INTRODUCTION
Background of the research
In today's globalized world, proficiency in multiple languages is crucial for the development of nations Mastering more than one language requires not only passion but also a deep understanding of linguistic elements such as sounds, symbols, and structures As bilingual communication becomes more prevalent, the demand for translation skills has surged, making it essential for students learning foreign languages However, translation is a complex task that necessitates a blend of various skills, including a thorough grasp of both the source and target languages to ensure accurate and meaningful translations that effectively convey the intended message.
Language serves as a communication system for specific communities, encompassing both literal and figurative meanings The literal meaning directly relates words or sentences to their corresponding objects, while the figurative meaning provides imaginative descriptions or special effects In figurative language, the individual meanings of words may not contribute to the overall understanding, as seen in metaphors, similes, and idioms.
Idioms are widely utilized in everyday language and represent a key aspect of non-literal communication Their frequent and appropriate use signifies a strong command of English, often reflecting native or near-native proficiency However, idiomatic expressions continue to present significant challenges for translators and language learners, despite advancements in translation theory and practice.
In this research, I choose to analyse problems of BE interns when translating English idioms about the personality of people intoVietnamese.
Rationale of the research
Translating idioms poses a significant challenge for Business English students, despite their proficiency in the language Idioms related to personality are particularly relevant and commonly used in both written and spoken communication This article focuses on the issues faced by translation interns in navigating these complexities, highlighting the importance of understanding idiomatic expressions in effective translation.
Department, NEU in translating English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese”
Objectives of the research
Research aims to identify problems that translation interns at Business English Department often face in the process of translating idioms about characteristics of people from English to Vietnamese
The second purpose is to find out the cause of these difficulties during the process translating these idioms
Finally, a number of recommendations have been suggested for interns to solve these problems in the future.
Scope of the research
Research focuses on 60 translation interns at the Business English Department who have been studying translation at the National Economics University.
Research questions
My research focuses on finding the answers to the following questions:
1 What are problems that BE interns often encounter in translating English idioms about characteristics of people?
2 What are the causes of those problems?
3 How do BE interns overcome those difficulties?
Methodology
The article outlines an exercise for interns involving a selection of 20 idioms that describe people's characteristics, sourced from "200 Common English Idioms" by Woo Bo Hyun and the Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms Interns will have 45 minutes to translate these idioms without the aid of a dictionary or Google Translate Following the exercise, all submissions will be collected for analysis to identify common challenges faced by the interns in translating the idioms accurately.
A link questionnaire featuring 10 questions will be developed to explore the challenges, causes, and solutions related to translating English idioms that describe personality traits Interns will have one day to complete the questionnaire before it is closed The findings from this methodology will be essential for the analysis in the Findings chapter.
Interns will participate in a brief interview lasting approximately 10 minutes, during which they will address 3 to 4 questions focused on challenges and solutions related to translating idioms that describe people's characteristics Their responses will be recorded for analysis, serving to clarify any ambiguities found in the questionnaire results Additionally, the data gathered from these interviews is expected to enhance the reliability of the findings.
Structure of the study
The content of the reasearch is divided into the following five main chapters:
This chapter consists of six main parts:
This chapter offers essential insights into the research topic, covering fundamental aspects of translation and the significance of English idioms It highlights the challenges faced by BE interns in translating idiomatic expressions effectively, emphasizing the importance of understanding these nuances in the translation process.
This chapter presents and analyzes data obtained from two research methods and questionnaires and interviews, giving actual numbers to detect and discuss research results
This chapter proposes a number of methods to solve and overcome BE students' difficulties in translating English idioms about characteristics of people
In this part, the researcher summarizes the findings and gives some limitations on the research topic as well as recommendations to help the next studies be more successful.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The cause of problems when translating English idioms about
2.3.1 Don't practise translating idioms usually, so don't have much knowledge about idioms
Business English (BE) students frequently engage with economic documents, which means they encounter economic terminology rather than idiomatic expressions In both classroom settings and examinations, BE students focus on translating materials related to economics, enhancing their vocabulary and proficiency in translating economic terms more effectively than idioms.
The limited practice of translating idioms has hindered BE trainees' comprehension and recognition of these expressions As a result, they face considerable challenges when translating idioms, especially those related to human characteristics.
