tóm tắt tiếng anh TỪ CHỈ CON SỐ TRONG THÀNH NGỮ, TỤC NGỮ THÁI LIÊN HỆ VỚI THÀNH NGỮ, TỤC NGỮ VIỆT

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HANOI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATIONKIEU THANH THAO NUMERALS IN THAI IDIOMS AND PROVERBS IN COMPARISON WITH VIETNAMESE IDIOMS AND PROVERBS Major: LIN

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HANOI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

KIEU THANH THAO

NUMERALS IN THAI IDIOMS AND PROVERBS

(IN COMPARISON WITH VIETNAMESE IDIOMS AND PROVERBS)

Major: LINGUISTICSCode: 9.22.90.20

SUMMARY OF THE DOCTORAL DISSERTATION IN

LINGUISTICS

Ha Noi, 2025

The dissertation was completed at:

Hanoi National University of Education

Academic Supervisors:

1 Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy

2 Assoc Prof Dr Bui Thanh Hoa

Reviewer 1: Prof Dr Nguyen Van Khang

Reviewer 2: Assoc Prof Dr Le Thi Thuy Vinh

Reviewer 3: Dr Nguyen Thi Hong Ngan

The dissertation will be defended before the InstitutionalDissertation Evaluation Council at Hanoi National University

of Education at …… o’clock, on the …… day of …… , 20……

The dissertation can be accessed at:

The National Library of Vietnam, Hanoi

Or

The Library of Hanoi National University of Education

LIST OF PUBLISHED RESEARCH PAPERS

1 Kieu Thanh Thao (2023), “Nghĩa biểu trưng của con số “một”

trong thành ngữ, tục ngữ Thái”, Proceedings of the international scientific cònerence trends of modern linguistics theoretical and applied, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 30.11.2023, pp.826-

842

2 Kieu Thanh Thao (2024), “Khả năng tham gia tạo thành ngữ,

tục ngữ của các từ biểu thị con số “hai” trong tiếng Thái”, Journal of language and life, 6a(354)-2024, pp.187-195.

3 Kieu Thanh Thao (2024), “Nghĩa biểu trưng của con số “ba”

trong thành ngữ, tục ngữ Thái”, Language Journal, 7/2024, pp.61-70.

4 Kieu Thanh Thao (2024), “Đặc điểm ngữ pháp và ngữ nghĩa

của từ biểu thị con số “bốn” trong thành ngữ, tục ngữ Thái (so sánh với

thành ngữ, tục ngữ Việt)”, International Conference Contrastive Linguistics and Contrastive Analysis Among Languages Year 2024,

Phenikaa University, 30.11.2024, pp.890-900

Introduction

1 Rationale for the Study

Numerals are universal linguistic units carrying profoundcultural meanings In idioms and proverbs (I&P), they embodycollective consciousness and values Thai I&P constitute a richlinguistic–cultural treasury Examining the structural,grammatical, semantic features and cultural functions of numerals

in Thai I&P (in comparison with Vietnamese I&P) revealssimilarities and differences in linguistic strategies, with practicalimplications for minority language teaching, cultural preservation,and affirming the status of Thai within multiethnic Vietnam

2 Research Aims and Objectives

2.1 Aim

Clarify the structural, grammatical, semantic features and therole of numerical expressions in reflecting cultural cognition inThai (Vietnam) I&P, in relation to Vietnamese I&P Accordingly,the dissertation contributes to elucidating the worldview,cognitive patterns, and cultural value systems of the Thai andVietnamese peoples

2.2 Objectives

(1) Review studies on numerical expressions, the Thailanguage, Thai I&P, and numerical expressions within them; (2)Collect, classify, describe, and analyze data on the structural,grammatical, semantic features, and cultural cognitive roles ofnumerals in Thai and Vietnamese I&P; (3) Conduct quantitativeand qualitative comparisons to identify similarities anddifferences between Thai and Vietnamese numerals

3 Research Subject, Scope, and Data Sources

3.1 Subject

2Numerals in Thai I&P (Vietnam), in relation to VietnameseI&P.

