Rationale
English is recognized as the global language that facilitates international communication and development Idioms play a significant role in both everyday conversation and literature, offering a figurative and engaging way to express ideas For English learners, grasping the meanings of idiomatic expressions is crucial However, simply breaking down the components of an idiom is insufficient, as their meanings are often unpredictable and influenced by unique forms, stylistic devices, and cultural knowledge.
Idioms play a crucial role in language learning, as they are integral to everyday communication As a second language teacher, I conducted a thesis titled “A Study on Idiomatic Expressions Containing Words Denoting Weather in English and Vietnamese from a Cultural Perspective” to explore the similarities and differences between English idioms (EIWW) and Vietnamese idioms (VIWW) related to weather, particularly from a cultural standpoint Despite English being the primary second language in Vietnam, learners face challenges due to cultural differences in thought and lifestyle This study aims to assist Vietnamese learners in effectively using EIWW and VIWW in their communication, making their speech more natural, engaging, and imaginative.
Aims of the study
The thesis is conducted in attempt to:
- Explore the English and Vietnamese idioms containing words denoting weather, with the main focus on the cultural point of view
- Point out the similarities and differences between these two languages in this particular aspect
- Motivate students to obtain the insight of Vietnamese and English idioms containing words denoting weather
Objectives
The objectives of the study are:
- Investigate Vietnamese and English idioms consisting weather words
- Clarify the cultural intension inside the idioms
- Suggest some ideas for teaching idioms
The study will try to answer the questions bellows:
- What are similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms containing words denoting weather from the cultural perspective?
- What cultural aspects influence the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms containing words denoting weather?
Scope of the study
This study examines English and Vietnamese idioms related to weather from a cultural viewpoint, with a comprehensive list provided in the appendix Due to time constraints, not all idioms have been included in the analysis.
Methods of the study
This study employs both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze idioms related to weather in English and Vietnamese It involves meticulous collection of data from various sources, including books, websites, newspapers, and daily life observations in both languages The gathered data is then analyzed and synthesized to identify the similarities and differences in weather-related idioms between English and Vietnamese.
Design of the study
The thesis is divided into three main parts:
- The first part is the Introduction, which includes rationale, aim, scope, methods and design of the study
Part 2 of the article focuses on Development and consists of three chapters The first chapter, titled “Theoretical Background,” reviews existing literature on language, culture, and idioms The second chapter examines “English and Vietnamese Idioms Containing Words Denoting Weather,” analyzing the syntactic and semantic features of these idioms in both languages Finally, the last chapter presents the “Findings and Discussion,” highlighting the similarities and differences between English idioms related to weather and their Vietnamese counterparts.
VIWW from the cultural view
- Part 3 is the Conclusion and Implications for teaching and learning as well as some suggestions for further study
The thesis is concluded by the appendix and references
DEVELOPMENT
Culture and some characteristics of culture
The concept of "culture" is widely recognized, but its definition remains complex and elusive Numerous linguists have dedicated significant efforts to defining culture This article aims to present various definitions to offer readers a clearer understanding of the term.
Hofstede (1980) defines culture as the collective programming of the mind that differentiates one group from another, a process that evolves as each generation contributes its unique perspectives Often, individuals take their own culture for granted, viewing it as the correct or primary framework simply because it is the first one they encounter.
Samovar & Porter (2003) gives a typical definition on culture as follows:
Cultural heritage encompasses the accumulated knowledge, experiences, beliefs, values, attitudes, and meanings that a group of people develops over generations It includes their religious practices, perceptions of time, social roles, spatial relationships, concepts of the universe, and the material objects and possessions they acquire through both individual and collective efforts.
Edward Tylor, a renowned British anthropologist, defines culture in his book "Primitive Culture" (1871) as a comprehensive system that encompasses knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and all other skills and habits developed by individuals as members of society.
In the book “Language and Culture: Global flows and local complexity”, Risager
(2005) considers culture from three dimensions of concept including hierarchical, differential and generic concept As regards to hierarchical concept, culture means
“something that the individual human being or individual society either „has‟ or
Culture serves as a defining element that differentiates one society from another, emphasizing the unique characteristics that set humanity apart from nature and other living beings.
Also, Kramsch (1998) examines culture by comparing it to nature and showing its development through social activities
Culture can be understood in contrast to nature, where nature signifies what is born and develops organically, derived from the Latin word "nascere," meaning "to be born." In contrast, culture encompasses what has been cultivated and nurtured, stemming from the Latin term "colere," which means "to cultivate."
According to Goodenough (1957), culture is defined as the thing that people in each particular community must know and possess to run their activities
A society's culture encompasses the knowledge and beliefs necessary for individuals to function acceptably within their community It shapes how members engage in various roles they assume, guiding their interactions and behaviors in a way that aligns with societal expectations.
