Luận văn a study on family related english and vietnamese proverbs from a lingual cultural perspective

2.2.1.1, Attitudes towards Women in Family-Related Victnamese Proverbs 2.2.1.2, Attitudes towards Women in Kamily-Related English Proverbs 3.2.2.1.. Aims of the Study - To find ont the

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY - HANOT UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

DEPARTMENT’ OF POS'T-GRADUATE STUDIES

TRAN THE KHOA

ASTUDY ON FAMILY-RELATED ENGLISII AND

VIETNAMESE PROVERBS

(FROM A LINGUAL-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE)

NGHIEN CUU CAC TUC NGU LIEN QUAN DEN MOI QUAN HE

GIA BINH TRONG TIENG ANH VA TIENG VIỆT

(NHINTU'GOC ĐỘ NGÔN NGỮ VA VAN HOÁ)

M.A MINOR TITESIS

Major: English Linguistics

Code: 60 22 15

HANOI, 8/2009

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSLLY - LANOL UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAT STUDIES

DEPARTMENT OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES

TRAN THE KHOA

ASTUDY ON FAMILY-RELATED ENGLISII AND

VIETNAMESE PROVERBS

(FROM A LINGUAL-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE)

NGHIÊN CỨU CÁC TỤC NGỮ LIÊN QUAN ĐẾN MỐI QUAN HỆ

GIA ĐÌNII TRONG TIẾNG ANITIVÀ TIẾNG VIỆT

(VHNTỪGÓC DỘ NGÔN NGỮ VÀ VĂN H04)

M.A MINOR THESIS

Major: English Linguistics Code: 60 22 15

Supervisor: Assoc Prof Dr Nguyém Van D6

HANOI, 8/2009

Aims of the Study,

Scopes of the Study

Mothods of the Study

Design of the Study

CTIAPTER 1: TITEORETICAL BACKGROUND

1.1 The Relationship between Language and Culans

Ld Culture

1.1.2 Language

1.13 The Relationship betwoon Language and Culture

1.2 Comparison between Two Cultures

1.2.1 Same orm, Different Meaning

1.2.2 Same Meamng, Different orm

1.2.3 Same Form, Sane Meaning, Different Distribution

1.3 Definitions of Proverbs and Family Proverbs

1.3.1 Definitions of Proverbs

1.3.2 Family Proverbs

1S Proverbs versus Idioms, Sayings, Conventional Phrases and Phrasal Verbs

1.6 Main Features of Proverbs from a Language-Cultural Perspective

1.6.4 Contrary Proverbs

1.7 Summary

CHAPTER 2: TENTATIVE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPARISON OF FAMILY-

RELATED ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE PROVERBS 2.1 Tenlalive Classification of Family-Related English and Victraancsc Droverbs 2.2 Comparison of Family-Related English and Vietnamese Proverbs

2.2.1 Attitudes towards Women

2.2.1.1, Attitudes towards Women in Family-Related Victnamese Proverbs

2.2.1.2, Attitudes towards Women in Kamily-Related English Proverbs

3.2.2.1 Love in Family-Related Vietnamese Proverbs

2.2.2.2 Love in Family-Related English Proverbs

2.2.3 Mamage

2.23.1, Mamiage in Family-Related Vietnamese Proverbs

2.2.3.2, Marriage in Family-Related English Proverbs

2.2.4 Choosing Mates

2.2.4.1, Chousing Matcs in Family-Related Victnamese Proverbs

2.2.4.2, Choosing Mates in Family-Related English Provetbs

2.2.5 Tusband-Wite Relationship

2.2.5.1, Husband-Wife Relationship in Family

2.2.5.2, Husband- Wife Relationship in Family-Related English Proverbs

2.2.6.2 Divorce, Remarriage and Polygamy in Iamily-Related kmglish

Proverbs

2.27.1, Parents-Offspnng Lelationship in Family-Related Vietnamese Proverbs

2.2.7.2 Parents-Offspring Relationship in Famity-Related English Proverbs

2.2.7.3, Parents’ Attitudes towards Offspring

2.2.7.4, Offspring’s Duties towards Parents

2.2.8, Brotherhood and Sisterhood, and the Relationsap between Mother-indaw

2.2.8.1, Brotherhood and Sisterhood

2, Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Relationship

2.2.9 General Rules on Behaviours in British and Vietnamese Sacieties, 33

CONCLUSION

1 Recapitulation c esccses uss HH ng rgerreriieereuuẩf

2 Implioation o£ English and Vietnassso Proverbs for English Language Teaching and

3 Suggestions for Furthar SRUdIES cà nnnnnerrrrrerseeeisiÐ

INTRODUCTION

1 Rationale

We are living in an eva of globalization and inegration English, an international

