研究目的
The primary objective of this study is to explore the semantic characteristics of the word "water" and its related terms, particularly in the context of the cultural backgrounds of China and Vietnam This research aims to clarify the differing perceptions and uses of water in both countries' cultures.
Understanding the characteristics of water culture can enhance its integration and application in daily life and language, infusing it with vitality The diverse meanings of water culture must intertwine with local and national cultures to thrive By comparing the geographical environments and cultural ideologies of China and Vietnam, this paper highlights the differing significances attributed to the concept of "water." The author aims for this research to serve as a valuable resource for Chinese language teaching, Chinese-Vietnamese translation, textbook and dictionary compilation, and cross-linguistic cultural communication.
为了达到上面目的，本论文要完成以下任务：
This article provides a comprehensive diachronic review and synchronic analysis of the semantic and cognitive research on the Chinese word "水" (water) and its corresponding term in Vietnamese Additionally, it summarizes the theoretical foundations relevant to the comparative cognitive study of water-related vocabulary in both Chinese and Vietnamese languages.
This article conducts an in-depth study and classification of the mechanisms and methods for integrating new concepts in the Chinese language, particularly focusing on words containing "water," and their corresponding terms in Vietnamese The research aims to identify the regular patterns in the integration of these new concepts.
This article employs cognitive linguistics as a theoretical framework to compare the Chinese term for "water" with its Vietnamese counterparts It highlights the similarities and differences in semantic shifts between the two languages, revealing unique psychological tendencies inherent in the cognitive processes of both cultures.
研究方法
本人通过对大量文献的收集与研读，已采取如下一些研究方法：
对比研究法：
这是本论文采用的核心研究方法之一。论文选取汉、越两种语言中
The semantic analysis of the term "water" involves a comprehensive comparison to identify commonalities and differences, along with an exploration of their underlying causes The comparison process will follow a structured approach: defining the scope of comparison, collecting and studying relevant literature, establishing a theoretical framework, gathering linguistic data, conducting the comparative analysis, and finally summarizing the findings.
描写与解释相结合法：
在论述过程中需要大量举例，对隐喻进行描写，然后适当加理论进
数据统计法：
The statistical method is primarily utilized to compare the quantity of water-related metaphors in Chinese and Vietnamese By employing statistical analysis and presenting data in charts and graphs, this approach aims to determine which language contains a greater number of water metaphors and to identify the overlap between the two languages.
综合分析法:
This method analyzes the cognitive characteristics of water-related vocabulary in Chinese and Vietnamese, highlighting both the similarities and differences between the two languages, along with the underlying reasons for these distinctions.
归纳法:用以对考察对比分析得出的结论进行归纳，指出汉越语中含
“水”词语的认知特点以及共性与差异。
5 研究对象、范围及语料
本论文以汉语含―水‖词语和越南语相对应的词语为研究对象，其中
―水‖做为重点，越南语相对应的词语做参照点。
This article explores the concept of "water" from the perspective of cognitive linguistics, examining various metaphors and semantic fields associated with it, as well as the semantic transfer patterns of "water" itself It emphasizes the formation of new concepts when "water" combines with other ideas The author argues that the notion of "words" in cognitive linguistics differs from the traditional structural linguistics perspective, as words in cognitive linguistics are more independent and possess unique cognitive characteristics The research is supported by extensive references from dictionaries and classic literary works.
The term "water-related words" primarily highlights the unique characteristics that emerge when the concept of "water" is integrated with other concepts.
出―水‖本身的认知语义。
Trong nghiên cứu này, chúng tôi đã khám phá chữ "水" trong tiếng Trung, một ký tự biểu ý độc đáo, cùng với các chữ Hán có bộ thủ "水" và đặc điểm nghĩa của chúng Chúng tôi cũng xem xét từ vựng liên quan Trong tiếng Việt, từ tương ứng với "水" chủ yếu là "Nước", trong khi "Thủy", một từ mượn từ tiếng Trung, xuất hiện ít hơn nhiều so với "Nước" Do đó, bài viết tập trung vào việc khảo sát từ "Nước" trong tiếng Việt.
This paper's corpus is derived from authoritative dictionaries of Chinese and Vietnamese, as well as folk songs and literary works from both countries throughout history Additionally, some content is sourced from online resources.