Subjective elements of culture may be the elements such as “values, attitudes, beliefs, orientations, and underlying assumptions prevalent among people in a society” (Harrison and Huntington, 2000:xv)
Triandis (1994:23), as cited by Porter, Samovar, and McDaniel (2007), defines culture as a collection of human-created objective and subjective elements that have historically enhanced the likelihood of specific outcomes.
Survival in an ecological niche led to participant satisfaction, fostering communication among individuals who shared a common language and coexisted in the same time and place.
In short, culture is defined in various ways as Harrison and Huntington (2000) note,
Culture encompasses a variety of definitions across different disciplines and contexts, significantly influencing people's actions within their society through shared ideas, values, attitudes, and expected behaviors It is important to note that culture is not genetically inherited and cannot exist independently; rather, it is a collective experience shared among members of a society.
Culture is a multifaceted concept that lacks a universally accepted definition, yet it is essential to explore its characteristics to understand its connections with other elements, such as language According to Huntington (1996), key components of culture include language, religion, values, traditions, and customs.
Porter, Samovar and McDaniel (2007:21-30) point out six features of culture as follows:
Culture is acquired throughout a person's life, starting from birth, and is learned rather than innate This learning occurs both formally, through structured institutions like schools and churches, and informally, through interaction, observation, and imitation Since culture influences individuals from the moment they are born, many of its messages often go unnoticed Consequently, studying culture is an essential lifelong process.
Culture is inherently shared among its members, with various means of transmission such as proverbs, stories, and art It can be conveyed through different carriers, including family, peers, churches, schools, and media However, the essential elements of culture—values, ideas, and perceptions—must be collectively embraced by individuals within the culture.
Culture is passed down through generations, ensuring its survival by sharing essential messages and elements This transmission allows the past to influence the present and shape the future, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage for upcoming generations.
Culture is fundamentally built on symbols, which can manifest in various forms such as gestures, clothing, objects, flags, and religious icons Among these, language stands out as the most significant cultural symbol, as it utilizes words to represent both objects and ideas.
Relationship between language and culture
Language is a vital component of the cultural system, serving as a key medium for transmitting culture This subsection explores fundamental aspects of the relationship between language and culture.
Language serves as the fundamental tool for human communication, a notion that appears self-evident A commonly referenced definition of language is provided by Bonvillain, as noted by Porter, Samovar, and McDaniel (2007:164).
Language serves as the fundamental medium for human interaction, enabling individuals to express their thoughts, emotions, intentions, and desires It creates a dynamic and reflexive connection between speakers, allowing us to understand others through their words and expressions Additionally, our self-awareness is shaped by how others respond to our communication, and our relationships are defined by the reciprocal nature of these interactions.
Language and style are seen as reflections of both individual and cultural personality, as noted by Porter, Samovar, and McDaniel (2007) This connection between language and culture is emphasized by Saville-Stroike, who asserts that the structure and content of a language correlate with the beliefs, values, and needs of its speakers' culture (Saville-Stroike, 2003).
Kramsch (1998) emphasizes that language, when situated within communication contexts, intricately intertwines with culture He identifies three key issues that define the relationship between language and culture.
Language serves as a powerful medium for conveying facts, ideas, and events, allowing effective communication Additionally, it reflects the attitudes, feelings, opinions, and trust of writers and speakers Ultimately, language embodies and expresses cultural reality.
Language serves as a vital tool for both expressing and creating experiences, facilitating interaction through various means such as face-to-face conversations, letters, emails, and visual media like graphs and charts These forms of communication enrich the meanings conveyed, allowing members of a community or social group to interpret them effectively Ultimately, language, encompassing both verbal and non-verbal elements, reflects and embodies the cultural reality of its users.
Language serves as a system of signs imbued with cultural significance, allowing speakers to express their social identity The way individuals use language reflects their belonging to a particular social group, and restrictions on its use are often interpreted as a denial of their cultural identity Therefore, language is a powerful symbol of cultural reality.
Language serves as the primary medium through which we navigate our social interactions, intricately intertwined with culture in various complex ways (Kramsch, 2000) Li (2005) underscores the critical role of language in culture, asserting that culture cannot exist without it.
According to Porter, Samovar and McDaniel (2007), the relationship between culture and language is a reciprocal one in which they emphasize the role of culture:
Culture significantly shapes language by imparting both the symbols and the rules for their use, as well as the meanings attached to those symbols More crucially, culture affects how individuals think and perceive their reality.
Porter et al (2007) argue that symbols and responses are best understood within a shared cultural context, as communication becomes easier when individuals draw from similar experiences within their own culture In contrast, intercultural communication poses challenges due to differing backgrounds and experiences Thus, culture, encompassing human lifestyles, values, behaviors, and perceptions, plays a vital role in shaping language The relationship between language and culture is reciprocal; culture embodies the essence of language, while language reflects individual personalities and historical contexts Ultimately, language influences both personal identity and cultural development, facilitating growth and transmission across generations.