2.3.2 The very convention of using idioms in written discourse, the contexts in which they can be used, and their frequency of use may be different in the source and target languages
When translating idioms, it's essential to use an equivalent target idiom that shares the same figurative meaning as the source idiom However, some idioms may appear equivalent in form yet convey entirely different meanings Shuttleworth and Cowie (2014: 57-58) refer to these instances as formally symmetrical but semantically asymmetric idioms.
"False friends," known as "tương đương giả" in Vietnamese, refer to idioms that share the same form but possess different meanings, complicating translation and communication For instance, the English idiom "eat one's words" and the Vietnamese idiom "nuốt lời" appear equivalent in structure and literal meaning, both suggesting a failure to uphold a previous opinion However, they diverge significantly in semantics: "eat one's words" implies retracting a statement or admitting to being wrong, while "nuốt lời" signifies breaking commitments or failing to keep promises This highlights the importance of understanding the pragmatic differences between idioms to ensure accurate translation.
"perfect" equivalent in terms of vocabulary, form, grammatical structure, even a similar meaning, we should be wary
When translating idioms, it's essential to be mindful of cultural and national identities, as the target idiom may strip away specific ethnic or cultural nuances Even if the source and target idioms appear lexically and syntactically similar, the translation must resonate authentically in both languages Ensuring that the source language's cultural expression is preserved is crucial to prevent misinterpretation and maintain the integrity of idiomatic meanings.
FINDING AND DISCUSSION
BE interns’ attitude towards idioms about the personality of
3.1.1 The degree of assessing the importance of translating English idioms
Figure 3.1 The degree of assessing the importance of translating English idioms
The pie chart illustrates the significance that BE students place on translating English idioms into Vietnamese Overall, a majority of interns recognize the importance of this translation process Specifically, most students value the role of idiom translation in enhancing their understanding of both languages.
Nearly 42 percent of interns believe that translating English idioms into Vietnamese is crucial, highlighting the significant role of idiomatic translation in effective communication Additionally, a similar proportion of respondents consider it important, underscoring the necessity of understanding cultural nuances in language translation.
A significant 42 percent of individuals recognize the importance of translating English idioms into Vietnamese, while only 17 percent underestimate their significance Notably, no one considers the translation of English idioms to be unimportant.
In a recent interview with five participants, there was unanimous agreement on the significance of translating English idioms The misuse of these idioms poses a substantial barrier to readers' comprehension of the intended meaning in translations Therefore, translating English idioms into Vietnamese is essential and holds great importance for all translation interns in the BE department.
3.1.2 The frequency of BE interns in idiom translation practice
Figure 3.2 The frequency of BE interns in idiom translation practice
The frequency of BE interns in idiom translation practice
A recent questionnaire survey revealed that 75% of BE students typically dedicate 10 to 30 minutes daily to translating English idioms into Vietnamese Additionally, 15 respondents reported spending half an hour to an hour each day on this practice.
A semi-structured interview with five students revealed consistent insights, as all participants reported spending between 20 to 60 minutes daily on translating English idioms.
3.1.3 The percentage of BE students’ self assessment of their ability to translate English idioms into Vietnamese
Figure 3.3: The percentage of BE students’ self assessment of their ability to translate English idioms into Vietnamese
The data indicates a notable disparity in BE students' proficiency in translating English idioms into Vietnamese Specifically, 42% of respondents rated their translation abilities as normal, while 25% considered their skills poor Additionally, nearly 17% of students reported being quite good at translating idioms, which is the same percentage for those who rated their skills as good Overall, the findings suggest that most students struggle with translating English idioms effectively.
Very good Quite good Normal Bad
BE STUDENTS’ SELF ASSESSMENT OF THEIR ABILITY TO
TRANSLATE ENGLISH IDIOMS INTO VIETNAMESE
% the respondents self-assessed their competency at the intermediate level or below in the field of English idioms translation
3.1.4 The percentage of BE students’ evaluation of difficulty level in the translation of English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
Figure 3.4: The percentage of BE students’ evaluation of difficulty level in the translation of English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
The chart illustrates the challenges faced by BE students in translating English idioms related to personal characteristics It is evident that a significant majority of these students find this task difficult, with approximately 75% rating it as difficult or higher Additionally, 16.7% of respondents classified the translation of these idioms as very difficult, highlighting the complexity involved in this aspect of language translation.
Only 8.3% of BE students find translating English idioms related to human characteristics to be a normal task Notably, the total percentage of respondents who rated the difficulty of translating these idioms ranges from normal to very difficult is 100% This indicates a significant disparity between the number of students who perceive the translation as above-normal difficulty compared to those who view it as below-normal difficulty.
