(Luận văn) a contrastive analysis of friendship related idioms in english and vietnamese

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

Language is a vital tool for communication and plays a crucial role in preserving a community’s cultural heritage It reflects the unique traditions, religious beliefs, and customs of a nation, highlighting the deep connection between language and culture The meanings of words and sentences vary across countries, encompassing literal, figurative, denotative, and contextual interpretations Overall, language and culture are fundamentally intertwined, significantly influencing the development of societies worldwide.

Idioms are essential in everyday life, enriching communication by conveying emotions and cultural values beyond literal meanings These difficult-to-understand expressions or phrases often do not match their literal words, making them a unique linguistic phenomenon Widely used across all languages, idioms help us better understand conversations and the underlying sentiments people are expressing, highlighting their importance in effective communication.

As a result, understanding the meaning of idioms and how to use them is critical for learning a language

Every language uniquely reflects a nation's cultural identity through its vocabulary, including idioms, which are metaphorical expressions that embody material and spiritual values Idioms serve as distinctive elements of a language’s lexicon, offering insight into a nation's customs, traditions, and beliefs When used effectively in conversation, idioms enhance communication by adding richness and intensity, helping speakers establish more meaningful relationships Mastery of idiomatic expressions is essential for conveying cultural nuances and strengthening interpersonal connections in any language.

In today’s trend, the use of idioms and proverbs is highly valued for their ability to enrich language and express ideas creatively Mastering the appropriate usage of these expressions is increasingly important, as they add color and vitality to communication While extensive research exists on various types of idioms related to animals, plants, and relationships, there is a notable gap in studies focusing on friendship idioms This article compares English and Vietnamese friendship idioms to explore their formal characteristics and expressive significance, contributing to a deeper understanding of how friendship is linguistically represented across cultures.

Aims and objectives

This study explores the syntactic and semantic characteristics of friendship-related idioms in English and Vietnamese Its aim is to enhance readers' understanding of the cultural significance behind idioms denoting friendship in both languages By analyzing these idioms, the research provides valuable insights into how friendship is expressed linguistically and culturally across English and Vietnamese contexts This knowledge helps deepen comprehension of idiomatic expressions related to friendship, highlighting their importance in intercultural communication and language learning.

To achieve the aim mentioned above, the author will deal with the following objectives:

 To identify the syntactic and semantic features of English and Vietnamese friendship-related idioms

This study explores the similarities and differences in the syntactic and semantic features of friendship-related idioms in English and Vietnamese It aims to analyze how cultural and linguistic contexts influence idiomatic expressions associated with friendship in both languages By examining these idioms, the research provides insights into cross-cultural communication and language nuances This comparison enhances our understanding of how friendship is conceptualized and expressed through idiomatic language in English and Vietnamese, contributing to the fields of linguistics and intercultural studies Additionally, the findings can support language learners and educators in mastering idiomatic expressions and improving intercultural competence.

Research questions

The study attempts to seek an answer to the following questions:

 What are the syntactic and semantic features of friendship-related idioms in English and Vietnamese?

 What are the similarities and differences in syntactic and semantic features of friendship-related idioms in English and Vietnamese?

Scope of the study

The author have found idioms such an interesting English aspect that is chosen as the topic of the study Idioms in both English and Vietnamese have been investigated from a variety of perspectives such as idioms by clothes, idioms denoting work, idioms denoting human feelings, etc, but no one has studied idioms on friendship That's why I chose this topic Furthermore, the author collected 90 English idioms and 85 Vietnamese ones However, of the total idioms in the 2 languages, 35 idioms is incomprehensible to the author Therefore, in the present study, only 140 idioms (70 English and 70 Vietnamese ones) related to friendship were selected as the data for the study For example, in the idiom “Be an item”, the author understands the literal meaning of “item” as a single thing, especially one thing in a list, group, or set of things but not the symbolic meaning of the idiom.

Significance of the study

Theoretically, this research contributes to the study of language and cultural values in English and Vietnamese idioms It also clarifies the theory of idioms in general and idioms on friendship in particular

This study highlights the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms related to friendship, helping learners understand their meanings It also supports the development of teaching materials aimed at enhancing communication effectiveness Additionally, the research assists individuals in avoiding culture shock during cross-cultural interactions, promoting smoother intercultural communication.

Organization of the study

This study consists of five chapters as follows:

Chapter 1 introduces the research by outlining its rationale, aim, objectives, and key research questions, emphasizing the scope and significance of the study while also describing its organizational structure Chapter 2 reviews existing literature relevant to the research field and presents essential theoretical frameworks to underpin the study, establishing a solid foundation for the research analysis.

Chapter 3, Methodology, gives the research methods, data collection, and data analysis to conduct the research thesis

Chapter 4, Findings and discussion, analyzes the syntactic and semantic features of idioms relating to friendship in English and Vietnamese

Chapter 5, Conclusions, summarizes the key findings of the study, highlighting significant insights and contributions It also discusses the limitations encountered during the research process and suggests areas for future investigation to expand understanding For those interested, the thesis can be downloaded in full, providing comprehensive details of the research methodology and results, available upon request via email at luanvanfullmoinhat@gmail.com.

LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL

Literature review

Idioms enrich language by adding color and depth, making daily communication more engaging and effective They also serve as a reflection of cultural identity, offering valuable insights into a country's traditions and values Recognized as a widespread and intriguing linguistic phenomenon, idioms play a vital role in conveying nuanced meaning across different languages and cultures.

Recent research has extensively explored English and Vietnamese idioms, highlighting their linguistic and cultural significance Notable resources include the "Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms" by Cowie (1994) and "Idioms and Idiomaticity" by Fernando (1996), which provide comprehensive insights into English idiomatic expressions These studies contribute to a deeper understanding of idiomatic language and its role in effective communication across cultures.

“Idiom Structure in English” by Makkai (1972), “Words and Idioms” by Smith (1925), “Problems in the Analysis of Idioms” by Weinreich (1969), etc

Several notable collections of idioms include "American Idioms and Some Phrases Just for Fun" by Swick (1994), which offers a variety of idiomatic expressions The study of idiomaticity is a well-established area in linguistics, with influential works such as "Essential Idioms in English" by Dixon (1983) and "Idioms for Everyday Use" by Broukai (2001) contributing to our understanding These resources highlight the importance and richness of idiomatic expressions in language learning and usage.

Vietnamese researchers have shown significant focus on idioms, with numerous studies conducted by scholars such as Nguyen Cong Duc (1995), Hoang Van Hanh (2008), and Dang Nguyen Giang (2013) Many notable authors, including Nguyen Nhu, have also contributed valuable insights through their publications, highlighting the importance of idioms in Vietnamese language and culture.

Y (1992), Nguyen Luc & Luong Van Dang (2009), etc

Several studies contribute to the field of comparing friendship-related idioms in English and Vietnamese For example, Nguyen Thi Minh Thu's 2011 thesis investigates the syntactic and semantic features of idioms related to work in both languages Similarly, Nguyen Hoang Nam's 2012 research explores the use of conceptual metaphors in idioms expressing human feelings in English and Vietnamese Additionally, Nguyen Thi Van's 2018 study analyzes clothing-related idioms in both languages from a component perspective.

Nguyen Thi Minh Thu’s study explores English and Vietnamese idioms related to work, focusing on how their meanings are expressed through semantic transfer techniques such as metaphor, metonymy, hyperbole, and simile These idioms are categorized based on three grammatical features linked to their semantic mechanisms: symmetry, comparison, and metaphorical description However, the research acknowledges limitations due to the scope of constructions and meanings covered, constrained by time, available reference materials, and the researcher's resources.

Nam's research combined the description of quantities and qualities to explore how conceptual metaphors shape the meaning of idioms The study revealed that conceptual metaphors play a key role in the formation of idioms related to human emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear in both English and Vietnamese Focused specifically on these four emotions, the research did not address other emotional fields like love, pride, shame, lust, or surprise.

Van's study employed description, componential analysis, contrastive, and experimental methods to investigate how clothing idioms are organized structurally and semantically in both English and Vietnamese The research provides valuable insights and implications for teaching and learning idioms through component analysis Despite the thorough approach, the thesis has limitations, including an inability to explore all structural and semantic features of clothing idioms due to time constraints Additionally, the study focused solely on the structural and semantic aspects, without examining pragmatics or cultural perspectives of clothing idioms.

In addition, there have been a few other papers that deal with idioms related to animals, human body parts, numbers, spatial verbs, etc

This collection of books and research papers offers comprehensive explanations and illustrative examples of various idioms, enhancing the reader’s understanding of their meanings By increasing awareness of idiomatic expressions, readers can communicate more flexibly and skillfully in different contexts, improving their overall language proficiency.

Idioms

An idiom is an essential aspect of any language, reflecting the уникальная cultural essence of each ethnic group With their long-standing origins, idioms boast a concise form paired with rich, profound meanings, making them a vital element of effective communication and cultural expression.

English is rich in idiomatic expressions, making it challenging to speak or write without using them Although many believe idioms are solely colloquial, they actually appear in both formal and informal contexts You can find idioms in poetry, journalism, literature, and even in religious texts like the Bible, highlighting their versatility across different styles of English.

The understanding of idioms varies significantly across different countries and linguistic researchers, reflecting individual differences in their perspectives Notably, Vietnamese and English linguists study idioms within their respective languages, revealing distinct differences in idiomatic expressions between the two languages This cultural and linguistic diversity highlights the importance of analyzing idioms in a comparative context to grasp their unique meanings and usage in each language.