Language and culture are deeply interconnected, with each influencing the other in significant ways As Brown (1994) stated, "language is a part of a culture and culture is a part of a language," highlighting that separating the two diminishes their importance This relationship is essential for understanding the continuity of societies and the functioning of social groups.
165) Hence, with the inextricable relationship, we must know the one to understand the other.
Idioms
Idioms are a vibrant and intriguing element of the English language, prevalent in both formal and informal contexts, whether spoken or written While often associated with casual conversation, mastering idioms can significantly enhance a learner's communication skills Additionally, idiomatic expressions tend to convey deeper meanings than their non-idiomatic counterparts Here are various definitions of idioms sourced from multiple references.
According to the “Collins COBUILD Dictionary of Idioms” (2002), idioms are unique phrases whose meanings often diverge from the literal interpretations of their individual words These expressions are generally metaphorical in nature, functioning as metaphors that have become fixed or fossilized over time.
Idioms often bridge the gap between literal and idiomatic meanings, as seen in phrases like "kill two birds with one stone," which clearly conveys the idea of achieving two things simultaneously However, some idioms, such as "move heaven and earth," present literal meanings that are physically impossible, making them challenging to interpret Additionally, certain idiomatic expressions contain unique metaphors, complicating the understanding of their meanings and origins.
According to Manser (1997), idioms are fixed multi-word expressions whose meanings cannot be deduced by simply analyzing the individual words.
The term "idiom" is complex and encompasses various types of words and phrases, as noted in the "Chambers Dictionary of Idioms" (1996) Traditionally, an idiom is defined as a group of words that conveys a meaning distinct from the literal interpretation of its components This makes it challenging to infer an idiom's meaning solely from its individual words While some idioms, like "look like thunder," can be understood through their imagery, many others, such as "sit on the fence," which signifies indecision, remain obscure Similarly, Hornby (1995) in the "Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary" emphasizes that idioms are phrases whose meanings are not derived from the meanings of the individual words and must be learned as complete units.
Idioms can be defined in various ways, but for this study, an idiom is identified as a fixed phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the meanings of its individual words These expressions are commonly used not only in casual conversation but also in journalism and magazines, enhancing articles and stories by making them more vivid, interesting, and appealing to readers while effectively conveying opinions.
Idioms come in various forms, making it challenging for learners to identify genuine idiomatic expressions To aid in this understanding, it is essential to highlight the different types of idioms According to the Chambers Dictionary of Idioms (1996), there are five primary categories of idioms.
- Metaphorical expressions, e.g “Make someone‟s blood boil” means “to make someone extremely angry”
- Sayings, e.g “That‟s the way the cookie crumbles” – that‟s how things are and one must accept them (used when something unfortunate, unpleasant)
- Some phrasal verbs which have a fixed element, e.g “Live it up” – to enjoy oneself, especially in a lively and expensive manner
Proverbs, such as "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," emphasize the importance of valuing what you already possess instead of risking it for uncertain gains This saying serves as a reminder to appreciate current assets and avoid unnecessary risks in pursuit of potentially better opportunities.
- Some foreign or Latin phrases which are commonly used in English, e.g “Fait accompli” means something that has already happened or been done and cannot be changed
Longman (1979) also indicates some types of idioms:
- Traditional idioms: traditional idioms are firstly related to full sentences in which only subjects need to be added to make full sentences For example, the idiom
The phrase "spill the beans" means to reveal a secret, as in "He spilled the beans." Similarly, the idiom "It never rains but it pours" signifies that troubles often come in large numbers rather than one at a time Additionally, idiomatic expressions can function as specific parts of speech; for instance, an idiomatic noun phrase can act like a noun in a sentence An example is "He is the salt of the earth," which describes someone with exceptional personal qualities and character.
Idioms often use actions to represent emotions or feelings, highlighting cultural distinctions across regions It's crucial to understand that these actions are metaphorical and carry specific meanings within their respective cultures The interpretation of idioms can vary significantly among different communities, as illustrated by the phrase "I wash my hands of it," which signifies a refusal to accept responsibility rather than a literal action.
Many idioms are formed by pairs of words connected by "and" or "or," with a significant portion functioning as specific parts of speech For example, in the idiom "It is raining cats and dogs," the noun phrase "cats and dogs" serves as an adverb, indicating heavy rain.
Many idiomatic expressions include the pronoun "it" as an essential component, where "it" does not refer to the preceding word as usual For example, the idiom "It stands to reason (that)" conveys the meaning of something being quite clear or obvious.
- Allusions: certain common phrases and a few single words have special significance in English society E.g “Whitehall” means the government or the civil service
Sayings are complete sentences that convey wisdom and life lessons, such as "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," which emphasizes the importance of valuing what you have rather than risking it for uncertain gains.
