INTRODUCTION
Justification of the study
English has become an international language, widely used around the world, and essential in Vietnam, especially in high schools where it is a compulsory subject Learning English helps students expand their knowledge across various subjects and life fields To communicate effectively in an increasingly integrated world, learners need to develop skills beyond just grammar, including understanding idioms Idioms are crucial because they reflect human experiences, social traits, habits, and cultural traditions, helping learners better perceive and comprehend the nuances of language and culture.
Understanding idioms can be challenging because their meanings often cannot be determined by their components alone, leading to confusion While native speakers naturally use idioms appropriately, non-native English speakers may know their basic meanings but struggle with correct usage To master idioms like a native speaker, language learners must understand their specific meanings and how they are used in different contexts.
Idioms are characterized by their short length and reliance on diverse, essential figures of speech Among these, metaphors are particularly important for creating vivid imagery that helps idioms resonate and endure These metaphorical expressions craft powerful mental images, making idioms a sharp and effective communicative tool in conversations.
The author has a deep interest in human nature, especially personality traits, as they reveal vital insights about individuals A person's reactions to various situations and their communication style are indicators of their unique personality While each individual is distinct to some extent, there are commonalities that humans share when compared to others, highlighting both the uniqueness and similarities within human nature.
The author has chosen to focus on a study titled “A Study on English and Vietnamese Idioms Referring to Human Personality,” aiming to offer readers a fresh perspective on idioms from the viewpoint of personality traits This research concentrates specifically on idioms that utilize animals, plants, and body parts as metaphorical figures to imply human characteristics By narrowing the scope, the study seeks to deepen understanding of how these figurative expressions reflect different aspects of personality across both languages.
Aims of the study
The thesis has been carried out with the aims to:
- Emphasize the importance role of figures in English and Vietnamese idioms, especially the figures in metaphorical idioms referring to human personality
- Figure out the figures of idioms referring to human personality
- Give some suggested activities for teaching and learning English idioms referring to human personality.
Methods of the study
This thesis has been carried out by combining some methods:
Scopes of the study
The author has no ambition to cover all kinds of personality that human beings may have or all metaphorical idioms that refer to personality The thesis only focuses on:
Personality mentioned in metaphorical idioms related to animals and plants and the ones referring to “heart” and “head”
Idioms available in some books such as: “Oxford idioms: Dictionary for learners of English (2006), Oxford university Press, “Vietnamese idioms” Nguyễn Lực & Lương Văn Đang (1978) and some other books.
Format of the study
This thesis consists of three main parts Part I introduces the study's justification, objectives, research methods, scope, and format, setting the foundation for the research Part II focuses on the investigation, beginning with Chapter 1, which presents the theoretical background essential for understanding the study.
This article explores idioms that depict human personality through metaphors related to animals, plants, the heart, and the head Chapter 3 offers practical activities to enhance the teaching and learning of English idioms associated with human character traits The conclusion summarizes the key points discussed, highlights practical applications, and provides suggestions for future research to deepen understanding of English idioms and their pedagogical use.
INVESTIGATION
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
All languages worldwide feature idiomatic expressions and phrases that cannot be understood literally, even when individual words and grammar are fully comprehended These idioms have long fascinated linguists and are a key focus in lexicology and lexicography, reflecting their importance in understanding language nuances.
An idiom is a fixed group of words with a unique meaning that differs from the individual meanings of its components, as defined in the Dictionary of English Idioms (1976) For example, the phrase “let the cat out of the bag” is an idiom meaning to reveal a secret, not literally releasing a cat from a bag Understanding idioms is essential for grasping nuanced language and enriching your English communication skills.
In the sentence, the idiom “let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake
An idiom is a fixed expression consisting of a group of words whose overall meaning cannot be easily explained by the individual words alone For example, the Vietnamese idiom "rối như tơ vò" describes a person's feelings of being extremely confused, illustrating how idioms convey complex emotions or ideas beyond literal interpretation Understanding idioms is essential for grasping the richness and nuance of a language, as they often reflect cultural expressions and communication styles.
Seidle and Mordie define idioms as groups of words that, when combined, convey a meaning different from the individual words taken separately.
According to Vietnamese linguist Hoàng Văn Hành (1994), an idiom is a stable word group with a solid structure and complete, figurative meaning used in everyday communication, especially in spoken language For instance, the idiom “nóng như lửa” describes someone who is very hot-tempered Understanding idioms enhances language proficiency and enriches conversational skills.
