Introduction
With over 8 million speakers globally, English has established itself as the foremost international language Mastering English involves not only understanding grammatical rules but also delving into lexicology, particularly the use of antonyms and synonyms This knowledge is essential for learners striving for effective communication By incorporating a diverse vocabulary, English learners can significantly improve their writing and speaking skills, ultimately achieving their communication goals.
In the English language, words often possess multiple antonyms and synonyms, which vary based on context Therefore, selecting the appropriate term is crucial To effectively use antonyms and synonyms, one must analyze the various meanings in detail, ensuring a deeper understanding of their correct application.
This study gives the overview of antonym and synonym on English
This study analyzes types of antonyms as well as synonyms in detail
This study gives the common problems of English learning when using antonym and synonym
A lot of exercises are given in order that learner practice and enrich their vocabulary
This study explores the concepts of antonyms and synonyms, offering guidance on selecting the appropriate term It provides learners with a comprehensive overview of English antonyms and synonyms, including definitions, key characteristics, and classifications, supported by illustrative examples.
In the main part, this study gives some notes when using Antonyms and
Synonyms in English in order to use exactly and appropriately
This research employs qualitative methods to gather relevant knowledge from various books, dictionaries, and websites, focusing on the theoretical background of antonyms and synonyms in English It identifies typical groups of antonyms and synonyms and explains their usage in different contexts For challenges I encountered, I sought guidance from teachers and friends for advice and instruction.
In order to help readers understand easily, this study is divided into three parts:
Part I-INTRODUCTION: gives the background of the study It comprises five ingredients:
Part II-DEVELOPMENT: includes three chapters:
Chapter I: Theoretical background: Provides the background to the study
It consists of Antonyms and Synonyms
Chapter II: Some notes when using Synonym and Antonym in English Chapter III: Implication: gives some related problems, suggested solutions and provides some exercises for practice
Part III: CONCLUSION: Summaries the content of the whole study and suggests and ideas for further study.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Synonyms in English
Synonyms are expressions that share the same meaning It's important to note that this definition encompasses both simple and complex lexical forms, indicating that even lexically simple phrases can be synonymous with more complex expressions, such as "tease" being equivalent to "to pull somebody's leg."
The second criterion for synonyms emphasizes identity rather than mere similarity, which presents a limited perspective While the initial point holds some truth, many words and expressions commonly viewed as synonyms do not align with this strict definition.
Synonyms are words that belong to the same part of speech and share similar meanings, though they are not identical These words can have comparable denotational or connotational meanings, but they may also differ in their specific nuances Understanding the distinctions between synonyms is essential for effective communication.
Father and dad differ in terms of connotation rather than denotation; on the other hand, misfortune and accident, catastrophe will be different in denotation
I’ll be happy to come vs I’ll be glad to come
In his 1995 work, Lyons defines absolute synonymy as a relationship between expressions that meet three specific criteria For instance, the phrases "I'll be happy to come" and "I'll be glad to come" exemplify this concept, as they convey the same meaning while differing only in word choice.
(1) All their meanings are identical;
(2) They are synonymous in all contexts;
(3) They are semantically equivalent (i.e their meaning or meanings are identical) on all dimensions of meanings and descriptive and non-descriptive
Synonyms are quite rare, particularly when considering a single meaning It's essential to differentiate between partial and near synonyms to fully understand their usage.
They live in a big/large house
While "big" and "large" are often considered synonyms, they are not interchangeable in all contexts, making them partial synonyms Similarly, near synonyms like "mist" and "fog," or "stream" and "brook," differ in denotation The second condition for synonymy involves the collocational range of words, which refers to the contexts in which they can be used Therefore, it is essential to understand that synonyms cannot always be substituted for one another in every situation.
She is making a mistake, big mistake vs she is making a large
"She is making a large mistake” is grammatically well-formed, meaningful But it is unacceptable collocationally
While "firm" and "hard" are often considered synonyms, their interchangeable use can lead to confusion For instance, referring to a "hard government" instead of a "firm government" may not convey the intended meaning Therefore, it is crucial to recognize that synonyms are not always interchangeable.
Why did you marry her? This question has been posed to me countless times If we substitute "ask" with "question," the structure shifts; for instance, we must eliminate "that" (I've questioned you thousands of times).
Substitution is a useful method for assessing synonymy, but it has limitations Synonyms can be context-dependent, meaning they may only share similar meanings within specific contexts or collocations For instance, the words "buy" and "get" illustrate this concept, as their interchangeability is limited to certain situations.
Where did you buy the shirt?
Where did you get the shirt?
The third condition pertains to identity across all dimensions of meaning, with descriptive meaning being the most acknowledged Two expressions are descriptively synonymous if they share the same descriptive meaning, meaning that propositions formed with one expression necessarily imply those formed with the other, and vice versa.