In everyday conversations, we often encounter fixed phrases that carry meanings beyond their literal interpretations, making them challenging to grasp Expressions like "so to speak," "now you're talking," and "how do you do" serve as examples of such idiomatic phrases, enriching our communication while sometimes leading to confusion for non-native speakers Understanding these conversational nuances is essential for effective dialogue and deeper connections.
- Similes: a large number of idioms, which compare a quality, condition, action, etc with a noun; e.g as easy as a pie (very easy), as free as air (very free, with no limits)
1.2.3 Main features of idioms in English and Vietnamese
To gain a comprehensive understanding of idioms, it's essential to explore their key characteristics This study focuses on examining the relationship between EIWW and VIWW, highlighting the importance of semantics and structural elements in idiomatic expressions.
Weather definition
This thesis will also consider the definition of weather in order to provide a more comprehensive view on the given subject
Throughout history, weather has been both feared and revered for its significant influence on living beings It affects our moods, activities, and fashion choices, while also shaping cultural identity, perceptions of time, and economic development Weather is so deeply embedded in our daily lives that we often overlook its profound impact on culture As defined in “The Hutchinson Paperback Encyclopedia,” weather is a powerful force that shapes our experiences.
Weather refers to the daily fluctuations in climate and atmospheric conditions at a specific location, encompassing factors such as humidity, precipitation, temperature, cloud cover, visibility, and wind For meteorologists, the term "weather" specifically pertains to the state of the sky, along with precipitation and visibility influenced by fog and mist.
According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (1995), weather refers to the atmospheric conditions at a specific place and time, including factors like temperature, wind, rain, and sunshine.
Weather is a significant aspect of daily life and conversation, often reflected in idiomatic expressions These weather-related idioms serve to convey emotions and ideas in a figurative manner, transcending mere descriptions of actual weather conditions Terms such as wind, rain, sun, cold, and hot are woven into these expressions, each carrying unique meanings and structures To fully grasp the essence of weather idioms, a thorough analysis will be conducted from both syntactic and semantic perspectives Additionally, this study will explore the cultural dimensions, highlighting the similarities and differences between English idioms related to weather (EIWW) and Vietnamese idioms related to weather (VIWW).
Language and culture are intricately intertwined, with each influencing the other Idioms, as a crucial component of language, embody the cultural nuances of the speakers This chapter has explored the literature on the relationship between language and culture, particularly focusing on idioms and their various types, aiming to establish a theoretical foundation for the subsequent chapters.
CHAPTER TWO: ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE IDIOMS CONTAINING
This chapter will examine the syntactic and semantic characteristics of EIWW and VIWW, highlighting the differences between the two.
2.1 Syntactic features of EIWW and VIWW
In "A Grammar of Contemporary English," Quirk (1973) introduces the concept of "New traditional grammar," which facilitates the analysis of linguistic structures such as noun phrases (NP), verb phrases (VP), prepositional phrases (PP), and adjective phrases (AdjP) This study will utilize this framework to examine English and Vietnamese idioms related to weather The analysis will categorize these idioms into two primary groups: those with phrase structures and those with sentence structures However, as the focus of this thesis is on the cultural aspects of English idioms with weather words (EIWW) and Vietnamese idioms with weather words (VIWW), a detailed structural analysis will not be emphasized.
In this section, IWW will be analyzed in terms of phrases Only some typical representatives of phrases are listed, the remaining ones are supplied in Appendix
2.1.1.1 IWW with noun phrase structure
1 A breath of fresh air Bão táp mƣa sa
2 A face like thunder Bụng đói cật rét
3 A fair-weather friend Chân mây cuối trời
4 A place in the sun Đầu sóng ngọn gió
5 Any port in a storm Gió dập sóng vùi
6 Billy Wind Hai sương một nắng/một nắng hai sương
