i SINH VIÊN NGUYỄN THỊ NHUNG MÃ SV 1164010042 THUYẾT MINH ĐỀ CƯƠNG KHÓA LUẬN TỐT NGHIỆP Chuyên ngành Kế toán Mã số 401 “Thực trạng và một số giải pháp hoàn thiện kế toán Nguyên vật liệu tại Công ty Cổ[.]
Rationale
In today's advanced era of science and technology, coupled with globalization, English is crucial in international trade, business, education, and entertainment It serves as a vital communication bridge between countries, fostering relationships and enhancing mutual understanding among people worldwide.
English is widely recognized as the world's most important language, serving as the official language for numerous international companies and organizations Many countries, including Singapore and France, also use English as a second language In Vietnam, English has been a mandatory subject in high schools, colleges, and universities for years, reflecting the growing awareness among students of its significance in meeting societal needs However, mastering English, particularly its grammar, poses significant challenges for Vietnamese students, especially those majoring in English.
English grammar is notoriously complex, making it challenging for students to master It plays a crucial role in learning the language, as it helps students understand sentence structures, verb tenses, and various grammatical theories Mastery of grammar enables students to complete exercises more accurately than before Among the many aspects of English grammar, inversion is often perceived as particularly difficult Despite its complexity, inversion adds interest and emphasis to sentences by rearranging constituents to highlight actions or individuals within the context.
In Vietnamese literature, inversion is more commonly used than in other fields such as poetry, short stories, and novels However, many Vietnamese students learning English often misunderstand inversion, leading to mistakes in sentence structure For instance, they may incorrectly write “Why you go to school late?” instead of the correct form, “Why do you go to school late?” This confusion arises from a lack of understanding of the differences in word order between English and Vietnamese Consequently, mastering inversion poses a significant challenge for L2 learners, particularly for those from Vietnam.
The comparison of inversion between English and Vietnamese is crucial for effective English language learning and teaching It enables students to recognize the similarities and differences in inversion structures between the two languages, thereby aiding EFL students in various exercises such as translation and sentence rewriting While many authors have explored this topic, their focus has primarily been on listing types of inversions or providing brief distinctions This study, titled “English Inversion in Comparison to Vietnamese Inversion,” aims to address these gaps.
Research questions
The study is conducted to answer the following questions:
- What are different kinds of inversion in English and in Vietnamese?
- What are the similarities and differences between English inversion and Vietnamese one?
Research objectives
- The study to get a fuller understanding of English inversion
- Comparing English and Vietnamese inversions
- Understanding more about the Vietnamese one.
Scope of the study
English grammar is various In this study, I pay attention not only to inversion in sentences but also to that in discourse Inversion is a key matter to
3 be used to a great extent not only by speakers but also by writers It works mainly within the sentence, so the sentence structure is very important
This study aims to thoroughly explore common phenomena of inversion in English However, it may contain errors due to my limited time, experience, and knowledge.
Research method
This study employs contrastive analysis to examine the similarities and differences in the forms and uses of inversions in English and Vietnamese, supported by theoretical examples This approach has been utilized by various researchers, including Nguyen (1996) and others.
This article provides an overview of word order in English and Vietnamese, highlighting the definitions and various types of inversion in both languages It also discusses the appropriate contexts for using inversion Additionally, the article compares the similarities and differences in the use of inversion between English and Vietnamese.
Significance of the research
Inversion is a complex yet beautiful aspect of English grammar, posing challenges for EFL learners, particularly those without a strong English background This study aims to clarify the types of inversion in both English and Vietnamese, helping students understand the differences in word order and reduce errors in their comprehension of inversion theory Ultimately, this thesis will serve as a valuable resource for teachers and students, especially EFL learners, and will promote further research in the field.
Design of the study work
The research consists of three main parts: Introduction, Development and Conclusion Part one gives the reason for choosing the topic, objectives, tasks
The article outlines a study on word order and inversion in English and Vietnamese, structured into three main parts The first part introduces the study's scope and methodology The second part consists of two chapters: the first provides a theoretical background with a literature review on the definitions, classifications, and special cases of inversion in both languages, while the second chapter details the research methodology and compares the similarities and differences in inversion between English and Vietnamese It also addresses common errors students make when learning English inversion and offers suggestions for teaching and effective exercises for EFL learners The final part concludes the research by summarizing its key findings.
PART TWO: DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER ONE: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
An Overview of English and Vietnamese inversion
Definition of inversion
According to Schmidt (1980:4), inversion is defined as “the sentential surface structure word order in which the verb of the sentence precedes the subject of the sentence.”
