Ho Chi Minh University of Education
English Department
Class: 4A
Course: English – Vietnamese Contrastive Linguistics
Instructor: Nguyen Ngoc Vu
Student: Le Thi Hong
Ho Chi Minh December 2011
Abstract:..................................................................................................................... 3
I.
Introduction: .................................................................................................... 3
I.1.
Research Objectives ................................................................................... 3
I.2.
Research methodology ............................................................................... 3
II.
Content ........................................................................................................... 4
II.1.
Definition of idioms: ..................................................................................... 4
II.2.
Features of idioms ....................................................................................... 4
II.2.1.
Semantic features .............................................................................. 4
II.2.2.
Syntactic features ............................................................................... 5
II.3. The similarities and differences between idioms and proverbs .................. 6
II.3.1.
Definition of proverb: .......................................................................... 6
II.3.2.
The similarities ................................................................................... 6
II.3.3.
The differences................................................................................... 7
II.4. Idioms of comparison .................................................................................. 8
II.4.1.
Definition ............................................................................................ 8
II.4.2.
Features ............................................................................................. 9
II.4.2.1. Based on component word and phrase .......................................... 9
II.4.2.1.1. Comparisons with adjectives ...................................................... 9
II.4.2.1.2. Comparison with verbs ............................................................... 9
II.4.2.1.3. Miscellaneous comparisons ...................................................... 10
II.4.2.1.4. Based on grammatical structure ............................................... 10
II.4.2.2.
Structural characteristics of comparative idioms .......................... 11
II.4.3.
Similarities and differences between English and Vietnam idioms of
comparison ......................................................................................................... 12
II.4.3.1. Similarities ..................................................................................... 12
II.4.3.2.
Differences .................................................................................... 14
II.4.3.2.1. Differences resulted from lifestyle and living condition ............. 14
II.4.3.2.2. The same components have different meanings ...................... 16
II.4.3.2.3. The same animal components have different meanings .......... 16
II.4.3.2.4. Differences in human – related components ............................ 17
III.
Conclusion: ................................................................................................... 18
References: ............................................................................................................. 19
Abstract:
Idioms are used regularly and naturally in everyday communication, however, the
inner meaning of the concept of idioms is still unclear to a lot of people. Therefore, I
think a study on the subject of idioms in Vietnamese and English is helpful for
improving the knowledge of language learners, as well as the students learning
English in general. The idiom is not only a particular lexical item - an important part
of the language but also reflects the cultural characteristics of each ethnic group.
Idioms are classified in different groups in which I choose idioms of comparison to
be my subjects as they occupy a significant role and have special structure, is an
appropriate subject for a study contrastive.
I. Introduction:
I.1. Research Objectives
Rationale of research is firstly supposed to give an overview of the concept of idiom
as well as the distinctive characteristics of language with lexical units such as free
phrases and proverbs. About the focus of this study – comparative idioms - I would
recommend the grammatical structure and semantics of comparative expressions in
Vietnamese and English. Distribution survey of my paper includes the study of 100
comparative English idioms comparing in common and Vietnamese equivalent of
the features in order to find similarities and differences in two respects: language
and cultural aspects.
I.2. Research methodology
In this paper we use the following methodology:
-
comparative
-
analysis
-
synthesis
-
induction
-
interpretation
II. Content
II.1.
Definition of idioms:
According to Jenifer Seidl and W.Mc Mordie in “English Idiom and How to Use”
“an idiom is a number of words which, taken together, mean something different
from the individual words of the idiom when they stand alone.” (1979: 20)The
Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics regards an
idiom as “an expression which function as a single unit and whose meaning can not
be worked out from its separate parts” (1992: 198). In the Oxford Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary of Current English (Oxford University Press - 1995) defines
idiom as “a phrase or sentence whose meaning is not clear from the meaning of its
individual words and which must be learnt as a whole unit.” (1995: 67).
On reflection, it could be seen that there is no conflict between therefore
mentioned definitions of idiom. Regardless of obvious differences in expressing,
they intersect at one point: an idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning can not
be worked out by combining the literal meaning of its individual words.
II.2.
Features of idioms
II.2.1. Semantic features
It is undoubted that meaning is the most important factor when talking about
semantic feature of idioms. Figurative meaning is the basic characteristic of idioms
which helps to decide whether a fixed expression is an idiom or not. Here is an
idiom to exemplify: “to take one’s medicine” (to accept something unpleasant, for
instance, punishment, without protesting or complaining) in Vietmamese we have
“thuốc đắng dã tật, sự thật mất lòng”.