7 Blood and thunder Hồn vía lên mây
8 Bolt from the blue Lời nói gió bay
9 Brass-monkey weather Màn sương chiếu đất
10 Cloud on the horizon Mƣa bom bão đạn
11 Eye of the hurricane Sóng to gió lớn (cả)
12 Seven sheets to the wind Tai bay vạ gió
2.1.1.2 IWW with verb phrase structure
1 Blow hot and cold Ăn đói mặc rét
2 Bring a storm about one‟s/someone‟s ears ăn gió nằm mƣa
3 Cast a cloud over Ăn sóng nói gió
4 Chase (after) rainbows Bắn nhƣ mƣa
5 Chill/freeze someone‟s blood Bắt gió chu ̣p bóng
6 Come rain or (come) shine/rain or shine Chọc trời khuấy (quấy) nước
7 Dance up a storm Chửi bóng chửi gió
8 Feel the draught/wind Có trăng quên/phụ đèn
9 Find which way the wind blew Dãi gió dầm mƣa
10 Get one‟s second wind Đã mƣa thì mƣa cho khắp
11 Give the cold shoulder Đi mây về gió
12 Go down a storm Góp gió thành bão
2.1.1.3 IWW with adjective phrase structure
1 As black as thunder Cùng trời cuối đất
2 As cold as charity Dạn gió dày sương
3 As cool as a cucumber Khô nhƣ ngói
4 As dry as a dust Mạnh nhƣ vũ bão
5 As free as air Nắng nhƣ đổ lƣ̉a
6 As quick as lightning Nhanh nhƣ chớp
7 As right as rain Nhƣ (nắng) hạn gặp mƣa rào
8 Bright and breezy Nhƣ buồm/diều gặp gió
9 Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey
Như cá gă ̣p nước như rồn g gă ̣p mây
10 Free as the wind Như ngo ̣n đèn trước gió
11 Full of hot air (a) Nhƣ rồng gặp mây
12 High and dry Nhƣ sét đánh
2.1.1.4 IWW with prepositional phrase structure
1 Before the flood VIWW have no contribution to prepositional phrase structure
6 In the teeth of the wind
10 With one‟s nose in the air
Besides phrase structures, EIWW and VIWW have some in sentence structure which may be simple or complex sentences
1 A red sky at night is the shepherd‟s delight
Cây muốn lặng mà gió chẳng đừng
2 Every cloud has a silver lining Mƣa bão chết cò
3 God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb Mƣa lâu thấm đất
4 It‟s an ill wind that blows nobody
(any) good Rồng gă ̣p mây
5 It never rains but it pours Rồng mây gă ̣p hô ̣i
Here is the statistical summary of syntactic features of EIWW and VIWW after analyzing 160 English and 154 Vietnamese given idioms:
The investigation reveals that both English Idiomatic Word Usage (EIWW) and Vietnamese Idiomatic Word Usage (VIWW) exhibit distinct patterns in noun phrases, verb phrases, adjective phrases, and sentence structures, with noun and verb phrases being the most prevalent Notably, prepositional phrases are absent in Vietnamese, while they comprise 15% of the English idiomatic expressions While most idioms are fixed expressions, some allow for variations in word choice or order within the same semantic field, such as "Chill someone to the bone" and "Chill someone to the marrow" or "Dầm mƣa giãi gió" and "nắng." These modifications reflect users' habits, enhancing convenience and auditory appeal.
Both EIWW and VIWW frequently employ comparison constructions such as "as as" or "like" in English, and "nhƣ" in Vietnamese, highlighting a connection between weather phenomena and various aspects of human life across different regions and cultures.
In examining the differences between English and Vietnamese idioms, it is evident that English idioms utilize more verb phrases (EIWW), while Vietnamese idioms favor noun phrases (VIWW) Notably, Vietnamese idioms exhibit a unique use of parallelism, often repeating words within the same grammatical category For instance, in the idiom “Ăn sấm nói gió,” both “ăn” and “nói” are verbs, while “sấm” and “gió” are nouns Similarly, in “Nắng trƣa mƣa tối,” “nắng” parallels “mƣa” as weather phenomena, and “trƣa” parallels “tối” in the context of time The symmetric structures found in Vietnamese idioms are diverse, including patterns such as V + N/V + N (e.g., Gội gió tắm mưa), N + N/N + N (e.g., Màn sương chiếu đất), and V + Adj/V + Adj (e.g., Ăn đói mặc rét).
Vietnamese idiomatic expressions often feature a unique structure that enhances their euphonic quality and parallelism, particularly in four-word phrases For instance, the idiom “Nắng giữ mưa gìn” separates the term “giữ gìn” into two parts, which are then combined with two nouns to form a cohesive expression Similarly, in “Nói bóng nói gió,” the phrase “bóng gió” is divided into “bóng” and “gió,” with the word “nói” being repeated This use of parallelism, repetition, and word separation contributes to the rhythmic quality of Vietnamese idioms, making them memorable and engaging.
Semantic features of EIWW and VIWW
The theory of semantic fields, as described by Jackson and Amvela (2000:92), categorizes words into specific areas of meaning, allowing for the classification of EIWW and VIWW into distinct themes.