Hewings (2005) notes that the typical structure of a statement places the subject before the verb However, there are instances where the verb precedes the subject, a phenomenon known as inversion.
In Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (8 th ed.), inversion is defined as:
“Inversion is the act of changing the position or order of something to its opposite or of turning something upside down.”
As Dinh Trong Lac (1997:257) claims: “Inversion is the phenomenon of violating the standard order of speech elements with the aim of separating a certain meaning or emotional element.”
Swan (2005) divides English inversion into two main kinds:
• Inversion (1): auxiliary verb before subject: it means putting an auxiliary verb (and non-auxiliary have & be) before the subject of clause
• Inversion (2): whole verb before subject: we put an adverbial expression of place or direct at the beginning of a clause This case is popular in literary and descriptive writing
- Have you got a new computer?
Word order
Word order plays a crucial role in English grammar, as highlighted by Dorgeloh (1997:13), who states that it primarily pertains to the arrangement of sentence constituents, specifically the sequence of sentence elements and their grammatical relationships.
Mr Dinh Tu (1983:336) states: “The order of sentence elements in Vietnamese is a fundamental device to present the grammatical meaning in general and the grammatical relations in particular.”
Through the position of a word in a sentence, the reader can see its grammatical function in relation to the other elements of the sentence
Word order in English serves multiple functions, including expressing grammatical relations and indicating the status of words It emphasizes the most informative parts of a sentence according to the speaker's perspective and maintains continuity of thought across sentences and clauses Similarly, in Vietnamese, which is an isolating and analytic language, word order is crucial for conveying grammatical relations and meanings In both languages, word order acts as a grammatical tool to reflect the relationships and meanings of words.
Functions of inversion
Hewings (2005:198) presents: “Inversion brings about fronting, the re- ordering of information in a sentence to give emphasis in a particular place
Anh ấy tặng tôi một món quà
Often this causes an element to be postponed until later in the sentence, focusing attention on it.”
Dinh (1997:257) defines inversion as the disruption of the conventional arrangement of speech elements, intended to highlight a specific meaning or emotional aspect.
In conclusion, inversion enhances the impact of sentences, drawing readers' attention to key words and phrases This technique enriches the meaning and adds vibrancy to the text.
In speaking, inversion draws listeners' attention to the emphasized parts of a sentence, highlighting what the speaker wants to convey This technique alters the intonation, signaling to the audience the key elements of the message.
- "Only then did we go for lunch."
The importance of not going for lunch until an event had happened
- "Had I known she was ill, I would have come."
The importance of knowing in advance that she was ill would have made a difference.
Inversion in English
Subject - Verb inversion
2.1.1 Inversion after adverbial expressions of place/time
According to Foley and Hall (2012), in descriptive and literary writing, a verb or verb phrase typically precedes the subject and follows adverbs of place (such as on, opposite, outside, here, there) and adverbs of time (like next, then, first, now) The verbs used can include forms of "to be" or verbs indicating movement and location.
Place adverbs+ be or verbs of place/movement On the grass sat an enormous fog
Time adverbs+ be or verbs of place/movement Next is the music program
This case is not applied when the subject of the sentence is a pronoun According to Hewings (2005), inversion of verb and subject in the case:
Here comes + noun and There goes + noun is to remind about things and people that “moving towards or away from the speaker.” (p.198)
- There goes Thanh Hang, a famous model in Vietnam
There is an exception which doesn’t follow this rule of inversion
Reporting verbs often come before the subject in the direct speech These verbs can be: said, asked…
- “How much is this mobile phone?” asked John
It doesn’t happen when the subject is a pronoun
- “I would like a cup of tea,” he says
In narratives, especially novels and short stories, when the reporting clause comes second, we often invert the subject (s) and reporting verb (v):
“Things have always been the same in this village,” said the old man
‘Hold on! I’m coming!’ cried Maurice
A predicate noun is a noun that is linked to the subject of a sentence through a linking verb, which serves to connect equivalent words This means that the subject is associated with another noun, known as the predicate noun, via the linking verb To better understand this relationship, one can visualize it using an equal sign (=) to represent the connection between the predicate noun and the subject.
- “Ryan was a banker (Ryan = banker, “was” is the linking verb.)”
A noun phrase, in this case, is often inverted into the beginning of the sentence
- An important part of English grammar is conditional sentence
According to Schmidt (1980:8): “Preposing with no inversion is also odd, but especially with long subjects.”
Conditional sentences play a crucial role in English grammar By placing a predicate noun at the beginning of a sentence, you can capture the reader's attention and enhance the overall appeal and impact of the statement.