Janguage has become a very necessary means of conmmunication and cross-communication

has become a pivotal demand fir people the world over English may be considered to be the language of dancing since dancing is a language and you can speak wilh anyone

‘Through language, people can express their opinions and exchange their ideas Moreover,

they can exchange their material and spiritual values making the cultural knowledge of one

another richer and more diversified Nevertheless, in each language there exist similar and

different cultural concepts on many aspects of life such as custems, traditions, social

conventions, human values, attitudes, behaviours, etc How can a foreign language learner

communicate successfully with native speakers if they have poor understanding of the

language itsclf and the language related to culture

‘Through proverbs, each person knows the other’s point of view and ways of thinking

Moreover, we undersiand one another via customs, traditions, lifestyles, etc We become friendly as a result Dr Denis Brutus, a Literatme professor at the University of Pittsburgh, the USA, specified and extended the reality of the research of proverbs He

said, “Lhrough proverbs, | know your points of view, the attitudes of your ancestors Hach

từne T know a new Vietnamese proverb, T become Vietnamese a little [ believe when we

know all proverbs of each other, we are brothers.” Somalian people said, “Proverbs put

spice into speech.” Yobura people in South Aftica consider the praverb to be an animal

which nods its head when climbing uphill They said, “The proverb is the lorse of

conversation, when the conversation drops, the proverb picks it up” Vietnamese people regard the proverb as a pearl of academic thinking or a twinkling mist in literature

Tn Vistnarn, more and more people are eager to Tearn Dnglish and the need far learning

English is becoming very ugent Most of the learners complain about the difficulties that

prevent them from succeeding in conversations One of the main reasons is that they are

ol good enough al perceiving and using idioms, especially proverbs

‘The usage of proverbs is to express ideas in a figurative way, draw good lessons via

them and bring vividness and richness to the speaker’s conversation if a speaker uses proverbs skillfnlly, he/she can establish a good communicative relationship In terms of

lonching English, 1 ns will be more interesting and cffective if the teacher knows how

to apply proverbs to designing different activities in an English class: quizzes, games, role-

play, ete

Moreover, lamily-rdlatcd English and Victamese proverbs interest m2 most because via these proverbs, I can draw very good lessons and know how to behave and treat others Each family is a social cell We will have a fair society if all the families are valuss- oriented, Moreover, farrily relationships play a very important role in educating children, the fate generation

For the above-mentioned reasons, 1 have decided to choose this theme for my minor

thesis,

2 Aims of the Study

- To find ont the cultural features in family relationships in British and Vietnamese

socictics vie English and Victnamese proverbs (norms and valucs of culture, attitudes,

behaviours and ways of denotation or emotional expression, etc.)

~ To finel cul the interesting things and the core, elegance, vividn

s and meaningfulness of family-xelated English and Vietnamese proverbs via which significant educational lessons will be highlighted and we can absorb the beautiful elegance and keep continuing the cufturl lines

= To apply family-sokaled English and Victnamesc proverbs to leaching and learning both English and Vietnamese for Vietnamese people and foreigners, to create interesting and affective lessons and to form moral norms so as to educate students to become good

cilizens

- To contrast the beauty, essence and elegance of family-related English and Vietnamese proverbs and their usage

3 Scopes of the Study

Proverbs are plentiful in both English and Vietnamese Theretore, it is impossible for the author to carry out an all-rotnded stndy on them, Only family-retated proverbs are selcetsd and a comparison belween English and Vietnamese is made to distinguish onc from the other

In this study, only semantic features of family-telated English and Vietnamese

proveths are discussetl, cultural features are analyveil nol syntactic ones

All English and Vietnamese proverbs arc collected from dictionarics, books and the Internet Hence, this research does not cover all family-related English and Vietnamese proverbs, just those of common use (more than 200 Vietnamese proverbs and about 200 English proverbs)

4 Methods of the Study

Contrastive Analysis is the main research approach used in my MLA minor thesis

Quantitative and qualitative methods are used By virtue of the quantitative method, data

have been collected for the study includmg both Lnglish and Vietnamese proverbs

§ Design of the Study

This minor thesis consists of three main parts In addition to the Introduction and