However, the meaning of these idioms can be guessed from the meaning of
their components. The meaning of an idiom is either partly or completely different
from the meaning of all components. In case of any partial difference, their
figurative meaning is not different from the literal one. The partly different ones are
such as kill two birbs with one stone, to cut a long story short, in seven heaven, etc.
Besides, idioms can convey positive, neutral, or negative meanings. For the
first group, conveying possitive meaning we have some examples such as a
fair godmother (a person who helps you unexpectedly when you most need help),
the fruit(s) of something (the good result of an activity or a situation), be (all) plain
sailing (be simple and free from trouble). The second group, examples of idioms
expressing neutral meaning we have take a/the hint (understand what somebody
wants you to do, even though they tell you in an indirect way), in somebody’s shoes
(be in somebody’s position), bring something home to somebody (make somebody
realize how important, difficult or serious something is). And in the last group typical
examples of idioms with negative meanings are monkey business (dishonest or silly
behavior), a mummy’s boy (a boy or man who is thought to be too weak because
he is influenced and controlled by his mother), a fair-weathered friend (somebody
who is only a friend when it is pleasant for them, and stops being a friend when you
are in trouble).
In short, idioms can be motivated, partially – motivated and non –motivated.
Also, idiomatic expressions can convey positive, neutral, or negative meanings.
II.2.2. Syntactic features
It is common knowledge that an idiom is a set-expression. Hence, as its
name tells, the components in idioms can neither be added nor substituted. They
can not be changed or varied in the way literal expressions are normally varied both
in speech and writing.
In terms of structure, an idiom can have a regular structure, an irregular or
even a grammatically incorrect structure. For the first type, they have common
forms but there is no connection between the meaning of each component and that
of the whole unit, for example put a cat among the pigeons (do or say something
that makes a lot of people angry or worried), I’ve been left holding the baby (others
have left me to deal with problem alone). Therefore, you cannot guess the meaning
of the idioms without learning them before. The second group takes into account
ones which have unconventional forms but their meaning can be worked out
through the meaning of individual words. Take “It’s early days yet” as a typical
illustration; since the idiom is irregular and illogical in terms of grammatical
structure. According to the rule of language, “It” is singular and therefore “day” must
be singular, too. However, in this case, the idiom does not need to obey
grammatical rule to make sense. “It’s early days yet” can still be understood that “It
too soon to say/ decide”. In the last group, grammatically incorrect, both its form and
meaning are irregular. The structure is grammatically inaccurate and the meaning is
not precisely expressed by gathering the meaning of each member-word. Such
idioms as “Be up to no good” (doing or planning something wrong or dishonest), “to
go through thick and thin” (in spite of all the difficulties and problems; in good and
bad times) illustrate grammatical irregularity. The structure of the idioms can be
written as “Verb + preposition + adjective”. In English, normally a structure like this
is acknowledged once in a blue moon since adjectives never come after
prepositions individually. As an idiom, however, the case is accepted.
To sum up, in terms of syntactic feature, firstly, an idiom is asset –expression.
We cannot make any changes without losing the idiomatic meaning. Secondly,
idioms may take many different forms or structures. Mentioning to structure, an
idiom can have a regular structure, an irregular or even a grammatically incorrect
structure.
II.3.
The
similarities
and
differences
between
idioms
and
proverbs
II.3.1. Definition of proverb:
Idioms have been defined as fixed expressions whose meaning cannot be
worked out by combining the literal meaning of its individual words. Proverbs,
however, have been defined differently as “a short well-known sentence or phrase
that gives advice or says something is generally true in life.” (Oxford Student’s
dictionary of English, 2001: 511). It is also worth noticing that a proverb is not
merely the language but one of the most substantial contributions to the folk culture
of each country. People, through the treasure of proverbs of a nation, can perceive
that nation’s lands, people and humanity tradition.
II.3.2. The similarities
We can see that proverbs and idioms are usually put side by side to study,
because proverbs have aspects in common with idioms. They are so alike that from
time to time learners feel unfeasible to differentiate between a proverb and an
idiom. Both proverbs and idioms are reproduced as ready-made speeches. In daily
life, people naturally accept their existence. Under no circumstances do they
dispute the being of either a proverb or an idiom. They also never find the way to
interchange any component by other words in a proverb or an idiom.