The term “idiom” in English encompasses various meanings, including specific expressions, native language, and multi-word units with non-transparent meanings, all sharing the core idea of “inside knowledge.” While this article focuses on the third sense—multi-word units with opaque meanings—senses one and two highlight the unique nature of idioms as expressions understood through cultural or linguistic insider knowledge Non-native speakers and learners of English often experience difficulty with idioms, as they can feel disconnected from the native speakers’ mode of expression This makes idiom dictionaries especially valuable for the deaf community and language learners, with the first major American idiom dictionary published by the American School for the Deaf in 1966, and later editions edited by notable linguist Adam Makkai.

“Idiom Structure in English” remains one of the most thorough works published on the subject

Idioms are considered by many authors to be fixed phrases whose overall meaning cannot be inferred from individual elements (Duden Universal; Burger, 2007, pp.11-12; Fleischer et al., 2001, pp.108-109)

An idiom is a phrase composed of commonly used words that have a meaning not directly deducible from the individual words themselves (Stevenson, 2010) For example, the idiom "under the weather" does not literally mean being beneath the weather; instead, it figuratively indicates that someone is feeling sick, possibly due to changing weather conditions Understanding idioms requires recognizing their figurative meanings beyond the literal interpretation of their component words.

An idiom is a phrase whose overall meaning cannot be predicted solely from the individual meanings of its component words (Jackson & Amvela, 2007) Similarly, Seidle and McMordie (1988) define idioms as expressions where the combined words convey a meaning different from the sum of their parts For example, the phrase "kick the bucket" is an idiom meaning "die," a meaning not directly inferable from the words "kick" and "bucket." While "kick the bucket" is an idiomatic expression with a figurative meaning, its literal counterpart—"hit a specific type of container with their foot"—follows a systematic meaning based on the individual words This highlights how idioms often carry figurative meanings distinct from their literal interpretations, a crucial aspect for understanding language nuances.

According to McCarthy and O'Dell (2010), idioms are fixed combinations of words whose meanings are often difficult to deduce from the individual words themselves In essence, idioms are phrases that, when combined, create entirely different meanings than their separate components Understanding idioms requires recognizing that they function as single units with meanings that cannot be inferred solely from their constituent words, emphasizing the importance of contextual and cultural comprehension.

Fernando (1996, p.30) defines an idiom as an indivisible linguistic unit where the components cannot be substituted or modified beyond specific limits This means that the words within an idiom are fixed and not interchangeable with other terms Additionally, idioms typically do not allow for flexible combination with other words, maintaining their fixed form and meaning Understanding these characteristics is essential for effective language learning, translation, and linguistic analysis.

An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from the individual words, distinguishing it from free phrase structures (Fleischer, 2001) Typically, idioms consist of at least two words and their components can only be understood within the context of the idiom itself; any change to an element can lead to misunderstanding or loss of meaning (Burger, 2007) The defining characteristic of an idiom is the significant difference between its literal linguistic meaning and its idiomatic meaning, with a greater disparity indicating higher idiomaticity.

Vietnamese idioms are widely regarded as fixed phrases or word combinations that hold symbolic meaning, according to various scholars (Hoang Phe, 2003; Nguyen Thien Giap, 2002; Mai Ngoc Chu, 2015; Hoang Van Hanh, 2004) They cannot be fully explained by the meanings of their individual words, emphasizing their unique semantic value (Hoang Phe, 2003; Mai Ngoc Chu, 2015) Hoang Van Hanh notably describes idioms as stable, complete word combinations that are fixed in form and structure, rich in meaning, and commonly used in daily oral communication (2004) This asserts that idioms possess two key characteristics: structural stability and semantic completeness, making them an integral part of language and communication.

Hoang Van Hanh (2004) identified key characteristics to differentiate idioms and proverbs, including morphological, structural, rhyming, and counterpointing features, as well as their functions in expressing cognition and semantics While idioms are fixed word combinations with morphological relationships that symbolize concepts or phenomena, proverbs are fixed sentences with syntactic relationships that convey judgments about events, situations, or actions Both idioms and proverbs utilize symbolic images and generate two layers of meaning through comparison and metaphor, reflecting their roles in expressing complex cognitive and semantic concepts.

Nguyen Thien Giap (2002, pp 79-86) differentiates idioms from nominal terms and free phrases based on their content and syntactic features He explains that idioms are evocative names for specific phenomena with distinct meanings, often requiring reflection, evaluation, or narrative context Nominal terms are pure names of things that express relationships between categories and types, encompassing both general and specific meanings within human cognition, but they are rarely tied to narrative systems In contrast, free phrases lack the completeness of meaning and are less tightly connected syntactically, highlighting the unique status of idioms as complete, meaningful expressions within language.

Ho Le (2003, p.110) defines idioms as solidly structured word combinations that convey vivid and meaningful expressions These idioms are used to vividly depict images, phenomena, characters, or states, emphasizing their rich and expressive content The concept highlights both the form and substance of idioms, with a particular focus on their glossy, impactful meanings Understanding these characteristics is essential for grasping the expressive power of idiomatic language in communication.

According to Dai Xuan Ninh (1978, p 223), idioms are fixed linguistic structures embedded in speech that represent complete concepts as single words They are widely used in everyday communication as a concise and expressive form, rich in vivid imagery.

Nguyen Duc Dan (1986, p.1) defines idioms as stable language units that reflect a nation's unique ways of speaking and thinking He emphasizes that idioms possess a standard form and are intrinsically linked to the culture and ethnicity of a community These idiomatic expressions serve as linguistic snapshots of national identity, showcasing the peculiarities and worldview of the people Understanding idioms is essential for capturing the cultural essence embedded in language.

Idioms were conceptualized in the following way by Nguyen Van Tu

Features of English Idioms

An idiom is a fixed phrase or combination of words that functions as a single unit of meaning, with each component playing a crucial role (Hoang Phe, 2003; Nguyen Thien Giap, 2002; Mai Ngoc Chu, 2015; Hoang Van Hanh, 2004) These expressions are structurally and lexically restricted, meaning their components cannot be added, omitted, replaced, or altered without losing their intended meaning Despite their fixed nature, idioms are often diverse in both speech and writing, yet they maintain a high level of stability in both English and Vietnamese languages.

Bell, R.T (1974, p.2) identifies some structural features essential in recognising idioms Some of their characteristics are:

 Alteration of Grammatical Rules: The idiomatic expression is not always grammatical, but it is established, accepted and used by native language speakers with a fixed structure and meaning E.g.,

It's been ages since we met (singular with a plural noun);

 Conventional Phrases: Idioms are unique expressions that are almost known and agreed upon by all the members of a particular community E.g., Once in a blue moon (rarely, infrequently);

Figurativeness is a fundamental trait of idiomatic expressions, where words are used metaphorically rather than literally This means that the surface structure of the words plays a minor role in understanding the overall meaning of the phrase For example, the idiom "to bury the hatchet" signifies making peace after a disagreement, and the literal meanings of "to bury" and "the hatchet" differ from the idiomatic sense.

Phrasal verbs are the most common type of idioms in English, often carrying idiomatic meanings that cannot be inferred from the individual words alone Understanding these phrases is essential because their meanings are usually not obvious from the literal interpretation, making them a vital aspect of mastering English idiomatic expressions.

However, Fraser has specified the idioms between those which are able to undergo all the grammatical changes and those which are unable to undergo the most minor grammar changes at all (Fraser, 1970, p.33, Foundations of language) Therefore, some idioms are more flexible and can be made changes without losing their idiomatic meaning This means that idioms are only fixed in some of their parts but not all Idioms are expressions not subjected to analysis, and only some syntactic changes may be carried out in them The idioms which can easily be subjected to syntactic changes are more flexible Tense changes within idioms can be possibly made in most idioms, for they indicate the animation of the actions in different tenses on the person's mind

For example: keep in touch => kept in touch (to maintain communications with someone) Besides, some idioms can be broken or changed more or less in their structures For example, we sometimes say: like mother like daughter/ like father like son

Idioms can have various structural components, including nouns (e.g., "two peas in a pod"), verbs (e.g., "to stick to one's last"), adjectives (e.g., "nearest and dearest"), or prepositions (e.g., "with open arms") While many idioms feature stable and regular structures, some may be irregular or even grammatically incorrect Regular-structure idioms often follow common patterns but their meaning may not directly relate to the individual components, such as "tell tales out of school," which means to reveal secrets or spread rumors Conversely, some idioms consist of words with unconventional forms that derive meaning from their individual words, like "make your enemy your friend." According to grammatical rules, the verb "make" typically follows structures such as "make somebody do something" or "make somebody/something + adjective."

In some cases, idioms do not need to follow strict grammatical rules to be understood, such as "make your enemy become your friend." Additionally, idioms can be groups of words that are both grammatically incorrect in form and irregular in meaning, like "be up to no good," where the overall meaning is derived from the combined words rather than individual grammar rules.

Understanding idiomatic expressions like "doing or planning something wrong or dishonest" helps improve your English proficiency These idioms often follow a structure of “verb + preposition + adjective,” which is a common pattern in English While standard grammar usually places adjectives before nouns, in idiomatic expressions, adjectives can appear after prepositions, making such structures acceptable and widely used Mastering these patterns enhances both your grammatical accuracy and conversational fluency in English.

