日本語における身体語を含む慣用句（ベトナム語との対照）ー「目」の慣用句を中心としてー = thành ngữ chứa từ chỉ bộ phận cơ thể trong tiếng nhật (Đối chiếu với Đơn vị tương Đương trong tiếng việt) ーthành ngữ chứa yếu tố mắt
序論
１．研究の背景、目的
Communication between people fundamentally relies on language, serving as the primary tool for expressing thoughts and ideas Effective self-expression during conversations or written communication involves the use of vivid figurative language and idiomatic expressions Japanese language is rich in idioms and metaphors, which are frequently used across various media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, and television, making them integral to both spoken and written Japanese communication.
Idiomatic expressions reflect the regional people's temperament, lifestyle, national character, and worldview Therefore, it is essential to deeply understand and interpret Japanese and Vietnamese idioms, not only for language learning but also for cross-cultural understanding This study aims to compare how bodily vocabulary in Japanese and Vietnamese is perceived within idiomatic expressions from a contrastive linguistics perspective, exploring its connection to perceptions and emotions.
This article analyzes the meanings and usage of idioms that utilize the body part "eye." It aims to clarify the similarities and differences between Japanese and Vietnamese expressions, providing insights into their shared cultural elements and unique aspects By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of the two countries' cultures, beliefs, and psychological perspectives This comparative approach enhances cross-cultural awareness and facilitates better communication between Japanese and Vietnamese speakers.
A survey on Japanese body idiomatic expressions has revealed that idioms containing the word "eye" are the most numerous, with a total of 156 expressions, making up the largest category among body-related idioms (as reported in "List of Japanese Body Idiomatic Expressions" by Shinshu University Japanese Language Education Research Group) This raises the question of why expressions involving "eye" are so prevalent in Japanese In this article, we explore this phenomenon by proposing a hypothesis to explain the cultural and linguistic reasons behind the dominance of "eye" in Japanese idiomatic expressions.
This article explores the cultural differences between Japanese and Vietnamese people, focusing on how each society perceives the importance of others' opinions It highlights that Japanese individuals are more concerned with how they are perceived by those around them, indicating a strong emphasis on social harmony and collective judgment By examining idiomatic expressions that include the word "eye," the article aims to illustrate the contrasting perspectives on perception and social awareness between the two cultures.
In his 2014 book, "Why Do We Care About Others' Opinions?" Ichiro Takeuchi highlights the human tendency to be overly concerned with others' perceptions, emphasizing that this behavior influences our self-esteem and social interactions He explains that understanding the psychological roots of this tendency can help individuals develop healthier self-awareness and reduce social anxiety By exploring why we seek validation from others, Takeuchi provides insights into improving mental well-being and fostering authentic self-expression in social settings.
As Japanese people, we communicate not only through language but also through a wide range of non-verbal cues, including voice tone, subtle nuances in speech, timing, and facial expressions Additionally, we express ourselves through changes in hairstyles, makeup, clothing, accessories, gestures, and posture, which all play a crucial role in conveying our feelings and intentions beyond words.
Behavior and habits provide crucial insights used to evaluate others, reflecting how people form judgments based on these cues At the same time, individuals are often unaware that they themselves are also being scrutinized with sharp, discerning eyes This mutual assessment influences social interactions, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and understanding the impact of one's behaviors on how they are perceived.
This paper explores how Japanese "gaze-conscious" culture is reflected in language, specifically through the use of the word "eye" in idiomatic expressions It examines how Japanese cultural and psychological traits are embodied in these idioms, revealing the deep connection between cultural mindset and language.
日本語の慣用句に関する研究は複数ある。以下はその一部である。
In her 2016 study, Mikiko Kihara examines idiomatic expressions that include the word "arm" in both Japanese and English, highlighting their similarities and differences She notes that many idioms share common structures and meanings, particularly those using the same body part However, she also identifies idiomatic expressions with similar meanings that utilize different body parts, illustrating the diversity in how bodily terms are employed across languages.
