Luận văn a contrastive analysis of proverbs and idioms relating to animals in english and vietnamese equivalents

2, Aims of the study The aims of the study are - To discover cultural values through proverbs and idioms - To investigate the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSTTY, IANOI UNIVERSITY LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES

HAN VAN MAI

A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF PROVERBS AND IDIOMS RELATING TO ANIMALS IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE

EQUIVALENTS

{Phân tích đối chiếu các câu tục ngữ, thành ngữ liên quan đến các động vật

trong tiếng Anh và cách biểu đạt tương đương trong tiếng Việt)

M.A Minor Programme Thesis

Field: English Linguistics Code: 60 22 15

HANOI - 20811

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, IIANOI UNLVERSLTY LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDLES

FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUBLES

HAN VAN MAT

A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF PROVERBS AND IDIOMS

RELATING TO ANIMALS IN ENGLISH AND

VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENTS

(Phân tích đối chiếu các cầu tục ngữ, thành ngữ liên quan đến các động vật trong tiếng Anh và cách biểu đạt tương đương trong tiếng Việt)

M.A Minor Programme Thesis

Field: English Linguistics Code: 60 22 15

HANOL- 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION

2 Aims of the study

3 Scope of the study

4 Methndalogy

5 Design of the study

PARI B: DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 1 : THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 1.1 Relationship between language and culture

1.2 Literal meanings and idiomatic meanings

CITAPTER 2

SOME FEATURES OF ENGLISH VIETNAMESE PROVERB AND IDIOM

2.2 Comparison between English and Vietnamese proverbs and 16 iđioms vicwed from cultural iÄcnfities

2.3 Animal images in proverbs and idioms

2.3.1 Animal images in Vietnamese proverbs and idioms 25 2.3.2 Animal images in English proverbs and idioms 27

CHAPTER 3 ACONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS GF ENGLISL PROVERD AND IDIOM RELATED TO ANIMALS VERSUS TIIE ONES IN VIETNAMESE

3.1 The cognitive similarities 31 3.1.1 Sanse expressions same meaning 32 3.1.2, Different expressions clise meaning 32 3.2 The cross-cultural differences 33 3.2.1 View fiom Customs 3 3.2.2 View from Religions 36 3.3 Similarities and differences of English and Vietnamese 38

idioms about human characteristics through the images of animals

4.1 Relationship between language and culture

It is said that language is the highest and the most amazing achievement of man mind Most linguists curently regard the faculty of language as “ a defining characteristic of being human” because it is what best distinguishes man from ogres and other animals

Language is a croative product of human kind that helps to distinguish ther from ofher creatures on the earth and that serves the main purpose of communication Language is not occurring in isolation because human beings are not separate islands in the world of social

activities

It is shown that the word ‘culturc’ is used frequently in our daily life but ‘culture’ is not easily defined, nor is there a consensus among scholars, philosophers and politicians (nor, probably, among » rest of us) as ta what exactly the concept should includes, Despite a century

of efforts to detine culture adequately, there was in the early 1990's no agreement among

anthropologists regarding its nature

Another common way of understanding cullurs is secing ii as consisting of thres elements; values, norms, artifacts Values comprise ideas about what in life seems important

“They guide the rest of the culture Norms consist of expectations of how people will behave in differnt situations Fach culture has different methods, called sanctions, af enforcing its nous, Sanctions vary with the importance of the norm; noums that a society enforces formally have the status of laws Artifacts-things or material culture-derive from the culture’s values and norms

Culture, in this study, like in Nguyen Quang (1998:3), is not “high culture” (traditionally the milieu of arts, music of sciences and so on) but “tefers to the informal and often hidden

pattcrns of human interactions, oxpressions, and vicwpoints that pcople in anc culture share”

and translators avoid difficulties in realizing and translating Fnglish proverbs and idioms into

‘Vietnamese and vice versa

2, Aims of the study

The aims of the study are

- To discover cultural values through proverbs and idioms

- To investigate the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms denoting human charactctistics through images animals

- To help the Vietnamese leamer of English be more aware of English and Vietnamese

proverbs and idioms and how lo use them in appropriate and intoresting way

- Provide some suggestions for the teaching/learning and translation of the English proverbs and idioms relating to animals

3 Scope of the study

- Proverbs and idioms are Jarge parts in both English and Vietnamese; thus it is irmpossiblo for the author lo carry ont a comprohensive study on thorn, thus, he just foonses on some proverbs and idioms relating to animals

- In this study the cross-cultural differences view from customs, religion are extensively discussed, English idioms denoting human characteristics through the images of animals are compared with Vietnamese ones

- All English and Vietnamese proverbs and idioms are collected from dictionaries;

‘hones, this research may not cover all proverbs and idioms relating to animals, just those of

PARTA TNTRODUCTION

1 Rationale Nowadays, English has been widely used in Vietnam, It is also a compulsory subject in high schools

in Vietmam, English has long been regarded as a toot of international communication, and together with its rising importance, the need of learning English is becoming more and more urgent, It can’t be denied that all forcign teamers in general and Vietnamese Icamers in particular desire to master English as the native speakers However, they usually face a lot of difficutties that prevent thom from gaining successftd conversations One of the reasons for

these problems lies in the way people perceive and use idioms and proverbs

English and Vietnamese are two different languages, that is, each of them embodies in itself the cultural factors which characterize one culture from the others