Conclusion, the study is organized around two chapters

“The Introduction raises the issue of English and Vietnamese proverbs in family setting Chapler 1 deals with the relationship between Ianguage and culture, the comparison

between two cultures, several definitions of proverbs, main features of proverbs, the

differences among proverbs, idioms, sayings, conventional phrases and phrasal verbs

Chaplzr 2 is concerned with the classification and comparison between English and

‘Vietnamese proverbs within family setting,

‘The Conclusion sums up the main issues discussed in the thesis The author also raises

his own opinion on the topic and suggests several ideas for futher studies

DEVELOPMENT

CULAPTER 1: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

1.1, The Relationship between Language and Culture

LLL Culture

Tn Goodenough’s definition (1957-167), the term “culture” is used in the sense thal a

person must know whatever so as to function ina particular society

Culture may be described by some people as opera, fine art, and 30 on, as in the

definition of Oxford Advanced learner's Dictionary (1992), culture is “refined

understanding and appreciation of art, literature.” Culture, however, in our sense in

relation to language is the way we act, the context in which we exist, think, feel and relate

to others Accordmg 1a Kottak, CP (1979: 40), culture, taken in ils widest sense, is “thar

complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, law, customs, and any

other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.” In this definition, culfure is (akon as socially acquired knowledge in » community and anything like habits

However, this definition is a rather large one to consider the relationship between language

and culture

Therefore, cutlure is the know-how that a person must possess lo get through the task

of daily living; only for a few does it require a knowledge of some, or much, music,

literature, and the arts

semiotic or formal orientation, and in everyday language

Stuart Hall described language like this:

How does langnage construct meanings? How does it sustain the dialogue between participants which onables then to build up # eutlore of sharcd understanding and so interpret the world in roughly the same ways? Language is able ta do this bocausc if operates as a representational system, In language, we use signs and symbols whether they are sounds, written words, electronically produced images, musical notes, even objects — to stand for or represcnt (o other people our cancepis, idzas and Leclings (Stuart Hall, 1997: 1)

1.1.3 The Relationship between Language and Culture

According ta Kramsch (2000: 3), language is the principle means whoreby wo conduct our social lives When it is used in communication, it is bound up with culture in mmiltiple and complex ways

Krausch, one of the most important reecul researchers wilhin the ficld af langnage, culture and camming, says in her book Language and Culture (1998a: 30 that

+ language expresses cultural reality;

a

| language embodies cullnral reality;

+ language symbolises cultural reality,

Kramsch’s presentation moves the view of the relationship between language and

culture in a post-structuratisl diroction, even though she herself dows nol use this form in her 1998 book, The first point: “Language expresses cultural reality” Kramsch explains in the following way:

"The words people utter refer to common experience ‘They express facts, ideas ar cvonis that are communicable hocause they rafer (a a stock of knowledge aboul the world that other people share Words also retlect their author’s attitudes and beliefS, their point of view, as well as those of others In both cases, language expresses cultural reality (Kramsch, 1998a: 3)

“The second point; “language embodies cultural reality” she explains as follows:

But members of a commnnily or social group also creais experience through language They give meaning to it through the medium they choose to communicate with one another, for example, speaking in the telephone or face to face, writing a letter or sending an e-raail message, reading the newspaper or interpreting a gxaph or a chart The way in which peuple use the apoken, written, or visual medium itself eraates meanings hat are understandable to the group they belong to, for example, through a speaker's tone of voice, accent, conversational style, gestures and facial expressions ‘Through all its verbal

(Kramsch, 1998a: 3)

The third point: “language symbolises cultural reality” is described as follows:

and uon-verbal aspsels, language cmbodics cultural rcalily

language is a system of signs that is seen as having itself a cultural value Speakers identify themselves and others through their use of language (Kramsch, 19984 3)

1.A Fishman is probably the sociolingnist who has dealt most and for the longest time with the relationship betwecn Ianguage and culture, cspecially im cormection with the

struggle for Hinguistic diversity as parl of ethnic and ofhno-cullural diversity (Fislmnan,

JA, 1991), He has distinguished three “links” between language and culture:

| language as a part of culture,

+ language as an index of cullure,

+ language as symbolic of culture

Concerning the first point, Fishman describes language as: “an inevitable part’, “a major and cracial part” of cullwe, and “all those who seek fully lo ener into and understand a given culture must, accordingly, master its language” (e.g Fishman, 1996:

