riddles, they reveal a great deal about major human systems such as language, culture, and art Therefore, riddles are considered worthy of serious study

Through some works, it is stated that certain riddles are only understood in a certain group of people and that some riddles can be only exchanged in a certain country Let us look at a riddle in English as an example:

E.g “What has two hands and a face, but no arms or legs?”

- A clock

(Collis,1996)

In this example, the clock is personified with body parts

such as “hand” and “face” Namely, “two hands” imply as two hands

of a clock to point to the numbers which show the time “face”

means the surface of a clock on which there are numbers Obviously, using “ hand” and “ face” in this riddle refers to an inanimate thing

The following is another riddle in Vietnamese:

E.g “Cày trên đồng ruộng trắng phau

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Khát xuống uống nước giếng sâu đen ngòm”

- Bút mực

(Bích Liên, 2008)

In this example, “writing on paper” is compared to

“plowing”, and “the pen” is considered as “a buffalo” Namely,

“Khát” means the time when the pen needs the ink; “uống nước”

implies the time when the pen gets the ink from the inkpot It is easily realized that some stylistic devices are creatively used to make the riddles wittier and more challenging as much as possible

There is no denial that so far many studies on riddles have been conducted; however, there have been not many deep researches predominantly focusing on the linguistic features of the riddle The description of riddle in terms of phonetic and lexical features has often been neglected and they have not received the attention they deserve Apart from the things mentioned above, it is a fact that the readers and learners of English as a foreign language often find difficulties in deducing and finding the answers to English and Vietnamese riddles From all these considered reasons, I find it

necessary to carry out a study named " An Investigation into Linguistic Features of English and Vietnamese Riddles " I do

hope that the readers and English learners as well would have some useful knowledge of linguistic features in English and Vietnamese riddles to deal with the riddles easily and effectively

1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1.2.1 Aims

This study focuses on analyzing the phonetic and lexical features of riddles in English and Vietnamese as well as showing the similarities and differences of riddles formation in English and Vietnamese languages Besides, the thesis is done to help the readers

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and Vietnamese learners of English to be more aware of the linguistic features and the beauty of riddles

1.2.2 Objectives

The objectives of the study are:

- to analyze the phonetic and lexical features of English and Vietnamese riddles;

- to find the similarities and main differences between English and Vietnamese riddles in terms of phonetic and lexical features ;

- to draw out some suggestions for solving riddles and the practical applications in English language teaching and learning

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1 What are the lexical features of the stylistic devices used in the English and Vietnamese riddles?

2 What are the phonetic features of the stylistic devices used

in the English and Vietnamese riddles?

3 What are the similarities and differences of the English and Vietnamese riddles in terms of the lexical and phonetic features of the stylistic devices used?

1.4 SCOPE OF STUDY

In this research, we mainly focus on the findings of phonetic and lexical features of English and Vietnamese riddles

Besides, we pay attention to stylistic devices used in riddles

in both languages Therefore, this study will focus on analyzing the riddles chosen related to phonetic and lexical features as a means of predicting or finding the answers of English and Vietnamese riddles

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

1.6 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

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Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL

BACKGROUND 2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

Riddles have become the main content in many studies; for

example, about English riddles, there are “The language of riddles”

by Pepicello and Green (1982), “English Riddles from Oral Tradition” by Taylor (1951), “A linguistic look at riddles” by Dienhart (1987), and “Development of Appreciation of Riddles” by Shultz (1974) About Vietnamese riddles, there are "Vietnamese Riddles" by Nguyen Dinh Hoa (1960), “Versification of Vietnamese riddles” by Cong Huyen Ton Nu Nha Trang (2001),“Câu đố dân gian của người Việt nhìn từ góc độ ngôn ngữ học” by Bui Thi Thanh

Huyen (2009), and so on

2.2.1.2 Function of Riddles

It is stated that riddles have important functions like

socialization and recreation They are useful not only to adults but also to children

2.2.1.3 Features of Riddles and Riddle object

The riddle consists of two parts: the word riddles and the answer (the riddle object)

2.2.1.4 Structure of Riddles

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According to The logic of riddles (1971:17), a riddle

consists of five elements: given term, constant premises, hidden variable, given variable, and hidden term, or can be called the answer

2.2.1.5 Classification of Riddles

Based on the technique of creating riddles, it is stated that there are two types of riddles: Direct riddles and indirect riddles