3.2 Scope

A study of the structural, grammatical, semantic features andthe cultural-reflective role of numerals in Thai I&P (in relation toVietnamese I&P)

3.3 Data Sources

A survey of 9,627 Thai I&P in Vietnam (37 numerals with 977occurrences) and 10,073 Vietnamese I&P (52 numerals with1,296 occurrences) was conducted, based on eight publishedsources

4 Research methods and techniques.

Combining descriptive, comparative - contrastive, fieldwork,and contextual analysis methods with statistical - classificationtechniques

5 Contributions of the Dissertation

5.1 Theoretical Contributions

The dissertation contributes to developing theories of wordformation and word classes in minority languages (Thai) Itdistinguishes the meanings of numerals from lexical and cognitiveperspectives, demonstrating the roles of different theoreticalapproaches in interpreting the meaning of the same linguistic unit

It also identifies similarities and differences in the cognitive use ofnumerals between the Thai and Vietnamese peoples, therebyreinforcing the theoretical foundation of contrastive linguisticsbetween Thai and Vietnamese

5.2 Practical Contributions

The findings have practical value for studying, teaching, andlearning Thai words and numerals, contributing to minority

3language education; Support the development of Thai languageand culture textbooks; Contribute to the preservation of the Thailanguage, script, and culture in Vietnam.

6 Structure of the Dissertation

In addition to the Introduction, Conclusion, References, andAppendices, the dissertation comprises three chapters:

Chapter 1 Overview of research and theoretical foundations Chapter 2 Structural and grammatical features of numerals

in Thai idioms and proverbs (in relation to Vietnamese idiomsand proverbs)

Chapter 3 Semantic features of numerals and their role in

reflecting cultural cognition in Thai idioms and proverbs (inrelation to Vietnamese idioms and proverbs)

CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH AND THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS 1.1 Review of Previous Studies

1.1.1 Studies on Numeral Expressions

1.1.1.1 Studies on Numeral Expressions Abroad

In linguistics, at the grammatical level, author [1] considersnumerical expressions as elements attached to nouns, while author [2]classifies them under the category of number From a cognitivelinguistic perspective, author [5] argues that the origin of numeralsderives from the human body In cultural studies, authors [6] and [7]assert that numerals embody communal cultural concepts Inintercultural linguistics, authors [8], [14] emphasize their role inreflecting and comparing cultural values across languages such asEnglish, Spanish, Hopi, French, Turkish, Chinese, Arabic, andLithuanian

1.1.1.2 Studies on Numeral Expressions in Vietnam

4Numerals have been examined from various linguisticperspectives From the lexical - grammatical viewpoint, authors [17],[20], [23], [24], [25], etc., have analyzed them within the categories ofnumber, word class, and structure, clarifying their roles in the system

of content and function words At the semantic level, author [32]discusses the meanings of units containing numerals, while pragmaticstudies by authors [34] and [36] regard them as “descriptive elements”

in referential expressions From a cognitive perspective, authors [37]and [38] suggest that numerals reflect quantitative and spatial limits inhuman cognition In cultural studies, authors [41] and [42] analyzetheir symbolic meanings in Vietnamese folk life In interculturallinguistic research, several scholars such as [43], [45], [47], [51], and[52] investigate numerals either within single languages or incontrastive studies between Chinese, Korean, Lao, English, andVietnamese

1.1.2 Studies on the Thai language and Thai proverbs and idioms

1.1.2.1 Studies on the Thai Language

Phonological studies indicate that the ancient Thai script is derivedfrom Sanskrit, with syllabic structures similar to Vietnamese butdiffering in segmental and suprasegmental features ([69]; [70, 585-597], [71, 175-181], [71, 19-24], [71, 104-110], [72], [73]) In terms ofgrammar, research has analyzed pronouns, classifiers, numerals, andthe syntactic functions of words in sentences ([70, 585-597], [71, 42-51]) Semantically, studies have compared Thai and Vietnamesevocabulary and explored cultural symbolism through words denotinganimals and objects ([74],[70, 585-597]; [75])

1.1.2.2 Studies on Thai Proverbs and Idioms

Studies using Thai I&P as research data primarily focus onconceptual metaphors related to animals, cultural characteristics,

5rhyme structures, and educational meanings ([76], [77], [78], [79],[80], [71, 268-273], [81], [82]).