The terms "bachelor" and "unmarried man" illustrate the concept of descriptive synonymy, as a bachelor is inherently an unmarried man, though the reverse may not always hold true To assess their synonymy, one can evaluate whether individuals labeled as bachelors can accurately be referred to as unmarried men and vice versa This relationship may vary among different speakers; some may find the expressions synonymous, while others do not, and a third group may experience ambiguity regarding their equivalence.
The term "unmarried" refers specifically to individuals who have never been married, distinguishing them from divorcees While some may use "bachelor" and "unmarried" interchangeably to describe divorcees, it is important to recognize that these terms are not synonymous.
The terms "big" and "large" are often synonymous, sharing similar meanings across various contexts They convey a non-descriptive, expressive connotation that reflects socio-expressive nuances in language.
English speakers often prefer more expressive words like "huge," "enormous," "gigantic," and "colossal" to convey their feelings about size, rather than using the phrases "very big" or "very large." These vivid alternatives enhance communication and evoke stronger imagery.
There is a very important point we wish to acknowledge, i.e most of the words expressions everyday have both a descriptive and expressive meaning
If we consider "autumn" and "fall", there is no way of telling whether they are synonymous or not unless they are used a sentence like “He travels to the
States every fall/autumn" Thus exists a view that synonymy is a relation between predicates or sentences rather than words
English contains approximately 8,000 synonymic groups, which consist of words with similar meanings, such as "chief" and "principal" or "main" and "important." Each synonymic group features a "synonymic dominant," a general and neutral term that typically belongs to the core vocabulary of the language.
Leave, depart, quit, retire, clear out
Antonyms in English
In "Basic English Lexicology" (2005), Hoang Tat Truong defines antonyms as pairs of words, typically belonging to the same part of speech, that share similar stylistic features and distribution These words are closely related and used in conjunction, resulting in meanings that are fundamentally contradictory.
“My only love sprung from my only hate too early seen unknown and known too late” (1)
The article discusses three pairs of antonyms: love vs hate, early vs late, and known vs unknown Love and hate, as well as known and unknown, represent actions and are categorized as verbs, while early and late are adjectives that refer to time Love is defined as the absence of hate, illustrating a contrast in affection, while late is the opposite of early based on temporal context, and unknown is the antonym of known, highlighting differences in awareness.
Sentences with opposing meanings are inherently contradictory; if one is true, the other must be false When two sentences share the same subject but contain antonymic predicates, they are also mutually exclusive.
The television is on now The television is off now Jack is a good boy Jack is a bad boy Bob loves football Bob hates football
Antonyms are pairs of lexemes, such as "on" and "off," "good" and "bad," or "love" and "hate," that belong to the same part of speech and convey contrasting or opposite meanings.
Antonyms are pairs of words that have opposite meanings, such as "hot" and "cold" or "up" and "down." A single word can have multiple antonyms depending on its context; for instance, both "long" and "tall" serve as antonyms for "short."
(www.en.vikipedia.org) For example:
She took a plate and gave me a clean one
In the example, there is a pair of antonym: take and give In the sentence, take means receive… In terms of the contrary relation, take and give are antonyms
Furthermore, take is the polysemantic word; it has meanings in which have many antonyms For example, take three antonyms: give, put and bring
The term "Hoang Tat Truong" illustrates that seemingly opposite words can lack a direct relationship, making them non-antonyms For instance, in the phrases "She is beautiful but lazy" and "He is rich but unhappy," the words "beautiful" and "lazy," as well as "rich" and "unhappy," appear to contradict each other yet do not function as antonyms due to their lack of connection In contrast, "late" and "early" are true antonyms because they are inherently related to the concept of time.
Oppositeness is perhaps not such a pervasive meaning in the vocabulary of
English as synonym, but is has an important role in structuring the vocabulary of
English Many antonyms are explained by the means of the negative particle
“not” Almost every word can have one or more antonyms Like synonyms, antonyms occupy an important place in the use of idioms
Not only words, but set expressions as well, can be grouped into antonymic pairs, for example: by accident >< on purpose
Conclusion, Antonym is a word to another word which holds a general or specific opposite meaning, idea or concept and word may have different antonyms
We can base on the meaning, the derivation and the part of speech to classify antonyms
Antonyms cover a number of different types of oppositeness of meaning
Four types are common identified by John Lyons (1992:284) are Gradable antonyms, Contradictory or Complementary antonyms, relation or conversive antonyms and directional antonyms
Graded antonyms are understood as antonyms which operate on a continuum, such often occur in binomial phrases with and: (blow) hot and cold,
(Tom Mc Arthur, “Antonym”, The Oxford
Companion to the English language, Oxford University Press, 1992)
Gradable antonyms represent a more/less relationship rather than a strict either/or distinction This relationship is demonstrated through the use of comparative and superlative forms, allowing terms like "happier" and "happiest" to convey varying degrees of meaning.