本论文的创新及价值
This article examines the cognitive understanding of the Chinese word for "water" and its corresponding terms in Vietnamese The research focuses on a comparative analysis of the Chinese and Vietnamese words related to "water," taking into account their mutual influence and cultural differences Utilizing theories from cognitive linguistics, the study explores the semantic shifts between the modern Chinese term for "water" and its Vietnamese equivalents, highlighting both similarities and differences in meaning.
This study represents the first comprehensive and systematic research on the semantics of terms related to "water" in Sino-Vietnamese from a cognitive perspective Upon completion, this thesis will serve as a valuable reference for research on Vietnamese Chinese vocabulary and cognition, comparative studies of Sino-Vietnamese vocabulary, Chinese as a second language teaching, Vietnamese language instruction, curriculum development, and Sino-Vietnamese translation.
本论文的结构
This paper consists of four main chapters, in addition to the introduction, conclusion, references, and appendices, which are outlined as follows.
Chapter One serves as an introduction, summarizing the research findings of Chinese and Vietnamese scholars It outlines the theoretical foundations of this thesis, including a review and analysis of previous studies, traditional linguistic perspectives on words and polysemy, essential knowledge about Sino-Vietnamese contact and Chinese loanwords, and the cognitive linguistic theories relevant to this research.
Chapter Two focuses on the cognitive study of Chinese words containing the character "water." This section elucidates the primary meaning and fundamental semantic characteristics of "water," leading to an analysis of 2,267 compound words that include this character The goal is to uncover the semantic field and cognitive features associated with water-related vocabulary in the Chinese language.
第三章为越南语中含表达水词语的认知研究。本章阐述了 ―nước‖和
―thủy‖ 的本义、语义基本特征，从而对199个含 ―nước‖ 和 ―thủy‖ 的复合词
以及110个含 ―nước‖ 和 ―thủy‖ 的成语的认知就读进行研究，以期发现越南
语含―水‖词语的语义场及其认知特点。
第四章为汉、越语含表达水词语的认知隐喻对比。本章阐述以下三项
This article analyzes the cognitive mapping of "water" based on the findings from Chapters Two and Three It compares the cognitive characteristics of water-related terms in both Chinese and Vietnamese, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two languages.
汉越语含 “ 水 ” 词语的研究综述及理论基础
本论文相关研究综述
Ancient civilizations believed that all things in the world are composed of five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, which interact in a cycle of mutual generation and restraint Among these, water holds significant importance, serving as a fundamental element of life and a vital connection between the peoples of China and Vietnam This relationship is vividly reflected in the vocabulary of both languages The study of the interplay between the five elements and language has long been a focus in cultural research, with water receiving particular attention In recent years, scholars from both countries have explored the structure, semantics, and cultural connotations of water-related terms from various perspectives, including cognitive approaches that examine their meanings and metaphorical implications Chinese scholars have produced substantial findings in the study of water vocabulary.
1.1.1 汉语含 “ 水 ” 词语的研究综述
1.1.1.1 汉语―水‖字研究
Chinese characters are unique ideographic symbols, and many linguists advocate for a character-centric approach to studying Chinese vocabulary However, it can be argued that both character and word perspectives are equally valid in this research Scholars have made significant progress in examining the character "水" (water), with early contributions from Xu Shen's "Shuowen Jiezi" and the "Kangxi Dictionary," which provide foundational interpretations Subsequent studies have built upon Xu Shen's work to explore the origins, phonetics, forms, and meanings of Chinese characters, including "水." For instance, Liu Xuyi (2006) has further analyzed "水" within the context of "Shuowen Jiezi."
部‖的文化阐释》指出―水部‖字突出地反映了中华文化的美学特质。通过对
The analysis of the term "水部" reveals insights into various aspects of Chinese culture, including its origins, cleanliness, musical appreciation, aesthetic values, moral ethics, and political culture.
In his 2007 article "An Introduction to Chinese Water Culture," Liang Huan discusses the profound emotional connection the Chinese nation has with water, which has evolved from ancient water worship to a rich tapestry of cultural meanings The article provides a brief overview of various folk customs, legends, and historical records that illustrate water's significance at different stages of Chinese history It highlights how water has been revered as a source of life, with ancestors praying for abundance and well-being, while philosophers drew inspiration and enlightenment from it This deep affection and reverence for water, along with boundless imagination surrounding it, form the foundation of the intricate and profound Chinese water culture.