An idiom is defined in the dictionary as a group of words that, through common usage, have a meaning that cannot be deduced from the individual words themselves Examples of popular idioms include "rain cats and dogs" and "see the light," which convey specific ideas beyond their literal definitions Understanding idioms is essential for grasping the nuances of language and improving communication skills in English.
Idioms serve as a powerful way to express people's thoughts and feelings, encapsulating complex ideas in concise, meaningful phrases They are short yet valuable, reflecting the cultural essence and progress of a nation As the quintessence of cultural identity, idioms have become a significant focus of research for scholars seeking to understand linguistic and cultural developments.
Mai Ngọc Chừ in his book “Cơ sở ngôn ngữ học và tiếng Việt” defines
Idoms are fixed, complete phrases with a stable structure and meaning They are often figurative and evocative, conveying messages beyond their literal interpretation Used in everyday language, idioms express ideas and emotions in a vivid, memorable way, adding depth and cultural richness to communication.
While idioms are viewed from various perspectives and defined in different ways, they share a common understanding among linguists Most agree that idioms are phrases whose overall meaning differs from the literal meanings of their individual words, highlighting their significance in language comprehension and expression.
1.2 Features of idioms 1.2.1 Semantic feature
Understanding the meaning is crucial when analyzing the semantic features of idioms V.V Vinogradow described an idiom’s meaning as “the special chemical mixture” of its components, highlighting its complex nature Most idioms are metaphorical rather than literal, making their meanings difficult to find in standard dictionaries To truly grasp the meaning of idioms, it is essential to interpret them in a figurative context.
According to A.V Kunin, the meaning of an idiom can be either partly or entirely different from the individual meanings of its components Partly different idioms, like "like water off the duck’s back," indicate that criticism has no effect on someone, while completely different idioms, such as "cắn nhau như chó với mèo," describe fierce and frequent arguments.
“let the cat out of the bag” (reveal a secret carelessly), “đi guốc trong bụng”
(to understand someone like to read their thoughts) All these idioms shows the meanings figuratively
Idioms are said to have positive meanings, negative meanings and neutral meanings
“as busy as a bee” (very hardworking) “the fruits of something” (the result of an activity) “đẹp người, đẹp nết”, a person has good-looking appearance and good nature”
“chở củi về rừng” (to carry coals to Newcastle, a useless activity)
“take a/the hint” (understand what somebody wants you to do, even though they tell you in an indirect way)
“bộc lộ tâm can” (to reveal one’s feelings from his/her heart)
Idioms originate from diverse areas of life, reflecting their rich cultural roots Many idioms stem from farming, such as “sowing seeds,” “harvesting crops,” and “hay making,” symbolizing growth and productivity Transport-related idioms like “put the cart before the horse” and “ride a coach and horses through something” highlight everyday experiences Fables and tales have given us expressions like “sour grape” and “the goose that laid the golden eggs,” while sports language contributes phrases such as “have a good innings,” meaning a long, successful life or career Additionally, idioms also draw from science and technology, entertainment, historical figures, games, and famous quotations, showcasing their wide-ranging origins.
Most English and Vietnamese idioms are understood figuratively, as they often contain vivid images rooted in metaphor These idiomatic expressions convey deeper meanings through visual imagery, which can be either easy or challenging for readers to interpret Understanding the metaphorical nature of idioms enhances comprehension and enriches language learning.
It is the figurativeness of idioms that makes expressions more lively and impressive
E.g: “have eyes in the back of your head”
“đẹp như tiên sa” (as beautiful as a fairy)
In Oxford Idioms: Dictionary for Learners of English, an idiom typically begins as a phrase with a literal meaning that gradually evolves into a figurative or idiomatic expression For example, the phrase "to take your hat off" originally signified a sign of respect when meeting someone or entering their house Over time, this literal meaning expanded to be used more generally to convey respect or admiration in various contexts.
“show respect or express admiration for what someone has done”
Idioms are fixed word groups with a stable structure; their word order cannot be changed except for accepted variants Altering the components of idioms by omitting or adding words is not permitted, ensuring their original meaning is preserved For example, the idiom "call a spade a spade" must remain unchanged and cannot be replaced with "call a hammer a hammer." This consistency maintains the idiomatic expression's integrity and clarity in communication.