BE students’ evaluation of difficulty level in the translation of English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
3.1.5 The frequency of BE students' facing difficulties in translating English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
Figure 3.5: The frequency of BE students' facing difficulties in translating
English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
The pie chart above shows the percentages that are highest at “Often” and
“Sometimes” accounting for 67% This result is not surprising given the number of misinterpreted versions analyzed above Following the highest percentages are
A significant 25% of students reported "always" facing challenges in translating English idioms related to human personality, while only 8% indicated "rarely" encountering such difficulties This suggests that the majority of students frequently struggle with these translations, which aligns with their cognitive performance and translation skills.
The frequency of BE students' facing difficulties in translating English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
BE interns’ problems when translating English idioms about the
3.2.1 The result of Students’ translation Test
IDIOMS CORRECT INCORRECT (or NO
To be as good as gold 52 8
Lie in wait (with something) 50 10
Busybody 49 11 wolf in sheep's clothing 52 8
Table 3.1: The result of Students’ translation Test
In the survey, a list of 10 English idioms about the human personality are given to check respondents' translation skills; and this table shows the result of the small test
In a recent survey, 52 participants correctly interpreted the idiom "to be as good as gold," while 8 respondents either answered incorrectly or left the question unanswered Notably, many who answered incorrectly associated the expression with the concept of preciousness, mistakenly linking it to gold.
In a recent study, 10 out of 60 students misinterpreted an idiom by translating its meaning word-for-word, highlighting a common error in understanding idiomatic expressions This particular idiom has a direct equivalent in Vietnamese, which is "Há miệng chờ sung."
The idiom many students surveyed incorrectly answered was "Spick and span" Up to
Fourteen students either answered incorrectly or left this idiom unanswered, likely due to its lack of a literal meaning and the absence of a similar expression in Vietnamese This idiom specifically describes a person who consistently maintains a neat and tidy appearance.
The idiom "Daydream" was correctly identified by 54 students, highlighting its accessibility due to its straightforward meaning This idiom closely aligns with the definitions of its individual words, making it easier to guess In Vietnamese, a similar expression exists, which translates to "Mơ mộng hão huyền."
The mini test results indicate that students frequently struggle to identify equivalent idioms in Vietnamese and often become confused when encountering idioms with both literal and figurative meanings The subsequent section of this research aims to clarify these challenges and provide strategies to help students overcome them in the future.
3.2.2 The major difficulties BE interns often encounter when translating English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
Figure 3.6: The major difficulties BE interns often encounter when translating
English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
The major difficulties BE interns often encounter when translating English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
Difficulty in recognize and understandidioms
An idiom may have no equivalent in thetarget language
An idiom may have the same idiomaticmeaning in the target language but theimage used is different.
The chart indicates that nearly 50% of trainees struggle with recognizing and understanding idiom meanings, while 33% of students identify the lack of equivalent idioms in the target language as their main challenge Additionally, about 17% find it difficult to translate English idioms related to human personality, as these idioms may share similar meanings but differ in imagery These three issues represent the most significant challenges faced by general translation learners.
3.2.3 The frequency of problems that BE interns often encounter when translating English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always
Idioms are difficult to understand because of the lack of cultural background behind the idioms
Idioms are difficult to understand because of the lack of experience dealing with idioms
An idiom may have no equivalent in the target language
An idiom may have the same idiomatic meaning in the target language but the image used is different
Idioms are difficult when they have no context 4 5 13 21 17
Table 3.2 The frequency of BE interns’ difficulties in translating English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
Survey data indicates that a significant number of students frequently encounter challenges when translating idioms, with most respondents selecting "often" or "always" as their answers.
A survey revealed that 22 respondents find idioms challenging to understand due to a lack of cultural context, with 19 indicating they "always" face this issue and only 6 stating they encounter it rarely This difficulty is largely attributed to the complexities of recognizing idioms and grasping their cultural origins Consequently, all five participants interviewed confirmed they frequently encounter challenges when translating idioms.
A significant portion of participants, nearly one-third, reported that their limited experience with idioms makes them challenging to understand and translate In contrast, only a small number of students indicated that they rarely or never face this issue, with just 2 and 7 responses, respectively.
A significant challenge in translating English idioms is the lack of equivalent expressions in the target language, with 38 out of 60 students reporting this issue frequently Only 8 students indicated that they rarely face this problem, while 14 students stated they encounter it often This highlights the substantial difficulty translators face when an equivalent idiom is unavailable, necessitating the use of descriptive phrases to convey the original meaning effectively.