Obviously, the first purpose of using idioms containing weather words is to express weather condition that is considered as one of the closest issues in daily life
E.g It is raining cats and dogs outside
- A red sky at night is the shepherd‟s delight
- A red sky in the morning is the shepherd‟s warning
- Nắng lƣ̉a mƣa dầu
- Nắng nhƣ đổ lƣ̉a
- Nắng nhƣ thiêu nhƣ đốt
In this term, we will consider some idioms denote people mental conditions
- Go up in the air
E.g They’re going on holiday on
Wednesday so they’re all over the moon
- Nhƣ nắng ha ̣n mong mƣa
- Ruô ̣t nóng nhƣ lƣ̉a đốt /ruô ̣t nóng nhƣ cào
- Ủ rũ nhƣ gà phải trời mƣa
- Seven sheets to the wind
- Sound in wind and limb
- A cloud hangs over sb/st
- The calm/lull before the storm
- You could cut atmosphere with a knife
- Cùng trời cuối đất
- Đau đẻ còn chờ trăng sáng
- Nhƣ mă ̣t trăng mă ̣t trời
- Nhƣ nắng ha ̣n gă ̣p mƣa rào
- Như ngo ̣n đèn trước gió
- Find which way the wind blew
- Have your head in the clouds
- In the heat of the moment
- Know which way the wind blows
- Make hay while the sun shines
- Bán trời không văn tự
- Gió chiều nào che chiều ấy
- Not have enough sense/imagination/intelligence to come in from (or out of) the rain
- Sail close to the wind
- Sunshine one minute, rain the next
- Throw caution to the winds
- Trời đánh không chết
- Trời không dung đất không tha
- It never rains but it pours
- Sunshine one minute, rain the next
- Bán mặt cho đất bán lƣng cho trời
- Bụng đói cật rét
- Hai sương mô ̣t nắng
- Nắng dãi mƣa dầu
- Like greased (a steak of) lightning
- Ăn nhƣ gấu ăn (mặt) trăng
- Ăn vụng nhƣ chớp
- Like the wind - Lên nhƣ diều gặp/đƣợc gió
- In the teeth of the wind
No idioms express human character - Ghen bóng ghen gió
- Sớm nắng chiều mƣa
No idioms express danger and challenges
- Gió quét/táp mƣa sa
No idioms express opportunities and advantages
- Gió thổi là chổi trời
- Như cá gă ̣p nước như rồng gă ̣p mây
- Nhƣ nắng ha ̣n gă ̣p mƣa rào
- Bring a storm about one‟s/someone‟s ears
- Find/see how/which way the wind is blowing
- Save (st) for rainy day
-Take a shine off/out of
- Ăn vụng nhƣ chớp
- Chƣ̉i bóng chƣ̉i gió
- Khóc nhƣ mƣa (nhƣ gió):
- Van/lạy nhƣ tế sao: lạy lia lịa để cầu xin
- Xem/trông gió bỏ buồm
No idioms express state of life - Ăn đất nằm sương
- Bán mặt cho đất bán lƣng cho trời
- Hai sương mô ̣t nắng/mô ̣t nắng hai sương
No idioms express virginity and immortality
- Nắng giƣ̃ mƣa gìn
- Trời đánh không chết
- Trời không dung đất không tha
In summary, the syntactic analysis reveals that English and Vietnamese weather idioms exhibit similar structures, including noun, verb, and adjective phrases However, English idioms are more abundant in prepositional phrases Semantically, both languages encompass 14 fields, with 8 shared areas such as weather conditions, psychological states, and human actions Additionally, Vietnamese includes 5 unique fields: human character, opportunities, dangers, state of life, and virginity Notably, there are no directional idioms found in the Vietnamese corpus The upcoming chapter will focus on the cultural influences affecting idiom usage in both languages and explore the intriguing similarities and differences from a cultural perspective.
CHAPTER THREE: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Language serves as the primary means of conducting our social lives and is intricately linked to culture in various ways (Kramsch, 1998) As discussed in Chapter 1, idioms are fixed expressions that have been used over time, encapsulating human experiences, behaviors, and observations about life Consequently, idioms not only reflect linguistic phenomena but also embody the cultural characteristics of specific regions.
This chapter will explore the cultural similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese people, particularly focusing on the Emotional Intelligence of Women Writers (EIWW) and Vietnamese Intellectual Women Writers (VIWW) Before delving into the main comparison, it is essential to examine key characteristics of both cultures, including their distinct cultural traits and weather conditions.
3.1 Some characteristics of Vietnamese/English people, culture and weather conditions
3.1.1 Characteristics of Vietnamese people, culture and weather conditions
Vietnam's climate is heavily influenced by monsoons, resulting in abundant sunshine, high rainfall, and humidity This tropical climate fosters lush vegetation but also leads to challenges like severe flooding and droughts As noted by Nguyen (2004), the river-centric culture of Vietnam, rooted in Southeast Asian traditions, significantly shapes both the spiritual and material aspects of life, interacting closely with other Asian cultures, especially Chinese Predominantly agricultural, Vietnamese culture is characterized by key products such as rice, vegetables, and fish, fostering a sense of unity and independence among its people The philosophy of Yin and Yang plays a crucial role, promoting harmony in relationships with others and nature, where emotional connections are valued over material considerations.
34 violence Especially, Vietnamese people belong to the Oriental Thought Group that deals with problems indirectly as proved by Kaplan (1966)
For the Vietnamese people, the concepts of motherland and family hold immense significance, leading many to prefer staying in their homeland to maintain a stable life The strong bonds among family members set Vietnamese culture apart from others, highlighting a sense of personalism that surpasses the individualism often seen in Western cultures This cultural distinction is encapsulated in traditional phrases such as “Lá lành đùm lá rách” and “Sáng lƣ̉a tối đèn có nhau,” which emphasize unity and support within the family.
