The sludy on proverbs denoting family relationships in Linglish and Vietnamese is an attempt to investigate their syntactic features as well as their semantic ones.. A contrastive aralys
Definition of idioms
An idiom is a group of words in a fixed order that have a meaning different from the individual words' meanings, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary Michael and Felicity explain that idioms are expressions whose meanings are not immediately obvious from the words themselves Similarly, Phan notes that idioms are parts of sentences that cannot express complete ideas on their own Lan states that idioms are fixed phrases used to convey specific concepts.
Understanding the differences between proverbs and idioms can be challenging, but it is essential for clearer communication and language mastery Both proverbs and idioms are fixed, vivid, and widely used language units in everyday communication, enriching our speech with cultural depth However, idioms are fixed phrases whose meanings often cannot be understood solely from their individual words, whereas proverbs are complete sentences that express moral lessons, experiences, or societal values For example, an idiom like "break the ice" has a figurative meaning not obvious from the words, while a proverb such as "Actions speak louder than words" conveys a clear moral lesson Clarifying these distinctions enhances language comprehension and effective usage.
(2) An apple a day keeps the doctor away [14]
Example (1) is an idiom because it is a fixed phrase that does not mean “put on one’s weight,” but rather signifies using a lot of energy and effort to accomplish something, as in “Sarah pulled her weight and would easily complete her project on time.” In contrast, example (2) is a proverb because it is a complete sentence conveying a meaningful message: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy diet for good health.
Furthermore, an idiom can be a part of a proverb This cxisis both in English and int
(3) Chẳng yêu, xổ chàn lỗ môi [7: 13]
(4) Don’t put all your eggs in one basket [7: 13]
We cam see that “x6 chan 15 mii” and “put all one’s eggs in one basket” are idioms which belong, to proverbs (3) and (4) respectively
When exploring the differences between proverbs and idioms, Lhting [7] highlights their distinct literary functions Proverbs serve three main roles: aesthetic, perceptual, and educational, making them valuable for conveying wisdom and moral lessons In contrast, idioms primarily offer an aesthetic function, enriching language with expressive and colorful imagery For example, proverbs like "A stitch in time saves nine" exemplify their educational and perceptual purpose, while idioms such as "Break the ice" focus on adding stylistic flair to communication Understanding these differences enhances their effective use in language and literature.
(5) Blood is thicker than water [14: 30]
(6) get on like a house on fire [16 52]
Example 5 highlights three key literary functions: the perception function, which deepens readers' understanding of the strong loyalty and affection among family members; the educational function, which promotes awareness of sacred family bonds and encourages harmonious familial relationships; and the aesthetic function, achieved through exaggeration and symbolism to captivate readers’ attention Conversely, Example 6 illustrates an idiom that expresses “getting on extremely well with someone,” which primarily serves a communicative purpose without fulfilling perception or educational functions, as it lacks commentary, advice, or criticism.
It just owns the aesthetic function which is performed by using simile
TLet’s have a look af dable 1 thal stgnmarives Ihe distinguishing entena between proverbs and idioms
Structural realization | fixed phrases usually complete sentences
Literature functians aesthetic function - aesthelic function
Expression pure concepts general truths comments, advices, experiences, criticisms
Table 1: Distinguishing criteria between proverbs and idioms
Our proposed boundaries are inherently fuzzy, with some overlap between proverbs and idioms that can be difficult to distinguish While classifications are made in the table, exceptions exist, such as in Vietnamese, where the boundary between proverbs and idioms is particularly vague For instance, "Trong ấm ngoài êm" can be interpreted both as an idiom related to inner and outer stability and as a proverb emphasizing harmony inside leading to good external relationships, highlighting the challenge of clear-cut distinctions between these linguistic units.
SUMMALY án nung nenrerereeiriee „10
In chapter 1, the author has presented some previous studies about proverbs
This article explores various studies on family relationship terminology in English and Vietnamese It highlights the limited research available on proverbs and the distinction between proverbs and idioms, emphasizing the unclear boundary between these linguistic elements Additionally, the author notes a lack of in-depth investigation into this area The subsequent chapter will focus on the methodology and procedures used to conduct this study.