In summary, translating English idioms, especially those related to human personality, presents numerous challenges As highlighted in part II, the primary difficulty lies in identifying a target language idiom that closely aligns with the source language idiom.
3.3 BE interns’ methods to overcome problems when translating English idioms about the personality of people into Vietnamese
Disagree Strongly disagree Agree Strongly agree
I guess the meaning of idioms from the context 12 8 22 18
I use verbal (textual or audio) information to help activate my knowledge of idioms
I look up unknown idioms in the dictionary 5 5 20 30
I learn idioms by communicating in
I learn idioms by using them in sentences 22 15 11 12
I learn idioms through retelling, elaboration, and paraphrasing
Table 3.3 BE students’ self assessment of methods to overcome difficulties of translating English idioms about human personality into Vietnamese
Overall, the table above shows the BE students’ consensus on the first four strategies Most of them said that they agree or strongly agree with these options
In contrast, only the twolast option has a high number of votes with “disagree” and
“strongly disagree”, and there is no student who chooses other strategies for their respondent
In a study, 40 out of 60 students agreed that recognizing techniques used in translation is crucial Translators must visualize both the literal and figurative meanings of messages, as well as analyze idioms' nature before translating them into the target language However, many struggle to understand idioms in context Consequently, learners and translators often find it beneficial to infer the meanings of idioms based on the surrounding sentence context.
A recent survey revealed that 41 students support the use of verbal information, either textual or audio, to enhance their understanding of idioms, indicating a strong preference for this strategy among Business English students In contrast, only 19 students expressed disagreement, with 8 choosing "strongly disagree" and 11 opting for "disagree." This suggests that the majority of students find this approach beneficial for activating their idiomatic knowledge.
A significant majority of BE students, 50 out of 60, find dictionaries to be a valuable resource for understanding idioms, indicating that this strategy is effective Idioms, which consist of phrases whose meanings cannot be deduced from the individual words, pose challenges for translators, particularly when translating idioms related to human characteristics into Vietnamese The complexity of translation is influenced by the nature of the idioms and the translator's skills, rather than simply whether a complete translation is achieved When faced with idioms that lack direct equivalents in the target language, translators can utilize resources like English idiom dictionaries or books such as "200 Common English Idioms" to grasp meanings quickly and accurately For instance, the idiom "Couch potato" cannot be understood by translating the words literally; it actually describes a lazy person However, it is crucial for learners and translators to use dictionaries as supportive tools rather than crutches, as over-reliance can hinder their ability to understand and memorize idioms effectively.
The fourth strategy for learning idioms effectively is to engage in English communication outside the classroom, with 82% of students expressing agreement with this approach This highlights the importance of practice after theoretical learning, as daily interactions provide an optimal opportunity to memorize and utilize idioms.
For the last strategy that is to learn idioms through retelling, elaboration, and paraphrasing, there are 40 out of 60 students choosing the option “disagree” and
“strongly disagree” Twenty other students expressed agreement This shows that
RECOMMENDATIONS
Using an idiom of similar meaning and form
The ideal scenario for a translator is to identify an idiom that not only conveys the same meaning but also matches the original form This ensures that the translation is both accurate and faithful to the source material.
For example, with the idiom “New one in, old one out”, we can easily find a meaningful idiom and equivalent form in Vietnamese, that is “Có mới, nới cũ”.
Using such equivalent idioms will make the translation as easy and accurate as possible.
Using an idiom of similar meaning but dissimilar form
One effective strategy for translating idioms involves using a target language (TL) expression that conveys the same meaning as the source language (SL) idiom but employs different wording This approach allows for the identification of fixed expressions in the TL that share a similar meaning to the SL idiom, despite differing in lexical composition.
Translation by paraphrase
Paraphrasing is a prevalent technique in translation, often employed when a translator cannot identify a corresponding idiom in the target language (TL) that matches the source language (SL) This strategy is also useful when idiomatic expressions in the SL are deemed unsuitable due to stylistic disparities between the two languages In these instances, the translator can opt for neutral terminology to effectively convey the intended meaning of the SL’s idiom.
When encountering idioms without direct equivalents in Vietnamese, such as "Salt of the earth," which describes someone honest and kind, or "Home bird," referring to someone who prefers staying at home, translators can effectively convey their meanings through concise explanations This approach proves to be a valuable strategy for both learners and translators, ensuring clarity and understanding in the translation process.