A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and modifies (i.e., describes) the subject of the linking verb
A predicate adjective contrasts with an attributive adjective, which typically sits immediately before the noun it modifies
Subject Liking verb predicate adjective
Inversion after a predicate adjective means the rearrangement in which the adjective is at the beginning of the sentence
- The student is very intelligent in your class
=> Very intelligent is the student in your class
It helps to bring the semantic and prosodic meaning for the sentences
According to Foley& Hall (2012), we also see inversion in certain fixed expressions, often with subjunctives
Inversion is frequently observed among readers, serving to convey the speakers' desires Additionally, the structure "May + S + V" is employed in this inversion to express hopes for positive outcomes.
This kind of inversion is often seen in the media with the personal pronoun subject
- Says lovely actress Mary Malone, “I always have a wonderful time in Columbus.” (Schmidt, 1980:11)
Subject- Auxiliary verb inversion
2.2.1 Inversion in some types of questions
2.2.1.1 Inversion in Yes-No questions
“English Yes-No questions are formed by placing the operator before the subject.” (Nguyen, 1996, p.46)
- You are a farmer => Are you a farmer?
- It will rain => Will it rain?
Two statements above are turned into yes-no questions by the inversion of the subject and the auxiliary verb
There are three types of yes-no questions: inverted questions, inversion with alternatives, and standard yes-no questions The first two types often require more than just a simple yes or no response.
- Are you staying or going? (inversion with an alternative)
In an inverted question, the subject and the first verb of the verb phrase are switched, specifically when the verb is a modal or auxiliary verb.
- She is leaving on Wednesday (statement)
- Is she leaving on Wednesday? (question)
A tag question is a short question which follows a statement It contains an auxiliary verb (like the auxiliary verb of the previous statement) and a subject (a pronoun)
Positive+ Negative? He is a teacher, isn’t he?
Negative + Positive? Lan didn’t go to school, did she? Hardly/ seldom/rarely/ never…+
Positive? You never go to the cinema, do you?
I’ll +V, shall I? I’ll go to the cinema with you, shall
Command, will you? Hurry up, will you?
This kind of inversion is also appeared in spoken literature It emphasizes the information which the speaker wants to mention
This kind of inversion is very common in English grammar We can easily make a full question by using an interrogative word like the following example
This word order is not used in indirect questions
- Lan asked me what the weather was like
- He wondered where she was
Swan (2005:280) states: “However, in formal writing inversion is sometimes used with be in indirect questions after how, especially when the subject is long.”
I wondered how reliable was the information I had been given
Inversion is also used in exclamations, as shown below:
In a normal sentence, we say:
- Oh! The girl is beautiful
- Oh my god! The weather is awful
- How beautiful the girl is!
- How awful the weather is!
Exclamations are prevalent in English, typically beginning with "what" or "how," allowing speakers to convey their emotions and feelings effectively Inversion in exclamatory sentences is a notable feature in English literature, enhancing the impact of sentences and compositions.
As Swan (2005:280) notes: “Inversion sometimes appears in the exclamations after how and what especially in the old-fashioned literary style”
In the book Advanced Language Practice, Vince & Sunderland (2003:67) claim that we can use inversion instead of using “If” in conditional clauses with
“Were”, “Had” or “Should It contributes the formality into the sentences and makes the event less likely It may be used in the formal and literary conditional clauses
With the normal conditional sentence:
- If she had finished her homework, she wouldn’t have been received bad marks
The conditional sentence with inversion will be:
- Had she finished her homework, she wouldn’t have received bad marks
But in the negative clauses with inversion, we don’t use “contracted forms.” (Swan, 2005:198)
- Had the police not arrived in the airport, the murder would escapeeasily
- Hadn’t the police arrived in the airport, the murder would escapeeasily
2.2.4 Inversion after negative and restrictive adverbials
Negative adverbials can be placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, as noted by Hewings (2005) In such cases, the subject and auxiliary verb are inverted following these adverbials This structure is commonly found in formal and literary language.