An idiom is a set expression that retains its meaning only when its internal structure remains unchanged, as altering it can cause loss of the idiomatic sense Idioms can take various forms, including noun phrases, verb phrases, prepositional phrases, and adjective phrases, making their structures diverse Additionally, idioms may feature regular, irregular, or even grammatically incorrect structures, highlighting their flexible yet specific nature in language.

A noun phrase is a group of words that revolves around a noun and functions as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence (George Yule, 2015) According to Douglas (2002), any phrase with a noun as its head is classified as a noun phrase, which can be preceded by determiners like "the," "a," or "her," and include modifiers that describe or classify the noun Understanding noun phrases is essential for mastering sentence structure and improving overall language proficiency.

The components that make up the word list cluster include the pre- modifiers- Head noun-postmodifiers

 Modifiers in front of the main noun called pre-modifiers can be Articles (Terms), Quantitative words (Quantitative), Nouns, possessive pronouns (Nouns/ Possessive pronouns) ; Adjective; Participle (V-ing or V3/-ed)

 Head nouns can be countable nouns, uncountable nouns, singular nouns, plural nouns, proper nouns or common nouns

 The complement after the main noun called the postmodifiers can be a phrase, phrasal verb, or subject

A verb phrase is a key syntactic unit composed of an auxiliary verb followed by a main verb, often including complements, objects, and modifiers It plays a crucial role in sentence structure by providing additional information about the action or state There are two main types of verb phrases, each serving different grammatical functions, making understanding them essential for effective language use and writing.

 Finite Verb Phrase: If a sentence has just one verb phrase, it is a finite verb phrase The head verb is finite, and either comes in present or past form

Verb phrases with participles, gerunds, or infinitives serve multiple functions in sentences, including acting as phrase heads, predicates, modifiers, complements, and objects They often function as noun phrase modifiers, describing nouns or noun phrases with additional words or phrases Additionally, verb phrases can serve as adjective phrase complements and verb phrase complements, as explained by O'Dell & McCarthy (2010, pp.81-89) This versatility highlights the importance of understanding verb phrase roles for effective English grammar and sentence structure.

In English grammar, an adjective phrase is a group of words that functions as an adjective in a sentence An adjective head word may be accompanied by modifiers, determiners, and/or qualifiers (all of which are called dependents) It also known as an adjectival phrase

Adjective phrases serve to modify nouns, either in attributive position (before the noun) or predicate position (after a linking verb) However, not all adjectives are versatile enough to be used in both positions, as noted by linguists Henk van Riemsdijk and István Kenesei in 2013 Understanding the functions and placements of adjective phrases enhances language precision and clarity in communication.

According to Terry O' Brien (2011), prepositional phrases typically consist of a preposition followed by a noun group/phrase Prepositional phrases occur with a range of functions, including:

 Adverbial (how, when, where) in clause structure E.g., “on the train” in “We met on the train”

 The modifier in noun group/phrase structure E.g., “with two children” in “A couple with two children”

 Modifier in adjective group/phrase structure E.g., “with red hair” in

“The boy with red hair”

Quirk R and S Greenbaum (1990, p.166): “A simple sentence is the sentence that consists of only one clause” luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com Luan van thac si

Alexander (1988, p.4) writes: “The smallest sentence unit is the simple sentence A simple sentence normally has one finite verb It has a subject and a predicate”

E.g Mary and her boyfriend are doctors

Structurally, there are usually two main types of the simple sentence

 A complete simple sentence is a sentence that has one subject and one predicate (Also called two-member sentences)

 A special simple sentence is a sentence that has one subject or a verb; sometimes, it is called an incomplete simple sentence (Or one - member sentence) E.g Look!

Languages are composed of words, but their combined meanings often create entirely new and nuanced expressions According to Kramsch (2000), “The meaning of an idiom was the special chemical mixture of the meaning of all components, which is completely new in quality,” highlighting the importance of understanding idioms metaphorically The core feature of idioms lies in their figurative meaning, which helps identify them as fixed linguistic expressions For example, the English idiom “Read somebody like a book,” meaning to understand someone deeply without asking, has the Vietnamese equivalent “Đi guốc trong bụng,” demonstrating how idiomatic expressions convey nuanced meanings unique to each language.

Features of Vietnamese idioms

In Vietnamese, idioms are considered exceptional language units because they reflect Vietnamese cultural characteristics Structural and semantic features also distinguish the forms and contents of idioms

Most Vietnamese linguists agree that idioms are fixed expressions where individual words do not carry separate meanings but combine to form a solid, inseparable whole Nguyen Van Tu (1976) described idioms as "fixed expressions whose word components do not have their own meanings and become a solid block," emphasizing the importance of the combined components in conveying the idiom's meaning Similarly, Nguyen Thien Giap (1975) regarded an idiom as a fixed expression While Nguyen Duc Dan shared this view, highlighting the structural stability of idioms in Vietnamese language.

In 1986, the focus was on the fixation of Vietnamese idioms, with the assertion that "idioms are language units which have fixed forms." Hoang Van Hanh (1994) emphasized the importance of the components that constitute idioms, stating that an idiom is a fixed group of words whose form remains unchanged.

Vietnamese idioms are fixed word groups where the form remains unchanged, often derived from well-established expressions like "bắt cá hai tay" (to run after two hares) and "mèo mù vớ cá rán" (The devil looks after his own) This fixation prevents altering the word order or swapping out components with synonyms, allowing for quick identification However, not all fixed expressions are idioms; for example, "bánh xe lịch sử" (the wheel of history) and "gia đình văn hóa" (good family) are fixed phrases that do not function as idioms Therefore, correctly recognizing an idiom requires considering additional features beyond its fixed form.

The structure of idioms in Vietnamese is mainly a phrase structure including noun phrases, verb phrases and adjective phrases

According to Nguyen Tai Can (1997), the type of short phrase with a noun as the center is called CDT, called noun for short

According to Diep Quang Ban (2007), a noun phrase is a free combination that does not have a leading element and is characterized by a main relationship between its components The main element of a noun phrase is a noun, and it functions as the core around which the minor elements are organized Understanding the structure of noun phrases is essential for language learners and linguists, as it enhances comprehension of sentence construction and grammatical relationships For more resources, including thesis downloads and up-to-date academic materials, visit our platform or contact via luanvanfull@gmail.com.

A noun phrase is a free word combination where constituent elements are connected through a main-subordinate relationship, with the main element being a noun or an equivalent noun phrase Its structure comprises three key components: the pre-subordinate, the head noun, and the post-subordinate Understanding noun phrases is essential for grasping English sentence structure and improving language precision.

E.g., in the idiom “treo đầu dê, bán thịt chó” (He cries wine and sells vinegar), “đầu dê” and “thịt chó” is the head noun, “treo” and “bán” is the pre-subordinate

According to Diep Quang Ban (1998), verb phrases are composed of verbs combined with related words, which are sometimes necessary to complete their meaning Although more complex than simple verbs, verb phrases function as the predicate in sentences, occupying the same grammatical role A typical verb phrase consists of three main parts: the pre-subordinate, the head verb, and the post-subordinate The pre-subordinate modifies the main verb and conveys meanings such as continuation, prevention, or encouragement The post-subordinate complements the core verb by providing details about place, time, cause, or purpose, as demonstrated in examples like “làm bạn mất bạn” (make friends, lose friends), where “làm,” “mất” are the head verbs and “bạn” functions as the pre-subordinate This structure is essential for understanding how verb phrases function within sentence construction in Vietnamese.

According to Diep Quang Ban (1998), adjectives are words used to describe the characteristics, properties, and qualities of things, phenomena, and actions They can form adjective phrases by combining with other words, with the adjective serving as the central element An example of an adjective phrase is "The more, the merrier," where "đông" (more) and "vui" (merrier) are the head adjectives, connected by the pre-subordinate "càng" (the more) This structure typically includes a pre-subordinate, the head adjective, and optional auxiliary components, illustrating how adjectives function within complex phrase formations.

Parallel structure involves maintaining the same grammatical pattern within a sentence to clearly emphasize multiple ideas or pieces of information It ensures all elements of a sentence are presented with equal importance by repeating a chosen word pattern When a sentence contains two or more pieces of information, the grammatical form used for the first should be consistently applied to the rest for clarity and coherence Proper use of parallel structure enhances readability and strengthens the overall impact of your writing.

Parallel structure involves connecting multiple pieces of information using coordinating conjunctions, creating coherence in sentences According to Routledge (2002), parallel structures can be built at the word, phrase, or clause level across different sentences An example is the Vietnamese idiom “Buôn có bạn, bán có phường,” which demonstrates parallelism through two phrases separated by a comma, with “buôn” and “bán” as similar verbs Utilizing parallel structure enhances clarity and rhythm in writing, making complex ideas easier to understand and more engaging for readers.

There are various opinions regarding the semantic features of Vietnamese idioms Nguyen Van Menh (1971) states that idioms introduce images, phenomena, states, personalities, or attitudes, offering a simple and general perspective Conversely, Nguyen Van Tu (1976) emphasizes that the meaning of an idiom does not solely derive from its individual components, which may or may not contain images, but can differ from the sum of its parts Nguyen Thien Giap (1985) highlights that a fundamental feature of idioms is their richness in imagery, which is constructed through metaphor and comparison, enabling idioms to express concepts using specific images and symbols.