Practicing translation
"Practice makes perfect" is a timeless adage that highlights the crucial role of practice in enhancing any skill, including translation Engaging in regular practice allows learners to recognize their strengths and weaknesses, gaining valuable experience in the process This continuous improvement helps them avoid repeating mistakes and effectively tackle challenges in future translations, ultimately leading to greater proficiency in their translation skills.
Asking lecturer to support
Teachers are highly specialized professionals who can assist students facing learning difficulties, especially during the translation process However, many students hesitate to seek help due to fear and shyness The limited contact time with lecturers in a university setting can further distance students from seeking assistance Nevertheless, social networks provide a valuable platform for students to communicate their challenges It is essential for students to be courageous in voicing their problems, enabling teachers to offer the appropriate support they need.
CONLUSION
Summary of the research
Generally, the study gathered problems-related issues in the translation of English idioms about human pesonalities into Vietnamese of BE interns, categorized them and recommended some advice for students
From what has been discussed in the survey questionnaire, it can be concluded that
BE interns frequently struggle with translating English idioms into Vietnamese, recognizing the challenges inherent in the translation process Students find translating idiomatic expressions particularly difficult and complex When faced with these challenges, they often turn to the Internet or online translation tools for assistance Research has provided several recommendations to help these interns navigate and overcome grammatical errors in their translations.
Regular practice is essential for enhancing translation skills and overcoming challenges in the field As learners engage in more translation exercises, they become familiar with a wider range of idioms Additionally, actively reading and referencing translated materials offers significant advantages for translators Seeking guidance from a teacher can also be beneficial in improving translation learning skills.
Limitations of the research
While the research presented in the thesis demonstrates certain achievements, it remains at a preliminary level and is subject to significant limitations The scope of the study is constrained by the thesis format and time restrictions, preventing a comprehensive exploration of the topic Additionally, the online survey could not reach all students at the Faculty of Foreign Studies at the National Economics University, and interviews were not conducted with qualified students from diverse backgrounds Consequently, the research scope is narrowed Lastly, the strategies and recommendations provided are generalized for all Business English students and do not account for the varying levels of individual students.
Suggestions for further studies
Given the study's limitations, it is recommended that researchers conduct further investigations to gain a comprehensive understanding of idioms.
In-depth research on English idioms is essential to understand their meanings and the challenges involved in translating them into Vietnamese Expanding the scope of surveys can provide valuable insights, while a comprehensive approach that utilizes all available resources will yield tailored recommendations These strategies aim to enhance students' skills in translating English idioms related to human personalities into Vietnamese effectively.
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2 Tieu Ha Minh (2014), Đi tìm điển tích thành ngữ
I am conducting a survey on the challenges faced by BE interns in translating English idioms related to human characteristics Your participation in this questionnaire is crucial for my research, and I would greatly appreciate your honest responses Please share your thoughts in the provided spaces and select your answers as appropriate Rest assured, all information will remain confidential and will only be used for my thesis.
Thank you very much for your participation!
1 What do you think about the importance of translating idioms from English to Vietnamese?
2 How often do you often practice translating English idioms?
3 How do you evaluate your ability to translate idioms?
4 Please list some English idioms about human personalities you have ever known?
5 How do you evaluate the level of difficulties when translating English idioms about human personalities into Vietnamese?
6 How often do you encounter the difficulties when translating English idioms about human personalities into Vietnames?
7 What major difficulties do you often encounter when translating English idioms about human personalities into Vietnamese?
A Difficulty in recognize and understand idioms
B An idiom may have no equivalent in the target language
C An idiom may have the same idiomatic meaning in the target language but the image used is different
8 How often do you face difficulties when translating English idioms about the personality of people?
Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always
Idioms are difficult to understand because of the lack of cultural background behind the idioms
Idioms are difficult to understand because of the lack of experience dealing with idioms
An idiom may have no equivalent in the target language
An idiom may have the same idiomatic meaning in the target language but the image used is different
Idioms are difficult when they have no context
9 What methods do you use to boost your ability to translate English idioms about the personality of people into Vietnamese?
I guess the meaning of idioms from the context
I use verbal (textual or audio) information to help activate my knowledge of idioms
I up look up unknown idioms in the dictionary
I learn idioms by communicating in
I learn idioms by using them in sentences
I learn idioms through retelling, elaboration, and paraphrasing
10 Could you give some recommendations to overcome the difficulties when translating English idioms about the personality of people into Vietnamese?