METHODOLOGY 2.1, Restatement of the research questions - - u 2.2, Data collection instutmeHis à co oeniierree ơ - LL 2.3 Procedures of data colleotion 0
A clear and well-defined research methodology is essential for understanding the findings and conclusions of a study This chapter emphasizes the importance of restating research questions and outlining the procedures used for data collection and analysis An effective methodology ensures the study's depth and credibility, enabling readers to grasp the research process thoroughly.
2.1 Restatement of the rescarch questions
This study analyzes the syntactic and semantic features of proverbs related to family relationships in Unglish and Vietnamese The author employs contrastive analysis using both qualitative and quantitative methods to identify similarities and differences between the two languages Data were collected, classified, and analyzed in both English and Vietnamese to provide a comprehensive understanding of their proverb usage.
Vietnamese proverbs denoting family relationships In other words, three following yesearch questions must be answered:
1 What are syntactic and semantic features of English and Vietnamese proverbs denoting family relationships?
2 What are the similarities and differences in syntactic and semantic features of
Lnglish and Vietnamese proverbs denoting family relationships?
3 Whai are the imphcalions of ieaching and leaming English and Vietnamese proverbs denoting family relationships?
Most of the proverbs used in the study were collected from dictionaries, books, articles, defended theses and researches They are extremely famous works in
The author draws upon three primary Vietnamese sources—“Ca dao, tục ngữ Việt Nam” by Phuong Thu, “Tục ngữ, ca dao, dân ca Việt Nam” by Vũ Ngọc Phan, and “Tuyến tập thành ngữ, tục ngữ, ca dao Việt – Anh thông dụng” by Nguyễn Đinh Hùng—to examine Vietnamese proverbs and folk sayings The study also incorporates relevant English translations to facilitate a comparative understanding of Vietnamese and English expressions This approach highlights the richness of Vietnamese oral literature and its translation into English, providing valuable insights for linguistic and cultural analysis.
This article references three authoritative books on proverbs: "Proverbs: A Handbook" by Wolfgang Mieder, "The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs" by Martin Manser, and "The Penguin Dictionary of Proverbs" by Rosalind These sources are popular, widely available, and focused on common proverbs, particularly those relating to family relationships Their reliability and relevance are confirmed by their publication status and their alignment with the study’s focus, making them suitable and comprehensive references for the research.
The author gathered proverbs from various sources, including the internet and elderly locals, to ensure a diverse collection of traditional and cultural sayings To verify their accuracy and authenticity, each proverb was carefully cross-checked in reputable dictionaries This comprehensive approach resulted in a reliable compilation of proverbs, enriched by insights from both native elders and international colleagues working at the center.
This paper primarily utilizes data obtained through observation and content analysis, focusing on structural and semantic components extracted from reliable sources The author collected 100 proverbs related to family relationships in both English and Vietnamese to ensure a comprehensive comparison These proverbs were analyzed and classified into categories such as relationships between parents and children, spouses, and siblings, enhancing the clarity and structure of the study Additionally, the author consulted experienced individuals and foreigners to gather useful proverbs, enriching the research with diverse perspectives.
After completing data collection, the author employs various research methods to analyze the data, enabling them to effectively address the research questions established at the beginning of the study.
Contrastive analysis is employed to identify syntactic differences and similarities between Linglish and Vietnamese proverbs, with illustrative examples provided for each structure This method helps reveal key distinctions and commonalities in proverbs related to family relationships based on their syntactic features Additionally, the collected data are analyzed qualitatively within a semantic field to understand the semantic characteristics of family proverbs in both languages, with the contrastive approach further exploring their similarities and differences for a comprehensive comparison.
Finally, the author will draw some conclusions about proverbs in English and Vietnamese due to carrying the methods of analyzing and synthesizing the data
In the methodology chapter, the study’s data were gathered from diverse sources including dictionaries, books, articles, and websites to ensure comprehensive coverage Proverbs were carefully selected and categorized into different groups to enhance readability and understanding Both descriptive and comparative analyses, along with synthesis, were conducted using quantitative and qualitative methods to effectively address the research questions.