Therefore, it is unquestionable that to learn a forcign language also means to gain benefits from its great stock of proverbs and idioms in which most cultural values are

reflected However, most Vickun

¢ learners arc laugh English mairty wilh the know

of language, not culturally appropriate factors embedded in the teaching language They speak English without the understanding of English commmmication manner They write nglish with lie knowledge of Englsh cullural background Cơnsequenly, iL causos misunderstanding or even communicative breakdown Clearly, without cultural appropriateness, learning English in general and learning English proverbs and idioms in particular scom lo be a challenging pro

and translate English proverbs and idioms into Vietnamese

Lach nation’s language has its own similar and different concepts on many fields of

ILis really a risky road for learnsrs to undorstand

ifs such as humane valucs, ways of thinking, behavior standards, religious beliefs, customs and traditions, social convention, etc, Words and expressions including idioms and proverbs have formed the vocabulary system of a language Idioms and proverbs are regarded as special factors of a language’s vocabulary system because they reficct cultural specific

characteristics af each nation, including material and spiritual vahiss Therefors, many researchers have long shown theix concems for idioms and proverbs,

Idioms and proverbs are used to express ideas in figurative styles ‘They bring the vividness and richness to the speakers’ speeches, ‘This is the reason why the more skillfully a person usc idioms and proverbs in his conversations, the more effectively he can establish his communicative relationship One more important thing is that the general present tendencies are towards proverbial and idiomatic usage; therefore, knowing how to use idioms and proverbs effectively in the right situations is becoming essential, Morcover, the most distinguished advantage of idioms and proverbs is that they do provide users with a whole new way of expressing concepts linguistically Tl can by said that idiorns and proverbs ara the color and vitality of'a language

We all know that language is the most important means of communication in the world, However, only when both the

about cach other , can they communicate cfitctively Actually, the culture and the language

eakers and the listeners have a common understanding

are considered the two sides of a paper, both are inseparable ftom each other and from the social context In commmunication as well as in language leaching, the cults clements are getting more and more important, Knowing the taret language’s cultwe helps second language learners comprehend the knowledge of that language more effectively

IL can be scen thal proverbs and idioms arc the windows on a nation’s identities, If the window bghtly closed, we would fail to decode the real message of a language in particular and of a culture in general, This idea offfers me a strong impetus to study proverbs and idioms

of English and Vicinarn of culiiwal identities of cach nation

cquivaleris in the v

Being interested in idioms and proverbs for long timne, I choose idioms and proverbs as

my thesis topic, Due to the limited time and knowledge, | just focus on a very small part of the

huge idiomatic and proverbial treasure, ‘ A cuntrastive analysiv of proverbs and idioms

relating to animals in English and Vietnamese equivalents’, With the aim of presenting an overview of proverbs and idioms in general and a contrastive analysis of proverbs and idioms

rclating to animals in English and Victnamesz in particular, I hope it will partly hofp leamers

analysis is designed to point ont the similarities and đifferencas betwezn Dnglish proverbs and

idioms relating to animals and Vietnamese ones

5 Design of the study

The study consists of three parts The first parl “Infroduction” outlines the background of the study In this part, a brief account of relevant information is provided such as rationale, aims, scopes, methods, and design of the study

The main part of the study comprises three chapters, Chapter one, as implied by the file * theoretical background” for the study It consists of relationship between Janguage and culture, the literal meanings and idiarnatic meanings,

proverbs in relation to idioms, Chapter two is concerned with “Comparison of cultural features between English Vietnamese proverbs and Idioms” , whereas chapter three deals with “A comtrastive analysis of Vietnamese proverbs and idioms relating to animals versus the ones in English”

‘The final part is “Conclusion” , which provides the recapitulation, implications for the FFL toaching and loarsing and for the translation, and suggestions for the fiuther studies The study ends with the “References”

characteristics af each nation, including material and spiritual vahiss Therefors, many researchers have long shown theix concems for idioms and proverbs,

Idioms and proverbs are used to express ideas in figurative styles ‘They bring the vividness and richness to the speakers’ speeches, ‘This is the reason why the more skillfully a person usc idioms and proverbs in his conversations, the more effectively he can establish his communicative relationship One more important thing is that the general present tendencies are towards proverbial and idiomatic usage; therefore, knowing how to use idioms and proverbs effectively in the right situations is becoming essential, Morcover, the most distinguished advantage of idioms and proverbs is that they do provide users with a whole new way of expressing concepts linguistically Tl can by said that idiorns and proverbs ara the color and vitality of'a language

We all know that language is the most important means of communication in the world, However, only when both the

about cach other , can they communicate cfitctively Actually, the culture and the language

eakers and the listeners have a common understanding

are considered the two sides of a paper, both are inseparable ftom each other and from the social context In commmunication as well as in language leaching, the cults clements are getting more and more important, Knowing the taret language’s cultwe helps second language learners comprehend the knowledge of that language more effectively

IL can be scen thal proverbs and idioms arc the windows on a nation’s identities, If the window bghtly closed, we would fail to decode the real message of a language in particular and of a culture in general, This idea offfers me a strong impetus to study proverbs and idioms

of English and Vicinarn of culiiwal identities of cach nation

cquivaleris in the v

Being interested in idioms and proverbs for long timne, I choose idioms and proverbs as

my thesis topic, Due to the limited time and knowledge, | just focus on a very small part of the

huge idiomatic and proverbial treasure, ‘ A cuntrastive analysiv of proverbs and idioms

relating to animals in English and Vietnamese equivalents’, With the aim of presenting an overview of proverbs and idioms in general and a contrastive analysis of proverbs and idioms

rclating to animals in English and Victnamesz in particular, I hope it will partly hofp leamers

