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HUE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCES PHAN PHUONG THANH IDIOMS WITH ELEMENTS INDICATING ANIMALS IN CHINESE AND VIETNAMESE FROM THE THEORY OF COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL

HUE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCES

PHAN PHUONG THANH

IDIOMS WITH ELEMENTS INDICATING ANIMALS IN CHINESE AND VIETNAMESE FROM THE THEORY

OF COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS IN LINGUISTICS

Hue, 2019

Công trình nghiên cứu được hoàn thành tại:

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC KHOA HỌC, ĐẠI HỌC HUẾ

Người hướng dẫn khoa học:

1 TS Liêu Linh Chuyên

2 TS Nguyễn Văn Lập

Phản biện 1: PGS.TS Nguyễn Hữu Hoành

Phản biện 2: PGS.TS Võ Xuân Hào

Có thể tìm hiểu luận án tại:

- Thư viện Quốc gia Việt Nam

- Trung tâm học liệu Huế

- Thư viện Trường Đại học Khoa Học, Đại học Huế

HUE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCES

PHAN PHUONG THANH

IDIOMS WITH ELEMENTS INDICATING ANIMALS IN CHINESE AND VIETNAMESE FROM THE THEORY

OF COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS

Major: LINGUISTICS Code: 9229020

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS IN LINGUISTICS

INSTRUCTORS:

1 PhD Lieu Linh Chuyen

2 PhD Nguyen Van Lap

Hue, 2019

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PREFACE

1 Reason to choose the topic

The study of cognitive linguistics is the direction that is paid attention to

by the most reseachers in recent years In which there are issues related to the concept of idiomatic meaning of cognitive linguistics, which has supplemented and broaden the study of idioms according to traditional conception This is

also the reason that we choosed the topic "Idioms with elements indicating

animals in Chinese and Vietnamese from the theory of cognitive linguistics" as

the research topic of the thesis

2 Object and scope of the study

2.1 Object of the study

Based on the theoretical basis of cognitive linguistics, we focused on studying some semantic issues of idioms with elements indicating animals, which emphasized the conceptual metaphor of animals used in Chinese and Vietnamese idioms, thereby clarifying the movement from the source domain

of idioms with elements indicating animals to abstract target domain in these two languages

2.2 Scope of the study

We only focus on studying the cognitive semantics related to idioms on idiomatic material with elements indicating animals in Chinese and Vietnamese

3 Research tasks

The thesis defines the following basic research tasks:

- Systematizing theoretical issues of cognitive linguistics to serve as a theoretical basis for the thesis's research topic

- Identifying semantic characteristics of idioms through idiomatic structures, through which we categorized semantics of these idioms according

to semantic categories

- Determining the target conceptual domain from the analysis of the idioms with elements indicating animals in Chinese and Vietnamese and analyzing the expression in the source conceptual domain

- Learn the conceptual mix of some idioms with elements incicating animals to understand the cognitive process in creating meaning of idioms

- Analyzing the mechanism of metaphorical mapping of idioms with elements indicating animals, thereby learning about the embodiment and ethnic communities culture expressed in linguistic thinking through idioms

4 Study material

In Chinese, we conducted surveys and statistics of idioms with elements

indicating animals in the book “汉语成语词典” (Chinese idiom dictionary)

published in 2002 of 宋永培 (Tong Vinh Boi) as Chief Author

In Vietnamese, we conducted the survey and statistics of idiomas with

elements indicating animals in the Vietnamese Idiom Dictionary (1993) by

Nguyen Nhu Y as Chief Editor

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5 Research Methodology

i) Descriptive analysis method

ii) Comparative method

6 Contributions of the thesis

Regarding the theoretical meaning: The findings of the thesis will

contribute to clarify the issues related to semantics of idioms according to the concept of cognitive linguistics on idiomatic language materials with elements indicating animals in Chinese and Vietnamese

Regarding practical meaning: The research work of the thesis will apply

the research results of the thesis which can be applied in teaching, translation and construction of bilingual Chinese - Vietnamese idiom dictionary

CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH ISSUES AND THE THEORETICAL BASIS OF THE TOPIC

1.1 Overview of research projects related to the topic

The thesis will present an overview of domestic and foreign research works related to words indicating animals, research works on idioms and idioms with elements indicating animals Linguists in Vietnam have applied cognitive linguistic theory to practical applications such as: Vi Truong Phuc (2013) in "Study of idioms indicating psychological sentiment in Chinese from the perspective of cognitive linguistics (related to Vietnamese language)” explored semantic characteristics of idioms such as semantic structure, structural method and expression of meaning, cultural meaning from which

to build source domains and foundations of cognitive mapping into the domain

of sentimental concepts such as: FUNNY, SAD, ANGRY AND FEAR

The closest work for our thesis is “汉英成语中动物隐喻对比研究” (A study of cognitive comparation and metaphors in idioms with elements indicating animals in Chinese and English) of Phan Dung Dung (2014), the

author chose 12 animals: dog, cat, pig, buffalo, horse, goat, mouse, rabbit, wolf, bear, gibbon, fox and divided into two groups of animals: domestic animals and wild animals From the domain of ANIMALS, it has been mapped to abstract target domains, then compared similarities and differences, thereby helping us

to see the linguistic picture about the world However, the project only selected the idiomatic linguistic material object of 12 animals to study and compare it with two languages of Chinese and English The author has had research results

on idioms with elements indicating animals in English and Chinese Therefore,

it is possible to consider the topic of the thesis "Idioms with elements indicating animals in Chinese and Vietnamese from cognitive linguistic theory" as the inheritance of the results of collection and selection of the previous researches, and this is also a promising research direction that can have new contribution results

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1.2 The theoretical basis of the thesis

- The theoretical basis of the thesis is mainly based on the theoretical basis

of two famous authors, Lakoff and Johnson The theoretical basis of the thesis topic includes:

+ Theoretical problems of cognitive linguistics, namely: the category and the categorization, the embodiment, the prototype

+ Theoretical issues of cognitive metaphor, namely: the concept of cognitive metaphor, the nature and structure of cognitive metaphor, classification of cognitive metaphor, radiatingdiagram, cognitive model + Theoretical issues of idioms: concepts of idioms, characteristics of idioms, types of structures of idioms and concepts of idiomatic meaning in cognitive linguistics

1.3 Sub-conclusion

Chapter 2 IDIOMS WITH ELEMENTS INDICATING ANIMALS IN CHINESE FROM THE THEORY OF COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS

2.1 The semantic characteristics related to prototype in idioms with elements indicating animals in Chinese

2.1.1 Prototype

- Words calling animal names:马 (HORSE), 虎 (TIGER), 牛(BUFFALO), 狗 (DOG)

- Words referring to animal body parts: 头 (HEAD), 心 (HEART)

- Words indicating the activity of animals: 飞 (FLY), 鸣 (SING)

- Words indicating human activity affecting animals: 杀 (KILL)

1 Livestock group (cattle and

2 Wild animals living on land 马 (HORSE), 虎 TIGER)

1 Radiating model of “马” (HORSE)

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Chart 2.2 Radiating model of “马” (HORSE)

2.1.2.2 Radiating model of the phrase "animal body parts" in Chinese idiom

Table 2.2 Prototype of the phrase of "animal body parts"

in Chinese idiom

1 Radiating model of “头” (HEAD)

Chart 2.6 Radiating model of “头” (HEAD)

2.1.2.3 Radiating model of the phrase "animal activity" in Chinese idiom

Table 2.3 Prototype of the phrase "animal activity" in

Chinese idioms

1 Radiating model of “飞” (FLY)

Chart 2.7 Radiating model of “飞” (FLY)

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2.2 Semantic characteristics of idioms with elements indicating animals in Chinese

2.2.1 Regarding semantic structure

Studies of Chinese idioms often divide idiomatic structures into two types: symmetrical structure and asymmetric structure In each of which, based on the concept of idiomatic meaning of cognitive linguistics, we established semantic content based on the inherent meaning of idioms, ie metaphorical meaning in idioms, according to cognitive linguistics, this is the peripheral meaning of idioms and we centralized many idioms into semantic categories

2.2.1.1 Types of semantic structures of symmetric idioms

Based on a total of 683 idioms with elements indicating animals in Chinese, we have statistics of 194 symmetrical structure idioms, accounting for 28.40%

2.2.1.1.1 The idioms with a symmetrical structure of two species

a Idioms with two parallel species

There are 72 idioms with the two parallel species occupying the highest rate

of 47.06% in the statistics table, indicating a happy couple relationship, the

Chinese uses the pair of phoenixes to describe: “凤友鸾交” (the two lovebirds =

men and women having feelings will get marriage to become husband and wife)

b The idiom has the words indicating activities of the two animals

There are 37 idioms with the words indicating activity of two animals,

accounting for 24.18% To symbolize outstanding talent, “龙跃凤鸣” (Long

dược phượng minh = Dragon dances while phoenix sings, brilliant talent)

c The idiom with words indicating parts if the two animal

There are 28 idioms with the words indicating body parts of two animals

accounting for 18.03% To symbolize evil personality “鸱目虎吻” (Si mục hổ

vẫn = hawk eyes and tiger lip, illustrating snakiness and cruel)

d The idioms with the words indicating human activity affecting two species

There are 16 idioms with words indicating human activities that affect two

species, accounting for 10.46% To describe the dangerous situation “握蛇骑

虎” (Ác xà kị hổ = Holding snake, riding tiger, illustrating dangerous

situations)