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION 3.1, Tho syntactic foatures of English and Viclwmese proverbs denoting family +elatIOIshlps "` " ae 14 3.1.1 Concisencss
Symmetry 15 3.1.3 Sentential strucfures
Symmetrical structure is a distinctive feature of Vietnamese and English proverbs that denote family relationships, emphasizing balance and harmony within their form and content Norrick highlights that “the most important characteristic of a traditional saying is the symmetrical structure of its form and content,” illustrating how such balance is central to proverb construction Mieder further explains that proverbs containing a single descriptive element are non-oppositional, while those with two or more elements can be either oppositional or non-oppositional, with symmetry creating a balanced interplay between elements By examining examples from both languages, it becomes clear that symmetry contributes to the effectiveness and memorability of proverbs, reinforcing cultural values through structured linguistic patterns.
English and Vietnamese for illustration of the symmetrical structures
Trẻ cậy cha / giả cậy com |24: 40]
Mother scratches child’s back / child scratches mother’s [7: 126]
English and Vietnamese proverbs related to family relationships are often structured as two symmetrical, logically connected phrases or clauses These proverbs feature similar word classes and nearly identical syllable patterns, creating a balanced and memorable structure This symmetry not only aids readers in remembering and accurately using the proverbs but also helps them verify correctness, as both phrases contain the same number of words.
Quirk and Greenbaum (19:165) explore simple sentences, which consist of only one clause They emphasize the importance of understanding the core elements that are typically obligatory in sentence structure The authors identify seven common clause types based on the arrangement of these elements, including SV and SVO structures These clause types are fundamental to analyzing and constructing clear, grammatically correct sentences.
This study identifies seven clause types—SVC, SVA, SVOA, SVOC, and SVOQ—in the context of proverbs expressing family relationships in both English and Vietnamese The author found three proverbs that denote family relationships in each language, belonging to these clause types, as shown in Table 2 Not all clause types appear in the construction of such proverbs; some may be present in English but absent in Vietnamese, indicating differences in clause usage across languages The analysis aims to categorize the proverbs according to clause types without focusing on their meaning equivalence between English and Vietnamese, which may result in unequal numbers of proverbs listed for each language.
Clause English proverbs denoting stnamese proverbs denoting types Jamily relationships Jamily relationships
Sv Blood will lel [20: 60] - Vợ chồng đầu gỗi tay ấp [24: 37]
~ Anh em hại máu số đối [I0: 13]
SVA |- Men me om Mars, women are ẹủom Venus None
- The shoemarker’s son always goes barefoot [11:290] svc - A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a - Chị em nằm nem ba đông happy couple [14: 52] [10: 102]
- Blood is blood [7: 331] - Dâu dâu, rê rẻ cũng kể là cơn
~ A grey mare is the better horse (11: 149| - Em thuận anh hòa là nhà cỏ phúc,
- A husband is always the laat fo know.[11: 170] [18: 276]
- A good wife and health is a man’s best wealth 120: 60|
- Home is where the heart is [1]: 163]
SVO |- A bad tusband makes a bad wile [7-167] = Con em dé Fen con ci (10: 137]
- A good Jack makes a good Fill [14: 167] - Cha hé mang dé con fu diu [10
- A blind man’s wife needs no paint [14: 30] 36]
~ A wise son heeds his father’s instruction [11] - Con Jén ba mdi ra lang me (24: 41]
~ Mẫu sỉ thâm thịt nây [10: 335]
- Con chị cổng con em |10: 135|
- Chỉ đại đã cô era khôn [10: 102]
SVOC_ | None Thuận vo thuận chồng lát bể Đông cứng cạn [24: 37]
Table 2: Vietnamese and English proverbs denoting family relationships in seven types of clauses
Analyzing Table 2, we observe that the grammatical elements of proverbs related to family relationships in both English and Vietnamese predominantly consist of three main components: the subject, the verb, and the object The common sentence types include SV (subject-verb), SVA (subject-verb-adverb), and SVO (subject-verb-object), which are primarily used to convey clear and concise meanings More complex structures such as SVC (subject-verb-complement), SVOO (subject-verb-object-object), SVOC (subject-verb-object-complement), and SVOA (subject-verb-object-adverb) are less frequently found and are considered less common in proverbs addressing family themes This suggests a tendency toward simple sentence structures in proverbs, emphasizing directness and clarity in conveying familial values.
A compound sentence is formed by joining two or more simple sentences, creating a more complex thought Common conjunctions used to connect these sentences include "and," "but," "so," "or," "nor," "either or," and "not only but also," which help clarify relationships between ideas Both English and Vietnamese languages frequently utilize compound sentences in proverbs, especially when expressing family relationships, highlighting their cultural significance Here are some examples illustrating the use of compound sentences in proverbs related to families.