Vietnamese linguists agree that idioms represent a complete, indivisible meaning rather than a simple sum of their parts They view idioms as reflecting specific concepts or phenomena through their meanings Additionally, idioms are typically characterized by figurative and descriptive language, conveying ideas in a metaphorical manner.

Many linguists believe that idioms possess both figurative and imaginary meanings, but this is not an absolute rule In Vietnamese, some idioms have literal meanings derived from their component words, including comparative idioms like "nát như tương" (as pasty as soy) and "bám như đỉa đói" (to stick like a limpet), which evoke imagery based on activities or properties Additionally, Sino-Vietnamese idioms such as "bán tín bán nghi" (half doubtful) and "bách phát bách trúng" (to hit the mark every time) also retain literal sense grounded in the meanings of their individual components.

Distinction between idioms and proverbs

Distinguishing between idioms and proverbs is essential, despite the common misconception that their differences are subtle and unclear Proverbs are defined as short, widely recognized sentences or phrases that offer advice or express general truths about life (Ashby, 2001) They typically convey complete ideas or comments related to morality, justice, or life experiences (Vu Ngoc Phan, 2000) Recognizing these distinctions is crucial for understanding their unique roles in language and culture.

Proverbs like “Ngọt mật chết ruồi” and “Con có cha như nhà có nóc” uniquely showcase a country's folk culture, reflecting its values, traditions, and social nuances These timeless sayings serve as valuable cultural treasures that reveal insights into a nation's land, people, and humanity, offering a window into its historical and social identity beyond just language.

2.5.2 Distinction between idioms and proverbs

Proverbs are short, popular phrases that express judgments, provide useful advice, or reveal universal truths about life, serving functions such as education, perception, and aesthetic appreciation In contrast, idioms primarily function to name and depict things, properties, or phenomena, and do not typically pass judgment, offer advice, or convey moral or empirical truths While proverbs aim to inform and enlighten, idioms are more about describing or illustrating concepts without explicit evaluative or philosophical intent.

Proverbs and idioms can be distinguished by their grammatical structures; idioms are brief phrases that function as parts of sentences, such as “smell a rat” or “on ice,” while proverbs are complete sentences that express an entire idea, like “Where there is a will, there is a way.” Unlike idioms, which are often word-specific, proverbs provide overall guidance or wisdom Recognizing these structural differences is essential for understanding their roles in language and communication.

In short, while proverbs and idioms share many characteristics, they can be distinguished regarding functions and structures.

Culture and the Relationship between Language and Culture

The term “culture” encompasses a wide range of meanings, including art forms such as music and drama, traditional foods, clothing, and religious practices It can also represent the customs and beliefs that define a community or society Each individual may have their own unique interpretation of what “culture” signifies, reflecting its diverse and multifaceted nature.

As Edward Tylor, a famous British anthropologist, noted in his book

Culture is a complex whole that encompasses knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and other capacities and habits acquired by individuals as members of society According to Primitive Culture (1871), this broad definition highlights the multifaceted nature of culture Geertz (1973) further explains that culture “denotes a historically transmitted pattern of meanings embodied in symbols,” serving as a system of inherited conceptions expressed through symbolic forms These symbols enable people to communicate, perpetuate, and develop their understanding and attitudes toward life, emphasizing the importance of cultural symbols in shaping social life.

Culture, as defined by Nguyen Quang (1998), is a shared background of national, ethnic, or religious groups that results from common language, communication styles, customs, beliefs, attitudes, and values Importantly, this concept of culture refers to the informal and often hidden patterns of human interaction, expressions, and viewpoints within a society, rather than just art, music, literature, or fashion Like an iceberg, most of these cultural influences are hidden beneath the surface, making them less visible but highly impactful on individual behavior and intercultural interactions Recognizing both the visible and hidden aspects of culture is essential for understanding cross-cultural communication and avoiding misunderstandings.

Culture can be broadly defined as the products and characteristics unique to a specific group of people, encompassing both spiritual and material aspects such as language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music, arts, and architecture It plays a significant and often unseen role in shaping human life, influencing behaviors, beliefs, and identities According to Li (2005), many cultural experts agree that culture possesses four fundamental and notable characteristics that define its essence.

Culture is not a biological or natural inheritance; instead, it is learned and passed down socially over time According to Hudson (1970, p.74), culture should be regarded as “socially acquired knowledge,” emphasizing its role as a product of social learning rather than innate traits.

Second, culture never belongs to any one person in particular Yes, it is shared by all members of a community

According to Geertz (1973), culture is a "symbolic meaning system," where language plays a crucial role in conveying cultural values As a vital component of this system, language serves as an essential medium for transmitting and preserving cultural meaning across generations Understanding the importance of language within culture highlights its significance in fostering effective communication and cultural continuity.

Last but not least, culture is a “unified system”, which means that its constituent parts are inextricably related and linked to one another

In a nutshell, culture is all of the tangible values that humans have created against the backdrop of the natural world Culture is commonly defined as literature and art forms such as poetry, fine art, theatre, and cinema in everyday life Another widely held belief is that culture is a way of life that includes food, clothing, behaviour, and even thoughts and received knowledge As a result, we can categorize people as cultured or uncultured

2.6.2 Relationship between language and culture

Language and culture are deeply interconnected, with language serving as the primary vehicle for transmitting and preserving cultural identity Both spoken and written language embody the essence of a cultural nation, facilitating cultural progression and safeguarding traditions across generations The evolution of language closely mirrors cultural development, reflecting societal changes and advancements over time This dynamic relationship ensures that language remains a vital tool for cultural continuity and innovation.

Language and culture are inherently interconnected, with Brown (1994) emphasizing that "language is a part of a culture and a culture is a part of a language," highlighting their inseparable relationship Kramsch (2000) further supports this view, asserting that understanding language requires contextual cultural awareness, as the two are deeply intertwined and cannot be fully separated without losing their essential meaning.

“language is the principal means whereby we conduct our social lives When it is used in communication contexts, it is bound up with culture in multiple and complex ways”

Culture and language are deeply interconnected, with language serving as a vital component of cultural identity As Li (2005, p.25) emphasizes, “without language, culture would not be possible,” highlighting its essential role in preserving and transmitting cultural values Language acts as a crucial vehicle for conveying a wide range of cultural knowledge, beliefs, and traditions, making it fundamental to the continuity of any culture.

Culture plays a vital role in shaping language, significantly influencing its creation and development Learning a new language, whether it's native, second, or foreign, inherently involves understanding its associated culture, making the learning process both challenging and enriching Language acquisition and cultural learning occur simultaneously, emphasizing their interconnected nature and highlighting the importance of cultural awareness in effective language mastery.

Culture profoundly influences language, which acts as a mirror reflecting cultural values and beliefs, emphasizing their inextricable connection Differences in national cultures often lead to variations in language, yet no culture is entirely isolated or unique; shared ways of thinking can exist across cultures Universal human characteristics and the diffusion of ideas contribute to commonalities, resulting in similar concepts and expressions across languages like English and Vietnamese These cultural similarities are naturally embedded in language, highlighting both diversity and interconnectedness in human communication.

Da trắng như trứng gà bóc (As white as sheet)

Vietnamese people often use the color of boiled eggs—white—to describe skin tone, highlighting harmony and complementarity In contrast, English speakers frequently associate white bed linen with pale, white skin, using it as a metaphor to criticize或 comment on skin complexion.

Both English and Vietnamese cultures associate the color white with purity and use it symbolically to contrast with darker or sinful colors Despite this common theme, each culture has unique ways of expressing these associations due to their distinct cultural contexts.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Research methods

This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods to ensure comprehensive insights Qualitative techniques, including semantic and context analysis, are used to describe and explore the characteristics of idioms related to friendship Meanwhile, quantitative methods involving statistical analysis are applied to count and analyze the collected data accurately By integrating both approaches, the research achieves greater efficiency and depth in understanding the linguistic features of friendship idioms, enhancing the overall validity of the findings.

Achieving the goal of identifying the syntactic and semantic features of English and Vietnamese friendship-related idioms requires multiple methods due to the complexity involved To thoroughly analyze similarities and differences in these idioms' syntax and semantics, various research approaches were employed simultaneously This comprehensive approach ensures a more accurate and detailed comparison of friendship-related idioms across both languages.

 Contrastive method: This method was used to identify the similarities and differences in syntactic and semantic features of friendship idioms in English and Vietnamese

 Analytic method: The researcher could clarify and justify a certain value or linguistic features with this method

 Descriptive method: The descriptive approach was used to characterize and interpret the findings.

This research primarily utilized analytic and comparative methods, which were identified as the most frequently employed techniques aligned with the thesis objectives In addition to combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, several other methods were recommended to enhance the study's comprehensiveness For further details or to download the complete thesis, interested readers can contact via email at luanvanfullmoi18@gmail.com.

Data collection

For this study, a total of 140 friendship-related idioms were collected, comprising 70 English and 70 Vietnamese expressions, sourced from reputable dictionaries and books to ensure objective analysis Key sources include the Oxford Dictionary, Dictionary of Idioms, Oxford Dictionary of Idioms, English Idioms, and the Vietnamese-English collection "Tuyển tập thành ngữ, tục ngữ, ca dao Việt-Anh thông dụng." These idioms serve as a comprehensive dataset to explore cultural and linguistic differences in expressing friendship.

