INTRODUCTION
Justification of the Study
Idioms are language phenomena that play a vital role in a country's cultural identity, reflecting its customs and traditions They serve as vivid representations of a nation’s history and folklore, offering insight into its spiritual life Understanding idioms enhances linguistic and cultural appreciation, making them an essential aspect of language learning and cultural connection.
Using idioms in communication is an effective and engaging way to convey ideas They enrich your language by expressing both literal and figurative meanings, making observations, judgments, and explanations more lively and interesting Incorporating idioms enhances clarity and adds a creative touch to your message, making your communication more impactful and memorable.
Idioms enhance communication by making language more lively and expressive, but mastering their correct usage remains challenging because their meanings often cannot be inferred from their individual components Learners must understand the figurative sense behind idioms to use them effectively For example, instead of saying “There were very many things to do at the festival,” one can say “There were a million and one things to do at the festival,” where “a million and one” signifies “a very large number.”
Metaphor is one of the most effective devices for creating idioms, as it helps create vivid and memorable images Understanding idiomatic expressions requires recognizing their figurative meanings rather than relying on their literal interpretations By grasping the metaphorical essence of idioms, language learners can better appreciate their true significance and cultural context.
Throughout her language journey, the author has explored various aspects of the English language, with a particular interest in idioms and their meanings She is especially fascinated by numerically related idioms, which constitute a significant portion of idiomatic expressions in both English and Vietnamese These idioms are frequently used, reflecting their importance in everyday communication and cultural understanding.
Numerous authors have shown great interest in idioms, conducting extensive research on various themes such as color, human body parts, and love However, there is a notable gap in existing studies, as little to no research has been dedicated to idioms related to numbers.
For the reasons above, the author decides to choose the topic “ A
This study conducts a contrastive analysis of metaphors in English and Vietnamese idioms related to numbers, aiming to explore their similarities and differences The research focuses on how numerical concepts are expressed metaphorically in both languages, providing insights to enhance understanding of idiomatic expressions By analyzing these metaphors, the thesis seeks to support effective teaching and learning of English idioms, particularly for Vietnamese learners The findings contribute to cross-cultural understanding and offer practical methods for educators to teach idiomatic language more effectively Ultimately, this research aspires to make a small but meaningful contribution to the field of language education.
Aims of the Study
The aims and objectives of the study are as follow:
- To make a clear distinction of metaphor in English and Vietnamese idioms relating to numbers
This article aims to help learners gain a fundamental understanding of words, metaphors, and idioms, with a special focus on idioms related to numbers It also explores the cultural characteristics of both English and Vietnamese speakers through these idioms, enhancing cross-cultural awareness By examining these linguistic elements, learners can better understand the rich cultural context behind idiomatic expressions and improve their language comprehension and usage.
- To give some suggestions for teaching and studying idioms
- To satisfy the author’s interest.
Methods of the Study
To finish this study, the author has used some methods
Scope of the Study
This study focuses exclusively on English and Vietnamese idioms related to cardinal numbers It specifically analyzes the semantic features of these idioms, emphasizing their metaphorical meanings The term “numbers” refers solely to cardinal numerals, ensuring a targeted and precise comparison across both languages By examining these idioms, we aim to understand their underlying metaphorical significance and cultural nuances This research provides valuable insights into how numerical concepts are linguistically represented through idiomatic expressions in English and Vietnamese.
Design of the Study
Apart from Acknowledgement, Abstract, Table of Contents,
Part I is “INTRODUCTION” which consists of the author’s reasons for choosing the study, aims, method, scope and design of the study
Part II entitled “DEVELOPMENT” includes three chapters Chapter
1, “Theoretical Background”, provides some background knowledge about words, idioms, metaphor and the use of metaphor in English and Vietnamese idioms
Chapter 2 is titled “ A Contrastive Analysis of Metaphor in English and
Vietnamese Idioms relating to Numbers” This chapter mainly investigates the metaphor in English and Vietnamese idioms containing numbers
Chapter 3 entitled “Some Suggestions for Teaching and Learning
English Idioms” point out some difficulties faced by learners and provides several suggestions for teaching and learning idioms
Part III is “CONCLUSION” in which the author summarizes the main points in the study and suggests some topics for further studies.
DEVELOPMENT
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
1.1 An Overview of Contrastive Analysis
Contrastive analysis, as described by Nguyen Van Chien (1992), is a vital aspect of comparative linguistics that involves comparing two or more languages to identify their differences and similarities This method is essential for effective translation, language teaching, and learning foreign languages, regardless of whether the languages are related.