• Time expressions: never, rarely, seldom, hardly…when, no sooner….than
- Never have I seen an interesting film like this
- Seldom had she won the singing competition
- Hardly had he come to the party when it rained
• Only + time expressions: only after, only later, only if…
- Only later did Lan realize that she failed the entrance exam to her favorite university
Note: We do not use inversion with only if there is no time expression or prepositional phrase after it (Foley & Hall, 2012:323)
- Only members can park here
- Only can members park the
- Only on Thursday afternoon can students go to the movie theater
• Only + other prepositional phrases: only by, only with…
- Only by chance had he come back home, he found the thief in his house
• Expressions with no/not: not until, at no time, under no circumstances…
- Not until I got home did I notice that I had the wrong umbrella
- Under no circumstance had I used these cards
The inversion is achieved when the subject is a pronoun
- Little do they know how lucky they are to live in such a wonderful house
It means that they don’t know they are lucky when they live in a wonderful house
2.2.5 Inversion in comparative than, as clauses
According to Schmidt (1980), this type of inversion is optional It is more formal than non-inverted clauses
- Nam did the entrance exam much better than does Mi
- Marry is taller than is John
- My house is as big as is your house
2.2.6 Inversion after so, such, neither, nor
Hewings (2005) presents his point of view about this type as follow:
• So + adjective…that: we put so + adjective at the starting of the sentence to emphasize the adjective
So intelligent is Nam that he can answer all the difficult questions of examiners
• Such + be…that: means so much/ so great It is used to give the emphasis to the extent or degree
- Such was the force of the storm that the trees were uprooted
• Neither/Nor/So is used in this type of inversion to introduce the negative addition to the negative clause before it
- Linh doesn’t like romantic films, neither does Nam.
Inversion in vietnamese
Inversion of predicate and subject
3.1.1 Inversion of verb-predicate and subject
Similar to English, Vietnamese employs a form of inversion where the verb is placed at the beginning of the sentence This structure enhances the emotional depth and nuances of the expression.
- Đã tan tác những bóng thù hắc ám
- Đã sáng lại trời thu tháng tám
(Ta đi tới, Tố Hữu)
3.1.2 Inversion of adjective-predicate and subject
Placing the adjective at the beginning of a sentence enhances its emphasis and adds interest, as noted by Dinh (1997) This structure is commonly found in Vietnamese literature.
- Rất đẹp hình anh lúc nắng chiều.(Tố Hữu)
Other inverted elements of sentences in Vietnamese
According to Dinh (1994:112), an object-complement is a type of complement that specifies a thing or phenomenon, enhancing the meaning of the preceding predicate or being directly influenced by it.
Inverting the object - complement into the starting of the sentence helps the mentioned things to stand out and makes the readers have feelings about the important things
- Kỉ niệm đó, suốt đời này tôi sẽ không bao giờ quên
- Cái hình ảnh ngu dại của tôi ngày trước, hôm nào tôi cũng thấy ở trong tòa báo hai buổi
3.2.2 The predicating word- complement denoting manner
This kind of complement is used to take action which is mentioned in the predicating word or pointing out how the action is performed Inverting the
17 complement of predicating word denotes manner into the first makes the description or the narration increase the symbol of thing or object, and attract the attention of the readers
- “Hắn thích chí, khanh khách cười.”(Nam Cao)
- Chí Phèo đứng lại nhìn nó, và hắn bỗng nhiên nghiêng ngả cười.
3.2.3 The word’s complement denoting manner
Inverting the word’s complement denoting the manner into the initial part of sentence makesthe word- complement turn into the complement of sentence
It appears often in the literature and art and brings the clear expression- emotion for the sentence In this case, adjectives or adverbs are often used as a complement
Sấp ngửa, chị chạy vào cổng, quăng cái rổ, cái mẹt, mê nón xuống sân, rồi vội vàng, chị chạy vào trong nhà.(Ngô Tất Tố)
3.2.4 The sentential complement denoting reason
Placing the sentential complement that indicates the reason at the beginning of a sentence emphasizes the underlying cause of the issue presented This structure effectively highlights the relationship between causes and effects, enhancing the overall impact of the sentence and making the composition more engaging.
- Vì muốn lấy Trọng Thủy làm chồng, Mị Châu đã không nghe lời khuyên răn của đức vua cha
- Vì chuôm cho cá bén đăng
- Vì chàng thiếp phải đi trăng về mò
3.2.5 The sentential complement denoting purpose
It means using the phrases of aim or target putting in the starting of the sentence to emphasize the relationship of purpose between two parts of the sentence
- Để giữ vững nền độc lập tự do của đất nước, các chiến sĩ đã anh dũng hi sinh cả bản thân mình (1)
- Các chiến sĩ đã anh dũng hi sinh cả bản thân mình để giữ vững nền độc lập tự do của đất nước (2)
In the Vietnamese war, the primary aim of soldiers was to protect their country from the devastating effects of conflict Conversely, the subsequent sentence serves merely as a narrative statement.