This article draws on multiple reputable sources, including "English and Vietnamese idioms of comparison" (11 VNI) and "Từ điển thành ngữ, tục ngữ Việt Nam" (25 VNI), to ensure comprehensive coverage All selected sources are praised for their clear and easily understandable explanations of idioms, making them valuable references for language learners and enthusiasts seeking accurate and accessible information.

Data analysis

The author analyzed 70 English and 70 Vietnamese idioms by extracting them from dictionaries and books, using Excel to organize and count the data This comprehensive collection enabled a detailed comparison of the semantic and syntactic features of idioms in both languages The study involved descriptive analysis and categorization to identify similarities and differences in the idiomatic expressions' structure and meaning The findings provide valuable insights into the cultural and linguistic nuances of idioms in English and Vietnamese, highlighting key parallels and distinctions between the two languages.

Validity and Reliability

This research involved an in-depth study of relevant theories on idioms, syntax, and semantics to establish a solid theoretical framework This comprehensive approach ensures a thorough understanding of language structures, supporting the analysis of idiomatic expressions within the research The integration of syntactic and semantic theories enhances the accuracy and depth of the study, making it a valuable contribution to linguistic research.

The research data were sourced from reputable resources and carefully analyzed to ensure accuracy These sources were selected based on the author's comprehensive understanding of relevant theories related to idioms, syntax, and semantics This thorough approach guarantees the reliability and validity of the study's findings.

Furthermore, all the research methods used in this study are suitable for a luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com Luan van thac si study on idioms

The elements discussed confirm the reliability and validity of the study's findings, ensuring credible and accurate results For those seeking to access comprehensive research, download the latest master's thesis (luan van tot nghiep) directly via email at z z @gmail.com This resource provides valuable insights for academic and research purposes.

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

Syntactic and semantic features of idioms denoting friendship in

Based on statistical analysis, the study identified that 56 out of 70 English idioms, representing 80% of the EIDF, feature phrase structures These idioms are categorized into four types: noun phrases, verb phrases, adjective phrases, and prepositional phrases Conversely, the remaining 14 idioms (41.4%) have simple sentence structures This classification highlights the prominent use of complex phrase structures in English idioms, which is essential for understanding their formation and usage.

There are 17 idioms, making up 24,3% of English idioms denoting friendship The idiomatic noun phrases were divided into three following patterns: a (Article) + Adjective + Noun

English idioms with this pattern include: fair-weather friend, fast friend, flexible friend, etc., as in:

 She was very clear that she had not even told this to her fast friend (50) luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com Luan van thac si

(Christine Ammer, 1997, p.319) The phrase “fast friend” means two people who are very friendly for a long time (Christine Ammer, 1997, p.319)

In the phrase “fast friend”, friend is a noun, and fast is an adjective that modifies the noun friend

 I'd better get a new friend; he is a fair-weather friend (6) (Christine

According to Christine Ammer (1997, p.319), the term "fair-weather" typically refers to good weather However, the idiom "fair-weather friend" describes a person who is dependable during good times but untrustworthy or unavailable during difficult moments.

In the idiom “fair-weather friend”, friend is a noun, and fair-weather is an adjective that describes the noun friend b (Article) + Noun phrase + Prepositional phrase

This structure contains some idioms, such as friends in high places, a friend at court, birds of a feather a friend of Bill (W.), a friend of Dorothy, etc., as in:

 Jim can get out of paying the fine because he has friends in high places (10) (Christine Ammer, 1997, p.367)

In the phrase “friend in high places”, friends is a noun, in high places is a prepositional phrase modifying the noun friends

 With a friend at court, he has a good chance of getting the contract (1) (Christine Ammer, 1997, p.367)

The phrase “a friend at court” features "friend" as a noun, with the prepositional phrase "at court" modifying it to specify the type of friend Understanding this structure enhances comprehension of how descriptive phrases function within sentences For those seeking academic resources, you can download the latest thesis or graduation dissertation by contacting luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com.

Both of the phrases “friend in high places” and “a friend at court” mean a person or persons who can help by virtue of their influential position (Christine Ammer, 1997, p.367)

 Luke and Keith are always together, but hey, what can I say? Birds of a feather (4) (Judith Siefring, p.25)

The phrase “bird of a feather” means friends with similar tastes, interests (Judith Siefring, p.25)

In the phrase “birds of a feather”, birds is a noun, of a feather is a prepositional phrase modifying the noun birds

 Harry's a real friend of Dorothy (43), aren't you, Harry? (Angus Steveson, p.12985)

Originally, Dorothy is a character played by the actress Judy Garland (a gay icon) in the film The Wizard of Oz (1939) The phrase “friend of

Dorothy” means a homosexual man (Angus Steveson, p.12985)

In the phrase “friend of Dorothy”, friend is a noun, of Dorothy is a prepositional phrase modifying the noun friend c Noun + Noun

English idioms with this pattern include bosom friends, friend-zone, etc., as in:

 The two ladies who were arrested for injuring each other for one man were bosom friends for years (5) (Angus Steveson, p.3707)

The idiom “bosom friends” means “very close or intimate” (Angus Steveson, p.3707)

The idiom “bosom friends” highlights the close and intimate relationship between friends, where “friend” is the main noun, and “bosom” functions as a modifier describing the depth of their bond This phrase emphasizes the profound trust and affection shared between such friends, making it a valuable expression in understanding deep friendships Incorporating this idiom enhances the richness of language used to describe close relationships, aligning well with SEO strategies focused on friendship expressions.

The phrase "friend zone" describes a situation where a friendship exists between two people, but one person harbors unreciprocated romantic feelings Many individuals, like Angus Stevenson, have experienced ending up in the friend zone, only to watch the other person pursue romantic relationships with others Understanding this dynamic is important for comprehending the challenges of unreciprocated love within friendships.

In the idiom “friend zone”, zone is a noun, and friend is a noun that modifies the noun zone

In addition to noun phrases, EIDF also has verb phrases, including two sub-types: finite verb phrases and non-finite verb phrases

The verb phrase structures can be found in 31 English idioms, accounting for 44,2% of the total The following instances contain idioms in the form of verb phrases, as in:

 Sam and Kris speak the same language (27) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, p.289) The idiom “speak the same language” means understand one another as a result of shared opinions and values (Judith Siefring, p.167)

In the idiom “speak the same language”, speak is a verb; the same language, a phrase noun is an object of the verb speak

 Julie and Jake need to bury the hatchet and move on! (17) (Judith

The phrase “bury the hatchet” signifies that friends have resolved their quarrel or conflict and have resumed a friendly relationship This idiom emphasizes reconciliation and the ending of disputes, highlighting the importance of forgiveness and restoring harmony between individuals (Judith Siefring, p 42)

In the phrase “bury the hatchet”, bury is a verb; the hatchet, a phrase noun, is an object of the verb bury

In addition, friendship idioms also include the phrasal verb (V + Particle) or prepositional verbs (V + N + Particle), as in:

The idiom “Get on like a house on fire” describes quickly developing strong friendships, comparing their rapid bond to the swift spread of a fire According to Christine Ammer, this phrase emphasizes how effortlessly and intensively friends connect, highlighting the warmth and energy of their relationship Using this expression can effectively convey a powerful and instant camaraderie, making it a popular choice in describing close, quickly formed friendships.

In the idiom “Get on like a house on fire”, get on is a verb phrase; like a house on fire is a prepositional phrase modifying the verb phrase get on

 hit it off (with sb) (18) (Angus Stevenson, p.15482)

The phrase “hit it off” means “be naturally friendly or well suited” (Angus Stevenson, p.15482)

In the phrase “hit it off”, hit is a verb; it is a pronoun, and off is a particle functioning as an adjunct

In terms of adjective phrases, some English idioms on friendship often have comparative structures with adjectives

There are 6 English idioms with adjective phrases structures, accounting for 8,6% of the total The idiomatic adjective phrases are classified into these following patterns: as + Adj + as + NP:

 Joshua and Jack are as thick as thieves (13) (Jennifer Seidl & W McMordie, p.24) luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com Luan van thac si

The idiom “as thick as thieves” means that (two people) very friendly, sharing the same (often profitable) interests (Jennifer Seidl & W McMordie, p.24)

In the idiom “as thick as thieves”, thick is an adjective, as thieves (a prepositional phrase) is a complement that modifies the adjective thick

English idioms on friendship also can be structured in the form of preposition phrases: Prep + prepositional complement (Cprep)

EIDF contain 2 idioms with prepositional phrases, accounting for 2,9% of the total, as in:

 With open arms (Judith Siefring, p.290)

The idiom “with open arms” means in a very friendly way (Judith Siefring, p.290)

In the idiom “with open arms”, with is a preposition; open arms, a noun phrase plays the function of a prepositional complement that modifies the preposition with

This kind of structure can be found in 14 English idioms, which occupy 20% out of the total as in:

 A friend in need is a friend indeed (42)(Angus Stevenson, p.12981)

The sentence “a friend in need is a friend indeed” highlights the importance of true friendship, indicating that people who support you during difficult times are the most trustworthy friends (Angus Stevenson, p.12981).

The phrase "a friend in need is a friend indeed" highlights that a true friend is someone who supports you during difficult times In this expression, "a friend in need" functions as the subject, emphasizing the importance of loyal friends during challenging moments The word "friend" serves as the complement, describing the kind of person being referred to Additionally, "indeed" acts as an adjunct, providing extra reassurance and emphasizing the sincerity of genuine friendship This proverb underscores the value of true friendship, especially in times of need.