My arm is longer than yours
I love a good book more than a good meal
(Hoa, 2002:31) One the other hand, because the adjectives are not mutually exclusive, they can be qualified by adverbial of degree e.g quite happy, extremely happy, fairly happy, ect…
The meanings of contrary pairs are interrelated, with each term defined in relation to its opposite These pairs exhibit gradability, indicating that the semantic contrast is not absolute For instance, the spectrum between "rich" and "poor" includes various intermediate terms such as "well-to-do," "well-off," "moderately wealthy," "comfortably off," and "hard up," illustrating the nuanced distinctions in socioeconomic status.
Especially, the negation of one dose not mean the assertion of the other “he is not rich” dose not mean “he is poor”
Hoang Tat Truong suggests that understanding antonyms through the lens of "marked" and "unmarked" members can be beneficial The unmarked member is more versatile and often encompasses the meanings of the marked member, indicating shared components in their meanings This approach allows for a deeper analysis of antonyms based on the concept of markedness.
How tall is he? (no implication, to ask his height and the asker don’t know that he is tall or short)
How short is he? (implication that he is short)
Beautiful and ugly are antonyms that describe contrasting appearances These terms can be considered gradable antonyms, as one might say someone is "quite beautiful," another is "rather ugly," or that "she is more beautiful than her younger sister."
Addition to, there are intermediate terms between beautiful and ugly: Beautiful: pretty: good-looking: plain: ugly Moreover, we might sat that:
How beautiful is she? (no implication, to ask her appearance and the asker don’t know that she is beautiful or ugly.
How ugly is she? (implication that she is ugly)
Likely, these adjectives are gradable antonyms
Beautiful – ugly Easy – difficult Wide – narrow Increase – decrease
Gradable antonyms are a type of antonym that can be modified using comparative and superlative forms They can also be qualified by adverbs of degree and feature intermediate terms that exist between the two opposing concepts Additionally, gradable antonyms can be examined through the lens of markedness.
Tom Mc Arthur gave the definition of complementary antonyms:
“Complementary antonyms are antonyms which express an either or relationship, e.g dead or alive, male or female.”
(Tom Mc Arthur, ‚Antonym‛, The Oxford
Companion to the English language, Oxford University Press, 1992)
Antonyms represent opposites; for instance, closing a window means it is no longer open Similarly, losing a game indicates that winning is not achieved Additionally, allowing certain behavior implies that it is not prohibited.
Complementary antonyms are pairs of words that represent opposing states or conditions For example, "asleep" is the antonym of "awake," as being asleep means one is not awake Similarly, "dead" serves as the antonym of "alive," indicating that if someone is dead, they are not alive These relationships highlight the clear contrast between the two terms.
On – off Shut – open Permit – forbid True – false
In short, complementary antonyms are the antonyms involving two items that presuppose that the assertion of one is the negation of the order
According to Tom Mc Arthur, “The conversive antonym in which one describes a relationship between two objects and the other describes the same relationship when the two objects are reversed”
(Tom Mc Arthur, ‚Antonym‛, The Oxford Companion to the English language, Oxford University Press, 1992)
Antonyms often convey conversive meanings, where one term reflects the opposite perspective of the other For instance, in the context of the words "buy" and "sell," the same transaction can be described from two distinct viewpoints, highlighting their conversive relationship.
Ted bought the car from Henry Henry sold the car to Ted
In the example, bought is an antonym of sold in terms of the contract relation in market
Similarly with nouns as husband and wife, a sentence may express the relationship in one of two conversive ways
Vicky is Karl’s wife Karl is Vicky’s husband
In the example, wife is an antonym of husband on the basic of the contrary relationship in family
Relational antonyms are pairs of adjectives that represent opposing concepts within a specific context, such as "teacher" and "student" in an educational setting, or "left" and "right" in relation to direction.