- Children are certain cares, but uncertain comforts [14: 40]
- A good man without a wife is but half a man [20: 60]
- My son is my son Gill he gets him a wile, but my daughler’s my daughlor all the day of her life [14: 194]
- Mother can lake care of ten children bul sometimes ten children can’1 take care of one mother, |14; 192]
- Praise the child and you make love to the mother [14: 226]
- Mother scratches child’s back, child scratches mother’s |7: 126]
- ‘he husband eats hamburgers, the wife eats spring rolls [7]
As we can see from the examples which sometimes have same subjects can be omitted one but they are definitely compound sentences
In addition, Vietnamese proverbs denoting family relationships also appear a lot in the treasure of Vietnamese folklore in terms of the structure of compound sentences
Let's take some examples for itlustration:
- Thuyén theo léi, gai theo chồng [24: 37]
- Chồng ăn chả, vợ ăn nem [L0: 111]
- Sây cha còn chi, say me ap vii di |9: 32
- Trẻ cây cha, giả cây con (24: 40]
- Con chẳng chê cha mẹ khó, chỏ chẳng chề chủ nghèo, [10: 135]
- Con thi ma, cd thì nước |1: 141 |
- Em khôn cũng là em chị, chị dại cũng là chị em [24: 43]
A complex sentence consists of an independent clause combined with one or more dependent clauses, often introduced by subordinators like since, after, although, or when, or by relative pronouns such as that, who, or which According to Quirk and Greenbaum, complex sentences are characterized by this structural relationship However, in the analysis of proverbs related to family relationships, it is observed that complex sentence patterns are rare in English and are not commonly used in this context.
Vicinamesc We could see some examples for illustration:
- Ile that has a wife and children has given hostage to fortune [14: 119]
- Happy is he that 1s happy in his children [7: 62]
- The family thal prays logether stays together [14: 85]
- When the blood sheds, the heart aches [7: 124]
- He that will thrive must first ask his wife [11: 324]
- There’s only one pretty child ia the world and every mother has it [20; 63]
Every example in this field consists of two clauses: an independent clause and a dependent clause Currently, no Vietnamese proverbs have been identified or documented that exemplify this structure, to the best of my knowledge.
According to Quik and Greenbaum, a comparative construction involves comparing a proposition in a subordinate clause with one in a superordinate clause using a comparative element This comparison can be either equational, as in "as as," or differentiating, such as "more than" or "less than." These sentences are characterized by a correlative sequence linking the complement to the subordinate clause, enabling clear expression of similarity or difference Such comparative structures are commonly found in various forms of English sentences, illustrating their importance in conveying nuanced comparisons.
Linglish proverbs denoting family relationships and in Vietamese ones
Table 3 presents examples of proverbs that are comparative sentences, focusing on comparing the quantity of English proverbs related to family relationships with those in Vietnamese The author's primary goal is to analyze the number of such proverbs in both languages, rather than emphasizing their meanings or Vietnamese equivalents Therefore, the counts of proverbs in English and Vietnamese may differ, as the comparison is based solely on quantity.
Correlatives English proverbs denoting family relationships
Vietnamese proverbs denoting family relationships
None ~ Vợ chồng như đũa có đổi [21: 37]
~ Chông như đó, vợ như hon:
- Vợ chồng như mặt trăng,mặt trời
~ Anh cm như chân với tay [10: 13]
- Cơn có cha như nhà có nóc
- Con có mẹ nữ mang ap be
- Mẹ đánh một trăm không bằng cha ngăm một ủệng [L0: 346] more or Tess than than
= Blood is thicker than water 113: 30]
~ Better be an old man’s darling than a young man’s slave [13; 23]
~ Một giọi mâu đào hơn so nước lã 19: 22]
- Máu loãng còn hơn nước lã [10: 336]
- Họ hàng xa còn hơn người dung
‘Table 3, Comparative sentences in English and Vietnamese proverbs denoting family relationships
As we know, m chapter 1, a proverb is defined as a short and complete sentence [9:
A sentence refers to grammatical language units that convey a minimal sense of unity and completeness, but this definition does not fully capture the nature of proverbs Some proverbs appear as ungrammatical phrases where readers must infer semantic relations During my study, I collected several English proverbs related to family relationships, highlighting their unique structure and meaning.