Firstly, the components of idioms and proverbs are stable and their meaning
is understood figuratively rather than literally. Here is the idiom to exemplify: “many
hands make light work” (a job is done quickly and easily if plenty of people help).
Undoubtedly, all the constituent elements making up the idiom can not be
substituted by others. An example of proverb is “out of sight, out of mind”. The
collocations of the phrases in this proverb are not permutable and changeable. The
proverb will not make sense if it is modified as “out of mind, out of sight”.
Another point should also be referred to when studying proverbs and idioms
is that in many cases idioms form the basis of proverbs; for example “rotten apple”
(one bad person who has a bad effect on others in a group) is the basis to form the
proverb “the rotten apple injures its neighbors”; or the case of the idiom “put all your
eggs in one basket” (risk all your money, effort and so on one thing, so that if it is
not successful, you have no chance) and the proverb “Don’t put all your eggs in one
basket ”.
II.3.3. The differences
It is undeniable that idioms and proverbs have close relations. The similarities
between them, however, are not enough to mingle these two concepts together.
They still own its typical features that differentiate one from the other.
First and foremost, the difference lies in grammar. It is, on grammatical respect,
an idiom is a set expression and a part of a sentence. Hence, it is equivalent merely
to a word or a phrase. Typical examples are “rotten apple” or “to twist somebody’s
arm”. In contrast, proverb is defined as a fully made sentence, demonstrating the
whole idea to judge the value of social relationship, to carry the experience about
the life, to provide people with moral lessons or to disapprove of a particular issue.
In addition, it might be noteworthy to mention again that a proverb is formed on the
basis of an idiom. As an illustration, the proverb “do not count your chickens before
they are hatched” contains the idiom “count your chickens before they are hatched”.
It is a complete sentence whose meaning can be understood as “it is not good to be
too confident of success until it actually happens”.
Secondly, in comparison with idioms, proverbs bring another different feature in
terms of function. Proverbs express the whole idea of judgment, general truth about
life or moral lessons. Functionally, a proverb therefore can be considered as a
perfect literature work which brings three basic functions: perception, aestheticism
and education. Let us have a look at the proverb “every hour of lost time is a
chance of future misfortune” to clarify its three functions. The proverb can be
interpreted as “a person who does not make use of time will probably encounter
mishap sooner or later.” The proverb is an experience during our life and our work
if time is wasted. It is also a lesson in utilizing time. The perceptive function of the
proverb is to help people to know the significance of time and the price to pay for
squandering time. Its educational function is to give its contribution to a better time
usage. Its aesthetic function is to impart the aforementioned contents by using
exaggerative and picturesque words which could easily persuade readers and draw
the letter into a pleasant acceptance without any embarrassment. Idioms, on the
other hand, do not draw a comment, a life experience, a moral lesson or any
criticism. They frequently perform an aesthetic function but no function of
perception or that of education. Lacking these two functions of perception and
education, idioms could not become a perfect literature work. Therefore, idioms
belong to the language only. This can be clearly seen through the idiom “a meeting
of minds” which means “people thinking in the same way about something, a
special understanding between people”. Although this idiom is expressed
figuratively and imaginatively, which performs its aesthetic function, it brings us
neither an advice nor a lesson about life or society.
In conclusion, idioms and proverbs are so alike that people frequently take them
into parallel consideration when studying a language. The close relations between
idioms and proverbs, however, can not reflect their complete similarities. They are
still distinguishable for their differences in grammar and function.
II.4.
Idioms of comparison
II.4.1. Definition
At 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 Learner’s Dictionary, “simile is a word or phrase that compares
something to something else, using the words “like” 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 as: “the comparison of two 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, Verderber & Sellnow, 2008, p.197)
II.4.2. Features
So as to have an insightful look at idioms of comparison, firstly, identification should
be taken into consideration. There are various ways of identifying them based on
different criteria. Since access to all of them seems to be unfeasible, mere three
main ways will be considered:
• Identification based on component words and phrases
• Identification based on grammatical structure
• Structural characteristics of comparative idioms.
II.4.2.1. Based on component word and phrase
II.4.2.1.1.
Comparisons with adjectives
Idioms of this group are constructed as: As + Adjective + as + (a/the) + Noun.