Idioms can also be different at length from each other In other word, the number of words in each idiom can vary from one to many, e.g: “fishy”
(doubtful), “mèo khen mèo dài đuôi” (a person who is satisfied with himself and praises himself)
Idioms have regular structures, irregular structures or even grammatically incorrect structure In other words, idioms are fairly free in their grammatical structures
“A pipe dream” (a hope, belief, plan that will probably not come true)
“the green eyed monster” (a feeling of anger or unhappiness because somebody you like or love showing his interest in somebody else)
“I am good friends with him”
“Think big” (to have big plans and ideas and be keen to achieve)
“Be up to no good” (doing or planning something wrong or dishonest)
Metaphor, as a widespread feature of everyday thought and language, it is a dominant feature of natural language Traditional approaches (Halliday,
1985) consider metaphor as a mere figure of speech, and historical semanticists regard metaphor as an important procedure of semantic change
ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE IDIOMS REFERRING TO
Humans coexist closely with animals and plants, which provide vital food sources and contribute to a healthy environment These natural elements significantly influence our thoughts and spiritual well-being Human personality is often reflected through language, especially when referencing various animals and plants Additionally, the human "head" symbolizes our world of thoughts and reasoning, while the "heart" represents emotions, sensations, and sentiments Our behaviors, reactions, and feelings in different situations reveal important aspects of our personality.
Personality metaphor idioms are common in both English and Vietnamese languages, reflecting the cultural significance of metaphorical imagery Our study reveals that these idioms feature a wide variety of metaphorical images and are used frequently in everyday language For instance, instead of stating that "A dictator is unlikely to become a good leader in a democracy because his character does not change," we use idiomatic expressions that highlight personality traits through vivid metaphors, emphasizing their importance in communication.
A dictator is unlikely to become a good leader in a democracy, as leadership qualities rooted in authoritarianism often clash with democratic values The saying "a leopard can not change its spots" highlights that individuals with deeply ingrained traits or behaviors are unlikely to change, especially in leadership roles In Vietnamese culture, the idiom "dậu đổ bìm leo" describes someone who exploits others' misfortunes for personal gain, reflecting how bad personalities often prioritize self-interest over ethical considerations.
Using animal and plant images to symbolize personality traits offers a vivid and engaging way to understand human character Incorporating metaphorical idioms that feature these images enhances clarity and adds interest, making complex ideas more accessible and memorable.
For those reasons, metaphorical idioms referring to animals, plants,
“head” and “heart” become the main domains of study in this thesis
2.1.1 Personality in metaphorical idioms related to animals
Metaphorical idioms originate from the concept of metaphor, which involves transferring the name or meaning from one object to another based on similarity or resemblance According to Đinh Trọng Lạc, metaphor is the second type of definition that provides a figurative meaning by highlighting the likeness between two objects, where the name of one is applied to the other In language systems, metaphors serve as essential tools for creating and understanding metaphorical idioms, enriching communication and expression.
Throughout history, humans domesticated various animals that became deeply intertwined with daily life and cultural beliefs This strong connection inspired the creation of numerous animal-based idioms used to describe human personalities, which are abundant and diverse in both English and Vietnamese languages.
Personality of cunning and bluff:
Animals such as wolves, foxes, and tigers are often considered cunning and deceptive, a perception rooted in their natural behaviors and reactions to their environment This ancient belief likely originated from humans observing these animals' traits and responding to their cleverness Over time, humans have projected these characteristics onto themselves, linking animal cunning with human intelligence and craftiness.
The wolf is a universal symbol of slyness and deception across both Western and Eastern cultures In idiomatic expressions, the wolf often conveys a negative connotation, representing a clever yet evasive individual driven by self-interest Typically portrayed as pretending to be innocent and harmless, wolves embody cunning and trickery, highlighting their association with deception and guile.
"I want you to stay away from that boy He's a wolf in sheep's clothing."
A person described to be “a wolf in sheep's clothing" is a person who plans to do something bad ("a wolf") while pretending to be good and innocent ("in sheep's clothing”)
In Vietnamese idioms, in order to say a person is very wicked and cruel, people usually use “lòng lang dạ sói”
A fox is known for its cunning behavior, often pretending to be dead by stopping its breathing when caught, enabling it to escape if humans are not cautious Additionally, foxes are skilled mimics, imitating other animals to trap their prey The fox is frequently referenced in idioms to symbolize slyness and cleverness, highlighting its reputation as a crafty creature.