- Spare the rod, spoil the child [11: 114]
Traditional grammar rules that describe the above examples as complete sentences often result in structures that are unacceptable to speakers Consequently, researchers like Norrick have proposed alternative explanations, emphasizing that well-known proverbs are often triggered by a single recognizable phrase Norrick refers to this minimal recognizable unit as the "kernel" of the proverb, which calls forth the entire meaning This perspective demonstrates that the examples provided are indeed complete proverbs, carrying only their essential "kernel" to convey their full message effectively.
Vietnamese proverbs, much like Linglish proverbs, often defy simple grammatical analysis based on subject-verb structures Using Norrick’s theory, we can identify the underlying structures of these proverbs Additionally, some Vietnamese proverbs specifically depict family relationships, providing meaningful insights into cultural values and social bonds.
Proverbs can be analyzed effectively using the theory of theme and rheme, which helps identify the structural components of a sentence Llao [6] successfully proposed the theory of theme and rheme (đề and thuyết in Vietnamese) to better understand sentence structure This approach provides valuable insights into how sentences are constructed, enhancing linguistic analysis and comprehension Utilizing the theme and rheme theory is essential for detailed language studies and improving sentence analysis accuracy.
21 study, “cha nao”, “indi hở” and “khác máu” are considered as themes while “con nấy”, răng lạnh" and “tanh lòng” are regarded as rheme
3.2 The similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese proverbs denoting family relationships in terms of syntactic features
Tw this section, dus to what have presented above, the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese in terms of syntactic features are pointed out,
Tn general, the English and Vieiamese proverbs denoting family relationships share some certain similarities in terms of syntax
Proverbs that denote family relationships often feature concise and symmetrical structures, typically composed of four words divided into two parallel parts This symmetry enhances memorability and deepens understanding of the conveyed message Such well-balanced proverbs effectively communicate valuable cultural wisdom, making them easy for readers to recall and comprehend.
(hing, thanks to the conciseness and the symmetry, proverbs especially those denoting family relationships were passed from generation to generation
Similarities
Tn general, the English and Vieiamese proverbs denoting family relationships share some certain similarities in terms of syntax
Proverbs about family relationships are characterized by their conciseness and symmetrical structure, often consisting of just four words divided into two parallel parts This symmetry enhances memorability and facilitates deeper understanding of their meanings The balanced format makes these proverbs easy to recall while effectively conveying timeless wisdom about family bonds in both languages.
(hing, thanks to the conciseness and the symmetry, proverbs especially those denoting family relationships were passed from generation to generation
Analysis reveals that the structural patterns of proverbs in both languages primarily consist of simple, compound, and complex sentences Additionally, applying the theme and rheme theory helps in understanding proverb construction across languages The author also observes that comparative sentences are frequently used in proverbs to depict family relationships, employing comparative markers such as "as as," "more than," and "less than" in English, while Vietnamese proverbs use "giống như," "hơn," and "không bằng" to serve similar functions.
Analysis of the data indicates that, aside from similarities, there are only minor differences between English and Vietnamese proverbs related to family relationships This is demonstrated by the comparable characteristics identified in both sets of proverbs, highlighting cultural overlaps in expressing family values through traditional sayings.
Our data analysis reveals a key linguistic difference between Vietnamese and English proverbs related to family relationships Specifically, Vietnamese proverbs do not feature complex sentence structures, whereas English proverbs often include complex sentences formed by combining an independent clause with a dependent clause These English complex sentences typically utilize subordinators like "that" and "when" to connect clauses, highlighting a notable distinction in grammatical construction between the two languages.
Vietnamese proverbs express family relationships using comparative sentences more frequently than English proverbs, with approximately 16% of Vietnamese proverbs incorporating comparisons compared to only 6% in English This highlights a significant difference in how each language culture emphasizes familial comparisons through proverbs The greater use of comparison in Vietnamese proverbs reflects the cultural importance placed on family ties and relationships.