The point of similarity is explicitly given out. Through these idioms, characteristics of
compared objectives are exposed symbolically. For instance: “as strong as a
horse”, “as pretty as a picture”, “as goog as gold”, etc. In Vietnamese idioms, typical
examples of comparisons with adjectives are “nhát như cáy”, “hiền như củ khoai”,
“nhanh như cắt”, etc.
II.4.2.1.2.
Comparison with verbs
Structure: Verbs + like + a/ the + noun
Many verbs with simple meaning and structure take part in forming idioms of this
group to emphasize or make clear actions or behaviors of the compared objectives.
Though the point of similarity is hidden, the idioms are still trouble-free to
comprehend thanks to their simplicity. For instance, English idioms include “to cry
like a baby, to fade like a dream”, “to follow like a shadow”, “to spread like wildfire”,
etc. Vietnamese idioms utilize “ăn như mèo”, “chạy như ngựa”, “ngủ như lợn”, etc.
II.4.2.1.3.
Miscellaneous comparisons
These kinds of comparisons do not follow any regular patterns. As compared to the
aforementioned ways, these types of “set of comparison” – even fewer in number –
are frequently used by native English speakers for this might make their verbal
communication more and more vivid. Their structures may be:
(Verb) + Like/ as + a clause
(Verb) + Like/ as + a verb phrase
(Verb) + Like/ as + a noun phrase
Here are the idioms to exemplify: “(to be) like a red rag to a bull”, ”(to have) a
memory like an elephant”, “to look as if / though one has been dragged through a
hedge backwards”, “như hạn gặp mưa rào”, “tiền vào nhà khó như gió vào nhà
trống”, etc.
II.4.2.1.4.
Based on grammatical structure
Comparative idioms can belong to the three following general patterns:
English idioms
Vietnamese idioms
• as C as B
C như B
As warm as sunbeam
nóng như đổ lửa
As transparent as glass
trong suốt như thủy tinh
• like/ as B
như B
Like two peas in a pod
như hai giọt nước
• C like/ as B C
như B
To follow like a shadow
theo như hình với bóng
II.4.2.2. Structural characteristics of comparative idioms
Firstly, in idioms of comparison, the part showing comparative relationship
and the things compared (như B – as/ like B) are stable in both surface structure
and deep structure. If the comparative structure is broken, the idiom of comparison
will be broken, too. The image of comparison is constantly the symbolic one that is
full of national identities. Through part “B” – the image of comparative idioms – the
way of observing the world thinking, cultural life and the natural scene of a nation
can be revealed. For instance, idioms in English exist: as rich as Croesus (Croesus
was such a rich king that he had every guest takes as much gold as he could carry,
upon leaving), to work like a Trojan (Trojan originally referred to the inhabitants of
Troy, the ancient city besieged by the Greeks in their efforts to retrieve their queen,
Helen, who had been abducted by the son of the King of Troy. According to the
legend, the Trojans were a hard-working, determined, industrious people). Such in
Vietnamese have: đẹp như tiên (as beautiful as a fairy in the fairy mountain), vắng
như chùa Bà Đanh, (as quiet as Ba Danh temple), hiền như Bụt (as gentle as
Buddha). This puts in plain words why there exist few equivalents between idioms
in general and idioms of comparison in particular of two languages. As a matter
of fact, with the same content, each people use different images to express. Let’s
look at the examples and compare:
English
Vietnamese
As hot as mustard
cay như ớt
Like hot cake
đắt như tôm tươi
In reverse, the expression and vocabulary are identical but the values of content
are dissimilar; for instance, as sharp as a razor (sắc như dao). While Vietnamese
idioms refer to the beauty of a girl’s eyes (mắt em như dao cau), English submit
intelligence of a person (The old man's senile, but his wife is as sharp as a razor.)
Secondly, the “C” factor, the point of similarity, in idioms of comparison is
required in deep structure but not necessarily stable in surface structure. That is
shown clearly in the relation between “C” and “B” as well as the possibility to be
flexibly present or absent of element “C” in the usage.
Thirdly, certain elements could be absent in specific circumstance without
affecting the meaning of the speech. “She is as bold as a lion” is not different from
“she is like a lion”. Similarly, “cô ấy xinh như hoa” and “cô ấy như hoa” are the same.
The potential ability is the premises to transfer a simile into a metaphor.