2.2.2 Stylistic Devices

2.2.2.1 Definition of Stylistic Devices

“A stylistic device is a conscious and intentional intensification of some typical structural and/or semantic property of

a language unit (neutral or expressive) promoted to a generalized status and thus becoming a generative model”

2.2.2.2 Function of Stylistic Devices

2.2.3 Stylistic Devices in English and Vietnamese riddles

2.2.3.1 Phonetic Stylistic Devices in English and Vietnamese riddles

2.2.3.2 Lexical Stylistic Devices in English and Vietnamese riddles

2.2.4 Relation of Culture and Language

Language is regarded as an effective tool to maintain and convey the culture

2.2.5 Ambiguity

Pepicello, W (1989) stated that ambiguity is a case in which

a phrase and statement are not clearly defined, making several uncertain interpretations

2.3.SUMMARY

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Chapter Three METHODOLOGY AND PROCEDURES

3.2 SAMPLING

In carrying out the contrastive analysis to explore the similar and different characteristics of the English and Vietnamese riddles, the research examines nearly 200 riddles with answers containing phonetic and lexical features

3.3 DATA COLLECTION

The data of this thesis are mainly collected from nearly 200

hundreds of English and Vietnamese riddles in books such as:

In English, they are “101 American English riddles” by Collis; “Riddles, Riddles, Riddles” by Hindman, and “Howard's book of conundrums and riddles” by Howard In Vietnamese, they are “999 câu đố Việt Nam” by Duc Anh, “Cười và học” by Nguyen Quoc Hung, “666 câu đố Việt Nam” by Mai Chi, “Kho tàng câu đố Việt Nam” by SSDG (Student Software Development Group), “277 câu đố Việt Nam” – an e-book from ngonnguhoc.net, and so on

Besides, some riddles for the study are selected from reliable websites Also, other data are taken from prior studies and related materials

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3.4 DATA ANALYSIS

The analysis of data was conducted in two stages In both

stages, a detailed analysis of English and Vietnamese riddles at

lexical and phonetic levels was done to see the similar and different

characteristics between the two languages

3.5 RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY

Chapter Four FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS 4.1 PHONETIC FEATURES IN ENGLISH AND

VIETNAMESE RIDDLES

4.1.1 Phonetic Stylistic Devices in English Riddles

4.1.1.1 Full Rhyme

4.1 Stare at me, and you may go blind

Yet, you cannot see if I don’t shine

(Nursery Rhyme Riddles)

Besides, rhyme can appear in alternate lines or in a line For

example:

4.5 My first, though water, cures no thirst,

My next alone has soul,

And when he lives upon my first,

He then is called my whole

- Sea man

(Nursery Rhyme Riddles)

4.1.1.2 Incomplete Rhyme

4.11 What is the difference between a coat and a baby?

(Howard, C., 1869)

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4.1.2 Phonetic Stylistic Devices in Vietnamese Riddles

4.1.2.1 Full Rhyme in “nói lối”

a The last word of the previous line rhymes with the first

word of the succeeding line

4.13 Đi đến chỗ nào

Ào ào chỗ ấy

- Cơn giông

(Đức Anh, 2008)

b The last word of the previous line rhymes with the medial

word of the succeeding line

4.14 Áo đơn áo kép

Ðứng nép bờ ao

(Thanh Lãng, 2009)

c The last word of the previous line rhymes with the final

word of the succeeding line

Người ta còn sống

- Ngôi nhà (Câu đố dân gian Đồng bằng sông Cửu Long by Hồ Xuân Tuyên) 4.1.2.2 Full Rhyme in “lục bát”

4.20 Da cóc mà bọc trứng gà

Bổ ra thơm phức cả nhà khen ngon

- Quả mít (500 câu đố luyện trí thông minh, 2008)

4.2 LEXICAL FEATURES IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE

RIDDLES

4.2.1 Lexical Features in English Riddles

4.2.1.1 Pun in English Riddles

a Synonymy

4.24 A word I know, six letters it contains, subtracts one, and

twelve remains What am I? - Dozens

(Collis, H., 1996)

b Homophones

b1 Adjective - Noun Homophones

4.26 When is a boy most like a bear?

- When he is barefoot

(Pepicello, W and Green, T., 1982)

b2 Verb - Noun Homophones

4.27 Why is six afraid of seven?

- Because seven eight (ate) nine

(Pepicello, W and Green, T., 1982)

b3 Adjective - Verb Homophones

4.28 When does a green book change color?

- When it is red (read)