Batoëf I (2018) highlights the challenges of accurately understanding idiomatic expressions in foreign languages within the context of cultural elements He emphasizes that people often use familiar idioms in their native language instinctively in daily life without much thought However, when communicating with representatives of different cultures, it is advisable to consider and recall the cultural characteristics of the other person’s background to foster better understanding.
Tsuchiya (2009), from a cognitive linguistics perspective, examines idiomatic expressions containing the word "eye." The study focuses on the overall meaning of these expressions, their constituent components' meanings, and their actual usage, providing a comprehensive analysis of eye-related idioms in language.
SURENJAV OYUNZUL(2014)は日本語とモンゴル語の「目」を含む慣用句の形
Nghiên cứu này đã phân tích các loại hình cú pháp, ý nghĩa, và các phân loại khác của thành ngữ, làm rõ rằng sự hình thành ý nghĩa của thành ngữ không chỉ dựa vào phân tích từ vựng cấu thành mà còn bị ảnh hưởng bởi các yếu tố cú pháp cấu trúc Ngoài ra, các công trình như của Vũ Thị Tâm Đan về "Thành ngữ chứa tính từ trong tiếng Nhật" (2017) và Ngô Minh Thủy về "Thành ngữ và lý luận thành ngữ trong tiếng Nhật" góp phần mở rộng hiểu biết về các loại thành ngữ và logic sử dụng thành ngữ trong ngôn ngữ này.
（2012）などの論文も発表されている。
Previous research indicates that many idiomatic expressions, including body-related idioms, have been primarily studied from semantic, integrative, and cognitive linguistic perspectives.
The article discusses a list of Japanese idiomatic expressions related to the body, including terms for the eye, hair, ear, hand, mouth, chest, foot, head, stomach, tongue, and buttocks The focus is on analyzing these idioms by categorizing them according to specific body parts and quantifying their usage The findings are summarized in the accompanying table, providing a comprehensive overview of body-related metaphors in Japanese language and their prevalence.
【表１】 現代日本語における身体語別慣用旬数
身体語 慣用句数 身体語 慣用句数
目」を含む慣用句の意味分析
目」についての考え方の日越対照
This chapter explores the reasons why Japanese people tend to care more about others' opinions compared to Vietnamese individuals Based on the previous analysis, we hypothesize that cultural and social factors significantly influence these differences Understanding these underlying reasons can provide valuable insights into the social behaviors of both cultures and explain why Japanese society places a higher emphasis on maintaining social harmony and face.
Japan is characterized by a "shame culture" that emphasizes internal emotions, others’ feelings, and social face From a young age, children are raised with the awareness of not causing trouble to others, which reinforces the importance of maintaining social harmony A strong sense of shame prevents individuals from revealing their true selves, as they fear being disliked if they show vulnerability Japanese culture is thus based on relative standards of "others’ eyes," leading to heightened awareness of others’ attitudes during conversations Eyes are particularly significant as a non-verbal cue to gauge social perception In communication, Japanese people often use ambiguous expressions and avoid direct statements, relying on idiomatic and metaphorical language to convey opinions gently Moreover, concerns about how others perceive them foster frequent use of eye-related idioms and expressions, making visual perception a central theme in everyday Japanese interactions.
もう一つの要因は、日本は個人よりも集団や全体を優先する社会であり、同じ集 団に所属している人びとと見た目も大きな違いがないため、小さな違いでも大きな 差に映る。だからこそ、日本人は「見た目」に気を使うのではないだろうか。 また、日本人は観察力のある国であり、自分自身も他人から観察されているた め、「自分は自分、他人は他人」という考えのベトナム人と比較した場合、日本人 は「見かけ」を気にする人が多いのだ。
Vietnamese people tend to be less concerned about others' opinions, largely due to differing communication goals between Vietnam and Japan In Vietnam, the emphasis is on expressing one's opinions and thoughts as accurately as possible to ensure understanding, often leading to clear and decisive statements Conversely, Japanese communication focuses on maintaining a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere, utilizing subtle cues and balancing genuine feelings with politeness This cultural difference explains why Vietnamese individuals are less preoccupied with others' judgments compared to their Japanese counterparts.