熊露露（2007）在《―水‖部字的文化观照》一文中从水与农业
From the perspective of civilization and the philosophy of water, it is evident that water has not only nourished China's ancient agriculture but has also fostered a unique cultural heritage This pure and seemingly delicate yet resilient element is fundamental to the essence of Chinese culture.
In their 2010 article "An Exploration of the Semantic Field of the Water Section in 'Shuowen Jiezi'," Tang Zhiping and Zhang Xin applied modern semantic field theory to analyze the meanings within the Water section of the classic text They identified both similarities and differences among synonymous meanings, noting that the Water section predominantly exhibits slight variations The study revealed that two meanings within this section represent opposing poles of a semantic field Furthermore, the classification within the Water section can encompass binary or multiple meanings, indicating various objects related to similar phenomena, properties, movements, or behaviors Additionally, the analysis touches upon the concept of a partial negation semantic field, where one element, A1, contrasts with another element.
A2的不完全否定——A1、A2不是一对反义词。
In his 2012 article "A Preliminary Analysis of the Semantic Field of Water Characters in 'Shuowen Jiezi'," Li Bin explores the semantic field of water-related characters from a modern semantic perspective He highlights the systematic characteristics of the water character system, identifying various semantic fields such as synonymous fields with near-synonyms and equivalent translations, complementary antonyms and polar antonyms, as well as hierarchical and categorical semantic fields.
1.1.1.2.汉语含―水‖词语语义的认知语与隐喻研究
Chinese scholars have made significant contributions to the study of the semantics of the word "water" through the lenses of cognitive linguistics and metaphor analysis Their research findings are notably extensive and provide valuable insights into the conceptual understanding of this term.
In his 2006 article "Water: The Root Metaphor in Ancient China," Diao Shenghu discusses how the metaphorical thinking and rhetorical tendencies associated with water stem from the fundamental ancient Chinese philosophy of the unity between heaven and humanity.
In her 2008 article "The Conceptual Metaphor of Water," Nie Yaning explores the metaphors associated with water in the Chinese language, illustrating how concepts such as movement, power, and thought are metaphorically linked to water The author further analyzes the intrinsic connections between the source domain of water and various target domains.
In the first chapter, section five of the book "Introduction to Chinese Water Culture," edited by Li Zongxin (2008), the relationship between water and Chinese culture is explored This section highlights the concept of spiritual water culture, discussing the connections between water and philosophical thought, as well as spiritual motivation, from which valuable insights related to water metaphors can be derived.
In their 2009 article "On the Conceptual Metaphor of Water in Chinese," Zeng Qiao Jiao and Yu Shan Zhi analyzed eight typical categories of water-related conceptual metaphors in the Chinese language They explored the specific expressions and mappings of these metaphors, providing insights into their experiential and salience-based cognitive rationale The eight categories include: 1) "water" as a metaphor for "mother"; 2) "water" representing "gentle women"; and 3) "water" symbolizing "eyes."
睛‖；4）―水‖喻―情感‖；5）―水‖喻―光阴‖；6）―水‖喻―愁‖；7）―水‖喻―心
境‖；8）―水‖喻―品行‖等。
In her 2009 article "A Brief Discussion on the Water Imagery in Laozi's Writings," Sun Ling explores various water symbols, such as rivers and seas, to reveal their prominent characteristics and three key functions: softness, humility, and the ability to benefit all things without contention The core argument emphasizes that Laozi's fundamental concept is "Dao," which encompasses everything and serves as the mother of all things, governing the laws of the universe Among all elements, water closely embodies the essence of Dao, possessing admirable qualities of gentleness, humility, and a nurturing spirit that fosters life without striving for dominance Through the imagery of water, Laozi effectively materializes and illustrates the principles of Dao.