CITAPTER 2

SOME FEATURES OF ENGLISH VIETNAMESE PROVERB AND IDIOM

2.2 Comparison between English and Vietnamese proverbs and 16 iđioms vicwed from cultural iÄcnfities

2.3 Animal images in proverbs and idioms

2.3.1 Animal images in Vietnamese proverbs and idioms 25 2.3.2 Animal images in English proverbs and idioms 27

CHAPTER 3 ACONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS GF ENGLISL PROVERD AND IDIOM RELATED TO ANIMALS VERSUS TIIE ONES IN VIETNAMESE

3.1 The cognitive similarities 31 3.1.1 Sanse expressions same meaning 32 3.1.2, Different expressions clise meaning 32 3.2 The cross-cultural differences 33 3.2.1 View fiom Customs 3 3.2.2 View from Religions 36 3.3 Similarities and differences of English and Vietnamese 38

idioms about human characteristics through the images of animals

analysis is designed to point ont the similarities and đifferencas betwezn Dnglish proverbs and

idioms relating to animals and Vietnamese ones

5 Design of the study

The study consists of three parts The first parl “Infroduction” outlines the background of the study In this part, a brief account of relevant information is provided such as rationale, aims, scopes, methods, and design of the study

The main part of the study comprises three chapters, Chapter one, as implied by the file * theoretical background” for the study It consists of relationship between Janguage and culture, the literal meanings and idiarnatic meanings,

proverbs in relation to idioms, Chapter two is concerned with “Comparison of cultural features between English Vietnamese proverbs and Idioms” , whereas chapter three deals with “A comtrastive analysis of Vietnamese proverbs and idioms relating to animals versus the ones in English”

‘The final part is “Conclusion” , which provides the recapitulation, implications for the FFL toaching and loarsing and for the translation, and suggestions for the fiuther studies The study ends with the “References”

and translators avoid difficulties in realizing and translating Fnglish proverbs and idioms into

‘Vietnamese and vice versa

2, Aims of the study

The aims of the study are

- To discover cultural values through proverbs and idioms

- To investigate the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms denoting human charactctistics through images animals

- To help the Vietnamese leamer of English be more aware of English and Vietnamese

proverbs and idioms and how lo use them in appropriate and intoresting way

- Provide some suggestions for the teaching/learning and translation of the English proverbs and idioms relating to animals

3 Scope of the study

- Proverbs and idioms are Jarge parts in both English and Vietnamese; thus it is irmpossiblo for the author lo carry ont a comprohensive study on thorn, thus, he just foonses on some proverbs and idioms relating to animals

- In this study the cross-cultural differences view from customs, religion are extensively discussed, English idioms denoting human characteristics through the images of animals are compared with Vietnamese ones

- All English and Vietnamese proverbs and idioms are collected from dictionaries;

‘hones, this research may not cover all proverbs and idioms relating to animals, just those of

“No culture is good or had, just different!” And there is a famous quote of Mahatma

Ganda “Ne cadiure can live, if it attempis to be exclusive” Nguyen Quang (1998.3) also

emphasizes “it is best not to overemphasize either ouftwre differences or cultural similarities

‘Those who says, “We are all alike: we're all human” deny the shape and flavor that cultures

conirihutes to individual development Those who say, “We're so different that we must stay separate” create harmful barriers by closing their eyes to what is common to every human

being”

Cultue docs not belong to any single person but to all people Nguyen Quang in

“Intercultural Communication” (1998-3) describes “culture” as " a share background {for

example, national, ethnic, religious) resulting from a common language and communication

sivle, customs, beliefs, attitudes, and values”

What we can derive from these points of view is that the language of a community is a part

of a manifestation of its culture as Goodenogh’s word “ the relationship of language to culture

is that of part to whole” Language and cornmunication modality (verbal, gesture, written) arc

examples of elements that form and shape a culture Kramch-Troike (1998-3) clarifies the correlation between language and cullure by emphasizing three functions of language related

to culture They are “expressing cultural reality, embodviny cdtural reality and symbolizing

cultural reality’

Tn ils tums, cuftere influences the way in which language is used Culumes is the final arbiter of meaning or linguistic meaning 1s entirely determined by the cultural context in which the language occurs

characteristics af each nation, including material and spiritual vahiss Therefors, many researchers have long shown theix concems for idioms and proverbs,

Idioms and proverbs are used to express ideas in figurative styles ‘They bring the vividness and richness to the speakers’ speeches, ‘This is the reason why the more skillfully a person usc idioms and proverbs in his conversations, the more effectively he can establish his communicative relationship One more important thing is that the general present tendencies are towards proverbial and idiomatic usage; therefore, knowing how to use idioms and proverbs effectively in the right situations is becoming essential, Morcover, the most distinguished advantage of idioms and proverbs is that they do provide users with a whole new way of expressing concepts linguistically Tl can by said that idiorns and proverbs ara the color and vitality of'a language

We all know that language is the most important means of communication in the world, However, only when both the

about cach other , can they communicate cfitctively Actually, the culture and the language

eakers and the listeners have a common understanding

are considered the two sides of a paper, both are inseparable ftom each other and from the social context In commmunication as well as in language leaching, the cults clements are getting more and more important, Knowing the taret language’s cultwe helps second language learners comprehend the knowledge of that language more effectively