Vietnamese culture is an integral aspect of Southeast Asia, characterized by its wet-rice civilization The Vietnamese people are known for their hard work, bravery, and loyalty in both their lives and interactions.
3.1.2 Characteristics of the British people, culture and weather conditions
According to Trần Quốc Vươ ̣ng (1998) and Trần Ngo ̣c Thêm (1999), the cold, dry climate and vast steppes of Western countries foster a dynamic nomadic culture In the UK, the climate is shaped by the Atlantic Ocean and latitude, with Northern Ireland, Wales, and the western regions of England and Scotland being the mildest, wettest, and windiest areas The maritime tropical air mass from the southwest influences most of England, resulting in a climate known for its variability and lack of extremes As James O'Driscoll (1995) famously noted, the UK “does not have a climate; it only has weather,” highlighting the unpredictability of dry days despite overall moderate rainfall.
English culture, often seen as a representation of the broader culture of Great Britain, is characterized by a sense of reserve commonly observed among its people Similar to many Europeans, the English tend to maintain a certain distance from strangers and frequently use the weather as a conversational icebreaker This behavior exemplifies the typical English demeanor.
35 is expected to be modest and humorous He also expects this manner from others, especially when he communicates in flowery language
In England, sportsmanship and directness are greatly esteemed, reflecting a cultural appreciation for individualism without exploiting others' misfortunes Kaplan's 1966 graphic illustrates this mindset through a straight line, symbolizing clarity and honesty The concepts of "fair play," "playing the game," and "playing fair" are central to English values, highlighting the importance of integrity in both sports and everyday interactions.
Generally, the English culture is the most proper representative of the British They bring both common cultural features of Western countries and specific ones.
Comparison of syntactic features between EIWW and VIWW from the cultural
Both EIWW and VIWW share a key characteristic: their phrase structures are often so rigid that reordering, adding, or omitting words is nearly impossible While some idioms do have variants that allow for minor changes, they still retain their original meaning.
The phrases "chill/freeze someone to the bone/marrow" in English and "dầm mƣa giãi nắng/gió" in Vietnamese illustrate the flexible use of weather-related vocabulary, such as "chill," "freeze," "nắng," and "gió." These expressions can be adapted by substituting existing words with synonyms or similar terms, showcasing the practical and versatile nature of idiomatic language in both English and Vietnamese.
Both English and Vietnamese idioms frequently employ comparisons using structures like “as…as” and “like…” in English, and “nhƣ…” in Vietnamese These comparisons often link emotions to weather phenomena, such as using “thunder” to symbolize anger, exemplified by phrases like “As black as thunder” or “A face like thunder.” Similarly, the Vietnamese expression “Nhƣ vịt nghe sấm” conveys confusion or a lack of understanding This connection arises because weather is an integral part of daily life, creating a strong relationship between meteorological elements and various aspects of human experience across cultures.
Although few in number, there still exit VIWW which are equivalent to EIWW both in meaning and structure as follows:
As quick as lightning Nhanh nhƣ chớp
Like the wind Nhanh nhƣ gió
White as driven snow Trắng nhƣ tuyết
Both English and Vietnamese idioms reflect unique characteristics of weather phenomena, highlighting aspects such as the speed of lightning and wind, as well as the color of snow However, the limited number of equivalent idiomatic expressions between the two languages can be attributed to the cultural differences between nomadic and agricultural societies.
Nonetheless, there are great syntactic differences between English and Vietnamese idioms due to respective geographic environment, national experience, cultural inherence and formation of thinking
The nomadic lifestyle of English people significantly influences their active approach to life, which is notably reflected in their use of verb phrases In English idioms, 44% consist of verb phrases, compared to 37% in Vietnamese This prevalence underscores the English emphasis on self-action, decisiveness, and individualism, contrasting with the more communal and dependent nature of Vietnamese culture.
Vietnamese idioms that include weather-related terms often feature unique syntactic characteristics, such as the use of rhyme, particularly interior rhymes Examples include phrases like “Gió thổi là chổi trời” and “Nắng lửa mưa dầu.” Additionally, parallelism is prevalent, as seen in the idiom “Ăn sấm nói gió,” where both “ăn” and “nói” belong to the same grammatical category of verbs.
In Vietnamese idioms, nouns often feature symmetric structures, such as in the phrase "Màn sương chiếu đất," which follows the N + N/N + N format This reflects Vietnam's rich traditional culture, renowned for its diverse linguistic expressions.
Vietnamese idioms possess unique characteristics that set them apart from English idioms, enhancing their poetic and musical qualities This distinctiveness makes them easier to remember and incorporate into daily life Additionally, the use of rhymes in these idioms serves to uplift the spirits of farmers, helping them navigate the challenges of production and life with optimism.