Speak – listen Above – below Before – after Give – receive
In nutshell, relational antonyms are the antonyms which are opposite or contrasting in the order of participants and their roles
Directional antonyms are understood as: directional antonyms are the antonyms which are opposite in the directions
With the pair of antonyms ‘arrive- depart’, a sentence may mention to different and conversive way to each:
The 8-hour-train has departed the station and will have arrived at Ha Noi by 10.30
In the sentence, arrive is an antonym of depart in terms of the contractory direction
Similarly, these adjectives are directional antonyms (up is antonym of down, arrive is an antonym of depart, into is an antonym of out in term of the contractory direction):
To sum up, directional antonyms are antonyms which indicate the contractory direction
Hung (2006:99) classified antonyms into two main types: Root word antonyms and derivational antonyms
In the first place, it is necessary to understand “root word antonyms are words completely different in sound- forms They are of different roots” For example:
- Old - Young She is old but her friend is young
- Give - Take Mary gives 25$ for the boy and she takes his hat
In the example, the pairs of antonyms: Old – young, give – take are different in sound-forms and different roots
To sum up, root word antonyms are antonyms which are different in sound- forms and different roods
According to Hoang Tat Truong, derivational antonyms are words formed by derivation (words of the same roots)
The plane appeared in the sky, then suddenly disappeared behind a cloud
(New vocabulary in use – Stuart Redman & Ellen Show)
In the sentence appear and disappear are antonyms in which appear is added dis prefix in order to create its antonym So, they called derivational antonyms
Similarly, these adjectives are derivational antonyms:
Like – dislike Appear – disappear Useful – useless Logical – illogical
To sum up, Derivational antonyms are words formed by adding negative prefixes or suffixes
2.2.3 Based on the part of speech
Based on the part of speech, antonyms were divided into four types: antonymous nouns, antonymous verbs, antonymous adjectives, and antonymous verbs
Antonymous nouns are antonyms which are typically found among nouns
Vietnamese synonyms and Antonyms
Vietnamese linguists often overlook the significance of synonyms, which are defined as words that share similar meanings but differ in pronunciation and may carry distinct semantic or stylistic nuances This understanding highlights the complexity of synonyms in the Vietnamese language, emphasizing their role in enriching communication through subtle variations in meaning and expression.
Giáo dục, H., 1997.) However, the most detailed definition is given by Nguyen
In "Từ và vốn từ tiếng Việt hiện đại," Van Tu is recognized as a pioneer in the field of Vietnamese lexicology He defines synonyms as distinct words that refer to the same object, characteristic, or action Vietnamese synonyms are categorized into two main types: absolute synonyms and partial synonyms As outlined in the 1998 Vietnamese language textbook for sixth graders, absolute synonyms share identical shades of meaning, whereas partial synonyms exhibit variations in meaning.
Absolute synonyms are divided into four subtypes according to the source of the origin of the word We can replace this one for another in context or during conversation
Archaic words make a great contribution to the development of
Vietnamese language beside extended modern They are used in the past and rooted in native words or words borrowed from Mon-Khmer, Mon-Khmer, Tày-
Thái, Mường, Hán or even European language which is no longer used in
Vietnamese language Therefore,they cooperate with new ones to create couples of synonyms as following:
Archaic words Modern words Meanings
Văn pháp Ngữ pháp Grammar
Tình nhân Người yêu Lover
Phi cơ Máy bay Plance
B Regional dialect and standard words
Regional dialects naturally evolve alongside the standard language in various parts of the country, enriching the overall linguistic landscape and leading to the formation of synonyms.
Standard words Southern words Meanings
In its long-lasting history, Vietnamese country used to be colonized by
China, France, and the USA Naturally, words from Chinese, French and
English have entered Vietnamese as a consequence of these invasions These borrowings exist as the synonyms of Vietnamese words
Công-tai-nơ Thùng đựng hàng Container
Rốc-két Đạn phản lực Rocket
Xì-căng-đan Vụ bê bối Scandal
Mít-ting Buổi họp Meeting
Phụ nữ Đàn bà Woman
Xe hỏa Xe lửa Train
Termilogy include specific words used only in a certain field of science
They are the scientific names of the things For example, the peel of mandarin is called " vỏ quýt" in common Vietnamese, but in traditional medicine it is " trần bì"
Partial synonyms are subdivided due to different nuances of meaning We have to carefully consider when choosing words to express right objective reality and feeling nuances
A Stylistic synonyms This kind of stylistic synonyms have similarity in denotation but difference in connotation For example:"hysinh, từ trần, ngoẻo" all describe the state of stopping living However,"hy sinh" are is expressed to give up one's life for a noble purposes purpose, with great regret of livers "Từ trần" is used to describe the death of normal people with neutral emotion
"Ngoẻo" are is used to describe a death of a certain person with indifferent feeling
Words that indicate varying scales and sizes, such as "lâu đài" (castle), "nhà" (house), and "lều" (hut), serve as scale synonyms In this context, a castle is larger than a house, and a house is larger than a hut, illustrating the hierarchical relationship between these terms.