452, which is an article in an encyclopedia of social science)

The sccond point: “language as an index of cullure “, Fishman duscribes as follows:

“The role of language as an index of culture is a byproduct (at a more abstract level) of its role as part of culture, Languages reveal the ways of thinking or of organizing experience thai are common in the associated cultures” — «little farther down, he talks about “culture- hound languages”

The third point: “language as symbolic of culture”, Fishman explains as follows:

“Language movements and language conflicts utilize languages as symbols te mobilize populations to defend (or attack) and to foster (or reject) the cultures associated with them.”

As can be seen, Fishman is iking here about culture-bourd language and aboul the fact that language and culture are “intimately associated” with each other

In any eulture or religion, language is mach more than semantics, much more than what the writien page or the spoken word can contain Language does not end at the inicaning or the usc of words assoviaied with a culture which raprescnis betiofs, history, and the culture of their origin and they must be used accordingly,

in conelusion, language and culture always exist together and reinforce each other The telaltionstip between them is so inextricable that we could not understand and appreciate the one without the knowledge of the other

1.2 Comparison between two Cultures

If the nalive culture habils are transferred when leaming a foreign culture, it is obvious that, by comparing the two culture systems, we can predict what the trouble spots will be Obviously this is a huge undertaking, and we will present a few examples that may facilitate cultural analysis and comparison

1.2.1 Same Form, Different Meaning

We will expect trouble when the same form has different classification or meaning

in the two cultures,

A form in culture R, identifizd by an observer from culture A as the same form as

one in his own culture, actually has a different meaning

Example: Drinking milk at meals is a standard practice in the United States It has a

wary meaning of food and drink, al meal time IL does not have any special comotation

m

of social class, national group, religions group, age group, or economic stratum In France, milk at meals is not the standard drink Some children may drink milk, some adults may drink mitk for special reasons, some individuals or farnilios or groups tay drink silk because of special cultural contacts

1.2.2 Same Meaning, Different Form

We can expect another kind of trouble spot when the same meaning in two cultures

is associated with different forins, The alicn observer seeking to act in the caliure being leaned will select his own form to achieve the meaning, and he may miss altogether the fact that a different fom is required

Example: When foreign visitors from arcas where coffte is scrved very black and very strong taste American coffee, they do not say that it is different; they say that Arnerican coffee is bad Likewise, when Americans go abroad to countries where colle is

‘lack and strong, they taste the coffee and do not say that it is different, they say that it is dad,

1.2.3 Same Form, Same Meaning, Different Distribution

There is troubfc in leamming a forcign culturs whan a pallern thal has the same form and the same meaning shows ditierent distribution The observer of a foreign culture assuimes that the distribntion of a pattem in the observed culture is the same as in his native culture, and therefore on noticing more of, less of, or absence of a feature in a single

‘variant he generalizes his observation as if it applied to all variants and therefore to the entire culture, Distribution is a source of a great many problems,

Example: Tor some time i, was puzzling thal on the one hand Lalin American students complained that North American meals abused the use of sugar, while on the other hand the dietitians complained that Latin Americans used too much sugar at meals It cam be ebsorved that the average Latin Amncrican studont lakes more sugar in his coffes

than North Americans do He is not used to drinking milk at meals, but when milk is

served, he sometimes likes to put sugar in it, The dietitian notices this use of sugar in

situations in which North Americans would use less or none at all The dietitian notices

also that the sugar bowls at tables where Latin Americans sit have to be filled more often than at other tables She therefore feels quite confident in making her generalization

Ina nutshell, when comparing two cultures, we pay attention to the form, meaning

and distribution Via such factors, we can understand more and more about different cultures in order to avoid culture shocks,

1.3 Definitions of Proverbs and Family Proverbs

1.3.1 Definitions of Proverbs

According to Mieder, 1989a, Seitel, 1981 and Egblewogbe, 1980, “A proverb has

been defined as a short, repeated, witty statement or set of statements of wisdom, truth and

experience which is used to further a social end” (www.questia.com) In other words, it is

a short well-known expression that states a general truth or advice

According to Albig (1931: 529), “The proverb is a social definition of a situation.”

(www.questia.com)

Neal R Nortick (20; 51— 55) defined proverbs in “How Proverbs Mean: Semantic Studies in English” as follows: “The proverb is typically spoken, conversational form with

didactic function and not associated with any particular source.”