II.4.3. Similarities and differences between English and Vietnam idioms
of comparison
II.4.3.1. Similarities
Despite the differences in culture, there are still coincidences in ways of thinking
and observing the world of English and Vietnamese people. This undoubtedly leads
to the similarities in the way of expressing ideas and concepts through idioms. In
fact, many English idioms of comparison have exact equivalents in Vietnamese in
terms of both meaning and vocabulary. To make this clear, let us consider these
following idioms:
English idioms
Vietnamese equivalents
1. As black as coal
Đen như than
2. As black as crow
Đen như quạ
3. As black as ink
Tối đen như mực
4. As black as midnight
Tối như đêm
5. As black as soot
Đen như bồ hóng
6. As brief as a dream
Ngắn như một giấc mộng
7. As bright as day
Sáng như ban ngày
8. As brilliant as stars
Sáng như sao
9. As changeable as the weather
Hay thay đổi như thời tiết
10. As cold as ice
Lạnh như đá
11. As cheerful as a lark
Vui như sáo
12. As cunning as a fox
Xảo quyệt như cáo
13. As dark as midnight
Tối như nửa đêm
14. As difficult as a beginning
Vạn sự khởi đầu nan
15. As dumb as a an oyster
Câm như hến
16. As fair as a rose
Xinh như hoa
17. As fast as light
Nhanh như ánh sáng
18. As fast as a hare
Nhanh như thỏ
19. As fat as a pig
Béo như lợn
20. As fierce as a tiger
Dữ như cọp
21. As firm as rock
Vững như đá
22. As fleet as the wind
Nhanh như gió
23. As fresh a rose
Tươi như hoa
24. As gay as a lark
Vui như sáo
25. As gruff as a bear
Hỗn như gấu
26. As good (valuable) as gold
Quí giá như vàng
27. As green as a leaf
Xanh như tàu lá
28. As heavy as an elephant
Nặng như voi
29. As hard as a stone
Rắn như đá
30. As heavy as lead
Nặng như chì
31. As hot as fire
Nóng như lửa
32. As keen as a razor
Sắc như dao
33. As light as down
Nhẹ tựa lông hồng
34. As light as a feather
Nhẹ như lông hồng
35. As mum as an oyster
Câm như hến
36. As old as the hills
Xưa như trái đất
37. As pretty as a picture
Đẹp như tranh
38. As quick as lightning
Nhanh như ánh sáng
39. As quick as a flash
Nhanh như chớp
40. As red as blood
Đỏ như máu
41. As red as a beetroot
Đỏ như gấc
42. As round as a barrel
Tròn như thùng phi
43. As sharp as a razor
Sắc như dao
44. As silly as a calf
Ngu như bò
45. As sour as vinegar
Chua như giấm
46. As stink as a polecat
Hôi như chồn
47. As swift as lightning
Nhanh như chớp
48. As smooth as velvet
Mịn như nhung
49. As slow as a snail
Chậm như sên
50. As swift as an arrow
Nhanh như tên bắn
51. As steady as rock
Rắn như đá
52. As timid as a rabbit/ hare
Nhát như thỏ đế
53. As thick as ants
Đông như kiến
54. As transparent as glass
Trong suốt như thủy tinh
55. As yellow as saffron
Vàng như nghệ
56. As wet as a drowned mouse
Ướt như chuột lột
57. As white as snow
Trắng như tuyết
58. As white as a sheet
Như tờ giấy trắng
59. Like father like son
Cha nào con nấy
60. To fight like cat and dog
Như chó với mèo
61. To stick like a leech
Bám dai như đỉa
62. To stick like glue
Dính như keo
63. To cry like a baby
Khóc như đứa trẻ
64. To follow like a shadow
Theo như hình với bóng
65. To swim like fish
Bơi như cá
II.4.3.2. Differences
II.4.3.2.1.
Differences resulted from lifestyle and living condition
Differences in the image of idiomatic comparisons in English and Vietnamese are
consequences of dissimilarities between two cultures. Therefore, let’s take glimpse
at some outstanding cultural factors first. In a broad sense, talking about culture, it
is necessary to talk about the nature, and after all, culture is a mirror of the nature,
in which it is being adjusted by human beings to satisfy their demands in all aspects
of life. Original cultural identities of a nation are naturally rooted from historical
conditions. It is essential to refer to their geographical features as they play a
significant role in the formation and growth of the culture; its own form of the
economy, political institution, customs and so on. Culture, first and foremost, is a
respond to a community with challenges of geo – climatic condition, then a respond
to that of socio – historical condition.