These are synonymous words differing in the level of expressive ability
For example, "ngại" ; “ sợ" and "kinh" all describe the feeling of being afraid
But “ngại" ( dread ) is lighter, " sợ" is more expressive, " kinh" is the most expressive of the feeling They are similar to semantic synonyms in English
Certain synonyms convey similar actions but apply to different subjects For instance, the Vietnamese words "bửa," "che," "chặt," "chém," and "vót" all relate to creating an opening or a wound in something, particularly with a sharp tool However, their usage is specific; we can say "bửa củi," "chặt củi," and "che củi," but phrases like "cắt củi," "chém củi," and "vót củi" are not correct.
Verbs that describe actions can vary in their nuances, particularly when referring to the concept of removing or vanishing For instance, the Vietnamese words "gạch," "xóa," and "tây" all convey the idea of eliminating something, yet they each denote different methods: "gạch" signifies crossing something out, "xóa" implies using a duster to erase it, and "tây" refers to employing an eraser to remove it.
The number of Vietnamese synonyms rooted in Hán-Việt is large For example: nữ (hán-việt) has the same meaning with đàn bà , con gái (woman in
Antonyms are words that possess opposite meanings, emphasizing the importance of understanding these contrasts within specific contexts While it is common to refer to them as "opposite words," the focus should be on their semantic differences Recognizing antonyms enriches language comprehension by highlighting conflicting meanings in various aspects.
3.2.2.1 Notable classification methods in Vietnamese linguistics
In Vietnamese linguistics, Do Huu Chau (1962), divided into antonyms:
1 Words denoting each other's qualities and natural phenomena are mutually exclusive (war - peace)
2 Words that indicate opposite spatial directions (north - south)
3 Words that reflect the quality or quantity of change, in the middle have a neutral point (cold - hot)
4 Words denoting ontologies represent conflicting properties
5 Words indicating contradictory phenomena and classes (bourgeois- property)
1 The antonym indicates the opposite of quality and capacity: high - low
2 The antonym is denoting the opposite of meaning, based on the added factor, that is, two complementary opposing components, of which the negation of the word is the meaning of the other for example: not honest = false
3 The antonym indicates the opposite direction of the action, the nature, for example: revolution - anti-revolution
Nguyễn Thiện Giáp identifies two types of antonyms: vocabulary antonyms and contextual antonyms His concept has been extensively discussed in various works concerning antonyms and their related topics By 1988, these ideas had been further developed and explored in the field.
Duong Ky Duc categorizes opposites into various types: contradictory pairs such as black and white, contrasting states like living and dead, opposing actions including to set and to rise, inverse relationships exemplified by won and losing, and opposing realms represented by heaven and earth.
3.2.2.2 Possible classifications of Vietnamese antonyms
This section categorizes the Vietnamese antonym system using various criteria, including stability of meaning, word type, French word structure, operability, degree of transformation, conceptual province, and the correlation between constituent elements A logical-semantic classification serves as a foundation for this categorization, which includes oppositional pairs such as hot-cold, complementary antonyms like life-death, transactional relationships exemplified by buy-sell, and directional antonyms such as in-out.
Single antonyms consist of pairs formed by a single phoneme, where each pole is made up of a morpheme Examples of such antonyms include pairs like white and black, literary and martial, in and out, won and lost, as well as toss.
Complex antonyms are antonyms that have more than one phonemic formation In other words, complex antonyms are antonyms formed from a single antonym
The isotropic antonyms can be the opposite of pure isolation: love is angry, upright - mischievous, lazy - hard-working, fast - slow, etc In
In Vietnamese, there exists a unique category of isolated antonyms, characterized by words that contain at least one linguistic element capable of opposing another Examples include pairs like tall/short, fast/slow, and diligent/lazy Typically, Vietnamese compound antonyms adhere to a semantic model where the meaning of the compound word emerges from the combination of its constituent elements, often blending their common meanings while minimizing their differences, as seen in the relationship between love and hatred.
The secondary coupling structure is complex, characterized by sub-main compound antonyms that adhere to a distinguished semantic model Grammatically, the formation of pairs with opposing meanings typically exhibits polymorphism, often combining verbs and adjectives, as seen in examples like "trade deficit" and "export surplus," "xenophobia" and "foreign student," as well as "narrow" and "expansion."
+ noun: grace - vengeance, takeoff - landing, presence - absence, defeat - win: adjective + noun: good number - ugly, ugly - good temperament, prepositions + verbs: mistreatment - respectful, unpleasant - pleasant,
Comparing Synonyms and Antonyms in Vietnamese and English
2.1 Comparing Vietnamese Synonyms and English Synonyms
2.1.1 Collate semantics of synonyms in English and Vietnamese
In this thesis, we will employ the case study method to conduct a comparative analysis of the semantic sequences of typical synonyms This analysis will focus on synonyms that share similar meanings in English, highlighting their relationships and distinctions.