IL can be scen thal proverbs and idioms arc the windows on a nation’s identities, If the window bghtly closed, we would fail to decode the real message of a language in particular and of a culture in general, This idea offfers me a strong impetus to study proverbs and idioms

of English and Vicinarn of culiiwal identities of cach nation

cquivaleris in the v

Being interested in idioms and proverbs for long timne, I choose idioms and proverbs as

my thesis topic, Due to the limited time and knowledge, | just focus on a very small part of the

huge idiomatic and proverbial treasure, ‘ A cuntrastive analysiv of proverbs and idioms

relating to animals in English and Vietnamese equivalents’, With the aim of presenting an overview of proverbs and idioms in general and a contrastive analysis of proverbs and idioms

rclating to animals in English and Victnamesz in particular, I hope it will partly hofp leamers

“No culture is good or had, just different!” And there is a famous quote of Mahatma

Ganda “Ne cadiure can live, if it attempis to be exclusive” Nguyen Quang (1998.3) also

emphasizes “it is best not to overemphasize either ouftwre differences or cultural similarities

‘Those who says, “We are all alike: we're all human” deny the shape and flavor that cultures

conirihutes to individual development Those who say, “We're so different that we must stay separate” create harmful barriers by closing their eyes to what is common to every human

being”

Cultue docs not belong to any single person but to all people Nguyen Quang in

“Intercultural Communication” (1998-3) describes “culture” as " a share background {for

example, national, ethnic, religious) resulting from a common language and communication

sivle, customs, beliefs, attitudes, and values”

What we can derive from these points of view is that the language of a community is a part

of a manifestation of its culture as Goodenogh’s word “ the relationship of language to culture

is that of part to whole” Language and cornmunication modality (verbal, gesture, written) arc

examples of elements that form and shape a culture Kramch-Troike (1998-3) clarifies the correlation between language and cullure by emphasizing three functions of language related

to culture They are “expressing cultural reality, embodviny cdtural reality and symbolizing

cultural reality’

Tn ils tums, cuftere influences the way in which language is used Culumes is the final arbiter of meaning or linguistic meaning 1s entirely determined by the cultural context in which the language occurs

“No culture is good or had, just different!” And there is a famous quote of Mahatma

Ganda “Ne cadiure can live, if it attempis to be exclusive” Nguyen Quang (1998.3) also

emphasizes “it is best not to overemphasize either ouftwre differences or cultural similarities

‘Those who says, “We are all alike: we're all human” deny the shape and flavor that cultures

conirihutes to individual development Those who say, “We're so different that we must stay separate” create harmful barriers by closing their eyes to what is common to every human

being”

Cultue docs not belong to any single person but to all people Nguyen Quang in

“Intercultural Communication” (1998-3) describes “culture” as " a share background {for

example, national, ethnic, religious) resulting from a common language and communication

sivle, customs, beliefs, attitudes, and values”

What we can derive from these points of view is that the language of a community is a part

of a manifestation of its culture as Goodenogh’s word “ the relationship of language to culture

is that of part to whole” Language and cornmunication modality (verbal, gesture, written) arc

examples of elements that form and shape a culture Kramch-Troike (1998-3) clarifies the correlation between language and cullure by emphasizing three functions of language related

to culture They are “expressing cultural reality, embodviny cdtural reality and symbolizing

cultural reality’

Tn ils tums, cuftere influences the way in which language is used Culumes is the final arbiter of meaning or linguistic meaning 1s entirely determined by the cultural context in which the language occurs

CITAPTER 2

SOME FEATURES OF ENGLISH VIETNAMESE PROVERB AND IDIOM

2.2 Comparison between English and Vietnamese proverbs and 16 iđioms vicwed from cultural iÄcnfities

2.3 Animal images in proverbs and idioms

2.3.1 Animal images in Vietnamese proverbs and idioms 25 2.3.2 Animal images in English proverbs and idioms 27

CHAPTER 3 ACONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS GF ENGLISL PROVERD AND IDIOM RELATED TO ANIMALS VERSUS TIIE ONES IN VIETNAMESE

3.1 The cognitive similarities 31 3.1.1 Sanse expressions same meaning 32 3.1.2, Different expressions clise meaning 32 3.2 The cross-cultural differences 33 3.2.1 View fiom Customs 3 3.2.2 View from Religions 36 3.3 Similarities and differences of English and Vietnamese 38

idioms about human characteristics through the images of animals

CITAPTER 2

SOME FEATURES OF ENGLISH VIETNAMESE PROVERB AND IDIOM

2.2 Comparison between English and Vietnamese proverbs and 16 iđioms vicwed from cultural iÄcnfities

2.3 Animal images in proverbs and idioms

2.3.1 Animal images in Vietnamese proverbs and idioms 25 2.3.2 Animal images in English proverbs and idioms 27

CHAPTER 3 ACONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS GF ENGLISL PROVERD AND IDIOM RELATED TO ANIMALS VERSUS TIIE ONES IN VIETNAMESE

3.1 The cognitive similarities 31 3.1.1 Sanse expressions same meaning 32 3.1.2, Different expressions clise meaning 32 3.2 The cross-cultural differences 33 3.2.1 View fiom Customs 3 3.2.2 View from Religions 36 3.3 Similarities and differences of English and Vietnamese 38

idioms about human characteristics through the images of animals

and translators avoid difficulties in realizing and translating Fnglish proverbs and idioms into