Inversion of predicating words
3.3.1 Inversion with the existential meaning and onomatopoetic or pictographic words
This type of inversion features onomatopoetic and pictographic words such as "róc rách," "lác đác," and "lốm đốm." Additionally, it includes words that convey the meaning of existence, like "có" and "còn."
Dinh (1994:115) asserts that in varying contexts, events should be depicted akin to a still-life painting A unique sentence predicate that conveys existential and locative meanings enhances the expressiveness and emotional depth of the sentence.
Lom khom dưới núi tiều vài chú Lác đác bên sông chợ mấy nhà
With the use of inversion, the author wants to emphasize the solitary space of the village This contributes to make the poetry impressive for the readers
3.3.2 Inversion with the manifestation meaning and movement
Inversion is commonly applied to words that convey manifestation, such as "appear" and "disappear," as well as movement-related terms like "jump," "explode," "bloom," and "grow." These words are repositioned from the end to the middle of sentences, placed before nouns, transforming standard statements into vivid descriptive sentences This technique brings objects, entities, and phenomena to life for readers.
- Đằng xa, trong mưa mờ, bóng những nhịp cầu sắt uốn cong,vắt qua dòng sông lạnh đã hiện ra (1)
- Đằng xa, trong mưa mờ, đã hiện ra bóng những nhịp cầu sắt uốn cong,vắt qua dòng sông lạnh (2)
( Nguyễn Đình Thi) From the two sentences, we can see that in the second sentence, the word
“đã hiện ra” is inverted before the subject of the sentence This supports the sentence to be more expressive and attractive.
Summary
This chapter explores specific categories of inversion in both English and Vietnamese, enhancing the understanding of their definitions, functions, and various types It raises important questions about the similarities and differences between inversion in the two languages, which will be addressed in the following chapter.
CHAPTER TWO: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
Rationale to choose contrastive analysis
To effectively compare and contrast two objects or languages, employing contrastive analysis (CA) is the most effective method This approach provides clarity and enhances understanding for readers.
Contrastive Analysis (CA) is a valuable tool for language teaching and learning, focusing on the comparison of two languages to identify their differences and similarities It is systematically defined as the study of a pair of languages aimed at understanding their structural distinctions and commonalities There are two main types of CA: Theoretical CA, which explores the underlying principles, and Applied CA, which implements these principles in practical contexts.
The focus of traditional approaches is not on how a specific category in language A is expressed in language B; rather, they seek to identify the manifestation of a universal category X in both languages In contrast, Applied Contrastive Analysis (CA) addresses the challenge of how a universal category X, represented as Y in language A, is translated into language B.
Diagram 1: Theoretical CA and Applied CA For example:
Theoretical CA: compare and contrast the phoneme: /p/ in English and
Applied CA: study how to transfer OSV order in Vietnamese into
1 Description of the two languages
2 Selection of certain areas or items of L1 and L2 for detailed comparison
3 Comparison: identify the similarities and differences
5 Suggested solutions in teaching and learning
CA offers numerous benefits for both teachers and learners It enables educators to create effective teaching materials, assess textbooks, and enhance their instructional methods Furthermore, CA actively involves learners in activities that promote proficiency in the target language, helping them to navigate challenges and minimize errors related to transfer issues.
By analyzing the similarities and differences between the English consonants /p/ and /b/, teachers can develop effective strategies to help English learners pronounce these sounds accurately This understanding enables students to engage in pronunciation exercises with greater ease and precision.
With this thesis, CA is a good method to find out the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese inversion Fisiak (1981) states:
Contrastive analysis holds significant pedagogical value in everyday classroom teaching, serving as an effective technique for presenting language materials to learners and as a defining feature of a teaching method.
This study begins by outlining the theoretical aspects of English and Vietnamese inversion, including their types and applications It then highlights the shared characteristics of inversion in both languages Following this, a contrastive analysis will reveal the distinct elements, with a focus on the similarities and differences that will be discussed in the subsequent section.
Similarities between English and Vietnamese inversion
Similarities in definition
In both English and Vietnamese, inversion refers to altering the standard order of elements within a sentence to enhance emphasis on specific meanings or actions According to Hewings (2005), this definition aligns closely with that of Vietnamese author Dinh (1997) By rearranging sentence elements, the meaning may change, drawing readers' attention to the emphasized portions of the text.
Similarities in the different structures of inversion
2.2.1.1 Inversion with the initial “here”
The phrase "Here" combined with the simple present tense of the verb "be" and a noun phrase subject is frequently employed to highlight the presence of someone or something This construction is also used when offering items or identifying locations, applicable to both singular and plural subjects.