“Tay ấy nghe nói dạo này lão luyện trong việc làm ăn lắm, đúng là mèo già hoá cáo rồi”
(http://laodong.com.vn/Lao-dong-cuoi-tuan)
“mèo già hóa cáo/ mèo sống lâu hóa cáo ”: implying a person becoming more and more cunning when they get older
Disguising oneself as another person to unjustly gain power or boasting about achievements that do not belong to them is known as "cáo đội lốt cọp" or "cáo mượn oai hùm." Such individuals deceive others through false appearances and claims, embodying the concept of bluffing and manipulation When someone tries to deceive people through bluffing or make false pretenses, it is referred to as "mượn đầu heo nấu cháo" or "treo dê bán chó," emphasizing the act of trickery and superficiality.
In Vietnamese and English idioms, cunning or bluff people are figuratively compared with animals which have very bad impression on people’s mind
For example some kinds of birds: owl, crow
“cú đội lốt công/ quạ đội lốt công”: refers to someone who is pretends to be good, attractive outside but bad natured, indeed
Hence, personality of cunning and bluff is attach to animals that have no good impression or a certain bias on people
Personality of deceit and hypocrisy
In both Vietnamese and English idioms, the crocodile symbolizes deceit and hypocrisy This animal represents negative traits such as dishonesty and false appearances When someone is described as a crocodile or crying crocodile tears, it signifies a two-faced or hypocritical person who masks their true intentions behind a false display of emotion.
“They never visited her when she was ill, but they came to her funeral and she cried a few crocodile tears”
(Oxford idioms: Dictionary for learners of English, 2006: 76) “Thời nào cũng vậy nước mắt cá sấu vẫn lừa bịp được những người nhẹ dạ cả tin”
(Đi tìm điển tích thành ngữ, Tiêu Hà Minh)
The idiom “a snake in the grass” describes a person who pretends to be your friend but cannot be trusted, as they often engage in dubious or malicious actions behind your back This expression highlights the danger of hidden betrayal from someone who appears harmless on the surface but is deceitful internally Recognizing a “snake in the grass” is important to protect yourself from betrayal and maintain genuine relationships Use this idiom to warn others about deceitful individuals who conceal their true intentions, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in friendships.
“We used to be friends, but who knew he’d turn out to be such a snake in the grass”
The idiom "to warm a snake in one’s bosom" highlights the connotative meaning of "snake" as a cold-blooded, evil animal associated with dishonesty and cruelty It emphasizes the danger of trusting or nurturing ungrateful individuals who, despite receiving kindness or good treatment, respond with betrayal or malicious deeds This phrase serves as a warning against placing trust in those who may ultimately harm you.
In Vietnamese language, “snake” has the same connotation:
“Thấy những kẻ nói năng êm dịu mà lòng độc dữ, họ bảo rằng: Thật là khẩu Phật tâm xà.”
The Vietnamese idiom "khẩu phật tâm xà" describes someone who speaks kind or virtuous words publicly, but harbors cruel intentions or wicked thoughts internally When referring to individuals who commit wrongdoings while shifting blame onto others, the expression "rắn đổ nọc cho lươn" is used, highlighting those who live with malicious intent for personal gain These sayings reflect cultural attitudes towards insincerity and deceit, emphasizing the importance of genuine integrity and accountability.
“Khuyết điểm mình làm ra thì phải nhận, không nên rắn đổ nọc cho lươn, dây dưa đổ vấy cho bạn”
(Nguyễn Lực - Lương Văn Đang:278)
Sometimes, some kinds of animals seem not to have a connotation of deceit or hypocrisy but appear in idiom with these qualities:
“hổ đội lốt thầy tu/ ” refers to a person who is gentle, harmless outside but deceitful, hypocritical and cruel inside
“mèo già khóc chuột”: referring to a person who is deceitful, pretends to feel pity for his rival
The Vietnamese idiom "dạ cá lòng chim" or "lòng cá dạ chim" describes a deceitful person who appears charming or attractive on the outside but has a bad nature or personality underneath Similar expressions, such as "dẻ cùi tốt mã" or "cá vàng bụng bọ," are also used to depict individuals who may seem appealing initially but are untrustworthy or have hidden flaws behind their attractive outward appearance.