Up till now, there have been lots of definitions of proverbs in the world as well as

in Vietnam However, no definition has been considered as a standard one which can be

applied to the all-aspect research of proverbs, Western researchers gave out 55 definitions

of proverbs If the most popular words appearing in these 55 definitions are used and

combined, a proverb can be defined as a short sentence of wisdom Nevertheless, this definition has not yet been considered as a standard one

According to Vu Ngoc Phan, Vietnam, the proverb is a sentence which itself

expresses a complete idea, a remark, an experience, a theory, a truth, maybe a criticism

{Vu Ngoc Phan, Tuc ngu, Ca đao, Dan ca Viet Nam: 11)

Even though there are different definitions of proverbs, they have something in

common Accordingly, proverbs are selected with meaningful sentences which play an

important role in building people’s characters as well as educating people, especially

emotional and spirilual beliefs Olen pastic, prosaic and emotionally powsrful, they allow for free expression with a natural rhythm They have a meaning and simplicity that transcends words, but are understood by the speaker Proverbs shape lives — consider the proverb, “An apple docsn’L fall too far fromm the tree.”

Through the sharing of proverbs, family members provide strategies for self-

preservation, influence decisions and judgments (Pasteur & ‘Toldson, 1982), affect educational, career, or marital pursuits (Stone, 1988, Page and Washington, 1987} and

transmil valucs from generation io gencralion (Page & Washingion, 1987) Within some families, proverbs and values are so interrelated that they are considered as one in the same,

‘This discussion will treat proverbs fram the aforementioned perspective, as a value, having

‘both guiding and dirceting impacts upon thoughts and behaviors

“Throughout life course, proverbs are differentially reinforced by society, significant others, and reference groups Families are most oflen the conduits or “uansmillers” of proverbs, Family proverbs may either agree ot disagree with societal values, Proverbs are also garnered through relationships in cultural, ethnic, racial, socioeconomic, educational, and religions groupings

Accoriing to Vera R, Jackson (1994: 7), proverbs are ollơn as diverse as the poupts who believe them They have managed to become a central thread in the fabuic that guide thoughts and behaviours, Proverbs often have a far reaching impact upon the general well- being and quality of life of thosc who have been exposed to them

1.4 Definitions af Tdioms

Many linguists such as Robins (1989), Palmer (1981), Jackson and Amvela (1998) and

others consider idioms as a special kind of collocation The meaning of an idiom, nevertheless, cannot be deduced from the meaning of its constituents It is alsa for this

determinable on the basis of the meaning of the tsxemes of which il is composed — “To stop living and to be buried underground so as to become food for wonns which live underground”

Bosidos being colloypial expressions, idioms can appoar in a formal style and in slang

‘They can appear in poetry or in the language of the journalist, the writer and the Bible

How can we give a definition to idioms? According to Seidl and MeMordie (1988), “an

idiom is a number of words which, taken together, meaning something different from the individual words of the idiom when they stand alone The way in which the wards aro put together is often odd, illogical or even grammatically incorrect”

Idioms are composed of more than one word: their constituents show to some extent the sort of intcmnal cohesion that we expect of single words An idiom typically resists

interruption and re-ordering of its constituents

Acconting lo Palmer (1990), idioms are consequences of words whose meaning cannol

‘be predicted from the meaning of the words themselves Semantically, idioms are single units, but they are not single grammatical units like words He also printed out some restriction in syntactic features and noted that the protlem of idioms was involved with the amuch wider issne of word formation, by which whal would appear lo be new and inare complex lexemes ean be formed trom single ones,

1.5 Proverbs versus Idioms, Sayings, Conventional Phrases and

be adapted into proverbial form,

ion that contains more than onc word Tt is a fixcd phrase or

An idiom is an oxp

another scquonec of words whose meaning is different from the sum of the literal meanines

of its components [hat is, it has a meaning beyond or other than the sum of the meaning

of the individual words, For example, “lo show off everything ane has” Rudt dé ngoai da) Nevertheless, proverbs, sayings and conventional phrases are excluded They are multi- word expressions that often mean something different from the words in them, However, they cach form a calegory of their own depending on the fimetion they have, Proverbs often possess some additional meanings, or their purpose is to draw a lesson, and they are somehow more tightly associated with cultural discourse

A saying is a well-known short statement, or a remark that expresses an idea most peopte believe is truc and wise TL can be considered to be close to idioms, but it is usually not figurative (literal) For instance, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” as the old saying goes

‘A conventional phrase has a special interactional function, and it is often literal rather than metaphorical, for example “God be with you.”