Here is Tom Tom đây rồi
Here is a cup of tea for you Tách trà của anh đây
Here are your letters Mấy lá thư của anh đây
“Here” used in the above examples carries more stress than “here” placed after the verb There is also usually a difference in meaning between these two cases
While “Tom is here” means he is in this room/ building/ town, etc
“Here is Tom” implies that he has just appeared or that we have just found hi
- There goes the last train
Chuyến tàu cuối cùng đến kìa
By comparison, Vietnamese speaker make use of the word “kìa” after the subject of the verb of motion
Subject-verb inversion occurs after the word "here" when the subject is a noun phrase This structure is frequently seen with motion verbs like "come" and "go," while the progressive form is not utilized in these cases.
The placement of "here" in a sentence can significantly alter its meaning For instance, "Tom comes here" suggests that Tom regularly visits this location, while "Here comes Tom" indicates that he is just arriving This distinction highlights the importance of word order in conveying different nuances.
The inversion structure is employed by the speaker to indicate a recent sighting of someone or something In Vietnamese, this Subject-verb inversion, when used with verbs following "here," parallels the expression "đây rồi" that follows motion verbs and the subject.
Through that, we can see how this structure is realized in Vietnamese language:
And once again, inversion does not take place in a sentence with a personal pronoun as subject:
Here + Vmotion+ S S + Vmotion + đây rồi
2.2.1.2 Inversion with the initial “There”
Like “here, there” also followed by the simple present tense of the verb
“be” and a noun phrase, subject is commonly used when people want to draw attention the presence of somebody or some thing when they are used to identify locations
There is your brother Anh trai của bạn kia kìa
There is Anna Anna kìa
“There” is the above – example is stressed and pronounced / ðe∂(r)/ with the meaning “over there” It is different from the unstressed word / ð∂(r)/ in existential sentences:
- There was a furniture van outside the house
The use of Subject – verb inversion with verb after there is equivalent to the use of kìa/ kia kìa after the subject in Vietnamese
The function of "there" is similar to "here" in that it can serve as the initial adverbial in a subject-verb inversion structure, effectively directing attention to a person or object in a given situation Typically, the verb used is a simple present verb of motion, while the subject is represented by a noun phrase.
There goes the last train
Chuyến tàu cuối cùng đến kìa
There + be + S S + kìa/ kia kìa
By comparison, Vietnamese speaker make use of the word “kìa” after the subject of the verb of motion
Inversion does not occur when the subject is a personal pronoun
Through the above – example, we can see the inversion structure is stressed much more than the word “there” standing after the verb
The former “there” is also distinguished from unstressed existential
“there” which can also appear in pre-verbal position as follows:
Vẫn còn nhiều vấn đề
In existential sentences, the word "there" functions similarly to the subject, as noted by Quirk.R (1973:419-421) Additionally, the structure of these sentences, when using verbs other than "be," mirrors the effect and style of subject-verb inversion with an initial adverbial.
The existential "there" can be omitted in sentences structured as Aplace + there + V + S, as the initial locative adverbial fulfills the required condition for the action to occur.
He says that the inversion structure with the initial adverbial “there” as well as here established in informal English
On a perch beside him (there) sat a blue parrot
Trên cái sào bên cạnh ông ta có một con vẹt màu xanh da trời
In front of the carriage (there) rode two men in uniform
Phía trước xe ngựa có hai người đàn ông mặc trang phục cưỡi ngựa
The reporting clause in speech can appear before, within, or after the spoken words When it is not in the initial position, there is often an inversion of the subject along with a reporting verb in either the simple present or past tense, commonly found in literary and archaic English, such as in novels and stories Additionally, the reporting clause may also follow the standard subject-verb order.
The doctor opened the door to the office
Mr and Mrs Watson sat down
“Well what?” replied the doctor, confused
“Is it bad news? Did you find his parents?” said Mrs Watson
Bác sĩ mở cửa vào phòng
“Ông bà ngồi đi” Ông bà Watson ngồi xuống
“Có gì thế ạ?” Ông Watson nói
“Có gì à?” Bác sĩ lúng túng đáp lại
“Đó không phải là tin buồn sao?” Ông có tìm thấy cha mẹ thằng bé không?”