People with deceit and hypocrisy personality seem to be described in idioms which animals appear in good-looking appearance or good pretended behavior but in a bad nature
Personality of selfishness, obstinateness and conservativeness
SOME SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHING AND
Mastering English idioms is challenging for both native speakers and language learners because their figurative meanings cannot be deduced from individual words Despite this complexity, idioms are a vital part of daily communication and offer valuable insights into culture According to Nippold and Martin (1989), failing to understand idioms can hinder an individual's ability to comprehend language in social, academic, and professional contexts Therefore, teaching English idioms—especially those related to personality traits—is essential for educators to help students effectively describe people and improve their overall language proficiency.
Most high school students can take notes and create semantic maps for writing, but often do not effectively incorporate new words or concepts taught in class To enhance their understanding and application of English idioms, we provide suggested activities that promote practical usage and effective learning This chapter focuses on important teaching strategies and detailed activities designed to help learners master English idioms, improving both their comprehension and practical communication skills.
3.1 Some rules to consider when teaching English idioms 3.1.1 Teaching English idioms in contexts
Context plays a crucial role in language learning, as students often struggle to grasp the multiple meanings of new words without appropriate contextual understanding Providing rich, varied contexts helps learners apply vocabulary and idioms effectively in both writing and speaking Teachers should incorporate diverse contextual cues to enhance students' interpretation of idioms, ensuring they understand and use them accurately Teaching idioms within different contexts is essential for effective acquisition, enabling students to use language naturally and confidently in real-life situations.
3.1.2 Teaching English idioms with rich illustrations
Research indicates that visuals can significantly enhance reading comprehension, with studies like those by Scarcella and Oxford (1992) highlighting the importance of using pictures and diagrams to illustrate key vocabulary Mayer (1999) found that pairing words with visuals improves students' recall, making the learning process more effective To maximize these benefits, it is essential to provide engaging and stimulating images that motivate students and reinforce vocabulary development, thereby boosting overall reading comprehension and retention.
3.1.3 Teaching English idioms by providing some practice activities
Students often have limited opportunities to practice idioms in daily life, leading to a decline in their knowledge over time Incorporating engaging activities to practice English idioms is essential for effective language learning Regular practice helps students retain idiomatic expressions and improves their overall proficiency in English.
Activities for practice should be prepared with a variety of types: such as
3.2 Some suggested activities in teaching English idioms referring to human personality
In this part, we propose some activities which should be carried out steps by steps to get effect
To effectively introduce idioms, teachers should present them within meaningful contexts, helping students infer their meanings and understand their usage Training students to interpret figurative speech and derive meaning from context enables them to generalize and comprehend new, unfamiliar idioms Additionally, teachers should focus on explaining the meanings and parts of speech of idioms by integrating them into relevant word contexts, enhancing students’ overall understanding and language skills.
Read the short paragraphs with some sentences containing idioms the teacher is going to teach in front of the class
For example: The teacher has to teach the following idioms:
1 The black sheep of the family
6 Have one’s head in the clouds Suggested contexts to introduce these idioms:
1 My older brother is the black sheep of the family He’s always getting into trouble and nobody can trust him
2 I like my new friend Marty, but my sister is not sure about him She said “You need to be careful of Marty He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing”
3 My father often gave me advice: “Son”, he’s usually to say, always to be honest and true Don’t be a snake in the grass, sneaking around and deceiving others It will get you nowhere If you act that way You are bound to be caught someday
4 In his friend’s funeral, his cries were only crocodile tears Inwardly, he must have been happy
5 Marry adopted five children from an orphanage She really has a heart of gold
6 A: I hope to be to be rich by the time I am 30
B: How old are you now?
A: 29 B: Wow, you have your head in the clouds! That’s going to be impossible!
Activity 2: Guessing the meanings through the context
After introducing idioms to students, teachers should provide additional activities to help them understand the meanings, such as offering multiple-choice questions This approach encourages active engagement and reinforces learning by allowing students to test their comprehension in a structured way Incorporating such exercises into lessons can improve students’ ability to grasp idiomatic expressions effectively.