Vietnamese to draw similarities and the differences of synonyms between two languages are compared
CARRY , BEAR, CONVEY, TRANSPORT, TRANSMIT vs a) MANG, ĐEM, XÁCH, BÊ, BƯNG b) ĐEO, VÁC, GÁNH, KHIÊNG, KHUÂN, QUẨY, ĐỘI c) CHỞ, TẢI, CHUYÊN CHỞ, VẬN CHUYỂN, CHUYỂN VẬN, VẬN TẢI
The analysis reveals that the English synonym sequence conveys the concept of "moving an object by possessing it and relocating it elsewhere" using significantly fewer vocabulary units compared to its counterparts.
Vietnamese synonyms exhibit a more nuanced semantic distinction compared to English, particularly in terms of manual transport actions The variations in these synonym sequences are influenced by specific arguments and cycles.
1 Subject of act of transport: one person (vác, xách) or more than one person
2 Type of objects to be transported: people, animals or objects and objects small / normal or heavy weight, bulky, for example, light objects (xách, bưng), heavy or bulky objects (bê, vác);
3 Means of transport: by hand (row a); by shoulder or back and may be accompanied by some instrument (such as yoke, bamboo frame ) (row b); by means of transport (row c);
4 Mode or mode of transportation (expressed in the meaning of words in each sequence), for example: carried with one hand to let go down (xách);” mang”
(usually a heavy object) with both hands held forward, without lifting (bê); carried with both hands, reaching around chest or abdomen (bưng) ;
The new English dictionary lists different English synonyms By the following three arguments:
1 The nature of the object or object to be transported;
3 Means of transport: manual (row a); by shoulder or back and may be accompanied by some instrument (yoke, bamboo frame ) (row b); by means of transport (row c);
4 Mode or mode of transport (expressed in the meaning of words in each sequence), for example: carried with one hand to let go down (xách); carry
(usually a heavy object) with both hands held forward, without lifting (bê); carried with both hands, reaching around chest or abdomen (bưng) ;
5 Transport distance: near (bưng, bê) or far (vậnchuyển-transport)
The new English dictionary lists different English synonyms according to the following three arguments:
1 The nature of the object or object transported12;
3 The end - no end of the action
In our opinion, the English synonyms are different in the fourth argument as well as the synonyms in Vietnamese "Transport distance near or far"
(expressed in the meaning of the words transsport, transmit)
In Vietnamese, several verbs convey nuanced meanings related to discrimination, including "cắp," which involves a person as the subject and can refer to animals or immovable objects as the objects of action This verb typically implies using the hand and describes a method of pinching something under the armpit or to the side Another related verb is "cõng," which also reflects these distinctions in action and context.
In the context of transportation, people often carry objects on their backs, utilizing their arms and strength This method is common among individuals and can also involve animals Additionally, when it comes to bicycles, riders frequently dismount and leave their bicycle saddles to navigate various terrains.
2.1.1.3 Semantic comparison of synonymous adjectives:
WEAK , FEEBLE, FRAIL, FRAGILE, INFIRM, DECREPIT vs
YẾU, YẾU ĐUỐI, YẾU ỚT
The comparison results show that Vietnamese adjectives also differ in the following meanings as English adjectives:
1) The bodyl system (physical body) reveals weakness (only the muscular system or the whole body);
2) The form of showing weakness (unable to self-endeavor - unable to prevent other people's efforts towards the subject);
3) Assess weakness from the speaker
Vietnamese adjectives are not distinguished in the following meanings as in
Le Duc Trong's English explanation of synonyms highlights the centrality of the word "weak" by comparing it with various Vietnamese adjectives such as yếu, yếu ớt, and ốm yếu This comparison illustrates that English adjectives often carry broader meanings than their Vietnamese counterparts Consequently, the same English adjectives may be translated into multiple Vietnamese terms depending on the context in which they are used.
2 1.1.4 Reconcile the semantics of a sequence of synonym nouns
COUPLE, PAIR, BRACE, YOKE vs HAI, VÀI, ĐÔI, CẶP
The term "couple" has a wide and somewhat ambiguous definition, typically referring to two entities For instance, it can denote a pair of girls, women, boys, dogs, cats, or even cows This versatility allows "couple" to encompass various combinations, making it a flexible term in everyday language.
(hai con chó / nhiều con mèo, nhiều con bò cái); after a couple of glasses
(several glasses); in a couple of minutes / of days (hai phút / ngày)
A pair refers to two items that together create a complete set, where each item is dependent on the other Common examples include a pair of eyes, hands, or feet, as well as a pair of shoes The phrase "to walk in pairs" emphasizes the concept of two entities functioning together harmoniously.