3.3 Comparison of semantic features between EIWW and VIWW from the cultural perspectives
English and Vietnamese weather idioms encompass eight semantic fields, including weather conditions, psychological states, physical states, behavior, circumstances, human actions, speed, and misfortunes While these idioms primarily express weather conditions, such as "Rain cats and dogs" and "Mưa tầm tã," both cultures also emphasize their figurative meanings These idioms reflect everyday experiences and encapsulate various aspects of weather, blending objective factors like circumstances with subjective factors such as behavior.
Both English and Vietnamese cultures recognize the unpredictability of weather, acknowledging its dual impact on human life Weather can yield both benefits and drawbacks, as evidenced by various idioms that highlight challenging situations For instance, expressions like "Brass-monkey weather" and "Nóng như thiêu như đốt" refer to extreme cold and heat, respectively Similarly, idioms such as "A storm in a teacup" and "Mượn gió bẻ măng" illustrate unnecessary conflicts and unreasonable gains Furthermore, phrases like "Feel the wind/draught" and "Bão táp mưa sa" convey the hardships and persistent problems associated with adverse weather conditions Clearly, both cultures share a common understanding of the significant effects that weather can have, which is reflected in their idiomatic expressions.
Although there are some similarities as mentioned above, the cultural differences between English and Vietnamese cause the dissimilarities in the meanings of IWW
The use of language highlights distinct cultural differences between Vietnamese and other communities, particularly in their relationship with food and agriculture In Vietnamese culture, many verb phrases incorporate the word "ăn," reflecting the significance of food for survival, as seen in expressions like “Ăn đói mặc rét” and “Có thực mới vực đƣợc đạo.” This emphasis stems from historical experiences, such as the devastating famine of 1945, which ingrained the importance of food in the Vietnamese psyche In contrast, the vocabulary from the Frigid Zone, as noted in the EIWW corpus, features numerous weather-related terms like “snow” and “frost,” which are rarely found in the VIWW Instead, the VIWW showcases the characteristics of a tropical climate, evident in phrases that reference local flora, such as “Mươ ̣n gió bẻ măng.”
“Gió trúc mƣa mai” but English idioms do not have anything like that
Additionally, while there is a long list of English idiomatic phrases which have nautical origins such as: “Sail close to the wind”, “Three sheets to the wind”,
“Before the wind”, “Take the wind out of somebody‟s sail”, some directly reflex the agricultural life in Vietnamese idioms like “Bán mă ̣t cho đất bán lƣng cho trời” ,
The phrase "Hai sương một nắng" and "Nắng dãi mưa dầu" reflect the rich linguistic heritage in Vietnamese culture Additionally, the vocabulary often encompasses terms related to domestic and farm animals, such as chicken, birds, fish, rats, and storks, highlighting the close connection between language and agricultural life.
In Vietnamese culture, idioms often reflect deep emotional states and natural phenomena, such as "Ủ rũ nhƣ gà phải trời mƣa," which conveys a sense of sorrow akin to a chicken caught in the rain Similarly, expressions like "Nhƣ vịt nghe sấm" and "Chim trời cá bể" illustrate feelings of fear and helplessness The imagery of the dragon, a significant symbol in Asian culture, appears in phrases like "Nhƣ rồng gặp mây" and "Rồng mây gặp hội," emphasizing auspicious encounters Additionally, everyday life is captured in sayings such as "Gió thổi là chổi trời" and "Màn sương chiếu đất," which highlight the connection between nature and daily experiences in Vietnam.
39 trăng quên đèn”, “Coi trời bằng vung”, “Nhƣ diều gă ̣p gió” These issues are so familiar that most of them play an essential role in the Vietnamese life
The analysis reveals a notable absence of directional idioms in the Vietnamese idioms of the VIWW compared to the EIWW, while highlighting the presence of idioms unique to the Vietnamese corpus that express themes such as human character, opportunities, dangers, life states, virginity, and immorality Although both English and Vietnamese idioms encompass eight shared semantic fields, including weather, psychological and physical states, behavior, and human actions, significant differences exist in the attitudes and feelings conveyed.
The English language, characterized by its nomadic roots and mild weather, tends to reflect a more positive outlook in its idioms, often expressing a range of emotions from happiness to contentment Phrases like "A breath of fresh air," "Bright and breezy," "On cloud nine," and "Over the moon" illustrate this optimistic perspective In contrast, Vietnamese idioms predominantly convey negative emotions, as seen in expressions like "Gió thảm mƣa sầu" and "Ruột nóng nhƣ lửa đốt," highlighting a cultural difference in the portrayal of psychological states.
“Ủ rũ nhƣ gà phải trời mƣa” Besides, Vietnamese idioms are used to describe extremely dangerous conditions such as “Gió dâ ̣p sóng vùi” , “Tai trời ách đất” ,