‘Vietnamese and vice versa

2, Aims of the study

The aims of the study are

- To discover cultural values through proverbs and idioms

- To investigate the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms denoting human charactctistics through images animals

- To help the Vietnamese leamer of English be more aware of English and Vietnamese

proverbs and idioms and how lo use them in appropriate and intoresting way

- Provide some suggestions for the teaching/learning and translation of the English proverbs and idioms relating to animals

3 Scope of the study

- Proverbs and idioms are Jarge parts in both English and Vietnamese; thus it is irmpossiblo for the author lo carry ont a comprohensive study on thorn, thus, he just foonses on some proverbs and idioms relating to animals

- In this study the cross-cultural differences view from customs, religion are extensively discussed, English idioms denoting human characteristics through the images of animals are compared with Vietnamese ones

- All English and Vietnamese proverbs and idioms are collected from dictionaries;

‘hones, this research may not cover all proverbs and idioms relating to animals, just those of

characteristics af each nation, including material and spiritual vahiss Therefors, many researchers have long shown theix concems for idioms and proverbs,

Idioms and proverbs are used to express ideas in figurative styles ‘They bring the vividness and richness to the speakers’ speeches, ‘This is the reason why the more skillfully a person usc idioms and proverbs in his conversations, the more effectively he can establish his communicative relationship One more important thing is that the general present tendencies are towards proverbial and idiomatic usage; therefore, knowing how to use idioms and proverbs effectively in the right situations is becoming essential, Morcover, the most distinguished advantage of idioms and proverbs is that they do provide users with a whole new way of expressing concepts linguistically Tl can by said that idiorns and proverbs ara the color and vitality of'a language

We all know that language is the most important means of communication in the world, However, only when both the

about cach other , can they communicate cfitctively Actually, the culture and the language

eakers and the listeners have a common understanding

are considered the two sides of a paper, both are inseparable ftom each other and from the social context In commmunication as well as in language leaching, the cults clements are getting more and more important, Knowing the taret language’s cultwe helps second language learners comprehend the knowledge of that language more effectively

IL can be scen thal proverbs and idioms arc the windows on a nation’s identities, If the window bghtly closed, we would fail to decode the real message of a language in particular and of a culture in general, This idea offfers me a strong impetus to study proverbs and idioms

of English and Vicinarn of culiiwal identities of cach nation

cquivaleris in the v

Being interested in idioms and proverbs for long timne, I choose idioms and proverbs as

my thesis topic, Due to the limited time and knowledge, | just focus on a very small part of the

huge idiomatic and proverbial treasure, ‘ A cuntrastive analysiv of proverbs and idioms

relating to animals in English and Vietnamese equivalents’, With the aim of presenting an overview of proverbs and idioms in general and a contrastive analysis of proverbs and idioms

rclating to animals in English and Victnamesz in particular, I hope it will partly hofp leamers

and translators avoid difficulties in realizing and translating Fnglish proverbs and idioms into

‘Vietnamese and vice versa

2, Aims of the study

The aims of the study are

- To discover cultural values through proverbs and idioms

- To investigate the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms denoting human charactctistics through images animals

- To help the Vietnamese leamer of English be more aware of English and Vietnamese

proverbs and idioms and how lo use them in appropriate and intoresting way

- Provide some suggestions for the teaching/learning and translation of the English proverbs and idioms relating to animals

3 Scope of the study

- Proverbs and idioms are Jarge parts in both English and Vietnamese; thus it is irmpossiblo for the author lo carry ont a comprohensive study on thorn, thus, he just foonses on some proverbs and idioms relating to animals

- In this study the cross-cultural differences view from customs, religion are extensively discussed, English idioms denoting human characteristics through the images of animals are compared with Vietnamese ones

- All English and Vietnamese proverbs and idioms are collected from dictionaries;

‘hones, this research may not cover all proverbs and idioms relating to animals, just those of

and translators avoid difficulties in realizing and translating Fnglish proverbs and idioms into

‘Vietnamese and vice versa

2, Aims of the study

The aims of the study are

- To discover cultural values through proverbs and idioms

- To investigate the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms denoting human charactctistics through images animals

- To help the Vietnamese leamer of English be more aware of English and Vietnamese

proverbs and idioms and how lo use them in appropriate and intoresting way

- Provide some suggestions for the teaching/learning and translation of the English proverbs and idioms relating to animals

3 Scope of the study

- Proverbs and idioms are Jarge parts in both English and Vietnamese; thus it is irmpossiblo for the author lo carry ont a comprohensive study on thorn, thus, he just foonses on some proverbs and idioms relating to animals

- In this study the cross-cultural differences view from customs, religion are extensively discussed, English idioms denoting human characteristics through the images of animals are compared with Vietnamese ones

- All English and Vietnamese proverbs and idioms are collected from dictionaries;

‘hones, this research may not cover all proverbs and idioms relating to animals, just those of

4.1 Relationship between language and culture

It is said that language is the highest and the most amazing achievement of man mind Most linguists curently regard the faculty of language as “ a defining characteristic of being human” because it is what best distinguishes man from ogres and other animals