A phrasal verb is a verb which is 4 combination of a verb and a particle or two particles, A particle may be either a preposition or an adverb, The phrasal verb “to put off” ameans “to delay” and it is a combination of the verb “put” and the preposition “off”, It has

a nomliteral meaning or an idiomatic meaning which cannot be easily recognised by looking al the words themsclves However, the phrasal verb “ia pil on” has a Filsrat ameaning that is easy to understand because the meaning is clear from the words that are used in the phrasal verb itself

Tn conclusion, il is usefid to distinguish proverbs (rom idioms, sayings and phrasal

‘verbs for the purpose of using them correctly so as to develop the conversation naturally without misunderstanding one another

1.6 Main Kcatures of Proverbs from a Language-C ultural Perspective

16.1 National Features

12

Different nalural and social conditions create different proportics of nationalism Tn addition, different cultures make different proverbs, However, proverbs are not only cultural events but also symbolic systems of recording and expressing cultural events

Proverbs which have lots of meanings (multi-meanings) and whose meanings ars ñgurative are often expressed via the following five methods: Synecdoche, Metaphor, Metonymy, iyperbole and Paradox The following are two methods which are used in popularity

1.6.2.1 Synecdoche

Synecdoche is a ype of meming transformation associated wilh metonymy and the xueaning can be guessed via the figurative meanings of key words in the proverb

eg, “The eally bird catches the worm.” means “Auriving early gives one an advantage.” or

“Coming late, one may lose everything ” In Vietnamese, we offen say “Ihe late buffalo

drinks dirty waier.” which moans the same

1.6.2.2, Metaphar

A figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two

the unfarniliar (the tenor) in terms of the familiar (the vehicle) When Neil Young sings

“Love is a rose.”, “tose” is the vehicle for “love”, the tenor

1.63 Rhyming Wards in Proverbs

In Vietnamese preverbs, there are rhyming words such as “Người sống, đồng vàng ”,

“Dei cho sạch, rách cho thơm.”, “Thuận vợ thuận chồng, tat bé déng cing can.”, ett

13

En English provarbs, tore aro also thyming words such as “Once # thicl, ways #

thief.” (An cip quen tay, ngủ ngày quen mắt.); “Let bygones, be bygones.” (Con di moc

vang, néi nang chi nita.) One more example of rhyming words is: “Sticks and stones will break my bones bul mares will never burt me.” wilh “stones” and “bones” rhyming

In addition, the distinguishing features among proverbs, idioms, sayings, conventional phases and phrasal verbs are also noted Meanings of proverbs are no less important so as to use proverbs appropriately in specific contexts Finally, rhyming words

in proverbs and contrary proverbs add spicg to the elogance of proverbs

CHAPTER 2 TENTATIVE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPARISON OF FAMILY-RELATED

ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE PROVERES

2.1 Tentative Classification of Yamily-Related English and Victnamese

Proverbs

14

Based on the family relationships im both Vicinamase and British societies, we ean tentatively classify family-related proverbs into six main types:

Attitudes towards women in the family and society

~ Fave and marriage

~ Choosing mates and marital relationship

~ Parentage (Parents-offspring relationship)

Brotherhoad and sisterhood

+ The relationship between the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law

In terms of attitudes towards women, the author focuses on women’s characters,

‘behaviours, lÌ qualily of worncn’s souls, their rola in the socicty and family Through English and Vietnamese proverbs, we can understand mere about women in the previous days and in modem times Moreover, we can see cleatly the similarities and differences between the two cultures

Brilish people regard financial scourity as an important factor in love nhổ marriage

‘Vietnamese young people are too timid to talk about finanee when they are in love Paithfhiness is regarded as a very important factor for Vietnamese people whereas it is not for British people Hence, English and Victnamese proverbs are expressed in different ways,

‘Vieimanese people consider chaosing mates to be a very importanl job Besides the criteria of race and genes, appearance, voice and age are also the three criteria men take info account British women’s ctiteria to choose husbands are not the same, The most

important criterion is courage Such opinions are also expressed in English and Viemamese

proveths,

‘The parents-offspring relationship in British families expressed in English proverbs shows that the father’s role of educating his children is really important ‘The British other doesn't have as much free Lime as the father In Vietam, the mother’s rol is mor: highly appreciated than the father’s Vietnamese children are concerned about filial piety whereas British children are not