Contrastive analysis, as in Nguyen Van Chien (1992) states, has its usages which cannot be recognized if not compared as follows:
- In practice, contrastive analysis has the ability of discovering a great number of structural features of contrasted languages and the new interesting language phenomena
Contrastive analysis plays a vital role in foreign language teaching and learning by identifying similarities and differences between two languages This approach helps educators address pedagogical challenges by highlighting potential areas of difficulty for learners By comparing languages, contrastive analysis offers practical solutions to improve language instruction and enhance learners' understanding.
+ To solve difficulties in all aspects of languages that learners often encounter when they learn a foreign language
+ To collect and select materials for language teaching
+ To establish an appropriate order of materials for learning foreign languages
+ To edit a system of suitable exercises and textbooks on foreign languages
1.2 Words and Set Expressions 1.2.1 Words
The term “word” is often perceived as a single concept, but it actually pertains to phonology Over time, multiple definitions from different perspectives have been proposed to explain what a word is The most widely accepted definition is that a "word" is the smallest independent and meaningful unit of a language, serving as a fundamental building block for communication and linguistic structure Understanding this core concept is essential for studying language, phonology, and linguistics.
Words encapsulate both lexical and grammatical meanings, where grammatical meaning indicates how the lexical meaning functions within language For example, the verb "love," "like," and "hate" share the same grammatical category but differ in their lexical meanings, which express specific concepts or emotions Additionally, lexical meanings can be shared across different grammatical forms, such as "warm," "warmer," and "warmest," demonstrating how lexical concepts adapt to various grammatical contexts This interplay between lexical and grammatical meanings is fundamental to understanding word function and language structure.
Lexical meaning is divided into denotative and connotative types Denotative meaning represents the explicit, literal significance of a word, directly linked to what it refers to This includes both conceptual and referential aspects, indicating or denoting things, concepts, or ideas For instance, the word “dog” denotes a four-legged animal commonly kept as a pet or used for work such as hunting, guarding, or other purposes.
Connotation encompasses emotion, evaluation, intensity, and stylistic coloring, revealing how things and concepts are indicated or denoted It effectively conveys the speaker’s attitudes and emotions, providing deeper insight beyond literal meaning For example, referencing a “dog” can carry connotations of being “dirty” or “inferior,” highlighting the emotional or evaluative associations attached to the term Understanding connotation is essential for grasping the nuanced meanings and tone behind words in communication.
Set expressions are pre-established language units that can be either fixed or flexible According to Hoang Tat Truong (1993, p 92), "The set expression studied by phraseology may be completely or partially fixed In other words, they are either unchangeable or changeable expressions." Understanding these distinctions is essential for effective language use and mastering phraseological patterns.
Set expressions feature a stable grammatical structure and fixed lexical components, ensuring their meaning remains unchanged For example, in the phrase “in high feather,” the words are不可替换的; “high” cannot be replaced by “tall,” preserving the expression's integrity This rigidity in structure is essential for maintaining the expression's intended meaning and is a key aspect of understanding idiomatic language in English.
“feather” by “hair” However, in semi-fixed expression or for a stylistic effect, substitution is, of course, possible
Proverbs, idioms quotations, clichés are set expressions
An idiom in English is defined as a group of words that, when used together in a specific combination, carry a meaning different from the sum of their individual parts According to the English Language Dictionary, idioms are a type of collocation involving two or more words that, collectively, express a unique and often figurative meaning Understanding idioms is essential for mastering natural language use, as they add cultural nuance and depth to communication.
An idiom is defined as a group of words whose overall meaning differs from the individual meanings of each word, according to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of current English.
The phrase "like a dog with two tails" is a common idiom that doesn't literally refer to a dog with two tails Instead, it describes a person who is extremely happy or excited about something Understanding idiomatic expressions like this enriches language comprehension and improves communication Using such phrases appropriately can make your writing more engaging and expressive while enhancing SEO by incorporating common idioms Recognizing idioms helps convey emotions vividly and connects with readers on a cultural level.
Similarly, when we say “to kick the bucket”, we don’t imply the action of hitting a type of container, but we mean “to die”
Such phrases as “like a dog with two tails” and “to kick the bucket” are called idioms
An idiom is defined as a phrase that functions as a single linguistic unit, with its meaning not directly inferable from the individual words According to the Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, idioms are expressions whose overall meaning cannot be deduced from the literal interpretation of their component parts Understanding idioms is essential for mastering language nuances, as they are a key aspect of fluent and natural communication.
“Illustrated American Idioms”, Dean Curry (1995) offered another definition of idiom “ An idiom is the assigning of a new meaning to a group of words which already have their own meaning”
English idioms are phrases whose meanings cannot be predicted from the individual meanings of their components Linguists generally agree that an English idiom is a fixed expression that conveys a meaning different from the literal interpretation of its words Understanding these idioms requires recognizing their figurative use, which is essential for effective language comprehension and communication.