Language is a croative product of human kind that helps to distinguish ther from ofher creatures on the earth and that serves the main purpose of communication Language is not occurring in isolation because human beings are not separate islands in the world of social

activities

It is shown that the word ‘culturc’ is used frequently in our daily life but ‘culture’ is not easily defined, nor is there a consensus among scholars, philosophers and politicians (nor, probably, among » rest of us) as ta what exactly the concept should includes, Despite a century

of efforts to detine culture adequately, there was in the early 1990's no agreement among

anthropologists regarding its nature

Another common way of understanding cullurs is secing ii as consisting of thres elements; values, norms, artifacts Values comprise ideas about what in life seems important

“They guide the rest of the culture Norms consist of expectations of how people will behave in differnt situations Fach culture has different methods, called sanctions, af enforcing its nous, Sanctions vary with the importance of the norm; noums that a society enforces formally have the status of laws Artifacts-things or material culture-derive from the culture’s values and norms

Culture, in this study, like in Nguyen Quang (1998:3), is not “high culture” (traditionally the milieu of arts, music of sciences and so on) but “tefers to the informal and often hidden

pattcrns of human interactions, oxpressions, and vicwpoints that pcople in anc culture share”

CITAPTER 2

SOME FEATURES OF ENGLISH VIETNAMESE PROVERB AND IDIOM

2.2 Comparison between English and Vietnamese proverbs and 16 iđioms vicwed from cultural iÄcnfities

2.3 Animal images in proverbs and idioms

2.3.1 Animal images in Vietnamese proverbs and idioms 25 2.3.2 Animal images in English proverbs and idioms 27

CHAPTER 3 ACONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS GF ENGLISL PROVERD AND IDIOM RELATED TO ANIMALS VERSUS TIIE ONES IN VIETNAMESE

3.1 The cognitive similarities 31 3.1.1 Sanse expressions same meaning 32 3.1.2, Different expressions clise meaning 32 3.2 The cross-cultural differences 33 3.2.1 View fiom Customs 3 3.2.2 View from Religions 36 3.3 Similarities and differences of English and Vietnamese 38

idioms about human characteristics through the images of animals

analysis is designed to point ont the similarities and đifferencas betwezn Dnglish proverbs and

idioms relating to animals and Vietnamese ones

5 Design of the study

The study consists of three parts The first parl “Infroduction” outlines the background of the study In this part, a brief account of relevant information is provided such as rationale, aims, scopes, methods, and design of the study

The main part of the study comprises three chapters, Chapter one, as implied by the file * theoretical background” for the study It consists of relationship between Janguage and culture, the literal meanings and idiarnatic meanings,

proverbs in relation to idioms, Chapter two is concerned with “Comparison of cultural features between English Vietnamese proverbs and Idioms” , whereas chapter three deals with “A comtrastive analysis of Vietnamese proverbs and idioms relating to animals versus the ones in English”

‘The final part is “Conclusion” , which provides the recapitulation, implications for the FFL toaching and loarsing and for the translation, and suggestions for the fiuther studies The study ends with the “References”

PARTA TNTRODUCTION

1 Rationale Nowadays, English has been widely used in Vietnam, It is also a compulsory subject in high schools

in Vietmam, English has long been regarded as a toot of international communication, and together with its rising importance, the need of learning English is becoming more and more urgent, It can’t be denied that all forcign teamers in general and Vietnamese Icamers in particular desire to master English as the native speakers However, they usually face a lot of difficutties that prevent thom from gaining successftd conversations One of the reasons for

these problems lies in the way people perceive and use idioms and proverbs

English and Vietnamese are two different languages, that is, each of them embodies in itself the cultural factors which characterize one culture from the others

Therefore, it is unquestionable that to learn a forcign language also means to gain benefits from its great stock of proverbs and idioms in which most cultural values are

reflected However, most Vickun

¢ learners arc laugh English mairty wilh the know

of language, not culturally appropriate factors embedded in the teaching language They speak English without the understanding of English commmmication manner They write nglish with lie knowledge of Englsh cullural background Cơnsequenly, iL causos misunderstanding or even communicative breakdown Clearly, without cultural appropriateness, learning English in general and learning English proverbs and idioms in particular scom lo be a challenging pro

and translate English proverbs and idioms into Vietnamese

Lach nation’s language has its own similar and different concepts on many fields of

ILis really a risky road for learnsrs to undorstand

ifs such as humane valucs, ways of thinking, behavior standards, religious beliefs, customs and traditions, social convention, etc, Words and expressions including idioms and proverbs have formed the vocabulary system of a language Idioms and proverbs are regarded as special factors of a language’s vocabulary system because they reficct cultural specific

and translators avoid difficulties in realizing and translating Fnglish proverbs and idioms into

‘Vietnamese and vice versa

2, Aims of the study

The aims of the study are

- To discover cultural values through proverbs and idioms

- To investigate the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms denoting human charactctistics through images animals

- To help the Vietnamese leamer of English be more aware of English and Vietnamese

proverbs and idioms and how lo use them in appropriate and intoresting way

- Provide some suggestions for the teaching/learning and translation of the English proverbs and idioms relating to animals

3 Scope of the study

- Proverbs and idioms are Jarge parts in both English and Vietnamese; thus it is irmpossiblo for the author lo carry ont a comprohensive study on thorn, thus, he just foonses on some proverbs and idioms relating to animals

- In this study the cross-cultural differences view from customs, religion are extensively discussed, English idioms denoting human characteristics through the images of animals are compared with Vietnamese ones

- All English and Vietnamese proverbs and idioms are collected from dictionaries;

‘hones, this research may not cover all proverbs and idioms relating to animals, just those of