1 “The black sheep of the family” means:
A Someone who likes to herb black sheep
B The most disliked or troublesome member of a family
C The member of a family who stands out the most
2 “A wolf in sheep’s clothing” means:
A A wolf that likes to dress in sheepskins
B A person that likes to dress well but is actually harmless
C A person who pretends to be good but is actually really bad
3 “A snake in the grass” means:
A A person who seems nice but is really an evil person underneath
B A person who likes to walk in the grass
C A person who looks like a snake
B Someone pretends to cry in an attempt to show his sorrow that is not real
5 Someone who “has a heart of gold” is a person who is:
6 A person who “has his head in the clouds” is a person who is:
Activity 3: The nouns in the idioms have been mixed up, find the right combination
In this activity, teachers provide students with sentences that contain mixed-up idioms, encouraging them to identify and correct the correct phrase This method helps students reinforce their understanding of the proper order of idiomatic expressions By actively engaging in unscrambling the idioms, learners improve their comprehension and memory of the correct idiom structure Such exercises are effective for enhancing vocabulary and idiomatic language skills in a fun and interactive way.
1 The beautiful woman cried tiger tears when the policeman tried to give her a ticket for driving too quickly
2 “She may look cute, but that girl is a dog in sheep’s clothing”
3 John is talking about winning the lottery He has his nose in the clouds again
4 Be careful what you tell your new friend Aleja said he's a sheep in the grass
5 John is the black wolf of the family He is currently serving 5 years in jail for stealing a car
6 Alexander has a heart of stone and always thinks of others before himself
Activity 4: Fill in the blank with the right idioms
In this activity, teacher should give students some sentences with blanks and ask them to fill in the blank with the right idioms
1 If someone who appears friendly and nice or harmless but is really dangerous We call him ………
2 If you are sneaky and scheming, what kind of creature are you and where are you hiding ?
3 If someone cries ………, they pretend to be upset or affected by something
4 If someone has a kind and helpful nature, even though it is not always obvious, they must have ………
5 If someone is different from the rest of their family or another group and considered bad or embarrassing, they are ………
6 if someone is not realistic because they are always thinking of their hopes, ideas, dream, etc They have…………
In this activity, the teacher divides the class into groups of four students Each group is tasked with creating stories or conversations that incorporate multiple idioms They will then prepare to present their work to the class, enhancing their speaking and idiom usage skills while fostering collaborative learning.
In this activity, students have to make the idiom clear in their stories or conversations If the listeners can not understand, explanation is essential
This is an extra activity but it can help students consolidate the idioms they have learned
In this game, teacher will show some pictures or some clues having contents closely related to the idioms that students have learned
Students have to try to guess the idioms in the exact words or exact order of the words
Anyone who has correct answer can be rewarded
Guess the idioms based on the pictures:
CONCLUSION
Recapitulation and Implications
Idioms are a vital aspect of a country's culture, influencing both national development and international communication Among these, metaphorical idioms that describe human personality are diverse and form an essential part of the idiomatic treasures in English and Vietnamese This study focuses specifically on idioms related to personality that use metaphors involving animals, plants, as well as the expressions incorporating “head” and “heart,” highlighting their significance in understanding cultural perceptions of personality.
This study reveals that personalities depicted through metaphors involving animals, plants, and human body parts significantly influence idiomatic expressions These findings provide insights into how idioms reflect cultural perceptions of human traits by illustrating how animals, plants, and body parts symbolize different personality traits Overall, the research offers a comprehensive understanding of how people perceive and interpret personalities through vivid metaphors related to the natural world and the human body in language.
The use of metaphor is one of the most important aspects of idiomatic style that should be mastered Human personality reflected lively and vividly
Analyzing various materials reveals that human personality is often described through qualities associated with animals, plants, and human body parts To effectively learn English idioms, students need to understand these expressions within a logical framework enriched with diverse contexts, illustrative examples, and essential practice Incorporating these elements helps learners grasp the meanings of idioms more thoroughly, enhancing their language proficiency.
Suggestions for Further Studies 39 REFERENCES
Due to thesis limitations, the author cannot cover all idioms related to human personality; however, this study focuses on key expressions within this domain, with additional research suggested for comprehensive coverage.