1.1.3 Studies on Numerals in Thai Idioms and Proverbs

Research on numerals in Thai I&P was addressed by authors inher thesis [81], which examined 29 numerals from four sources Thestudy identified the meanings of individual numerals based on contextand certain cultural notions; however, it did not analyze theirstructural features, co-occurrence patterns, or multifunctionalityacross word classes, nor did it apply cognitive theory to exploresemantic characteristics Moreover, no cross-linguistic comparisonwas conducted Nevertheless, the thesis provides an initial foundationfor further, in-depth research on numerals in Thai I&P, in relation toVietnamese I&P

Numerals are linguistic units used to denote specific numbers inreality; they possess distinct phonological (word formation),grammatical (word class features, ability to participate inphrase/sentence structures), and semantic properties

b Morphological features

The structural characteristics of words depend on their

word-formation methods Numerical expressions can be simple words (e.g., n ưng - ‘one’, xong - ‘two’) formed by a single morpheme, or compound

words (e.g., xam xíp - ‘thirty’) created through morphemic

compounding

c Syntactic category features

Word classes are defined based on: (1) general grammaticalmeaning for grouping words; (2) combinability within largerstructures such as phrases, with three main relations: predicative,coordinative, and subordinative; (3) syntactic function, i.e., the role ofnumerals in the sentence

d Semantic Components of Words and Research Perspectives

The semantic components of a word include denotative meaning, conceptual meaning, and attitudinal meaning.

From a lexical perspective, the meaning of a polysemous unit is studied in terms of its original meaning and derived meaning The original meaning is the inherent meaning of the word, while the derived meaning arises from the original meaning through mechanisms such as metaphor and metonymy From a cognitive perspective, word meaning is analyzed based on embodied cognition, source and target domains, and mapping models Embodied cognition refers to human thinking and meaning-making organized according to bodily perception when interacting with the environment The source domain and target domain denote conceptual domains within a conceptual structure: the source domain is typically concrete, perceptible, and easily recognizable, whereas the target domain is abstract, less familiar, or novel to human experience Mapping is the projection of elements from the source domain onto corresponding elements in the target domain, forming a fixed

system of correspondences within the conceptual structure.

1.2.1.2 Contrastive Linguistics

The foundation of contrastive language research is comparison [105] Research in this field covers phonology, vocabulary, grammar, semantics, and pragmatics This dissertation applies contrastive linguistic principles to identify similarities and differences in numerical expressions within the proverbs and idioms of the Thai and Vietnamese peoples.

1.2.1.3 Proverbs and Idioms

The Thai do not distinguish between I&P, collectively

referring to them as Koám chiến láng-“ancient transmitted

sayings,” similar to the Lao term xú pha xít [67] According to author [70, 603-610], Thai I&P in the ancient Thai script serve both as knowledge repositories and educational resources Author [78] also notes that Thai I&P have stable structures tied

to cultural history, with idioms being fixed expressions and proverbs as complete sentences derived from everyday life The terms “Thai I&P” are currently borrowed from Vietnamese concepts Therefore, the dissertation uses the term Thai I&P and examines numerals across the entire body of Thai and Vietnamese I&P, without separating I&P.