“No culture is good or had, just different!” And there is a famous quote of Mahatma

Ganda “Ne cadiure can live, if it attempis to be exclusive” Nguyen Quang (1998.3) also

emphasizes “it is best not to overemphasize either ouftwre differences or cultural similarities

‘Those who says, “We are all alike: we're all human” deny the shape and flavor that cultures

conirihutes to individual development Those who say, “We're so different that we must stay separate” create harmful barriers by closing their eyes to what is common to every human

being”

Cultue docs not belong to any single person but to all people Nguyen Quang in

“Intercultural Communication” (1998-3) describes “culture” as " a share background {for

example, national, ethnic, religious) resulting from a common language and communication

sivle, customs, beliefs, attitudes, and values”

What we can derive from these points of view is that the language of a community is a part

of a manifestation of its culture as Goodenogh’s word “ the relationship of language to culture

is that of part to whole” Language and cornmunication modality (verbal, gesture, written) arc

examples of elements that form and shape a culture Kramch-Troike (1998-3) clarifies the correlation between language and cullure by emphasizing three functions of language related

to culture They are “expressing cultural reality, embodviny cdtural reality and symbolizing

cultural reality’

Tn ils tums, cuftere influences the way in which language is used Culumes is the final arbiter of meaning or linguistic meaning 1s entirely determined by the cultural context in which the language occurs

“No culture is good or had, just different!” And there is a famous quote of Mahatma

Ganda “Ne cadiure can live, if it attempis to be exclusive” Nguyen Quang (1998.3) also

emphasizes “it is best not to overemphasize either ouftwre differences or cultural similarities

‘Those who says, “We are all alike: we're all human” deny the shape and flavor that cultures

conirihutes to individual development Those who say, “We're so different that we must stay separate” create harmful barriers by closing their eyes to what is common to every human

being”

Cultue docs not belong to any single person but to all people Nguyen Quang in

“Intercultural Communication” (1998-3) describes “culture” as " a share background {for

example, national, ethnic, religious) resulting from a common language and communication

sivle, customs, beliefs, attitudes, and values”

What we can derive from these points of view is that the language of a community is a part

of a manifestation of its culture as Goodenogh’s word “ the relationship of language to culture

is that of part to whole” Language and cornmunication modality (verbal, gesture, written) arc

examples of elements that form and shape a culture Kramch-Troike (1998-3) clarifies the correlation between language and cullure by emphasizing three functions of language related

to culture They are “expressing cultural reality, embodviny cdtural reality and symbolizing

cultural reality’

Tn ils tums, cuftere influences the way in which language is used Culumes is the final arbiter of meaning or linguistic meaning 1s entirely determined by the cultural context in which the language occurs

CITAPTER 2

SOME FEATURES OF ENGLISH VIETNAMESE PROVERB AND IDIOM

2.2 Comparison between English and Vietnamese proverbs and 16 iđioms vicwed from cultural iÄcnfities

2.3 Animal images in proverbs and idioms

2.3.1 Animal images in Vietnamese proverbs and idioms 25 2.3.2 Animal images in English proverbs and idioms 27

CHAPTER 3 ACONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS GF ENGLISL PROVERD AND IDIOM RELATED TO ANIMALS VERSUS TIIE ONES IN VIETNAMESE

3.1 The cognitive similarities 31 3.1.1 Sanse expressions same meaning 32 3.1.2, Different expressions clise meaning 32 3.2 The cross-cultural differences 33 3.2.1 View fiom Customs 3 3.2.2 View from Religions 36 3.3 Similarities and differences of English and Vietnamese 38

idioms about human characteristics through the images of animals

characteristics af each nation, including material and spiritual vahiss Therefors, many researchers have long shown theix concems for idioms and proverbs,

Idioms and proverbs are used to express ideas in figurative styles ‘They bring the vividness and richness to the speakers’ speeches, ‘This is the reason why the more skillfully a person usc idioms and proverbs in his conversations, the more effectively he can establish his communicative relationship One more important thing is that the general present tendencies are towards proverbial and idiomatic usage; therefore, knowing how to use idioms and proverbs effectively in the right situations is becoming essential, Morcover, the most distinguished advantage of idioms and proverbs is that they do provide users with a whole new way of expressing concepts linguistically Tl can by said that idiorns and proverbs ara the color and vitality of'a language

We all know that language is the most important means of communication in the world, However, only when both the

about cach other , can they communicate cfitctively Actually, the culture and the language

eakers and the listeners have a common understanding

are considered the two sides of a paper, both are inseparable ftom each other and from the social context In commmunication as well as in language leaching, the cults clements are getting more and more important, Knowing the taret language’s cultwe helps second language learners comprehend the knowledge of that language more effectively

IL can be scen thal proverbs and idioms arc the windows on a nation’s identities, If the window bghtly closed, we would fail to decode the real message of a language in particular and of a culture in general, This idea offfers me a strong impetus to study proverbs and idioms

of English and Vicinarn of culiiwal identities of cach nation

cquivaleris in the v

Being interested in idioms and proverbs for long timne, I choose idioms and proverbs as

my thesis topic, Due to the limited time and knowledge, | just focus on a very small part of the

huge idiomatic and proverbial treasure, ‘ A cuntrastive analysiv of proverbs and idioms

relating to animals in English and Vietnamese equivalents’, With the aim of presenting an overview of proverbs and idioms in general and a contrastive analysis of proverbs and idioms

rclating to animals in English and Victnamesz in particular, I hope it will partly hofp leamers