Tn terms of brotherhood and sislerhood, the relationstip among brothers and sisters

in British families is not so close whereas this relationship in Vietnam is so deep Brothers

and sisters are more responsible for one another in Vietnamese society

between them in British society is not as serious as that in Vietnamese society Proverbs

denoting this relationship arc not plentifid but sound really interesting

The six types of family-rclated proverbs show six main features which arc necessary for not only adults but also children in addition, there are other types which are

not mentioned or little mentioned in this minor thesis

2.2 Comparison of Tamily-Related English and Vietnamese Proverbs

2.2.1, Attitudes towards Women

2.2.1.1, Attitudes tawards Women in Family-Reluted Vietnamese Proverbs

‘Vietnamese proverbs reflect women’s characters in which they are very kind, gentle, weak in physical fitness, short of courage They ars beautiful not only in appearance but

also in merit and characters, c.g “Trai thi manh, gai hi mém.” (Boys are heroic, girls arc

gentle.)

Vietnanese proverhs also refer to women’s slim figure, their beauly and merit

Therefore, we have: “Vé dẹp dành vào ảnh mắt, phẩm giả chỉnh phục tâm hỗn.” (Beauty

strikes the sight, but marit wins the sonl), “Tết gỗ hơn tốt nước son”, (“Handsome is that handsome doss”) “Cái nết đánh chối cái đẹp” (ProHimoss đics ñmst”) Mioroover,

women’s hononr is slaying a virgin “Chữ Irinh đồng giá ngàn vàng.”, “Hoa ruất nhị lẫy gì làm thơm ”, “Con gai chúa hoang, các vàng không lấy.”

Even though women’s beauty in appearance is paid considerable attention, the quality

of wamen’s souls is more highly appreciated Since they were babies, women lave been educated by adults concemed with attitudes, behaviours, morals, virtue and ways of communicating

“Con gái cửa cải then dong.”, “Di củi mặt xuống dất, về cất mặt lên trời.”, “Hỏi hãy

nói, gọi hãy thua.” (Gizls must close the door, speak whan asked) Opinions on Vietnamese women’s behaviours in general are considered to be conservative and quite backward However, in modem times, such proverbs do nol work very well since the way girls communicate is quite different They are more active in daily communication

‘The role of Vietnamese women in their family and society in the old days was to look afler their husbands and children

„ do the houscwerk such as shopping, cooking, elcaning,

16

their husbands also sometimes help them with the

domestic work “Kem trong bép biét nét dan ba.”; “Vang đàn ông quạnh nhà, văng dan ba

quanh bếp ” (Judge a woman by looking at the kitchen; It is quiet and lonely when the man

is absent frorn home, the kitchen is quiet and cold when the woman is ol present.)

Vietnamese women were net cncouraged to take part in social activitics, except for war

times then they needed to defend the country and their homeland Women were taught to become good wives and kind mothers Women who had two husbands or more than two

‘boyfriends were very bad ones The woman must love her husband even though he was not handsome ot rich or intelligent Her duty was to take great care of her husband and children “Gai chinh ehuyén ching lây lai chồng.”, “Ngu sỉ cũng thể chồng la, đấu rằng

khôn khéo cũng ra chồng người.”; “Có chồng chẳng được di dâu, có con chẳng được đứng

lâu một giờ.” (A serious woman cannot have two husbands; it is difficult for a maried woman to stay away from her husband and children.)

Moreovcr, Vicuurncse women also have the decisive tole im several important tasks such as buying a house, having a baby, farming, children’s marriage, eto If the woman is wise and dynamic this will help her husband a lot in his career, especially if he is “a hig potato” Therefore runs several Vietuamese proverbs: “Lam ruộng phải có trâu, làm giầu phái có vợ.”, ([o do farming, one must have a buffalo, to become wealthy, one must get

.ônh ông không bằng công

married), “Nha khé cdy vợ hiển, nước loạn nhữ tướng giỏi

tà."; “Vợ khôn ngoan làm quan cho chéng.” (“A good wife makes a good husband,”)