1.2.2 Cultural foundations

1.2.2.1 The Interrelation of language, thought, and culture

Language embodies cultural content and reflects each nation’s

“linguistic picture of the world.” Socio-historical experience istransmitted through word meaning [100, 46]

1.2.2.2 Cultural Characteristics in Thai Idioms and Proverbs

There are various approaches to classifying cultural features inlanguage [110], I&P [111], [112], and Thai I&P [70], [78] Building on

8prior classifications of cultural traits in Thai I&P and on data containingnumerals, this dissertation constructs aspects of cultural cognitionreflected in Thai I&P, including: (1) conceptions of survival space; (2)conceptions of labor and production; (3) conceptions of socialorganization and behavior; (4) conceptions of human life cycle anddestiny; (5) conceptions of customs, beliefs, and traditions.

1.2.2.3 Selected historical and cultural features of the Thai People

According to Hoang Tran Nghich [70], the Thai originated frommigrations from the North (China), with a history of establishingsettlements in five main regions

Material culture comprises natural resources (water, forests),wet-rice and swidden cultivation, free-range animal husbandry,traditional stilt houses, means of transport (horses, buffaloes, oxen,boats), handicrafts such as weaving and indigo dyeing, as well asdistinctive clothing and cuisine

Spiritual culture includes polytheistic beliefs with the concept of

“animism,” the yin–yang and five-element philosophy, life-cycle

rituals (birth, marriage, funeral), and customary laws of the ban mường regulating various aspects of society such as production,

community organization, marriage, family, and ceremonies

Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter 1 accomplished the dissertation’s first research task:1-Research overview: Domestic and international studieshave examined numerals from linguistic, cultural, andintercultural perspectives In linguistic theory, research hasfocused on lexis and grammar; semantics, pragmatics, andcognition In cultural studies, scholars have analyzed numerals ascultural symbols and as highly symbolic elements In interculturallinguistics, research has either (1) described numeral usagewithin a single language, or (2) contrasted their features across

9two or more languages Studies on Thai have addressed certainaspects of its phonology, grammar, and semantics.

2- The theoretical basis comprises: (1) linguistics-words andnumerals (concept, structure, classification, semantics), I&P; (2)cultural studies-the relation of language, thought, and culture,cultural cognition in I&P, and key historical-cultural traits of the Thaipeople

Based on Chapter 1, the dissertation is determined not tooverlap with prior studies The theories presented serve as thefoundation for subsequent analysis and discussion

Chapter 2 STRUCTURAL AND GRAMMATICAL FEATURES

OF NUMERALS IN THAI IDIOMS AND PROVERBS (IN RELATION TO VIETNAMESE IDIOMS AND PROVERBS)

Chapter 2 of the dissertation focuses on identifying thestructural and grammatical features of numerals, while alsoanalyzing their cultural significance based on thesecharacteristics in Thai I&P, in relation to Vietnamese I&P From9,627 Thai I&P, 566 contain 37 words (977 tokens) denoting 34numbers From 10,073 Vietnamese I&P, 802 contain 52 words(1,296 tokens) denoting 35 numbers (Table 2.1, p.66) Chart 2.1(p.79) shows both Thai and Vietnamese mainly use numerals from

n ng/điêu ư (one) to síp (ten).

2.1 Structural of numerals in Thai proverbs and idioms (in comparison with Vietnamese)

2.1.1 Phonological Forms of Numerals

In Thai I&P, complete sound change appears only in

n ng/điêu “one” → t “one.” In Vietnamese, sound change isư ế

10common (partial, complete, or shortened): m t → m t, năm →ộ ốlăm, hai mươi → hăm, ba mươi → băm, b n mố ươi chín → b n chín.ố

2.1.2 Formation methods and numeral types

Numerals can be simple or compound Simple numerals areformed by lexicalizing a single morpheme (n ng, song, sam-one,ưtwo, three) Compound numerals are formed by combining atleast two morphemes (síp t, síp song-eleven, twelve) Diagramế2.1 (p.73) shows that simple numerals outnumber compounds inboth Thai and Vietnamese I&P, and sound changes occur lessfrequently in Thai than in Vietnamese