(“The Bronze Ring” – Blue Fairy Book – Andrew)
However, Subject – verb inversion is usually if the subject is a long one For example:
“Where’s this train going”? asked the lady sitting beside me
“I love you” said Nhat “Anh yêu em” Nhat nói
“This is a serious offence” said the jugde
“Đây là một sự phạm tội nghiêm trọng” Quan tòa nói
“Con tàu này sẽ đi đâu”? Người đàn bà bên cạnh tôi hỏi
It is obviously that the English order in reporting clause “V – S” is different from Vietnamese order in the reporting clause “S – V” The following figure shows the contrast:
Besides, in the reporting clause, there is sometimes an adverbial of manner modifying the verb and it usually comes at the end:
“Go away!” said Mr Tomkins angrily
“Đi đi!” Ông Tomkins nói một cách cáu giận
In contrast, Vietnamese sentence structure maintains the original order of the subject and verb Furthermore, adverbials of manner can be positioned either before or after the verb.
It can be expressed by the following figure:
According to Thomson and Martinet (1985), inversion can not occur in reporting clauses, they involve “say to” or “tell” and these reporting clauses must be placed after the direct statement
- “I am leaving at once” Tom said to me
- “I am leaving at once” Tom told me
Inversion also can not occur in reporting clause if Subject is a personal pronoun
- “I am your friend” He said
“Tôi là bạn của bạn ” Anh ấy nói
In several formulaic sentences, Subject – verb inversion is identified with the subjunctive
- Long live Ho Chi Minh!
Ho Chi Minh muôn năm
In Vietnamese the greeting “Hồ Chí Minh muôn năm” shows a normal statement order:
The greeting formula How goes it?
Shows an isolated instance of the old Subject – verb inversion The Vietnamese equivalent of this formula may be Mọi việc thế nào?
2.2.1.5 Inversion with initial adverbials (of place)
In the following sentence the pattern is:
In Vietnamese language, there exist such sentence structures as shown in the following examples:
- Đằng trước là công nhân (Diep Quang Ban , 1998:154)
- Trong nhà có khách (Diep Quang Ban , 1998:156)
- Trên bàn có lọ hoa (Diep Quang Ban , 1998:158)
Under the table is a mosquito camp (Diep Quang Ban, 1998:138) According to Diep Quang Ban (1989, 166:169), these sentences are unique in Vietnamese grammar, designed to present or describe objects as they exist before the readers.
The following examples illustrate this kind of inversion in English, together with their Vietnamese equivalents:
The following examples illustrate this kind of inversion in English:
- Under a tree was lying once of the biggest men I had ever seen
Dưới cây là một người đàn ông to lớn đang nằm mà tôi đã nhìn thấy
- Standing in the door way was a man with a gun, Đứng trước cửa là một người đàn ông cấm súng
- Hanging from the rafters were strings of onions
Treo trên rui là những bó hành
2.2.1.5.2 Initial adverbials plus verbs other than lexical be
Subject – verb inversion is that in which the verb is a stative verb of position other than “be” The initial element is an adverbial of position realized by a prepositional phrase:
- The room contained a table and four chairs On the table lay a newspaper
Căn phòng có một cái bàn và bốn cái ghế Trên bàn là, một tờ báo
- The place is heavily guarded Because inside its walls sit the European leaders
Cung điện này được bảo vệ nghiêm ngặt Bởi vì bên trong tường là những nhà lãnh đạo châu Âu
In Vietnamese, sentences that follow adverbials of position typically express a state or position, such as "là" and "có." These sentences are classified as special simple sentences, adhering to a specific pattern.
So the both English and Vietnamese share the above structure:
On the grass sat an enormous frog Trên bãi cỏ đang chễm trệ một con ếch to Along the road came a strange procession
Dọc theo con đường là một đoàn diễu hành kì lạ
Quirk (1973) highlights that English questions typically exhibit inversion, altering the standard subject-verb order He categorizes questions into three primary types based on the expected responses.
✓ Yes – No question: The questioner expects the answer “yes” or
“no”, ie agreement or rejection on the information conveyed
✓ Alternative – question: The questioner expects one of two or more alternative mentioned in the quest
✓ Wh – question: The questioner expect a reply supplying an item of information
In the following subsections, English subject - operator inversion regarding the above types of question is going to be described and made clear with Vietnamese questions
2.2.2.1.1 Inversion in Yes - No questions
English Yes - No questions are usually formed by placing the operator before the Subject and giving the sentence a rising intonation:
Normal sentence: S + Op… Y – N question Op + S +… ?
- Alex is a bus driver Alex là tài xế xe buýt
- You are working hard today
Hôm nay bạn làm việc vất vả thật
Alex có phải là tài xế xe buýt không?
- Are you working hard today?
Có phải hôm nay bạn làm việc vất vả lắm không?
- The train has got a buffet
Xe lửa có toa ăn
- They have three cars Họ có ba chiếc ô tô
- She has arrived Cô ấy đã đến
- Has the train got a buffet?