To sum up, all the above studies are synthesized in Table 4.1:

Table 4.1 Syntactic features of English idioms denoting friendship

According to Table 4.1, phrase structures dominate the data, representing 80% of the total, with verb phrases in IDF accounting for the highest proportion at 44.2% Noun phrase structures are the second most common at 24.3%, followed by adjective phrases at 8.6% Prepositional phrases are the least utilized, appearing in only 2.9% of idioms, indicating their minimal role in IDF phrase structures In contrast, simple sentence structures make up only 20% of the total, highlighting the prominence of complex phrase-based constructs in the dataset.

English idioms related to friendship often emphasize key themes such as sentiment, loyalty, and solidarity, reflecting the deep bonds and shared understanding between friends These expressions also highlight qualities like forgiveness, mutual support, and the importance of choice in maintaining strong relationships Additionally, they convey feelings of happiness, indifference, and the enduring nature of true friendship, capturing the essence of human connection and trust in a nuanced and meaningful way.

The most prominent feature of meanings lying in English idioms on friendship is sentiment between friends, as in:

 The new man is one of those overfriendly types Everybody is trying to keep him at arm's length (59) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, p.111)

In this example, English people use the verb phrase keep sb at arm's length not to allow someone to become too friendly (Angus Stevenson, p.17334)

Solidarity and ties are essential in order to maintain good and long relationships, so that this semantic element of English idioms on friendship can be chosen, as in:

I encourage you, my genuine yokefellow, to continue supporting the women who have worked alongside me in sharing the good news, along with Clement and the other fellow workers whose names are in the book of life This highlights the importance of teamwork and dedication in spreading faith and exemplifies the value of community and shared mission.

The phrase "side by side" means to do something together, emphasizing collaboration or companionship (Christine Ammer, p.621) Native speakers often use "side by side" to highlight the importance of working alongside others or being with friends during activities, fostering a sense of unity and support This expression is commonly used to convey the idea of doing tasks or sharing experiences closely with someone else.

Agreement and connection should always create friendship longer, but friendships cannot avoid conflict and argument

 hit it off (with somebody) (18) (Angus Stevenson, p.15482) luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com Luan van thac si

The phrase “hit it off” means to quickly establish a natural friendliness or strong connection between two people (Angus Stevenson, p.15482) It is commonly used to describe an immediate emotional bond, indicating that their minds are compatible and they share good chemistry in their interaction.

Like love, friendship also has loyalty because good friends are there The following example shows this loyal aspect of meaning:

 man's best friend (the dog) (33) (Christine Ammer, 1997)

“Man’s best friend” is an idiomatic term for dogs

Sharing and understanding are vital for strengthening friendships and fostering meaningful connections Expressing both joys and sorrows helps friends to deepen their mutual understanding English idioms related to friendship often emphasize the importance of sharing, illustrating how openness and empathy build stronger bonds Recognizing these idiomatic expressions can enhance communication and reinforce the value of genuine friendship.

 Understanding: read sb like a book (41) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, 2002, p.284)

“Read sb like a book” means understand somebody so well that you can guess what they will say or do before they say or do it (Judith Siefring, p.264)

 Sharing: share sb's sorrow and mirth (36) (Nguyen Dinh Hung,

“Share sb’s sorrow and mirth” means that share with each other, enjoy together, no matter how much or how little.(Angus Stevenson, p.12611)

Syntactic and semantic features of idioms denoting friendship in

Research section 4.2 explores the syntactic and semantic characteristics of English idioms related to friendship, providing valuable insights into their structure and meaning The author further introduces the elements of VNIDF, highlighting their significance in understanding how friendship is expressed through idiomatic language This analysis contributes to a deeper comprehension of idiomatic expressions in English and their role in conveying social bonds For more in-depth information or to download the full thesis, please contact via email at z z @gmail.com.

Syntactic features of VNIDF can be recognized under parallel and phrase structures (noun phrases, verb phrases, adjective phrases)

Noun phrase structures are found in 22 Vietnamese idioms making up 31,4% out of 70 Vietnamese idioms denoting friendship, as in:

 Bạn nối khố (1) (N + N) (childhood friend) (Nguyen Lan, p.29) The idiom “Bạn nối khố” means wherever best friends go together (Nguyễn Lân, p.29)

Bạn is a head noun, nối khố is a post-sub modifying the noun bạn

 Tứ hải giai huynh đệ (3) (within the four seas all men are brothers/ friends) (Nguyen Lan, p.329)

The idiom “Tứ hải giai huynh đệ” means people all over the world are friends (Nguyen Lan, p.329)

In the idiom “Tứ hải giai huynh đệ”, tứ hải is a head noun, giai huynh đệ (friends) is a post-sub modifying the noun Tứ hải

Verb phrases are found in 29 Vietnamese idioms occupying 41,4% out of the total, as in:

 Chia ngọt sẻ bùi (29) (V + Adj, V + Adj) (Share someone's sorrow and mirth) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, 2002, p.49)

The idiom “Chia ngọt sẻ bùi” shows solidarity and mutual affection between two friends (Nguyen Lan, p.59)

The Vietnamese idiom “Chia ngọt sẻ bùi” illustrates the concept of sharing both sweet and bitter experiences, with “chia” and “sẻ” acting as main verbs that emphasize giving and distributing In this phrase, “ngọt” (sweet) and “bùi” (bitter) serve as subordinate modifiers, describing the positive and challenging aspects of life that are shared among individuals Understanding the grammatical structure, where “chia” and “sẻ” are head verbs with “ngọt” and “bùi” as subordinate adjectives, is essential for accurate translation and cultural interpretation This idiom highlights the importance of solidarity and mutual support in Vietnamese culture, emphasizing that sharing life’s joys and hardships fosters stronger relationships.

 Làm bạn mất bạn (27) (V + N, V + N) (make friends, lose friends) (Nguyen Lan, p.166)

The phrase “Làm bạn, mất bạn” means that a bad person cheats someone who they know out of something, so people always avoid (Nguyen Lan, p.166)

In the phrase “Làm bạn, mất bạn”, làm, mất are head verbs, bạn is a pre- subordinate modifying the head verb làm and mất

Adjective phrases are found in 6 Vietnamese idioms accounting for 8,6% of the total, as in:

 Càng đông, càng vui (40) (comparative + Adj) (The more the merrier) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, 2002, p.43)

The phrase “Càng đông, càng vui” means a group of friends will have more fun, have more to share than just a friend (Nguyen Lan, p.45)

In the phrase “Càng đông, càng vui”, đông, vui are the head adjective, càng is a pre-subordinate (comparative) modifying the head adjectives đông, vui

Parallel structures are found in 13 Vietnamese idioms accounting for 18,6% of the total, as in:

 Đồng thanh tương ứng, đồng khí tương cầu (55) (Great minds think alike) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, 2002, p.81) The idiom “Đồng thanh tương ứng, đồng khí tương cầu” means that luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com Luan van thac si when friends have the same will, they will be close each other.(Nguyen Lan, p.118)

As can be seen from the idiom “đồng thanh tương ứng, đồng khí tương cầu”, it has a parallel structure because both sides of each idiom are phrases and separated by commas “Đồng thanh” and “đồng khí” are all similar in terms of noun

 Ở chọn nơi, chơi chọn bạn (39) (Better be alone than in ill company) (Nguyen Lan, p.251)

The Vietnamese phrase “ở chọn nơi, chơi chọn bạn” emphasizes the importance of choosing a healthy environment and good company for personal development and children's education It advises individuals to select surroundings that nurture positive traits and beneficial relationships The phrase features a parallel structure, with “ở” (stay) and “chơi” (play) both serving as verbs, highlighting the similarity and balance between choosing the right place and the right friends This guidance underscores the significance of mindful socialization and environment selection for overall well-being.

Table 4.2 Syntactic features of Vietnamese idioms denoting friendship

It can be clearly seen in Table 4.4 that the structure includes NP, VP, Adj.P, Parallel are common sentence structures in VNIDF

Analysis of 70 VNIDF entries reveals that noun phrases featuring idioms with adjective structures are the least common, comprising only 8.6% of all idioms Conversely, idioms containing phrasal verbs represent the largest portion, accounting for 41.4% with 29 idioms identified This indicates a significant prevalence of phrasal verb idioms over adjective-based idioms within the dataset.

Approximately 31.4% of idioms incorporate noun phrase structures, totaling 22 instances, highlighting their prominence in idiomatic expressions Additionally, parallel structures make up a significant portion of idioms, representing 18.6% with 13 examples, demonstrating their common usage in language These findings emphasize the importance of noun phrases and parallel structures in idiomatic language, crucial for understanding and mastering English idioms.

Idioms possess bold and expressive nuances that enable speakers and writers to clearly convey their thoughts and feelings They often encapsulate complete ideas, encompassing judgments or insights that summarize life experiences, such as a father's journey, or critique societal issues This makes idioms a powerful tool for effectively communicating complex emotions and opinions in a concise and impactful way.

Vietnamese idioms prominently feature themes of friendship, emphasizing deep affection and camaraderie between friends Authors frequently employ these idioms to convey their emotions and ideas, highlighting the cultural significance of genuine friendship in Vietnamese society.