2.2.1.2, Attitudes towards Women in Family-Related English Proverbs

In English proverbs women’s beauty is not highly appreciated, nor is women’s merit Morcover, a comparison between women’s heauly and merit is nol made British people, with the development of commerce fiom an early age, always highly appreciate the value

of matenals, staying virgin is not important E.g “Beauty is only skin deep.”, “A fair wife

without fortune is like a house without furnilurc.” “Beauly is potent, bul money is

omnipotent.” (Sắc đẹp có sức thuyết phục, nhưng tiễn cỏ quyền lực tuyết đổi.” More

humorously, British people consider beef to be important food Hence, runs an English proverh “Beauty will buy no beef.” (Sic dep khéng mua duoc thit bd)

There are not many English proverbs on judging a woman There are only some on

judging a person in general: “A bird may be known by its song.”, “A good workman is

known by his chips.”, “Such carpenters, such chips.”; “The dlling, shows the liller.”, “Phe

work shơws te worlanan.” (Xem việc, biết người.)

‘The role of women is sometimes considered to be more important than the role of men

in the family to some extent, especially in cusuring 4 cosy fansily Both English and Vietnamese proverbs reflect this There goes a proverb: “Men make houses, women make

homes” (Dan ông xây nhà, đàn bã xây tổ ấm.”

The role of British women in the family and society formerly was nol clearly reflected and expressed in proverbs Although their role was highly appreciated in their family, there are no proverbs referring to specific fictions and duties in the family as

shown in Vicknamesc proverbs dus to the difference helweon the two cultures, Thore ars some English proverbs referring to the important role of British women in thei family

“Men make houses, women make homes.” (“Dan ang xy nha, dan ba xay t8 4m.”

“Women must have the last word.” (Phụ nữ phải có tiếng nói quyết định )

“Women sce deep, mon sce far.” (Bim ba thay sân, din ông thấy xa)

However, British women are also criticized and sneered at for their weak points:

“All women are good, either good for something, or good for nothing.” (Tat cả phụ nữ

đều hay, hay về một điều gì đó, hoặc chẳng hay vẻ việc gi ci.)

“Women in state affairs are ike monkeys in glass shops.” [Nữ quan chúc thì giống như

khử trong tử kính cửa hiệu)

“Women can conceal all what they know not.” (Phụ nữ có thể giữ bí mật tắt cã những s¡ má họ không biết.) (Phụ nữ ruột đễ ngoài da.)

“bree women and a goose make 4 market.” (Ba ngwdi phy nif va mét con ngdng hop thành một cái chợ )

“Twwo women in one house will not agree long.” (Hai phụ nữ cirang một nhà không hoà thuận với nhau lâu)

‘The role of wornen in having a happy farnily is alse expr

‘Their love was instinctive but very fantastic and true It inchided benevolence and

Tighicousness, TLincant charily and justice In addition, faithfulness was also mentioned If

a woman or a girl was not faithful to her husband or boytiiend, she would be regarded as a promiscuous woman, which couldn’t be accepted or forgiven ‘Their love was something which was associated with morals such as sacrifice, endurance, responsibility, benevolence

soruclimes reckless of their life as well as wealth and money

and righteousness They we

so as to guarantice everlasting love For them, love always went with benevolence which should be worshiped Thair love was not expressed as modern love However, it was

ên nhau máy núi cũng trẻo;

powerful love which couldn’t be prevented by any agent

may sông cũng lội, mấy đo cũng qua.” rans a Vietnamese proverb (They can

overcome hardships if they love each other.) Today, due Lo the influence of modern cute and integrating trend, love seems to be more romantic and more practical Most gitls take love seriously, Nevertheless, some of them consider love to be a joke and make fun of it

‘They pay attention to money when falling in love Consequently, they may be ticked and regret il when it is 100 Tate

Vietnamese people’s love is generous, They are not afiaid of poverty and hardships:

“Yêu nhau mọi việc chẳng nễ, một Irăn chỗ lệch cũng kế cho bằng ” or "Yêu nhau

chin bỏ làm mười.” (“Love sees no fanlts”) or “Yêu nhan cũ âu cũng tròn, ghét nhau bả

hon cling méo.” (“Faults are thick where love is thin.”}

Generally speaking, Vietnamese young people are foo timid to talk about finance when they are in love, They are willing to lead a simple life provided that they live

°hapmly “Râu tôm nấu với một bảu, chồng chan vợ hứp gật đầu khen ngon ” (Although the

fopd is noi good, the husband and the wife nod their heads and say thal il is delicious.)