According to Hoang Phe (1997), an idiom is considered to be “a set of expression whose meaning is generally inexplicable simply through the meanings of individual words it contains”
According to Phan Van Que in “Ngữ Nghĩa của Thành Ngữ và Tục Ngữ chứa thành tố chỉ Động Vật trong Tiếng Anh” (1996), an idiom is defined as a group of words combined to convey a meaning that is different from the individual components This emphasizes the figurative nature of idioms, where the overall message often cannot be understood solely from the literal meanings of the words Understanding idioms is essential for mastering English language nuances and enhancing language comprehension.
The Vietnamese phrase “cứng đầu cứng cổ” (hard head and hard neck) is commonly used to describe a person who is very stubborn, rather than literally referring to someone with a hard head or neck This idiom emphasizes stubbornness and an unwavering attitude, making it a useful expression to understand in Vietnamese culture By understanding such idiomatic expressions, learners can better grasp the nuances of Vietnamese language and improve their communication skills Recognizing the figurative meaning behind “cứng đầu cứng cổ” helps non-native speakers interpret conversations accurately and enriches their vocabulary with culturally relevant phrases.
Hoang Van Hanh (1994) defines an idiom as “ a stable word group with a solid formation and structure, and a complete and figurative meaning, used in everyday communication, especially in spoken language”
In English Basic Lexicology, Hoang Tat Truong (1993) states that
“Idioms are short sayings usually characterized by the fact that their meaning cannot be usually deduced from their components and they are constructions peculiar to a language.”
“cá chậu chim lồng” (fish in a pod and birds in a cage) is used to indicate the state of having no freedom
“Một đời được mấy anh hùng
Bỏ chi cá chậu chim lồng mà chơi”
(Truyện Kiều - Nguyễn Du) (How often have you lucked upon a man?
When bother will caged birds and fish in a pot?)
SOME SUGGUESTIONS FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF METAPHOR IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE IDIOMS RELATING TO NUMBERS
2.1 The elements of Numbers in Idioms relating to Numbers
Numbers play a crucial role in human life, significantly impacting various aspects, especially language They closely resemble human attributes and influence how we communicate, allowing language to convey a richer and more intellectual image This connection between numbers and language enhances the depth and clarity of our expressions, highlighting the importance of numerical concepts in shaping human communication.
There is currently no comprehensive data on the total number of English and Vietnamese idioms overall, including those related to numbers However, it is evident that idioms involving numbers are extremely common and prevalent in both languages.
Numerous numbers are used extensively in idioms, reflecting their importance in language and culture Despite the endless possibilities and the increasing variety of number-related idioms over time, this study highlights the most widely recognized and frequently used numbers in idiomatic expressions Understanding these key numbers enhances comprehension and enriches language learning by illustrating their cultural significance.
Cardinal numbers are the basic counting numbers used in everyday language, such as one, two, and three, and are essential for numerical communication Unlike ordinal numbers, which indicate a position in a sequence (first, second, third), cardinal numbers represent quantity without any implied order When discussing "idioms relating to numbers," understanding the distinction between cardinal and ordinal numbers is crucial for accurate language use and comprehension.
“idioms containing numbers”, “number idioms” are used, they mean the idioms containing cardinal numbers
For example: one foot in the grave
On cloud nine Một mất một còn
Kẻ tám lạng người nửa cân
Additionally, in English, “once” means “one time”, “twice” means
“two times” and “twelve” is sometimes called “dozen” and in Vietnamese,
“hai” is sometimes called “đôi”, “năm” is called “dăm”.So when talking about idioms relating to numbers, we mean some idioms as follow: “at once”,
“a dim a dozen”, “tại anh tại ả tại cả đôi bên”
Numbers frequently featured in Vietnamese and English idioms reveal deep cultural perspectives on nature, human life, and society These idiomatic expressions embody the shared beliefs, values, and worldview of Vietnamese and English speakers, offering insight into their cultural understanding of the world Recognizing these common numerical themes enhances appreciation of cross-cultural connections and the universal nature of human thought.
2.2 Metaphor in Idioms relating to Numbers
Metaphor is a stylistic device used to create idioms, including those containing numbers, which often carry figurative rather than literal meanings Words denoting numbers, such as "two," are frequently used in idioms to convey metaphorical concepts rather than their original counting function For example, the word "two" appears in various idioms with distinct meanings, illustrating how numerical terms are metaphorically employed in language to enrich expression and convey deeper significance.