A brace and a yoke are terms specifically used to denote pairs, highlighting the relationship between two items For instance, a brace can refer to a brace of pheasants, ducks, greyhounds, or even pistols, while a yoke typically describes a yoke of oxen These terms illustrate the connection between the paired items, emphasizing their relatedness in the speaker's perception.
In the Vietnamese counting system, "two" serves as the index word following the first and preceding the third While "double" and "pair" are synonymous with "two," there are distinct differences in their meanings and usage.
When referring to a small, unspecified number of people, typically between two and three, we use phrases like "hai," "ba," "đôi," or "vài ba người." The term "vài" is commonly employed to denote an indefinite quantity, generally around two or slightly more Thus, expressions such as "một vài," "vài ba," and "vài bốn" are frequently used However, it is incorrect to use "vài" with larger numbers like "vài năm" or "vài sáu." For indicating an unknown quantity ranging from four to five or five to six, the correct terms are "bốn năm" and "đắm sáu."
When two entities come together, they create a cohesive pair; however, if separated, they become singular and unbalanced For instance, two chopsticks form a pair of chopsticks, while two shoes create a pair of shoes.
If two people or things are so attached to one another that one person cannot be separated from the other or the other, it is called a couple: a couple
Thus, the semantic disparity of the above synonymous noun sequences in
English and Vietnamese is completely the same: Couple = hai, vài; Pair = đôi
(eyes, shoes); brace, yoke = cặp (couple, shoes)
2.1.2 Comparision of meaning in English and Vietnases on pragmatics aspect
Pragmatic information, as noted by Ju D Apresjan, is closely linked with semantic information, making it challenging to distinguish between the two Often, pragmatic information is embedded within the lexical meaning itself This thesis explores the sequence of synonymous terms in English and Vietnamese, focusing on the integration of general pragmatic information and the specific pragmatic implications derived from numerical perspectives, particularly as they relate to word meanings.
The complex nature of unstable pragmatism is context-dependent and is not addressed by Ju.D Apresjan This thesis aims to reconcile synonyms in both English and Vietnamese based on the speaker's evaluation and the listener's interpretation of meaning Notably, the similarities among reference objects, or synonyms, often overshadow their differences Thus, it is crucial to compare English and Vietnamese synonyms using pragmatic parameters to reveal distinct pragmatic information We propose the term "pragmatic term" to identify this unique pragmatic information, distinct from synonyms, which we refer to as "pedicular." Pragmatics involves distinguishing based on opposites within the same type of pragmatic information, such as assessment information on a numerical scale, which includes three opposites: neutral, low, and numerous ratings This comparative analysis of pragmatics in synonyms across English and Vietnamese highlights the nuances in meaning and usage.
CARRY , BEAR, CONVEY, TRANSPORT, TRANSMIT và a) MANG, ĐEM, XÁCH, BÊ, BƯNG b) ĐEO, VÁC, GÁNH, KHIÊNG, KHUÂN, QUẨY, ĐỘI c) CHỞ, TẢI, CHUYÊN CHỞ, VẬN CHUYỂN, CHUYỂN
The results of the comparative analysis show that the sequence of verbs is synonymous English is spoken in different areas according to the following 5 pragmatics:
1 The grammatical expression of books (pen) or neutral;
2 The pragmatism that evaluates the weight or importance of the transporting object is large, so it requires the efforts of the subject;
3 The pragmatism that evaluates the object to be transported is of a particular or peculiar nature;
4 The pragmatism evaluates the distance to transport as far;
5 The pragmatism evaluates the action of being complete, reaching the goal
Finding and Disscusion
3.1 Some related problems when using Synonyms and solutions
Through an analysis of student writing, conversations, and a brief test, alongside interviews with approximately 20 students, we identified common errors in synonym usage among beginner students at Hanoi University of Culture during their initial three classes.
The majority of students interviewed thought that the synonyms in
English is versatile and can be used interchangeably in various contexts; however, many students struggle to differentiate between synonyms This difficulty arises from a lack of understanding of the subtle nuances in meaning among similar words, preventing them from selecting the most appropriate terms for specific situations.
A few common errors related to synonyms will be considered in the following
This type of error is related to grammar rules used with words, usually caused by using the wrong English grammar structure
For example: In the survey, most students choose the word purport in the following sentence:
The author purports that tobacco is harmful
The verb "purport" means to claim or pretend to be something, and it is typically used in the structure "purport to be" or "purport to have." Here are some examples that illustrate the usage of the verb "purport."
The document purports to be an official statement
The book does not purport to be a complete history of the period
In the given context, the verb "to purport" is not appropriate; instead, the correct term is "to claim," which means to assert or declare something The typical sentence structure for using "claim" is "claim something" or "claim that." Here are some illustrative examples.