 Dốc bầu tâm sự (23) (Share something for loved ones) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, 2002, p.70)

 Chia ngọt sẻ bùi (29) (Share someone's sorrow and mirth) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, 2002, p.49)

In Vietnamese culture, phrases like “Dốc bầu tâm sự,” meaning sharing personal happiness and sadness with friends, and “chia ngọt sẻ bùi,” which signifies mutual support and solidarity, highlight the deep importance placed on friendships These idioms reflect the strong bonds of love, trust, and affection among friends, emphasizing that Vietnamese people cherish their relationships and are willing to share their life stories and problems with trusted friends Such expressions demonstrate the value Vietnamese society places on companionship and emotional sharing, illustrating a culture that prioritizes close-knit friendships built on mutual understanding and support.

Regarding friendship, solidarity and bond are very important to keep a good and long-lasting relationship, so this is also a prominent feature of Vietnamese idioms, as in:

 Đồng cam cộng khổ (52) (to share somebody's joys and sorrows) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, 2002, p.81)

 Bạn nối khố (1) (childhood friend) (Nguyễn Lân, p.29)

The Vietnamese idioms “Đồng cam cộng khổ,” meaning “share happiness and sadness together,” and “bạn nối khố,” which signifies “wherever best friends go,” vividly express the deep sense of solidarity among Vietnamese people These expressions highlight the enduring bond between close friends, emphasizing that they support each other through life's joys and hardships and remain committed companions from childhood into adulthood Such idioms reflect the strong cultural value placed on loyalty, companionship, and unity within Vietnamese society.

3 implies that two friends who are always together will always stick and endure together no matter what happens

Because of good friends, friendship, like love, includes betrayal The meaning of this aspect of betrayal can be expressed in the following as:

 Cho vay mất bạn (26) (Loan lose friend) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, 2002, p.51) luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com Luan van thac si

 Tin bạn mất vợ (51) (believing bad friend lose wife) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, 2002, p.187)

Borrowing money from friends can lead to serious issues that threaten friendships, highlighting the importance of cautious financial dealings among friends ("Cho vay mất bạn") Trusting friends excessively may result in being deceived, as exemplified by the saying "Tin bạn mất vợ," which warns about the dangers of misplaced trust ("Nguyen Lan, p.309") These idioms emphasize that not all friendships are loyal, and some individuals may betray their friends for money or wealth Overall, they serve as cultural reminders for Vietnamese people to be careful when choosing friends and to value loyalty and trust.

Friendship, like love, has loyalty because there are good friends This aspect of loyalty's meaning can be expressed as follows:

 Đồng cam cộng khổ (52) (To share joys and sorrows) (Nguyen Dinh

The Vietnamese idiom “Đồng cam cộng khổ” signifies sharing both happiness and hardships together, emphasizing loyalty and mutual support (Nguyen Lan, p.118) It describes individuals who remain truthful and committed to one another, standing by each other's side in all situations This concept applies regardless of a friend's social status, whether they are wealthy or poor, highlighting the importance of steadfast companionship and solidarity.

Understanding the essential characteristics of friendship is key to building lasting and meaningful relationships Sharing both joys and sorrows allows friends to deepen their understanding and trust in each other, fostering stronger bonds This emotional connection is often reflected in English idioms about friendship, which highlight the importance of mutual support and empathy for the relationship to thrive.

 Chia ngọt sẻ bùi (29) (Share someone's sorrow and mirth) (Nguyen Dinh Hung, 2002, p.49)

The phrase "Chia ngọt sẻ bùi" exemplifies strong solidarity and mutual affection among friends, highlighting the importance of shared love and support Good friends consistently stand by each other in all circumstances, demonstrating their willingness to help during times of need and listen to each other's joys and sorrows This bond underscores the value of loyalty, empathy, and unwavering companionship in true friendship.

Similarities and differences in syntactic and semantic features of

Idioms are an exciting and popular aspect of language that capture human experiences and cultural traits Understanding idioms is essential for language learners, as they reflect common behaviors, social norms, and traditions rooted in specific cultures Learning idioms separately enhances language proficiency by providing deeper insight into societal values and communication styles For example, comparing English and Vietnamese idioms related to friendship highlights cultural differences and shared human experiences, enriching cross-cultural understanding.

Idioms, particularly those related to friendship in both English and Vietnamese, consistently attract interest from linguists and readers due to their cultural significance Despite similarities, each language reflects unique cultural features influenced by physiology, conventions, and religious beliefs Comparative studies reveal both shared and distinct semantic and syntactic characteristics, providing insights into the underlying cultural values expressed through friendship idioms in English and Vietnamese.

Analysis reveals that both English and Vietnamese are used across various semantic domains, including affection, solidarity, loyalty, sharing, and understanding These bilingual expressions highlight the interconnectedness of cultural values and emotional bonds in both languages, emphasizing their role in conveying deep relational meanings This linguistic overlap underscores the importance of cross-cultural communication in fostering mutual understanding and social cohesion.

In the collection of English and Vietnamese idioms relating to friendship, there are some particular structures that one of the two languages possesses

Firstly, English idioms of noun phrase structures own some that do not belong to the collection of Vietnamese idioms, such as adj + N, NP + Pre.P

Vietnamese lacks idiomatic expressions in the form of prepositional phrases, unlike English which frequently uses various prepositional structures This difference is primarily due to the limited number of prepositions used in the Vietnamese language.

Finally, there are no idioms in the parallel structures in English in comparison with Vietnamese

Table 4.3 Noun Phrase Structures of English and Vietnamese IDF

Table 4.3 highlights the differences in noun phrase structures between English and Vietnamese idioms In English, noun phrases typically consist of formats such as (Art) Adj + N, N + N, or (Art) + NP + Preposition Phrase, showcasing a variety of complex structures Conversely, Vietnamese idioms predominantly feature a simpler noun phrase structure, consisting mainly of N + N Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate translation and language analysis.

Table 4.4 Verb Phrase Structures of English and Vietnamese IDF

V + NP V + Adj luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com Luan van thac si

According to Table 4.4, the structure of verb phrases is used equally in English and Vietnamese idioms However, there is a clear distinction between the components of the verb phrase in the two languages In Vietnamese idioms, a verb followed by a defining element (VNIDF) can be an adjective, whereas in English idioms (EIDF), the verb is typically followed by a noun phrase.

Table 4.5 Adjective Phrase Structures of English and Vietnamese IDF

Adjectives are infrequently used in both Vietnamese and English languages, as demonstrated in Table 4.5 In English, adjective phrases typically follow a simple structure of Adj + NP, while in Vietnamese, adjective usage is also limited Additionally, English often employs comparative + Adj forms, highlighting the constrained nature of adjective expressions in these languages.

Table 4.6 Preposition Phrase Structures of English and Vietnamese IDF

Vietnamese prepositions are limited in their usage compared to English, and unlike English prepositional phrases, there are no idiomatic expressions formed with Vietnamese prepositions, as observed in Table 4.6.

Table 4.7 Simple sentence structures and parallel structures in

Simple sentence structures Parallel structures

Vietnamese idioms often feature parallel constructions, which are predominantly used in their expressions, whereas English idioms typically employ simple sentence structures Notably, there are no English idioms that mirror the complex parallel style found in Vietnamese language, highlighting a key structural difference between the two linguistic traditions.

Table 4.8 Statistical analysis of syntactic features of English and

Table 4.8 shows statistics on syntactic features of 70 English and 70 Vietnamese IDF

Both English and Vietnamese use most of IDF in verb phrases; whereas, there are no idioms used prepositional phrases, simple sentence structures in Vietnamese and parallel structures in English

English features 17 idioms within noun phrase structures, slightly fewer than the 22 idioms found in Vietnamese When it comes to adjective phrase idioms, both languages use an equal number of six idioms Similarly, Vietnamese and English share comparable usage of verb phrase idioms, with 29 in Vietnamese (VNIDF) and 31 in English (EIDF) The remaining idioms are employed differently: in English, they appear mainly in prepositional and simple sentence structures, whereas Vietnamese tends to use them within parallel structures.

In Vietnamese, idioms within parallel structures are uniquely prevalent, primarily because this pattern enhances speech with alliteration and rhythm This linguistic choice aims to create smoother, more engaging speeches, reflecting the cultural preference for poetic and rhythmic expression.

Chart 4.1 Rate of Syntactic features of English and Vietnamese idioms

Phrase structures are fundamental to the syntactic features of EIDF, as evidenced by their high percentage in Chart 4.1, highlighting their central role in sentence construction Both English and Vietnamese languages utilize specific IDF systems within key phrase structures such as noun phrases, verb phrases, and adjective phrases, indicating shared characteristics Notably, verb phrases are paramount in English idioms related to friendship, comprising 44.2%, underscoring their vital role in conveying advice and expressing experience in idiomatic expressions.

In VNIDF, verb phrases are prominently featured in Vietnamese idioms, accounting for 41.4% of the expressions, highlighting their significant role This high frequency indicates that verb phrases have a strong influence on both English and Vietnamese idiomatic expressions Many idioms incorporate words related to friendship, emphasizing the cultural importance of camaraderie in Vietnamese language The prevalence of verb phrases in idioms underscores their importance in conveying meaning and cultural values in both languages.

Secondly, according to Chart 4.1, the percentage of adjective phrases in both Vietnamese and English IDF is similar (8,6%)

Furthermore, in terms of noun phrases, English IDF use in this structure is lower Vietnamese IDF, 24,3% and 31,4% in turn

Data in Table 4.10 and Chart 4.1 reveal that Vietnamese idioms about friendship frequently utilize parallel structures In contrast, English idioms primarily employ prepositional phrases and specific sentence structures These differences highlight distinct syntactic features between Vietnamese and English idioms related to friendship.