Xe lửa có toa ăn không?
Có phải họ có ba chiếc ô tô không?
Cô ấy đã đến chưa?
- We can find our way home Chúng ta có thể tìm đường về nhà
-You may leave early Chúng ta có thể rời sớm
- We must call the doctor
Chúng ta phải gọi bác sĩ
Can we find our way home?
Chúng ta có thể tìm đường về nhà không?
Chúng ta có thể rời sớm không?
Must we call the doctor?
Chúng ta có phải gọi bác sĩ không?
In English, statements containing "be," "have," and modal verbs can be transformed into Yes-No questions through the inversion of the subject and operator Notably, "be" and, in some cases, "have" (particularly in British English) function as operators even when used as lexical verbs, resulting in the entire verb being positioned before the subject.
If a statement contains a straight forward present tense or past tense verb without an operator: “Do, does and did” are introduced to form Yes – No question
- They work in an office
Họ làm việc ở cơ quan
- Do they work in an office?
Họ có làm việc ở cơ quan không?
- My father works in a bank
Bố tôi làm việc trong ngân hàng
- Does your father work in a bank?
Có phải bố bạn làm việc trong ngân hàng không?
- The Goths invaded Rome in
A.D.410 Người Gôtích đã xâm chiếm thành Rome vào năm 410 sau công nguyên
- Did the Goths invade Rome in A.D.410?
Có phải người Gôtích đã xâm chiếm thành Rome vào năm
In English, the use of subject-operator inversion in yes-no questions parallels the function of interrogative particles such as không, chưa, and chứ/chớ in Vietnamese Similarly, the Vietnamese pairs có…không, có…phải không, and liệu…không demonstrate this structure, where the second element, không, holds greater significance than the first element, có, which can be omitted.
Are you hungry? Bạn có đói không?
Wh-questions are formed with the aid of the following interrogative words (Q- words): who, whom, why, which, when, where, how, what, whose
The Q-element is positioned at the beginning of the sentence, with the Q-word leading the Q-element An exception arises when the Q-word is part of a prepositional complement, allowing for a choice between formal and colloquial constructions.
On what did you base your prediction? (formal)
But What did you base your prediction on? (colloquial)
Here are sentences in which the Q-element operates in various clause functions:
Who opened my letter? Ai đã mở lá thư của tôi? S
Which books have you lent him?
Quyển sách nào mà bạn đã đưa cho anh ấy mượn? Od
Whose antiques sold our store?
Những món đồ cổ nào bán ở cửa hàng chúng ta vậy? Cs
How wide did they make the book case?
Họ làm tủ sách rộng như thế nào? Co
When will you come back? Bạn sẽ quay lại khi nào? Atime
Where shall I put the glasses? Tôi sẽ để kính ở đâu? Aplace
Why are they always complaining?
Tại sao họ luôn luôn phàn nàn vậy? Areason
How did you mend it? Bạn đã sửa nó như thế nào? Aprocess
How much does he care?
Anh ấy có quan tâm nhiều không?
How long have you been waiting?
Bạn đợi bao lâu rồi?
How often do you visit
Bạn có hay tới NewYork không?
Similarities in the emphasized verb
English learners should pay attention to intransitive verbs that are often inverted, such as "be," "stand," "lie," "come," "go," and "fall." Similarly, in Vietnamese, verbs like "có," "còn," and "là" also exhibit this inversion.
- English: Here comes the bus
- Vietnamese: Đằng sau ngôi làng là một ngọn núi This is another similar point between English and Vietnamese inversion
It can be summarized in the following table:
Similarities in the meaning of expression
Inversion enhances the nuances of meaning and expressiveness in both English and Vietnamese literary sentences It serves to emphasize the actions and information presented, making the writing more impactful.
Place adverbs + be or verbs of place/movement + S
Time adverbs + be or verbs of place/movement
Có + S + đây rồi/ kia kìa
The article highlights the significance of 48 sentences that provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the emphasized content, as well as the nature and characteristics of matter within those sentences It also discusses the use of both Vietnamese and English inversion in formal writing to enhance the impressiveness and appeal of the sentences.
- English: On the mountain is a small church
- Vietnamese: Êm đềm dòng sông trôi
Through the two above examples, the readers can see that the adjective:
In both Vietnamese and English, the inversion of phrases can significantly impact emphasis For instance, the phrase “êm đềm” in Vietnamese and the adverbial “on the mountain” in English are placed at the beginning of sentences, highlighting the location of the small church in the English example Similarly, in Vietnamese, inverting adjectives and adverbials directs the reader's focus to the manner in which the river flows.