She claims (that) she is related to the author
After the battle, both sides delayed victory
Many students often struggle to distinguish between synonymous word pairs such as "big" and "large," "firm" and "hard," "ask" and "question," or "buy" and "get." This confusion is particularly evident when these words are used in common phrases, like "big mistake" versus "large mistake," "firm government" compared to "hard government," "ask somebody" versus "question somebody," and "buy the shirt" versus "get the shirt." Understanding these nuances is crucial for effective communication.
For example: Students often think that the following 2 sentences are the same:
"She is making a big mistake" and "She is making a big mistake"
Grammatically, the phrase 'a large mistake' is completely acceptable (an ajective + a noun) but cannot be used in combination We just said “a big mistake”, not “a big mistake”.
This error is due to a misunderstanding of the meaning of the word used in the sentence
Example: When someone wants to say someone was injured in a car accident, students often write the following sentence:
I was badly damaged in the accident
The word “damage” is often used with collocates with words for things, meaning loss and damage (usually economic) Let's consider the following examples:
The vandals did a lot of damage to the car
Millions of dollars ’worth of storm damage
The shop tried to sell me a damaged sofa but I noticed it just in time
In the context of accidents, the appropriate term to use is "injured" rather than "damage," as "injured" specifically refers to physical harm to people This word is commonly associated with incidents such as car accidents or sports injuries, highlighting the bodily harm experienced.
In the coacsh 10 people died and 18 were seriously injured
Three injured people aere taken to hospital after the accident
3.2 Some related problems when using Antonyms and solutions
When Vietnamese learners use antonym, they usually make the common mistakes.The first mistake is that the learners often learn by heart antonyms
When using antonyms, it's crucial to consider the context, as a single polysemantic word can have multiple opposites For instance, "take" can be contrasted with "put," "bring," and "give," depending on the specific situation Therefore, learners must carefully select the appropriate antonym based on the context in which the word is used.
She give to the boy $12 and take his hat
Mary takes a ball then put it in right place
He will take you to the party and bring you home on time
According to Hung (2006: 99), the most common mistake made by
Vietnamese learner when using antonyms is ‚contrast it to its missing antonym"
Learners often misuse antonyms, such as confusing "short" and "long" or "tall," which can have overlapping meanings in certain contexts For example, in the sentence, "That was one more reason she didn't look forward to Cathy's visit, short or long," the use of these terms illustrates the potential for misunderstanding.
“That was one more reason she didn't look forward to Cathy's visit short or tall”.
According to Hoang Tat Truong Semantic polarity presupposes the presence of some common semantic components in the denotation meaning
The term "ashamed" refers to the emotion of feeling unhappy or troubled due to one's own wrongdoing or foolish actions In contrast, its antonym "proud" encompasses a sense of happiness and assurance, rooted in moral values.
With these mistakes, the learners should take consideration to as well situation of the sentences to use antonyms in a right way
The antonym of a descriptive adjective plays a crucial role in semantic relationships, highlighting the significance of oppositional meanings The markedness of these opposing members is established through the marked term, which is essential for understanding their definitions.
WN definitions are reversed: true means 'consistent with fact or reality; not false,' while its antonym signifies 'not in accordance with fact, reality, or actuality.' When defining antonyms based on their relationship, it is crucial to focus on cycles, where antonyms are interdefined.
The meaning of adjectives is often influenced by the nouns they modify, making the semantic structure of adjectives dependent on these nouns Therefore, understanding the meaning of adjectives and their antonyms frequently requires an examination of the associated nouns.
Antonyms often manifest through euphemism, as highlighted by Hoang Tat Truong, who notes that many antonyms are defined using negative particles, such as "clean" meaning "not dirty" and "shallow" meaning "not deep." This syntactic negation, achieved with the particle "not," is considered less potent than the direct lexical antonym.
I am sorry to inform you that we are not at all satisfied with your sister (1)
We are very much dissatisfied with her (2) (Ch Dickens)
Negation can be intensified by the phrase "at all," but its effect varies between sentences In sentence (1), the negation lacks the strength found in sentence (2), which employs a word with a negative prefix to enhance the meaning This indicates that lexical antonymy carries a stronger opposite meaning than syntactic negation Additionally, euphemisms serve as expressions that mitigate unpleasant or offensive feelings, allowing speakers to convey sensitive information gently By using euphemisms, we can present potentially shocking information in a more palatable manner.
Therefore, not only synonym but also antonym (the negation) is used in euphemism
Hoang Tat Truong suggests that we frequently focus solely on the extremes of a scale, often interpreting statements like "not bad" as a subtle way of indicating that something is, in fact, good.
For example: The poem is not good doesn’t mean the poem is bad.