Table 4.9 Statistical analysis of semantic features of English and

Semantic features English IDF Vietnamese IDF

Total 70 100 70 100 luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com Luan van thac si

Chart 4.2 Statistical analysis of semantic features of English and

Analysis of Table 4.9 and Chart 4.2 reveals that English idioms exhibit a greater variety of semantic features compared to Vietnamese idioms Despite this difference, both languages' idioms share four core semantic characteristics: affection, solidarity and bonding, loyalty and betrayal, as well as sharing and understanding These common themes highlight universal aspects of idiomatic expressions across English and Vietnamese languages.

Specifically, in Vietnam, idioms expressing sentiment and loyalty (38,6% and 21,4% respectively) is over double those of English, which was 15,7% and 7% in turn

The percentage of solidarity and ties in Vietnamese idioms is higher than in English, about 21% and 12,9% However, in terms of sharing and

Semantic features of English and Vietnamese idioms

English IF Vietnamese IF luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com Luan van thac si understanding of English idioms (14,3%) are higher than Vietnamese (11,4%).

Similarities and differences in the use of idioms in English and

In short, it is clear that English idioms on friendship have their own structural and semantic features as well as Vietnamese ones

4.4 Similarities and differences in the use of idioms in English and Vietnamese

According to Hoang Van Hanh’s 2004 study on Vietnamese idioms, idioms are phrases that convey figurative meanings beyond their literal interpretation They often serve to replace lengthy sentences or emphasize key ideas, similar to idioms in English Both languages utilize idioms to enrich communication, highlighting notable similarities between Vietnamese and English expressions For example, the English phrase "childhood friend" has an equivalent meaning in Vietnamese, demonstrating how idioms in both languages function to express close relationships efficiently.

The phrase "Bạn nối khố" highlights the deep connection and trust between friends in Vietnamese culture Similarly, the British expression "Read someone like a book" emphasizes the ability to understand others effortlessly, comparable to the Vietnamese saying "Đi guốc trong bụng," which also signifies intuitively knowing what someone is thinking These idioms reflect the universal value of close interpersonal understanding across different cultures.

Research by Hoang Van Hanh (2004) indicates that Vietnamese people often use idioms primarily for satire or teaching, making their frequency in daily life relatively low In contrast, English speakers commonly use idioms in everyday conversations to express thoughts naturally between friends, family, and strangers, regardless of age or social class Vietnamese idioms frequently utilize metaphors involving animals and objects; for example, “Dính như sam” (as sticky as sea sycamore) symbolizes close friendship, referencing the characteristics of the Sam tree Conversely, in English, the idiom “Joined at the hip” originates from the conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker and has evolved to describe individuals with a very close relationship who tend to do everything together.

Vietnamese culture boasts a rich system of speech etiquette, with a particularly elaborate address system that differentiates it from English Unlike English, which primarily uses personal pronouns for addressing others, Vietnamese employs numerous kinship nouns that often take precedence over pronouns, reflecting deep social and familial ties This linguistic richness is exemplified in idioms such as "Many people love more, many hate," "Wealth because of friends, wealth because of wife," and "Foster hatred into friendship," showcasing the importance and complexity of respectful address in Vietnamese communication.

Friendship idioms in practical

Idioms need to be recognized as not just imperceptive lexical units Still, they are a vital part of any linguistic heritage and that their existence in spoken and written texts has a reason The following suggestions should be paid attention to during the process of teaching and learning English idioms, luan van tot nghiep download luanvanfull moi nhat z z @gmail.com Luan van thac si especially English idioms denoting friendship

In language teaching, focusing on idioms related to friendship enhances students' language skills while making lessons more engaging Incorporating these idioms can create fun and exciting activities, fostering a lively learning environment Additionally, using humorous expressions related to friendship can increase student motivation and make language acquisition more enjoyable.

Teachers should focus on teaching key grammar units such as noun phrases, verb phrases, adjective phrases, prepositional phrases, adverb phrases, clause structures, and sentence structures to help students understand sentence syntax A solid grasp of these grammatical structures enables students to accurately identify and classify idioms within phrase, clause, or sentence structures Incorporating idioms into grammar lessons enhances students’ understanding of their syntactic features Additionally, teachers should provide foundational knowledge about idioms to distinguish them from other language units like proverbs and collocations, supporting more precise language comprehension and usage.

Incorporating idioms related to friendship into teaching grammar, such as comparative structures and equal comparisons, can make grammar lessons more engaging and easier to grasp Using these idioms not only makes the learning process more intriguing but also helps students expand their vocabularies and understand various grammatical structures better Teachers are encouraged to teach friendship-related idioms in different contexts to enhance students' comprehension and foster a more relatable learning environment.

Idioms are a complex aspect of foreign language learning because their meanings often do not directly relate to their constituent words Teachers must implement updated teaching methodologies to better convey the importance of idioms in language proficiency A lack of awareness about the significance of teaching idioms may contribute to learners’ low scores in idiomatic language areas Incorporating effective idiom instruction is essential for improving overall language skills and comprehension.

Incorporating pictures, games, and role-play activities into teaching idioms can significantly enhance student engagement and retention Using visual aids and interactive exercises, such as dialogues and role-playing, helps learners better understand and remember idiomatic expressions Teachers can assign students to write and act out conversations using idioms introduced in class, making the learning process both fun and effective.

Idioms originate from the laws of nature and society, transforming into valuable cultural experiences and wisdom passed down through generations Over time, our ancestors preserved and shared these idioms to teach lessons and guide everyday life While some knowledge from books may be forgotten, idioms continue to be actively used in daily conversations, keeping this cultural heritage alive However, some aspects of idiomatic knowledge may have been lost, making it essential to actively incorporate idioms into our daily communication to preserve their significance.

Our ancestors’ honest and humorous approach to education through folk songs and proverbs has enriched both our cultural and spiritual life Guided by the tradition of “Tiên học lễ, hậu học văn” (“First learn manners, then learn literature”), they emphasized that understanding moral principles is essential before acquiring knowledge As a vital part of oral culture, idioms continue to serve as a powerful source of wisdom, nourishing the souls of both current and future generations.

Learners often encounter challenges in understanding English idioms, particularly those related to friendship This difficulty highlights the need for targeted language instruction to improve idiomatic comprehension and enhance overall language proficiency Understanding friendship idioms is essential for more nuanced communication and cultural literacy in English.

Many learners struggle with recognizing English idioms, often attempting to guess their structure and meaning incorrectly This misunderstanding can hinder language acquisition and communication skills To enhance language learning, it is essential to provide targeted instruction on idioms, including their usage and context Implementing such strategies can significantly improve learners’ ability to understand and use English idioms accurately, leading to more effective language proficiency.

Students should focus on mastering fundamental grammar concepts, including phrases, clauses, and sentence structures, to build a strong linguistic foundation To enhance their understanding of English idioms related to friendship, they should read extensively, consult teachers or native speakers, and gather authentic materials that demonstrate how native speakers naturally use these idioms in various contexts By studying these examples and imitating native usage, learners can effectively and accurately incorporate friendship idioms into their speaking and writing, ultimately improving their overall English proficiency.

Understanding the cultural differences between Western and Eastern countries, such as England and Vietnam, is essential for language learners Building cultural background knowledge is crucial when studying idioms, as they are deeply rooted in the culture they originate from Reading is an effective method to acquire this knowledge, especially through short stories that incorporate idioms and vivid images to enhance memorization Contextual learning through stories helps learners grasp idioms more easily, particularly those related to friendship When encountering difficult idioms, consulting a dictionary can be beneficial Additionally, communicating with foreigners provides practical exposure to idioms within cultural contexts Overall, possessing cultural awareness significantly improves comprehension and usage of idioms in language learning.

To enhance learners’ understanding of idioms, it is essential to provide a comprehensive list of compulsory courses at the undergraduate level focused on idioms, their types, features, and functions in both spoken and written communication Incorporating idioms into practical exercises can improve students' communicative skills and help them select appropriate idioms for specific contexts Additionally, learners often rely on their first language to interpret unfamiliar idioms by seeking similar expressions, which underscores the importance of targeted idiom instruction to aid accurate comprehension and usage.

Providing students with contextual understanding enhances their interpretation of friendship idioms, making learning more effective Learning idioms within meaningful contexts, rather than through isolated memorization and drills, helps students grasp their true significance Additionally, incorporating knowledge of history, culture, and customs related to these idioms deepens learners’ understanding and appreciation Recognizing the usefulness and necessity of using English idioms denoting friendship fosters confidence in communication, motivating students to actively apply idiomatic expressions in real-life interactions.

This chapter concludes that analyzing the phrasal structures of idiomatic expressions (IDF) in both English and Vietnamese reveals common syntactic patterns and highlights key idioms related to friendship A statistical overview of the syntactic features of IDF in both languages provides valuable insights into their structural similarities and differences Additionally, the chapter explores the semantic fields of friendship expressed through idioms in both languages, aiding in understanding how meaning transfer occurs in natural language The study also compares the similarities and differences in IDF between English and Vietnamese to offer a comprehensive understanding of their idiomatic expressions Finally, practical implications are suggested for teachers and learners to enhance the teaching and learning of English idioms, especially those related to friendship, promoting more effective language acquisition.

CONCLUSION