In his 2010 paper "The Water of Confucianism and the Water of Daoism: A Discussion on Su Shi's 'Prelude to the Red Cliffs'," Qin Anli highlights the contrasting philosophical meanings attributed to water by Confucianism and Daoism in Chinese culture Confucius famously stated that "the wise enjoy water, while the benevolent find joy in mountains," suggesting that the wise are dynamic while the benevolent are tranquil This is further illustrated in the Analects, where it is noted, "The Master said by the river, 'Time flows like this, never stopping day or night.'" In contrast, Daoism, as expressed in the works of Laozi and Zhuangzi, emphasizes water's inherent qualities, with Laozi viewing it as a fundamental aspect of nature.
The concept of "non-contention" highlights water's second characteristic: its "gentleness." While water appears soft and weak on the surface, it embodies a profound strength This strength is not about forcefully impacting or destroying anything to prove its power; rather, it lies in its ability to adapt and persist.
水―至柔不可折‖，水以其柔弱而能承受一切，甚至超越了一切。这些不同的
相关理论问题
1.2.1 认知语言学的理论基础
1.2.1.1.认知语言学观点
Cognition refers to the process of understanding and acquiring knowledge about objective reality, encompassing activities such as perception, memory, learning, language, thinking, and problem-solving.
Theo phiên bản năm 2005, thuật ngữ "cognition" được định nghĩa là học thuyết về nguồn gốc, quá trình phát triển của nhận thức con người và mối quan hệ giữa nhận thức với thực tiễn Từ định nghĩa này, chúng ta có thể hiểu rằng: 1 Nhận thức là quá trình thu thập kiến thức và nhận biết sự vật; 2 Chủ thể của nhận thức dựa vào cảm giác và tư duy; 3 Nhận thức thuộc về hoạt động tâm lý nội tại Nhà nghiên cứu Việt Nam Trần Văn Ơ (2007) cũng đã có những quan điểm sâu sắc về vấn đề này.
―认知是认知科学的中心概念，用来表现认识过程或心理（精神、思维）—
—感觉总体过程、范畴化、思维、言语等，服务于信息的处理和加工。‖
认知语言学被划为认知科学的一个分支，核心原则为―现实 认知 语
Cognitive linguistics là một lĩnh vực nghiên cứu mối quan hệ giữa tồn tại khách quan, tư duy và ngôn ngữ Theo nhà nghiên cứu Trung Quốc Wang Yin (2012), "cognitive linguistics" được định nghĩa là một ngành học mới, tập trung vào cấu trúc khái niệm và nghiên cứu ý nghĩa, bắt đầu từ kinh nghiệm cơ thể và nhận thức, nhằm tìm kiếm cách nhận thức đứng sau các hiện tượng ngôn ngữ Còn Zhao Yanfang (2000) nhấn mạnh rằng "nhận thức là nền tảng của ngôn ngữ, ngôn ngữ là cửa sổ của nhận thức", cho rằng sự phát triển của nhận thức diễn ra trước ngôn ngữ và quyết định sự phát triển của ngôn ngữ Trần Văn ơ (2007) từ Việt Nam cho rằng, cognitive linguistics thiết lập mối quan hệ giữa các quá trình trí tuệ, tư duy và ngôn ngữ tự nhiên mà con người sử dụng trong giao tiếp hàng ngày.
Cognitive linguistics emphasizes the role of human cognition in concept formation, suggesting that the meaning of language is not merely a formal or self-contained entity Instead, it arises from the interaction between subjects and objects, reflecting individuals' understanding and beliefs about the objective world, as well as the outcomes of human cognitive development Consequently, polysemy is not merely an arbitrary phenomenon confined to language; rather, it is a process of expanding from a fundamental category or concept to other concepts, resulting from human cognitive categorization and conceptualization.
Theo quan điểm cổ điển về phạm trù, sự giải thích về ý nghĩa từ ngữ và tính đa nghĩa được coi là "điều kiện cần và đủ": Phạm trù được định nghĩa bởi một tập hợp các đặc điểm phân biệt cố định, với ranh giới rõ ràng; khi một phạm trù đã được thiết lập, nó sẽ phân chia đối tượng nhận thức thành hai nhóm: thành viên của phạm trù và không phải thành viên của phạm trù (Labov).
In 1973, it was observed that the characteristics of polysemous words are nuanced, making it challenging to explain polysemy through a strict binary approach Wittgenstein (1953) argued against this limitation, suggesting that category members do not share a common set of traits; instead, they are grouped together by family resemblance Building on this concept of family resemblance, Labov and Rosch further explored the implications for understanding language and meaning.