2.2 Grammatical features of numerals in Thai proverbs/idioms (in comparison with Vietnamese)

Studying the grammatical features of numerals, we identifytheir part-of-speech nature and role in forming I&P structures

2.2.1 Part-of-speech features

2.2.1.1 Grammatical meaning of numerals

Chart 2.5 (p.77) shows that in both Thai and Vietnamese,numerals mainly function as exact quantifiers and order markers,while those expressing units of measure are less frequent

2.2.1.2 Combinability of numerals

a Direct combinability of numerals

a1 Numerals before nouns and noun phrases

Chart 2.4 (p.84) shows that numerals precede nouns andnoun phrases less frequently in Thai than in Vietnamese I&P Inboth languages, numerals mainly occur before abstract nouns,unit nouns, singular object nouns, and noun phrases A keydifference is that in Thai, numerals do not precede proper nouns,collective nouns, or pronouns, unlike in Vietnamese

a2 Numerals after nouns and noun phrases

11Chart 2.5 (p.90) shows that numerals follow nouns moreoften in Thai than in Vietnamese I&P In both languages, numeralsmainly follow unit nouns, singular object nouns, and abstractnouns A key difference is that in Thai, numerals can also follow

noun phrases due to the reversible combination of n ng/điêu–m t ư ộ

, a pattern uncommon in Vietnamese in general and in Vietnamese I&P

b Indirect combinability of numerals

Numerals also occur in indirect, elliptical, or abbreviatedstructures, accounting for 13.8% in Thai and 19.0% in Vietnamese.Chart 2.6 (p.94) shows that direct combinability is still morefrequent in both languages

2.2.1.3 Syntactic functions of numerals

In Thai I&P, numerals mainly function as modifiers (before orafter nouns), specifying quantity or order, thus acting as adjectives

A few numerals in proverbs serve as main components (subject orpredicate) The proportion of numeral-class words functioning assubjects or predicates in Thai proverbs is 1.3%, while inVietnamese proverbs it is 6.5% Most numerals in both languagesretain a modifier role Chart 2.7 (p.97) shows that numerals rarelyfunction as main components compared with their modifierfunction

Based on these three criteria, numerals in Thai I&P aresimilar to those in Vietnamese, mostly functioning as numerals(exact or approximate), with some serving as nouns

2.2.2 Numerals in structuring idioms and proverbs

I&P can be structured as: a single clause (consisting of onephrase/clause), two clauses (consisting of two phrases/clauses),

or three or more clauses (consisting of three or more

12phrases/clauses) Based on the survey results in Table 2.6 (p.99),

we identified the structural construction patterns of I&P formed

by numerals

Chart 2.8 (p.103) shows that in both Thai and Vietnamese I&P, numerals mainly contribute to building a two-clause parallelstructure (either corresponding or contrasting) However, in ThaiI&P, with a considerable frequency of three or more co-occurringnumerals, they also contribute to forming three- or multi-clausesequential structures-a distinctive feature of Thai I&P

2.3 Cultural perspective from the phonological structure and grammatical features of numerals in Thai proverbs/idioms (in comparison with Vietnamese)

First of all, Thai and Vietnamese I&P mainly feature numeralsbelow ten, reflecting a common mindset: preference for easilymanageable, convertible, and calculable ranges, and an inclinationtoward safety and familiarity Furthermore, in their I&P, Thais tend

to favor “round tens,” a traditional mark that strongly shapes Thaicultural thinking as general, simple, innocent, and straightforward

In contrast, besides round tens, Vietnamese prefer “odd” numerals,reflecting a flexible, detailed, and concrete approach in theirlinguistic thought

2.3.1 Cultural perspective from the occurrence of numerals

First, sound change rarely occurs with numerals in Thai I&Pand Thai in general, reflecting the relative stability of the Thailanguage system In contrast, partial, complete, or shortened soundchanges are common in Vietnamese numerals, reflecting theflexibility, adaptability, and evolution of Vietnamese