Comparison of Vietnamese and English Language: Idioms

Comparison of Vietnamese and position Language IdiomsAbstractLanguage is a system of communication of a nation. E truly nation has their own historical, civilized, cultural, climatical characteristics, so every nation has their own language. However, different nations have similarities and differences in put forwarding their ideas. Studying similarities and differences betwixt speechs of similarity in slope and Vietnamese is liable to ease the researcher to affirm that. Moreover, making well-nigh comparisons is a estimable way to memorize side tongues of comparison effectively and enjoyably. Hence, translation skill can be improved thanks to more enjoyledge or so artistic styles. In addition, making comparisons between English and Vietnamese idioms can help the researcher to understand more closely cultures of both of countries since similarities and differences in culture reflect coincidences and dissimilarities in ways of thinking and looking at the world of Engli sh and Vietnamese peck.Idioms of comparison in Vietnamese and EnglishA Contrastive AnalysisIntroductionIdioms of comparison ar applied frequently in literature and in day-to-day life. It serves as a tool to make the language more graphic. However, every language has differences in ways of communicateing the same idea using idioms of comparison.The goal of the study is to get around some common types of comparison employ in English and Vietnamese idioms. In addition, the study chiefly aims at finding out some similarities and differences between comparison idioms in both English and Vietnamese.Beca lend oneself there ar so many comparison idioms in both languages, it is impossible to include all of them in the study. The study can well(p) explore comparison idiomatic fashions which play an important part in the purpose of the study.Theoretical FrameworkTheoretical earth of idioms in EnglishDefinition of idioms in EnglishThe Oxford Advanced Learners vocabulary defines idiom s as A group of row whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual rallying crys (Hornby, 2006, p.740).The viewpoint is supported in A Dictionary of Linguistics Phonetics. The author regards an idiom as a term used in grammar and lexicography to refer to a sequence of words which us semantically and often syntactically restricted, so that they function as a single unit (Crystal, 1985, p.225). harmonise to A Dictionary of Linguistics, an idiom is any expression peculiar to a language, conveying a distinct meaning, not necessarily explicable by, occasionally even contrary to, the acquainted(predicate) accepted grammatical rules (Pei Gaynor, 1954, p.95).Feature of English idiomsWhen mentioning semantic features of idioms, we had better focus on the figurative meaning of idioms. It is the most important characteristic of idioms to know whether an expression is an idiom or not. According to Collins Cobuild English Language DictionaryA idiom is a group of words which , when they argon used in concert in a particular combination, has a different meaning from the one they would have if you took the meaning of the individual words in the group. (Sinclair, 1987, p.718)Smiley Goldtein (1998) also suggest that idioms be certainly more than the sums of their parts (p.76). That operator the meaning of components of an idiom is different from the meaning of the whole idiom. That we can barb the meaning of an idiom or not depends on open or closed classes. As Yong and Peng (2007) suggestIn open class combinations, individual components are freely recombination and are used in a common literal sense. As co-occurrence of individual components is expected of this class of combinations, both their meaning and structures are predictable amenable to analysis. (p.178)For lawsuit, we can guess the meaning of the idiom turn over a new leaf. Turn over means to make something change position so that the other facial expression is facing towards the outside or the top and a new leaf is a leaf which is more beautiful, more perfect. in that locationfore, the meaning of the idioms can be guessed as to change your way of life to be postdate a better, more responsible person.However, in close class combinations, we cannot guess the meaning of idioms. That is because they are characterized by semantic opaqueness, syntactic restrictions and structural stability (Yong Peng, 2007, p.178). For example, the idioms spread oneself too thin or for the birds.Idioms have a fixed form that usually cannot be changed (Heacock, 2003, p.ix). However, Heacock (2003) also claimsnot all fixed phrases are idioms. For example, close your eyes is a common fixed phrase, barely not an idiom because each word in it is used in its standard meaning. The phrase keep your skirt is an idiom, however, because the phrase does not mean do not take off your skirt it means stoppage calm. (p.ix)Idioms can