3.3 Semantic featurcs of English and Victnamese proverbs denoting family relationships
3.3.1 Meanings of proverbs denoting family relationships in English and
Micder [15] slates in his valuable book thal some proverbs have both a literal and a figurative meaning, either of which makes perfect sense; but more often they have
Vietnamese scholars, such as Phan and Lan, emphasize that proverbs often have two meanings: literal and figurative They suggest that many proverbs, including those related to family relationships in English and Vietnamese, convey both direct and symbolic messages For example, family-related proverbs typically embody this duality, enriching their cultural significance and deeper understanding Recognizing these dual meanings enhances comprehension of proverb usage in cross-cultural contexts.
(2) A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple [14: 52]
Examples (1) and (2) illustrate both literal and figurative meanings The literal interpretation involves body parts—“mi” (lips) and “ring” (teeth)—where open lips cause teeth to feel cold, suggesting that actions affecting lips can influence teeth Figuratively, these elements symbolize family members, emphasizing close relationships among family members The proverb conveys that maintaining harmony and understanding within a family or community is essential for strong, connected relationships.
A harmonious society involves 23 countries living together peacefully and caring for one another For example, a well-known proverb suggests that a successful marriage relies on mutual tolerance, where the husband ignores his wife's constant chatter or nagging, and the wife overlooks her husband's physical shortcomings or misdeeds This highlights that conjugal harmony requires patience and understanding from both partners Proverbs about family relationships, whether in English or Vietnamese, serve as valuable lessons that offer practical insights for everyday life According to Edward [1; 12], figurative proverbs can be viewed as condensed parables that convey deeper moral or social lessons in a succinct form.
3.3.2 Stylistic devices of English and Vietnamese denoting family relationships The figurative meaning of proverbs is not always obvious and it is necessary to have a cerlain level of thinking to understand Therefore, many proverbs wilh certain stylistic features help a statement to gain and maintain proverbial status [15:
Using stylistic devices such as simile, metaphor, metonymy, and hyperbole, proverbs related to family relationships in English and Vietnamese become more vivid and engaging These literary techniques encourage individuals to use their imagination and grasp the deeper meaning behind these proverbs By employing such stylistic devices, the proverbs effectively enhance their expressiveness and cultural significance.
A simile is a figure of speech that compares one thing to another of a different kind to create a more vivid or emphatic description Connective words such as "like," "as," "so," and "than" are commonly used to apply a simile effectively For example, similes enhance writing by making descriptions more expressive and engaging, helping readers visualize and understand concepts more clearly.
(1) Blood is thicker than water [14: 30]
(2) Vo chéng như đũa có đôi [2⁄4: 37]
Similes comparing family relationships are prevalent in both English and Vietnamese proverbs, highlighting their cultural significance For example, pairing "blood" with family bonds emphasizes that familial ties are more important than other relationships, suggesting that blood relations hold greater value than external connections These proverbs use vivid comparisons to convey the importance of family loyalty and the strength of kinship ties across different cultures.
“Vo cheng” is compared to “dtia co déi” in example (2), illustrating that just as one cannot pick up food with only one chopstick, a balanced relationship between husband and wife is essential for happiness This analogy emphasizes the importance of harmony and partnership in marriage, similar to how balanced chopsticks work effectively together Vietnamese proverbs frequently depict family relationships, with a higher occurrence rate of about 6% compared to only 1% in English proverbs, indicating that Vietnamese culture places a stronger emphasis on familial harmony The higher frequency of similes related to family in Vietnamese proverbs reflects the cultural importance of maintaining balanced and harmonious family ties.
A metaphor is a figure of speech that applies a word or phrase to an object or action in a non-literal way, enhancing the expressive quality of language The preference for metaphorical proverbs stems from their ability to be used figuratively or indirectly, making communication more impactful and relatable.
115: 8] Let us consider metaphor in the following examples:
(2) Thuyén theo lai, gai theo chong, |24; 37]
In example (1), the images of “parents” and “patterns” are interconnected through their symbolic meanings “Patterns” are viewed as models that guide behavior and serve as standards for correctness, playing a crucial role in education Similarly, “parents” evoke qualities such as care, tolerance, and responsibility, symbolizing the foundational role of family figures The metaphor compares the functions of parents to patterns, highlighting their influence in shaping individuals and society This use of metaphor extends beyond English, as seen in Vietnamese example (2), where “thuyền” (boat) and “gái” (woman) are metaphorically linked; a boat requires correct operation by its owner to move properly, just as a married woman is expected to follow her husband, illustrating cultural perspectives on guidance and roles within society.