2.2.1.1.2 The idioms with a symmetrical structure of one animal and another thing

a The idioms with words indicating one animal and another thing

There are 30 idioms with words indicating one animal and another thing,

accounting for 73.17% To describe the rich life “宝马香车” (Bảo mã hương

xa = Nice car, precious horse, good car)

b Idioms with words that refer to human activities affecting animals

There are 7 idioms with words indicating human activities that affect

animals, accounting for 17.07%, illustrating the dangerous situation “束马悬

车” (Thúc mã huyền xa = Bundle the horse nails to hangs up, the climbing

road is very dangerous)

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c Idioms with words indicating the activity of animals

There are 3 idioms with the words indicating animal activity, accounting

for 7.32%, describing a bright space “草长莺飞” (Thảo trưởng oanh phi = The

trees sprout, and the cananies fly)

d The idiom with words indicating the animal body

There is an idiom with the words indicating the animal body which

accounts for 2.44%, to describe the person with evil and snaky personality “佛口蛇心” (Phật khẩu tâm xà = a buddha’s mind, snake’s heart, A honey tongue,

a heart of gall)

2.2.1.2 Types of semantic structures of asymmetric idioms

2.2.1.2.1 Asymmetric idioms without comparison structure

We have made a statistics of 465 idioms in this group, divided into 5 groups:

sub-a The idiom with words indicating one animal and another thing

There are 269 idioms with words indicating animal and another thing, accounting the highest rate for 57.85% To symbolize that animals are in

dangerous space “鱼游釜中” (Ngư du trung phủ = Fish swim in the pot, fish

on the chopping board)

b Idioms with words that refer to pairs of closely related animals

There are 88 idioms that have a pair of closely related species that account

for 18.92% To symbolize family relationships “老牛舐犊” (Lão ngưu sị độc

= Old cow licks baby calves, parents cherish children)

c Idioms with words indicating the activity of animals

There are 49 idioms with words indicating animal activity, accounting for

10.54% To describe the happy mood “拊髀雀跃” (Phủ bễ tước dược = Flap

the sparrow's thigh, illustrating the joyful mood)

d The idioms with words indicating the animal body

There are 44 idioms with words indicating the animal body which account

for 9.46% To symbolize the level of human awareness “驴头不对马嘴” (Lư

đầu bất đối mã chủy = The donkey's lips didn't fit into the horse's mouth, talking at cross purposes)

e Idioms with words that refer to human activities affecting animals

There are 15 idioms with words indicating human activities that affect

animals, which account for 3.23%, illustrating dangerous jobs “养虎遗患”

(Dưỡng hổ di hoạn = Raising tigers for danger later)

2.2.1.2.2 Asymmetric idioms ưith comparative structure

According to our statistics, asymmetric idioms with comparative structure with the lowest number of 24 idioms make up 4.91%

Thus, from the analysis, classification of the meaning of idioms with elements indicating animals, we found it’s possible to attribute the meaning of idioms to the following content:

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- The contents about people, including: personality, state of psychology, appearance, physical strength

- The contents of society, including: social relations, economic condition

- Contents about space, including: joyful space, cramped space, quiet space

From the above general meanings, we established conceptual domains that the idiom with elements indicating animals in Chinese as above, which will be analyzed at section 2.3

2.2.2 Regarding the meaning of cultural cognition

According to Chinese culture, tigers are also a symbol of luck At the same time, the tiger is worshiped as a mascot Chinese people often use tigers to talk about outstanding characters and strong young people who are often called

"small tigers" to show everyone's expectations Traditionally, it is believed that children wearing hats and shoes with image of tigers in the new year will be protected from evils

2.3 The cognitive metaphor model of idioms with elements indicating animals in Chinese

2.3.1 The conceptual target domain of idioms with elements indicating animals in Chinese

On the basis of analyzing the meaning of the above idioms, we find that it

is possible to identify three target domains: PEOPLE, SOCIAL, SPACE in idioms with elements indicating animals In each conceptual domain, we divided into sub-concept domains with more specific meaning such as the following classification table

2.3.2 The mapping from the animal source domain (in idioms) to the target domains in Chinese

Table 2.10 The mapping from the animal source domain (in idioms) to the

target domains in Chinese Source

domain

of appearance

Rate (%)

“巴蛇吞象” (Ba xà thôn tượng = Big snake wants to swallow elephant;