1 A study on personality in English and Vietnamese proverbs referring to animals and plants
2 Similes used in English and Vietnamese idioms referring to personalities
1 A.P Cowfe, R Mackin & I.R Mc Caig (1993) Oxford dictionary of
English idioms New York: Mc Graw- Hill
2 Lan, Lê Thị (2010) A study of English and Vietnamese idioms of anger
(Graduation Thesis) Nghe An: Vinh University Press
3 Laurent, H (2008) Personality: How to build it Maryland: Wildside Press
4 Như Quỳnh, Nguyễn Thị (2004) A contrastive study between English and
Vietnamese idioms of colours embodying metaphors (Graduation thesis) Nghe An: Vinh university Press
5 Oxford advanced learner’s Dictionary, Oxford University Press
6 Phụng, Bùi (1997) Dictionary of Vietnamese English idioms and proverbs explained Ho Chi Minh: Culture Publishing House
7 (2006) Oxford idioms Dictionary for learners of English New York: Mc
1 Hòe, Lê Tài (2002) Hình ảnh con vật trong tâm thức người Việt qua thành ngữ, tục ngữ, ca dao (Master thesis) Nghe An: Vinh University Press
2 Lân, Nguyễn (1997) Từ điển thành ngữ và tục ngữ Việt Nam Hanoi:
Science and society Publishing House
3 Lực, Nguyễn & Đang, Lương Văn (1978) Thành ngữ Tiếng Việt Hanoi:
Science and Society Publishing House
4 Ý, Nguyễn Như Hành,Hoàng Văn & Thại, Lê Xuân (1998) Từ điển giải thích thành ngữ Tiếng Việt Hanoi: Education Publishing House
Websites: http://www.google.com.vn/ http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Wu-TeachingIdioms.html http://www.wikipedia.org/
Metaphorical idioms related to animals (In English)
1 The black sheep of the family Different from other members, bad
2 Act/play the goat Irresponsible
3 Hold with the hare and hunt with the hound
4 Have butterflies in one’s stomach Nervous
5 All his geese are swans Proud-hearted
6 Ants in one’s pants Impatient
7 To make an ass of oneself Ridiculous
9 Make a pig of oneself Greedy
10 Play cat and mouse Unexpected in behaviour
11 Not harm/hurt a fly Kind, gentle
12 Have bats in one’s belfry Oddish
13 The cat’s whiskers Self-content
14 Throw somebody to the wolves Aloof
15 Cat in the pan Betrayal
Metaphorical idioms related to animals (In Vietnamese)
1 Ba hoa chích chòe Boastful, talkative
2 Bọ chó múa bấc Incapable but pretend to be
3 Ăn cá bỏ lờ Thankless
4 Ăn cướp cơm chim Heartless, callous
5 Đầu trâu, mặt ngựa Aggressive
6 Hàm chó vó ngựa Maligning
7 Mặt người dạ thú Wicked
8 Mặt sứa gan lim Determined
9 Ngựa non háu đá Arrogant
11 Gan cóc tía Brave, dauntless
12 Cóc mọc lông nách Proud
13 Bắt cá hai tay Fraudulent, flirtatious
14 Con rô cũng tiếc con diếc cũng muốn
15 Thắt cổ mèo treo cổ chó Mean, stingy
16 Ngựa non háu đá Proud, overbold
17 Hùm tinh đỏ mỏ Cruel
19 Có dại cắn càn Bold,
20 Chó ghẻ có mỡ đằng đuôi Snobbish
Chó chê mèo lắm lông Lươn ngắn chê chạch dài
Criticize others while they make the mistake themselves
22 Miệng hùm nọc rắn Totally cruel
23 Mèo mả gà đồng Immoral
25 Châu chấu đá voi Daring
26 Chó dại cắn càn Fierce
27 Mèo khen mèo dài đuôi Proud, boastful
29 Vểnh râu trê/ vểnh râu cáo Self-content,
30 Tầm ngầm đấm chết voi Close-mouthed but able to do difficult things
31 Cõng rắn cắn gà nhà Betray
Metaphorical idioms related to plants (In Vietnamese)
1 Ba que xỏ lá Tricky
2 Chanh chua khế cũng chua People with same bad nature
3 Vùi liễu dập hoa Ruthless
4 Ăn mít bỏ xơ Irresponsible
5 Già trái, non hột Timid (inside)
6 Húng mọc tía tô cũng mọc
Dây lang bò rau muống cũng bò
Mượn gió bẻ măng A person who take chance to harm another
8 Vắt chanh bỏ vỏ Thankless, irresponsible