CITAPTER 2

SOME FEATURES OF ENGLISH VIETNAMESE PROVERB AND IDIOM

2.2 Comparison between English and Vietnamese proverbs and 16 iđioms vicwed from cultural iÄcnfities

2.3 Animal images in proverbs and idioms

2.3.1 Animal images in Vietnamese proverbs and idioms 25 2.3.2 Animal images in English proverbs and idioms 27

CHAPTER 3 ACONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS GF ENGLISL PROVERD AND IDIOM RELATED TO ANIMALS VERSUS TIIE ONES IN VIETNAMESE

3.1 The cognitive similarities 31 3.1.1 Sanse expressions same meaning 32 3.1.2, Different expressions clise meaning 32 3.2 The cross-cultural differences 33 3.2.1 View fiom Customs 3 3.2.2 View from Religions 36 3.3 Similarities and differences of English and Vietnamese 38

idioms about human characteristics through the images of animals

PARTA TNTRODUCTION

1 Rationale Nowadays, English has been widely used in Vietnam, It is also a compulsory subject in high schools

in Vietmam, English has long been regarded as a toot of international communication, and together with its rising importance, the need of learning English is becoming more and more urgent, It can’t be denied that all forcign teamers in general and Vietnamese Icamers in particular desire to master English as the native speakers However, they usually face a lot of difficutties that prevent thom from gaining successftd conversations One of the reasons for

these problems lies in the way people perceive and use idioms and proverbs

English and Vietnamese are two different languages, that is, each of them embodies in itself the cultural factors which characterize one culture from the others

Therefore, it is unquestionable that to learn a forcign language also means to gain benefits from its great stock of proverbs and idioms in which most cultural values are

reflected However, most Vickun

¢ learners arc laugh English mairty wilh the know

of language, not culturally appropriate factors embedded in the teaching language They speak English without the understanding of English commmmication manner They write nglish with lie knowledge of Englsh cullural background Cơnsequenly, iL causos misunderstanding or even communicative breakdown Clearly, without cultural appropriateness, learning English in general and learning English proverbs and idioms in particular scom lo be a challenging pro

and translate English proverbs and idioms into Vietnamese

Lach nation’s language has its own similar and different concepts on many fields of

ILis really a risky road for learnsrs to undorstand

ifs such as humane valucs, ways of thinking, behavior standards, religious beliefs, customs and traditions, social convention, etc, Words and expressions including idioms and proverbs have formed the vocabulary system of a language Idioms and proverbs are regarded as special factors of a language’s vocabulary system because they reficct cultural specific

CITAPTER 2

SOME FEATURES OF ENGLISH VIETNAMESE PROVERB AND IDIOM

2.2 Comparison between English and Vietnamese proverbs and 16 iđioms vicwed from cultural iÄcnfities

2.3 Animal images in proverbs and idioms

2.3.1 Animal images in Vietnamese proverbs and idioms 25 2.3.2 Animal images in English proverbs and idioms 27

CHAPTER 3 ACONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS GF ENGLISL PROVERD AND IDIOM RELATED TO ANIMALS VERSUS TIIE ONES IN VIETNAMESE

3.1 The cognitive similarities 31 3.1.1 Sanse expressions same meaning 32 3.1.2, Different expressions clise meaning 32 3.2 The cross-cultural differences 33 3.2.1 View fiom Customs 3 3.2.2 View from Religions 36 3.3 Similarities and differences of English and Vietnamese 38

idioms about human characteristics through the images of animals

analysis is designed to point ont the similarities and đifferencas betwezn Dnglish proverbs and

idioms relating to animals and Vietnamese ones

5 Design of the study

The study consists of three parts The first parl “Infroduction” outlines the background of the study In this part, a brief account of relevant information is provided such as rationale, aims, scopes, methods, and design of the study

The main part of the study comprises three chapters, Chapter one, as implied by the file * theoretical background” for the study It consists of relationship between Janguage and culture, the literal meanings and idiarnatic meanings,

proverbs in relation to idioms, Chapter two is concerned with “Comparison of cultural features between English Vietnamese proverbs and Idioms” , whereas chapter three deals with “A comtrastive analysis of Vietnamese proverbs and idioms relating to animals versus the ones in English”

‘The final part is “Conclusion” , which provides the recapitulation, implications for the FFL toaching and loarsing and for the translation, and suggestions for the fiuther studies The study ends with the “References”

and translators avoid difficulties in realizing and translating Fnglish proverbs and idioms into

‘Vietnamese and vice versa

2, Aims of the study

The aims of the study are

- To discover cultural values through proverbs and idioms

- To investigate the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms denoting human charactctistics through images animals

- To help the Vietnamese leamer of English be more aware of English and Vietnamese

proverbs and idioms and how lo use them in appropriate and intoresting way

- Provide some suggestions for the teaching/learning and translation of the English proverbs and idioms relating to animals

3 Scope of the study

- Proverbs and idioms are Jarge parts in both English and Vietnamese; thus it is irmpossiblo for the author lo carry ont a comprohensive study on thorn, thus, he just foonses on some proverbs and idioms relating to animals

- In this study the cross-cultural differences view from customs, religion are extensively discussed, English idioms denoting human characteristics through the images of animals are compared with Vietnamese ones

- All English and Vietnamese proverbs and idioms are collected from dictionaries;

‘hones, this research may not cover all proverbs and idioms relating to animals, just those of