be divided into six different forms or structures+ Idioms located at noun entries much(prenominal) as in addition to, for the birds+ Idioms located at verb entries such as look forward to, take off, hear about+ Idioms located at adjectival entries such as in short, hot under the prehend+ Idioms located at adverbial entries such as once again, worse off + Idioms located at pronominal entries such as give it up, come to nothing+ Idioms located at numeral entries such as give a hundred percent, one by oneIts really important to know that modifying any components and functional words can lose the idiomatic meaning (Yong Peng, 2007).Theoretical background of idioms in VietnameseDefinition of idioms in VietnameseAccording to T in Thnh Ng v Tc Ng Vit NamThnh ng Ting Vit l nhng t hp t ng c nh c cu trc t hoc cu nhng hon ton thuc phm tr cp t, c m ha hu ht u c tnh cht cch iu ngh thut, v ch lm mt thnh phn trong cu ni. (Nguyn, 2010, p.5)As Nguyn (2007) has noted in his book, thnh ng l tp hp t c nh quen dng m ngha ca n thng khng th gii thch c mt cch n gin bng ngha ca cc t to nn n (p. 8).Features of Vietnamese idiomsIdioms are characterized by figurative and metaphorical meanings. Therefore, its too difficult to comprehend although we know the meanings of all their components. For example, ly thng p voi, g g cc tc, i guc trong bng Especially idioms are originated from fairy tales, folk talessuch as ba que x l, thng cht ci thng khing, n nh cha Chm, s t H ng (Nguyn, Nguyn Phan, 2009).Idioms usually consist of more than 3 components whose counterpoint, alliteration and rhyme are combined with each other in many different ways. There are some idioms of comparison such as nng nh la, khc nh ma, nhanh nh chp Also, there are some idioms which are shaped according to counterpoint, alliteration such as tai to mt ln, ming hm gan sa, cng hi cng thuyn, ong bm l li Besides, some idioms are originally spoken words in everyday speech which are usually used again and again for a long time and then develop figurative meanings to become idioms, for inst ance ch ci v rng, theo voi ht b ma, nc chy ch- trng, i guc trong bng (Nguyn et al, 2009).Theoretical background of English idioms of comparisonAt first, we should find out the definition of idioms of comparison which are also called similes. There are a lot of definitions of simile. According to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, simile is a word or phrase that compares sth to sth else, using the words alike or as, for example a face like a mask or as white as snow the use of such words and phrases (Hornby, 2006, p.1369).An idiom of comparison is also defined asthe comparison of ii nouns with different meanings, using the words like or as to make the connection. Friendship is like ice cream, fear moved like lighting, and leaves feel as slippery as fish are examples of similes. (Tucker, 2002, p.41)There is also a similar but shorter definition in The Challenge of Effective Speaking A simile is a direct comparison of dissimilar things using the word like or as (Verderber, Verderbe r Sellnow, 2008, p.197).The meanings of similes are figurative. Take the simile as tall as a tree as an example. When you say Minh is as stubborn as a mule, you mean Minh is so stubborn, not Minh is as stubborn as a mule. Therefore, the simile as stubborn as a mule is considered figurative.Learners can sometimes be confused between similes and metaphors but they are really differentA metaphor, like a simile, is a comparison between two basically unlike things. In contrast to a simile, however, where an explicit comparison is made (The eye is like a lamp for the body), the metaphor makes an implicit comparison (The eye is lamp of the body). (Robert H. beer mug 15)Huff (2004) asserts that the only difference between simile and metaphor is that metaphor does not use the words like or as to make the comparison (p.98). In other words, two distinctly different things in a simile are connected by like or as patch a metaphor is an implied but in many ways even more direct than comparison because the reader is expected to identify the comparison without the word like or as (Osborne, 1997, p.124). However, because similes merely join two disparate ideas or images, they are generally less fertile than metaphors, which can evoke superfluous and fresh shades of meaning (Ehrenhaft, 2008, p.145).Theoretical background of Vietnamese idioms of comparisonIn Vietnamese, there are 2 kinds of idioms of comparison one employs the word nh, ta, ty, bng, ta nh or cng nh and one doesnt.Based on similarities of characteristics of 2 things, 2 phenomena, 2 actions, the Vietnamese create a adult number of idioms which use A to name or to modify B.Eg Mt tri xoan oval-shaped face.Star a famous and intelligent person (usually in art, sport, culture).