提 出 原 型 理 论 ， 成 为 当 代 范 畴 理 论 核 心 思 想 。 每 个 范 畴 都 有 类 典 型
（prototype）。人们可以根据范畴中的原型来完成与该范畴相关的推断和
The prototype theory reveals both the centripetal and open nature of categories during the polysemy process, as noted by Yang and Zhang (1998) These two aspects interact and constrain each other, with centripetality ensuring the continuity and rationale of meaning expansion, while openness allows for the potential of such expansion Polysemy is achieved through the derivation of atypical members within a polysemous category and the splitting of prototypes Many scholars, including Fillmore, have applied prototype theory to analyze the polysemy of specific lexical items.
1982）、杰肯道夫（Jackendoff，1985）、泰勒（Taylor，1989）对―climb‖ 的分析，莱考夫（Lakoff，1987）对―mother‖的分析，特兹（Tietz，2001）
The analysis of the term "sweet" by Ungerer and Schmid (1996), along with Fillmore and Atkins' (2000) examination of "crawl," highlights the evolution of word meanings Ungerer and Schmid (1996) demonstrate that the semantic category of "idea" has expanded, revealing a split in its typical meaning Between 1430 and 1770, "idea" was primarily associated with a singular concept, specifically the meaning of 'Concept.'
Between 1770 and 1830, the term 'Concept' branched out to form a new meaning, 'Belief,' which gained equal status alongside its original definition Since 1830, four meanings of 'Concept' have emerged.
‗Belief‘、‗Inspiration‘和‗Aim‘ 以同等的地位共存于―idea‖的词义范畴之中。
Lakoff（1987）提出―聚集模型‖（cluster model）概念，认为大多数语言符
The significance of a number is not based on a single cognitive model, but rather on a set of interconnected models that create an aggregated form For instance, the term "mother" serves as an example to analyze the concept of the "aggregated model."
Lakoff's research indicates that it is not feasible to encompass all models of motherhood simultaneously; rather, specific identities can be defined by one or several relevant models For instance, a stepmother integrates aspects of caregiving, marriage, and lineage models, but is unrelated to biological and genetic models In contrast, a surrogate mother is primarily associated with the biological model, while foster and adoptive mothers are linked solely to the caregiving model.
有关；biological mother（亲生母亲）、donor mother（捐献卵子的母亲）与
The concept of "mother" extends beyond the traditional marriage model to include various genetic models, particularly in the context of unwed mothers This broader understanding highlights that different models can serve as foundations for the meaning of motherhood.
Cognitive linguistics reveals that the relationship between new meanings of polysemous words and their original meanings is primarily established through metonymy and metaphorical thinking These two processes are crucial for semantic evolution in language development Polysemy arises from the extension of a word's core meaning to other meanings via these cognitive mechanisms According to Lakoff, polysemy originates from the relationships between different cognitive domains and elements within the same domain Metonymy relies on the principle of contiguity, highlighting the correlation between adjacent elements, while metaphor is based on resemblance, mapping from a source domain to a target domain Metaphor operates on the selection axis due to its reliance on similarity, whereas metonymy functions on the relation axis, focusing on relationships like part-whole and cause-effect Researchers like Taylor, Langacker, and Tyler have noted that metonymy establishes connections between co-occurring individuals within a conceptual structure, which may not necessarily be spatially adjacent, making it a fundamental process for meaning extension, often more prevalent than metaphor.
Lakoff (1980) and Kovecs (1986) identified over 30 types of metonymic relationships, including part for whole, controller for controlled, action for emotion, bodily sensation for emotion, place for event, perception of objects for perception of actions, container for content, material for object, and producer for product Scholars increasingly recognize the connections between metonymy and metaphor in the polysemous extension of meanings, leading to frequent overlaps between the two, resulting in blurred boundaries Radden (2000) argues that metaphor and metonymy form a continuum without clear distinctions Jakobson (1960) noted that "similarity is added to proximity," highlighting the intricate relationship between these linguistic phenomena.
In the realm of sexuality, every metonym carries a hint of metaphorical meaning, while each metaphor also embodies elements of metonymy.