Beggar's bags are bottomless)

- Sub-domain of intelligence

Mapping model: EVALUATION ON ANIMAL ACTIVITIES IS EVALUATION ON THE INTELLECTUAL NATURE OF HUMAN

The nature of positive talent

“龙跃凤鸣” (Long dược phượng minh = Dragon dances while phoenix

sings, brilliant talent)

- Sub-domain of physical strength

Mapping model: THE EVALUATION ON PHYSICAL STRENGTH OF ANIMALS IS THE EVALUATION ON PHYSICAL STRENTH OF HUMAN

Healthy fitness

“虎背熊腰” (Hổ bối hùng yêu = Tiger's back, bear’s waist, muscular tall)

b The mapping from the source domain of animal to the target domain of human activity

- Sub-domain of advantaged activities

The mapping model: ANIMALS IN SUITABLE HABITATS ARE FAVORABLE ACTIVITIES OF HUMANS

“水大鱼多” (Thủy đại ngư đa = Big water gives lots of fish, comfortable

working environment will bring good results)

- Sub-domain of dangerous activities

Mapping model: THE LIVING SPACE OF ANIMALS IS A DANGEROUS ACTIVITY OF HUMANS

“虎穴龙潭” (Hổ huyệt long đàm = Swamp of dragon, cave of tiger,

indicating dangerous place)

c The mapping from the source domain of animals to the target domain of emotional psychology of humans

- Sub- domain of psychological state of fun

9 Mapping model: THE STATE OF BIRDS IS THE STATE OF PLEASURE OF HUMANS

“凫趋雀跃” (Phù việt tước dược = The ducks ran fast, the sparrow

danced, excited)

- Sub- domain of sad state

Mapping model: THE STATE OF THE PET IS A SAD STATE OF HUMANS

“丧家之狗” (Táng gia chi cẩu = Domestic dogs have funeral, helpless)

- Sub-domain of state of fear

Mapping model: THE STATE OF ANIMALS IS A STATE OF FEAR

OF HUMANS

“惊弓之鸟” (Kinh cung chi điểu = Once bitten, twice shy, there’s no

peace for the wicked)

- Sub-domain of state of misssing

Mapping model: ACTIVITY OF ANIMALS IS A STATE OF MISSING

- Sub-domain of appearance evaluated positively

“龙驹凤雏” (Lân tử phượng sồ = Lion cub, phoenix baby, handsome and

intelligent)

- Sub-domain of appearance evaluated negatively

“鸡胸龟背” (Kê hung quy bối = The belly of chicken, the back of the

turtle, the protruding chest, bowed back)

2.3.2.2 The mapping from the source domain of animals to the social target domain

The mapping from the source domain of animals to the social target domain can determine the general metaphorical model THE LIVING

ORGANIZATION OF HUMANS At this target domain, the following conceptual sub-domains can be identified:

a The mapping from the source domain of animals to the target domain of social relations

- Sub-domain of harmonious relations

Mapping model: THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP OF ANIMALS IS A HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP OF HUMANS

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“凤凰于飞” (Phượng hoàng vu phi = the two lovebirds fly, the couple

loves each other)

- Sub-domain of separating relations

Mapping model: ANIMALS SEPARATED FROM THE HERD ARE THE SEPARATION OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

“离鸾别凤” (Li loan biệt phượng = The two lovebirds separated, the

couple separated)

b The mapping from the source domain of animals to the target domain of

economic conditions

- Sub-domain of wealthy economic conditions

Mapping model: FOOD FROM ANIMALS IS A RICH LIFE

“凤髓龙肝” (Phượng tủy long can = the phoenix’s marrow, the dragon’s

liver Indicating the delicacies)

- Sub-domain of poor economic conditions

Mapping model: ANIMALS AND OTHER THINGS ARE POOR LIVES

“弊车羸马” (Tệ xa luy mã = Bad horse broken car, poor life)

2.3.2.3 The mapping from the source domain to the spatial target domain

The mapping from the source domain of animal to the spatial target domain can determine the general metaphorical model of ANIMAL ACTIVITIES ARE SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS At this target domain, the following sub-domains can be identified:

a The mapping from the source domain of animals to the target domain of

joyful space

Mapping model: ACTIVITY OF BIRDS IS A JOYFUL SPACE

“燕语莺声” (Yến ngữ oanh thanh = the birds sing, illustrating the joyful

scene of spring)

b The mapping from the source domain of animals to the target domain of a peaceful space

Mapping model: THE STATUS OF ANIMALS IS A QUIET SPACE

“鸦雀无声” (Nha tước vô thanh = Quiet, silence)

c The mapping from the source domain of animal to the target domain of