(Nguyn, 2010)The other kind of idioms of comparison includes the word bng, ty, ta, snh, nh or cng nh which divides an idiom into 2 parts.Both of parts can be a noun, verb, phrase or clause. The second part whose function is predicating and c omplementing the first part is counted from comparative word.Eg In the idiom ti ty nh, ty nh is the complement of the noun ti.In the idiom chy nh bay, nh bay is the complement of the verb chy.(Nguyn, 2010)A contrasting analysis of comparison idioms in English and VietnameseQuantity comparisonThere are about 700 idioms of comparison in English, for example, as warm as sunbeam, to follow like a shadow, to work like a Trojan, There are a similarity in the number of idioms of comparison in English and Vietnamese. Some examples of Vietnamese idioms of comparison are lnh nh tin, xanh nh tu lSimilarities of idioms of comparison in English and VietnameseAlthough the culture of two nations is different, ways of thinking and looking at the world of English and Vietnamese is somehow similar. Hence, both Vietnamese and English express ideas and concepts in the same way. In fact, a large number of Vietnamese idioms of comparison are similar with English idioms of comparison in terms of both con cept and image to express.English idioms Vietnamese idiomsAs black as coal en nh thanAs black as crow en nh quAs black as ink Ti en nh mcAs sweet as sugar Ngt nh ngAs black as soot en nh b hngAs brief as a dream Ngn nh mt gic mngAs bright as day Sng nh ban ngyAs brilliant as stars Sng nh saoAs changeable as the weather Hay thay i nh thi titAs cold as ice Lnh nh bngAs cheerful as a lark Vui nh soAs cunning as a fox Xo quyt nh coAs dark as midnight Ti nh na mAs dumb as a an oyster Cm nh hnAs fair as a rose Xinh nh hoaAs speedy as a hare Nhanh nh thAs fat as a pig Mp nh heoAs fierce as a tiger D nh cpAs firm as rock Vng nh As fleet as the wind Nhanh nh giAs fresh a rose Ti nh hoaAs gay as a lark Vui nh soAs gruff as a bear H-n nh guAs good (valuable) as gold Qu nh vngAs green as a leaf Xanh nh tu lAs heavy as an elephant Nng nh voiAs unattackable as a rock Cng nh As heavy as lead Nng nh chAs hot as fire Nng nh laAs keen as a razor Sc nh dao coAs light as down Nh ta lng hngAs light as a feather Nh ta lng hngAs mum as an oyster Cm nh hnAs pretty as a picture p nh tranhAs quick as lightning Nhanh nh nh sngAs quick as a flash Nhanh nh chpAs red as smear nh muAs red as a beetroot nh gcAs sharp as a razor Sc nh dao coAs silly as a calf Ngu nh bAs sour as vinegar Chua nh gimAs stink as a polecat Hi nh chnAs swift as lightning Nhanh nh chpAs polish as velvet Mn nh nhungAs slow as a snail Chm nh snAs swift as an arrow Nhanh nh tn bnAs steady as rock Cng nh As timid as a rabbit/ hare Nht nh th As thick as ants ng nh kinAs transparent as glass Trong sut nh thy tinhAs yellow as saffron Vng nh nghAs wet as a drowned mouse t nh chut ltAs white as snow Trng nh tuytAs white as a sheet Nh t giy trng exchangeable father like son Cha no con nyTo fight like cat and bounder Nh ch vi moTo stick like a leech Bm dai nh aTo stick like glue Dnh nh keoTo cry like a baby Khc nh a trTo follow like a shadow Theo nh hnh vi bngTo swim like fish Bi nh cDifferences of idioms of compariso n in English and VietnameseThe same content but different images to expressImages of idiomatic comparisons in twp nations are different result from differences in culture. Vietnam has the cultural tradition of the wet rice production. Therefore, animals have a strong attachment to Vietnamese daily life. Thats why Vietnamese idioms of comparison consist of images related to buffaloes which are an animal familiar with rice production agriculture. Buffaloes pull ploughs, work very hard everyday to help farmers in their farming. As a result, wanting to mention strength, masses often refer to buffaloes. In fact, to talk about someone very strong, the Vietnamese have the idiom khe nh tru while the English have the idiom as strong as a horse. Thats because English mountain prefer horses to buffaloes. Horses can not only pull ploughs but also transport and entertain. They are really energetic and strong enough to help people in life.In spite of that, it doesnt mean that English people don t consider buffaloes strong animals or Vietnamese people dont regard horses as strong animals. That results just from the difference in culture.Also, dragons are a kind of animal which is very close in fertile imagination of Vietnamese people. Because of that, the image as a dragon appear in the Vietnamese idiom of comparison n nh rng cun to talk about eating large quantities of food while the image of a horse is used in the idiom to eat like a horse.Lamp, butter are so familiar with English life while sweet potatoes, pig are familiar with Vietnamese life, as a result there are differences in images to express their ideas of gentleness and fatnessEnglish idioms Vietnamese idiomsAs gentle as a lamp Hin nh c khoaiAs fat as butter Bo nh lnBesides, the differences in the ways of thinking and observing the