Effective communication requires the ability to clearly express opinions while maintaining harmony When disagreements arise, it is important to use vague or ambiguous language to minimize conflicts and prevent misunderstandings This approach helps preserve relationships and ensures smooth interactions in both professional and personal settings.
Japanese people value the atmosphere of the 'moment' and prioritize considering others' feelings and perspectives, fostering communication through empathy and mutual understanding They often seek to clarify others' intentions by using ambiguous expressions until mutual comprehension is achieved, demonstrating a listener-centered approach to communication In contrast, Vietnamese individuals tend to be more assertive and speaker-centered, expressing their thoughts clearly without as much concern for the listener’s perspective, aiming for their ideas to be easily understood.
Japanese culture deeply embodies the traditional value of "harmony is to be cherished," which significantly influences communication styles This emphasis on harmony and respect shapes the way people interact and connect within Japanese society, reflecting a strong cultural commitment to peaceful and respectful relationships Understanding this core principle is essential for effective cross-cultural communication with Japan.
Japanese is a language that "says a lot with the eyes," reflecting a strong cultural emphasis on non-verbal communication and eye contact When comparing national characteristics, discussions often arise about whether Vietnamese or Japanese people lead happier lives; however, it's a complex issue with no simple answer The idea that Japanese people's concern for others' perceptions leads to unhappiness is not entirely accurate In fact, Japan’s meticulous attention to customer feedback and relentless pursuit of high-quality standards—"Made in Japan"—has allowed Japanese products to dominate global markets This cultural trait of valuing others' opinions may also contribute to Japan's international success and reflects a broader aspect of Japanese精神文化.
As Vietnamese people engage in relationships with Japanese individuals, it is important to consider how to integrate the Japanese emphasis on valuing others' opinions into Vietnamese culture This cultural fusion can enhance mutual understanding and promote harmonious interactions between the two backgrounds.
結論
This paper compares how body-related vocabulary, particularly related to the eyes, is understood within idiomatic expressions in Japanese and Vietnamese from a contrastive linguistics perspective It explores how these expressions are linked to cultural perceptions, emotions, and recognition in both languages By contrasting Japanese idiomatic phrases with Vietnamese eye-related body vocabulary, the study aims to reveal the similarities and differences between the two languages Ultimately, the research provides insights into the cultural and linguistic nuances underlying body idioms in Japanese and Vietnamese.
This article explores Japanese idioms that include the word "eye" and highlights their cultural significance It then compares the differences in eye contact and gaze behaviors between Japanese and Vietnamese people, shedding light on cross-cultural communication styles Understanding these differences can enhance intercultural interactions and foster better mutual understanding.
This article explores the semantic extension of the Japanese body part term "me" (eye) and examines related idiomatic expressions through comparative analysis with Vietnamese equivalents By reviewing these examples, the study aims to deepen understanding of how "me" is used metaphorically in Japanese and highlight similarities and differences across cultures, providing valuable insights into language and cognition.
This article begins with an introduction that outlines the research background, objectives, scope, and structure of the study It then discusses meaning extension in the Japanese language, examining its definitions and usage examples The study classifies idiomatic expressions into three groups based on their usage and compares them with Vietnamese idiomatic expressions Furthermore, the research not only categorizes idioms by their presence or absence but also analyzes the proportion of derived meanings of body part terms in both languages It was found that many idiomatic expressions are used similarly in Japanese and Vietnamese, but Japanese has nearly twice as many idioms containing the word "eye" compared to Vietnamese.
Chapter 4 explores Japanese idiomatic expressions that prominently feature body parts, with a particular focus on those involving "eyes." It also compares the usage ratios of such expressions between Japanese and Vietnamese, shedding light on why Japanese people tend to be more conscious of others' opinions—highlighting cultural differences in social awareness and communication styles.
今後の課題
This article focuses on idiomatic expressions containing the body part "eye" in Japanese and Vietnamese, analyzed from a cognitive linguistics perspective The differences in meaning extension between the two languages are influenced not only by cognitive linguistic factors but also by historical, social, and cultural contexts However, this study does not explore these influences in detail, highlighting the need for further research in this area Addressing this gap will be an important future direction for understanding the cultural and social factors shaping these idiomatic expressions.