+ like two peas in a pod + in two shakes of a lamb’s tail + two a penny
In the idioms mentioned, the word “two” is used metaphorically, and its literal meaning is no longer applicable For example, “like two peas in a pod” signifies that two things are very similar in appearance, while “in two shakes of a lamb’s tail” means doing something very quickly Additionally, “two a penny” indicates that something is very cheap, abundant, or not particularly valuable.
Words denoting numbers in idioms often take on new, figurative meanings, but this doesn't mean there is no connection to their literal sense Instead, these metaphors are typically formed based on apparent similarities, creating meaningful links between the literal and figurative interpretations Understanding this relationship enhances comprehension of idiomatic expressions and their underlying symbolism.
2.3 A Contrastive Analysis of Metaphor in English and Vietnamese Idioms relating to Numbers
2.3.1 Metaphors are Applicable in both English and Vietnamese Idioms relating to Numbers
Throughout human history, our race has undergone numerous stages of development, leading to shared thoughts and cognition across diverse cultures Despite differences in bloodlines, geographic locations, and skin colors, English and Vietnamese people, in many ways, exhibit common understandings and perspectives, highlighting the universal nature of human consciousness.
2.3.1.1 Number Idioms embodying Cooperation, Unity and Help
Cooperation, unity, and mutual help are recurring themes in literature and language, emphasizing the power of working together In English idioms, phrases like "Two heads are better than one" highlight that collaboration leads to better outcomes Additionally, the proverb "One good turn deserves another" reflects the idea that acts of kindness should be reciprocated These expressions underscore the importance of collective effort and reciprocal support for achieving success.
One good turn deserves another and I was happy to help my friend after he helps me
In Vietnamese culture, the strength of unity is epitomized by the phrase “muôn người như một,” highlighting collective solidarity in overcoming challenges Regardless of difficult circumstances, people stand together and share burdens, exemplified by sayings like “hạt gạo cắn đôi” (sharing a grain of rice), “con chấy cắn đôi” (biting a lice in half), and “một con ngựa đau cả tàu bỏ cỏ” (when one horse is hurt, the whole herd loses pasture) These expressions reflect the deep-rooted value of unity and mutual support in Vietnamese society.
Là anh em ruột thịt và thân thiết, cơ quan tham mưu, giúp việc và phục vụ Quốc hội Việt Nam và Lào luôn hợp tác chặt chẽ nhằm thúc đẩy sự phát triển của hai nước Tình đoàn kết và gắn bó giữa hai quốc gia thể hiện qua sự chia sẻ, hỗ trợ lẫn nhau trong mọi lĩnh vực, như hạt gạo cắn đôi, cọng rau bẻ nửa để thể hiện tinh thần đoàn kết và gắn bó máu thịt Sự hợp tác chiến lược này góp phần nâng cao vị thế và thúc đẩy quan hệ đối tác toàn diện Việt Nam – Lào phát triển mạnh mẽ, bền vững.
Bố mẹ luôn dạy con rằng cần quý trọng tình người, vì "Thương người như thể thương thân," nhấn mạnh tầm quan trọng của lòng nhân ái trong cuộc sống Trong cuộc đời, chúng ta cần có tấm lòng bao dung và yêu thương, như câu ca xưa "Một con ngựa đau, cả tàu bỏ cỏ," nhắc nhở rằng sự đồng cảm và sẻ chia là những đức tính thiết yếu Chính những bài học đầu đời này giúp con người sống chân thành, nghĩa tình và có trách nhiệm đối với cộng đồng.
Cooperation is built on mutual responsibilities, exemplified by the saying “It takes two to make a quarrel,” and its Vietnamese equivalent, “Tại anh, tại ả, tại cả đôi bên,” which highlights shared accountability For example, conflicts often arise when both parties contribute to misunderstandings, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and mutual understanding in maintaining harmonious relationships.
Jill: Why are you always so quarrelsome?
Jane: Hey, it's not just my fault It takes two to make a quarrel
Cứ đợi đấy còn nhiều chuyện hay, ai cũng bảo mình đúng, nhưng cuối cùng cũng là tại anh, tại ả, tại cả đôi bên, chỉ sướng ông nào ở giữa
2.3.1.2 Number Idioms embodying Knowledge and Experiences
It is true that knowledge and experience are very important in our human’s life Indeed, both English and Vietnamese share this metaphor
When implying that somebody know much about something, the English often say “know a thing or two” For example:
After ten years as a teacher, I know a thing or two about how children learn
Lack of experience and knowledge can lead to regrettable mistakes, but learning from these errors helps us prevent them in the future This concept is reflected in both English and Vietnamese sayings, such as “once bitten, twice shy” and “phải một cái rái đến già,” emphasizing the importance of caution after past mistakes.
“ Will she marry again, do you think ?
I doubt it- once bitten, twice shy.”