The first thing easy to be realized is that Vietnamese idioms of comparison
mainly bear production agriculture while English equivalents consist of components
more or less tending towards farming agriculture and industrial society. Vietnamese
culture is mainly based on wet rice production. That is, in daily life, people deal with
production tools and animals that either directly or indirectly serve their farming. As
a result, they often take the familiar things which regularly exist in their daily lives
and their way of thinking as the images of comparison. This, firstly, can be found
easily in the comparison of strength. There are some idioms related to buffaloes
such as: Khỏe như trâu (as strong as buffalo), đen như trâu (as black as buffalo).
Buffalos attach to a humid – warm ecological system during the whole lives.
Therefore, people on mentioning strength or hard work often refer to that
of buffaloes. It is said that the image of a buffalo is constantly connected to wet –
rice civilization. That image can be found not only in idioms but also in many
proverbs and fork songs in Vietnamese. For instance:
Trâu ơi ta bảo trâu này
Trâu ra đồng ruộng trâu cày với ta
Cấy cày vốn nghiệp nông gia
Ta đây trâu đấy ai mà quản công
Bao giờ cây lúa con bông
Thì con ngọn cỏ ngoài đồng trâu ăn
The fork song is a beautiful picture on agricultural production activities
of Vietnamese in which the farmer and his beloved buffalo work together. Also, the
sentiment and closeness between the people and the animal are vividly
demonstrated. Cultivators in the past considered the buffalo as the primary factor
of agricultural production: Con trâu là đầu cơ nghiệp. Since the buffalo can take
over every hard, issential farming work for agricultural production. In other words,
the buffalo used to be a vital factor for agricultural life in the old days. Buffaloes
have really gone into spiritual world of Vietnamese people for thousands of years
ago. For Vietnamese people, buffaloes are strong and industrious animal. The
above things can explain why Vietnamese people frequently liken the strength of a
person to that of a buffalo.
On the contrary, in nomadic culture, British people compare human strength to
horses rather than buffaloes. Horses can be used to pull ploughs and cards, to
transport and to entertain. They are energetic enough to be suitable for the life of
moving from place to place of nomadic people. They can carry a weight that is
many times greater than their own weight. If a person is compared to a horse, he
must have a very good health so English has an idiom as strong as a horse. The
images used in idioms of comparison like animal components above, obviously, do
not mean the horse is not strong in Vietnamese culture and the buffalo in not strong
in English culture. From the cross – cultural view, this different usage rooted from
the difference in the way each people think, the condition they live...
II.4.3.2.2.
The same components have different meanings
In comparative structures, the meaning of components varies among cultures.
Components include objectives, happenings, phenomena and so on. Sometimes,
we see some idioms in both languages have the same vocabulary but different
values of content. To make it clear, let us consider some examples.
English
Vietnamese
As bright as day
rõ như ban ngày
English people use this idiom with the sense of “light, not dark” as an example for a
room or the weather. Vietnamese people, however, mean an unsuspicious
happening.
English
Vietnamese
As hard as nails
chắc như đinh đóng cột
Vietnamese people use this idiom when they mean such a consistent and
unchangeable things while the English apply it to illustrate nature of a strict person.
What is more, the idiom “as good as gold” is used by English people to evaluate a
well – behaved child or an orderly person. On the contrary, in Vietnam, people say
“tốt như vàng” when they refer to a good quality of a certain object.
In conclusion, the examples above have partly shown another difference
between English and Vietnamese idioms: despite the same components in both
languages, they’re still different in terms of meaning and use.
II.4.3.2.3.
The
same
animal
components
have
different
meanings
Thirdly, animal components, which are popularly used in comparative idioms,
represent specific cultural features of each nation. Thus, their meanings vary
across cultures. Some animal components are used with positive meaning in
English idioms but with negative meaning in Vietnamese ones or vice versa.