world make differences in the images of idiomatic comparisons. Take some succeeding(a) examples to illustrate thatEnglish idioms Vietnamese idiomsAs easy as ABC D nh tr bn tayAs easy as pie D nh tr bn tayAs easy as anything D nh tr bn tayAs smooth as butter Mt nh nhungAs nauseated as a ghost Xanh nh tu lAs lazy as a lizard Li nh hiAs soft as wax Mm nh bnAs merry as a cricket Vui nh ttAs cheerful as the birds Vui nh ttAs glad as a fly Vui nh ttAs happy as a child Vui nh ttAs happy as a clam Vui nh ttAs dark as midnight Ti nh m ba miAs black as midnight Ti nh m 30As dark as midnight Ti nh h ntAs close as herrings Cht nh nmAs soundly as a log (Ng) say nh chtAs cold as marble Lnh nh tinAs dry as a biscuit Kh nh ngiAs red as lipstick nh gcAs thin as finger Gy nh b xng khAs weak as a kitten Yu nh snAs weak as a baby Yu nh snAs black as a stack of black cats en nh ct nh chyAs black as the ace of spades en nh c sngAs round as a barrel Trn nh qu bngAs old as the hills Xa nh tri tAs hot as mustard Cay nh tLike hot cake t nh tm tiAs silent as the dead Im lng nh tAs silent as the grave Im lng nh tWhat is more, the differences in human make differences between English and Vietnamese idioms. For example, in Vietnam, there is the idiom ghen nh Hon Th to refer to a person who is dreadfully jealous. However, in English, the idiom as jealous as Othello is used to talk about a ones jealousy. Another example is sng nh tin and as happy as a king. Indeed, Vietnamese people consider a fairy the happiest one while English people consider a king the happiest one.The same components but the dissimilar contentEvery so often, some images of comparison can appear in both Vietnamese and English idioms but the meaning of the two whole idioms are quite different. Thats because the meaning of components differs in culture.Indeed, using the idiom r nh ban ngy, the Vietnamese want to indicate a event which has nothing fishy. Meanwhile English people use the idiom as bright as day to describe a light room. Besides, when the weather is fine and sunny with good natural light, English people say Its as bright as day.Besides, wanting to compliment someone on his or her beauty of eyes, Vietnamese people say Mt c sc nh dao co. Still, English people use the idiom as sharp as a razor to refer to ones brainpower.What is more, whilst Vietnamese people apply the idiom chc nh inh ng ct to something steady, as hard as nails in English idiom means a person who is quite strict.Also, when Vietnamese people say N tt nh vng, they mean its worth buying the object because of its good quality. In contrast, as good as gold cannot be used to compliment an object. In other words, English people never say Its as good as gold but The person is as good as gold. The person can be an assiduous and submissive child or a well-behaved adult.Pedagogical Implications for Teaching English Idioms of comparisonLearning English idioms is one of steps so as to help learners master English. English idioms of comparison are frequently used in daily life. Therefore, teachers should help their students learn idioms most effectively.Firstly, its advisable for teachers to raise students awaren ess of similarities and differences between Vietnamese and English idioms of comparison. When teachers teach their students a certain English idiom of comparison, they should let them guess the Vietnamese idiom which is equivalent to that idiom, making a comparison and explain why they are similar or different. Its really utile for them to have a long-term memory about that idiom of comparison.Secondly, idioms of comparison as well as other idioms are taught and practiced in classroom but students rarely apply them to their daily speech. Thats why teachers should encourage students to use idioms of comparison in their daily life as frequently as possible. Learners will memorize idioms better if idioms of comparison are put into communicative contexts. Dont make them learn by heart.Thirdly, teachers should choke students attention to idioms of comparison which are most useful and most frequent. As there are so many idioms of comparison in English culture, about 700, students arent liable to memorize and apply all of them in their daily life. Students should be taught to know what idioms of comparison they should learn.ConclusionThere are both similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms of comparison. The same or different image can bear resemblance in the meaning of English and Vietnamese idioms of comparison. In addition, there are some idioms of comparison which have the same components but the meaning are quite different. Great as have the researcher made an attempt to do the research, there are some restrictions on the research out of the limited time and other unexpected factors. The researcher hopes that the research will a useful material for learners and teachers to learn or teach most effectively.