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b4 Noun- Noun Homophones

4.30 What vegetable is dangerous to have aboard a ship?

(Pepicello, W and Green, T., 1982) b5 Homophones between words and alphabetical letters

4.35 What letter of the alphabet is an insect? - Letter B

(Pepicello, W and Green, T., 1982)

c Full Homonyms

c1 Nouns as Full Homonyms

4.39 Why is the postman’s bag like the alphabet?

- Because they are full of letters

(Collis, H., 1996)

c2 Verbs as Full Homonyms

4.40 How do we know the ocean is friendly? - It waves

(Collis, H., 1996)

c3 Noun-Verb as Full Homonyms

4.41 Why is coffee like the soil? - It is ground

( Pepicello, W and Green, T.,1982) c4.Full Homonyms between Noun Phrases

4.42 I am a fish My first half is made of metal What am I? -

The goldfish

( Pepicello, W and Green, T.,1982)

d Palindrome

d1 Noun Palindrome as Pun

4.44 What is a man parent or father of a child?

- Dad (Terban, M and Maestro, G., 2008)

d2 Verb Palindrome as Pun

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4.46 What does one do with one’s eyes?

- To see

(Terban, M and Maestro, G., 2008)

4.2.1.2 Metaphor in English Riddles

a Nouns Used as Metaphor

4.50 What has eyes but cannot see? - A potato

(Pepicello, W and Green, T., 1982)

b Verbs Used as Metaphor

4.56 What flies without wings? - Time

(Pepicello, W and Green, T., 1982)

c Adjectives Used as Metaphor

4.58 I'm tall when I'm young and I'm short when I'm old What

am I? - Candle

4.2.1.3 Personification in English Riddles

a Personification about Nature

4.60 Voiceless it cries, wingless flutters, toothless bites,

mouthless mutters What is it? - Wind

(Collis, H., 1996)

b Personification about Body Parts

c Personification about Animals

d Personification About Objects

4.2.1.4 Simile in English Riddle

a Equal Comparison

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a1 Preposition “Like“

4.68 When put on skin, it dries up, and looks like a sunburn a few days later – Glue

(Collis, H., 1996)

a2 The structure “as…as” and “as a…”

4.71 I am as yellow as a sun; I am as sour as a warhead Who am

4.2.1.5 Decomposition of Set Phrases in English Riddles

4.85 What weather do mice and rats fear?

- When it’s raining cats and dogs

(101 American English, 1996) 4.88 What do singers always want to hit?

- Songs They very much wish to have hit songs

(Collis, H., 1996)

4.2.1.6 Paradox in English Riddles

4.89 What can be measured, but has no length, width, or height?

- A temperature

(Collis, H., 1996)

4.2.2 Lexical Stylistic Devices in Vietnamese Riddles

4.2.2.1 Pun in Vietnamese Riddles

a Homonyms as Pun

a1.Noun Homonyms as Pun

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4.95 Hai cây cùng có một tên

Cây xòe mặt nước, cây trên chiến trường

Cây này bảo vệ quê hương

Cây kia hoa nở hoa soi mặt hồ

- Hoa súng, cây súng (666 câu đố Việt Nam, 2010) a2 Noun -Verb Homonyms as Pun

4.96 Mồm bò không phải mồm bò, mà lại mồm bò?

4.99 Cha truyền con nối

4.106 Bà kia bà đội thúng cam

Trời mưa trượt té cam trầy

- Cây tràm

(Dương Thanh Thanh, 2000)

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b2 Rhyme and tone permutation

4.110 Kiển tố vừa đổ vừa giảng

Bằng cái nồi ba tha la kiển tố

- Tổ kiến

c Synonymy as Pun

4.114 Đêm nằm luống những ngẩn ngơ

Chiêm bao thấy bậu, dậy rờ thì không

- Cây lá mơ

(277 câu đố Việt Nam)

4.2.2.2 Metaphor in Vietnamese Riddles

a Nouns Used as Metaphor

4.121 Có con mà chẳng có cha

Có lưỡi không miệng, đố là vật chi?

- Con dao

( Đức Anh, 2008)

b Verbs Used as Metaphor

4.124 Cày trên đồng ruộng trắng phau

Khát xuống uống nước giếng sâu đen ngòm

- Bút mực

(Bích Liên, 2008)

4.2.2.3 Personification in Vietnamese Riddles

a Personification about Nature

4.125 Tuổi thơ gầy béo tong teo

Trung niên béo tốt mà treo giữa trời

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