Specifically, in Vietnam, dogs are considered as unintelligent, dirty animals, which
can be illustrated by such idioms: ngu như chó, bẩn như chó. Yet, in some English
speaking countries, dogs are beloved and considered as lovely pets even their
friend. Dogs are well fed, given good sleeping place and even protected by laws. In
Britain, it seven illegal if people run down a dog and keep on driving. Owing to great
affection towards dogs, English idioms using these animal components have
positive meaning, for instance, to be a lucky dog, to dress like a dog dinner. Mice,
also, mentioned in Vietnamese idioms, bear negative meaning: Hôi như chuột chù
(as smelly as shrew - mouse). This can be explained that farmers do not like mice
because they always damage their crops. On the contrary, in English idioms, the
image of mice implies a positive meaning: As leak as a mouse. Also, each people
take the image of a squirrel into their idioms with different meanings. While English
people have such an idiom: As shy as a squirrel, Vietnamese people say: Nhanh
như sóc (as quick as a squirrel). Besides, when talking about a stupid person,
English people often mention to an ass or a donkey: as stupid as an ass, as stupid
as a donkey. Vietnamese people, however, say: ngu như bò, ngu như lợn. This
distinction can be easily explained that in such a tropical agricultural nation as
Vietnam, people are familiar with animals such as cow, bull, pig, chicken and so on.
However, British people, who live in nomadic culture, are familiar with horse,
donkey... It is the difference in habits and daily activities of people of two nations
that makes the image of animalism comparative idioms bear different meanings
between two cultures.
II.4.3.2.4.
Differences in human – related components
Last but not least, differences in the image of comparison are also reflected in the
likeness of human appearance or characters to that of well – known persons in
reality, history and literature of each nation. On talking about a person who is
jealous, Vietnamese people usually think of female jealousy whether that person is
a man or a woman: Ghen như Hoạn Thư (Hoan Thu, a character in Truyen Kieu by
Nguyen Du, is terribly and extremely jealous, which was mute but cruel.) English
people, however, frequently think of Othello (a Shakespeare’s male character) to
describe jealousy: As jealousy as Othello. Again, on talking about the state of being
happy of a person, English people say: As happy as a king. It is due to the fact that
a king usually lives well in a best decorated palace, on best food, etc. The state of
being happy mentioned here is quite concrete since a king is a real person.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese people consider “tiên” as a happy one as an idiom says:
“sướng như tiên”. Tiên is unreal; she or he merely exists in the imagination of the
poor peasants who always wish to have a better life. The comparative image is not
concrete for it does not exist; no one knows exactly how it is. The use of
comparative images in idioms to some extent reflects the way of thinking and
observing the world of English and Vietnamese people. In this way, English people
tend to be more concrete than Vietnamese people. In Vietnamese, there are some
idioms related to characters in The Buddhist prayer – book or pagodas such as:
Béo như ông Di Lặc, bày như La Hán, hiền như Bụt. Di Lac is a fat man with a
protruding stomach, who represents for prosperity and wealth. Bụt is a kind of
helpful character who is believed to defend the poor and the weak and bring
happiness for them. La Han is the name of a statue in pagodas, which is
worshipped by Vietnamese people. Buddhism is the major religion in Vietnam, thus,
Vietnamese culture is much affected by this religion heritage. That is the reason
why there are idioms with images as above. Briefly, comparative idioms using
human – related components are really effective in expressing and describing.
III. Conclusion:
In the study, I’ve give some information about idioms in general as well as idioms of
comparision in particular. For the focus of the study – I concerntrate on idioms of
comparision in English and Vietnamese which have not only the same features of
idiom, but distintive features speacially in structural aspect and culture aspect also,
besides their similarities and they have equivalents in both language. Because
England and Vietnamese are two countries with different culture, it leads
differences in imagines of comparision. They are lifestyles and living condition,
different components that may be similar but different in meaning.
Despite my considerable efforts, certain limitations could be detected in this study
due to time constraint and other unexpected factors. That is the number of idioms
conveyed the similarities between English idioms and Vietnamese equivalents in
the study remained relatively low in comparison with the enormous number of
English and Vietnamese idioms. However, I hope that the serious work had well
served the research questions as a contribution to the rich collection of other
previous studies on the same area.
References:
Nguyen.Đ.H. Tuyển tập thành ngữ, tục ngữ, ca dao Việt – Anh thông dụng. Hanoi:
Van Hoc.
Michael McCarthy & Felicity O’Del, (Eds.). (2003). English Idioms in use.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Dang.H.P (2002, May). A study on metophor and simile in English idioms and
Vietnamese equivalents: Structural characteristics of comparative idioms.
Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/32025804/45/Structuralcharacteristics-of-comparative-idioms.
Anthony.K (1996). A Comparative Idiom. Retrieved from
http://www.ling.upenn.edu/~kroch/omev2-html/node15.html