: VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENT RESEARCH REPORT THE STUDY ON SYNONYMS OF THE WORDS DENOTING “BEAUTIFUL” IN ENGLISH AND “ĐẸP” IN VIETNAMESE Team Leader: Ngô Ngọc Trà My ID: 22071091 Class: FDB2022C Hanoi, 4/ 2024 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENT RESEARCH REPORT SYNONYMS OF THE WORDS DENOTING “BEAUTIFUL” IN ENGLISH AND “ĐẸP” IN VIETNAMESE SUPERVISOR: Assoc. Hoàng Tuyết Minh TEAM MEMBER No Full name ID Class 1 Ngô Ngọc Trà My 22071091 FDB2022C 2 Trần Diệu Anh 22070199 FDB2022A 3 Nguyễn Phước Hạnh 22071079 BEL2022B 4 Trần Thị Xuân Lam 22070135 BEL2022C 5 Phạm Thanh Hà 22071190 FDB2022C Hanoi, April/2024 2 CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I, the undersigned, hereby certify my authority of the study project report entitled SYNONYMS OF THE WORDS DENOTING “BEAUTIFUL” IN ENGLISH AND “ĐẸP” IN VIETNAMESE submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in English Language. Except where the reference is indicated, no other person’s work has been used without due acknowledgment in the text of the thesis. Hanoi, 2024 (Leader’s signature and full name) Ngô Ngọc Trà My Approved by SUPERVISOR Hoàng Tuyết Minh (Signature and full name) Date: 14/ 04/ 2024 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the instructors in the Department of Applied Linguistics at Hanoi National University's International School for setting up the necessary framework to finish the topic as quickly as possible.
We would especially want to express our gratitude to Mrs. Hoang Tuyet Minh, who suggested the research topic, energetically directed, established ideal conditions, and supplied the required resources to enable us to carry out the study successfully. We also want to express our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this research project. Encouragement, comments, and knowledge sharing from friends have made an important contribution to completing the topic.
In addition, our families' understanding and support have been a vital source of motivation for us during the research phase. We were unable to avoid errors in our investigation and completion of this topic because it was completed quickly and we still didn't know a lot about it. We anticipate hearing insightful feedback and helpful ideas from educators to develop our subject further. We are truly appreciative! 4 ABSTRACT This research project investigates the semantic features of synonyms for words denoting "beauty" in English and "đẹp" in Vietnamese, aiming to offer a nuanced understanding of linguistic expressions across these two languages.
Grounded in both theoretical and practical considerations, the study fills existing gaps in linguistic research by conducting a comprehensive examination of beauty-related synonyms, employing a mixed methods research design. Through a meticulous analysis of data collected from reputable lexical resources, including the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (LDCE) and Từ Điển Tiếng Việt (Hoàng Phê, 2003), the research identifies semantic attributes characterizing these synonyms and unveils potential similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese expressions of beauty. Employing qualitative and quantitative approaches, the study delves into the intricate layers of meaning embedded in these words, offering valuable insights for learners and facilitating more effective cross-cultural communication. By exploring the cultural intricacies and linguistic nuances associated with beauty expressions, the research enhances language proficiency and fosters a deeper appreciation of diverse linguistic and cultural norms.
Ultimately, this multilingual exploration contributes to the broader goal of enhancing multilingual communication and cultural intelligence in an increasingly interconnected world. The findings of this study hold significance for language learning, translation, and cross-cultural communication, providing practitioners with valuable insights into the effective utilization of synonyms when expressing the concept of beauty in English and Vietnamese linguistic contexts. 5 LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES Table 4. Synonyms of the adjectives denoting “beautiful” in English Table 4.
Synonyms of the words denoting “beautiful” in English in terms of denotational meaning Table 4. Synonyms of the words denoting “beautiful” in English in terms of connotational meaning Table 4. Synonyms of the adjectives denoting “đẹp” in Vietnamese Table 4. Synonyms of the words denoting “đẹp” in Vietnamese in terms of denotational meaning Table 4.
Synonyms of the words denoting “beautiful” in English in terms of connotational meaning Table 4. Denotational synonyms at lexical level - use of field words Table 4. Connotational synonyms at lexical level - use of field words Figures 4. Categorizing English adjectives describing "beautiful" - semantic meaning and level of formality Figures 4.
Denotation of adjectives synonyms denote “beautiful” in English Figures 4. Connotation of adjectives synonyms denote “beautiful” in English Figures 4. Categorizing English adjectives describing "đẹp" - semantic meaning and level of formality Figures 4. Denotation of adjectives synonyms denote “đẹp” in Vietnamese Figures 4.
Connotation of adjectives synonyms denote “đẹp” in Vietnamese Figure 4. The amount of denotative adjectives synonyms in each subject of English and Vietnamese. The amount of connotative adjectives synonyms in each subject of English and Vietnamese. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Certificate of originality i Acknowledgments ii Table of contents iii Abstract iv List of tables and figures v CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.
Aims and Objectives. Methods of the study. Scope of the study. Significance of the study.
Structure of the study. 12 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW. An overview of semantic features. An overview of synonyms.
An overview of the words denoting “beautiful” in English. An overview of the words denoting “đẹp” in Vietnamese. Contrastive analysis theory. Context of the study.
Methods of the study. 29 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION. The semantic features of synonyms of the words denoting “beautiful’’ in English. The semantic features of synonyms of the words denoting “đẹp’’ in Vietnamese.
The similarities and differences between synonyms of the words denoting “beautiful” in English and “đẹp” in Vietnamese in terms of their semantic features. In terms of denotational meaning. In terms of connotational meaning. Implications of the study.
Limitations and suggestions for further study.A CORPUS OF THE WORDS DENOTING “BEAUTIFUL” IN ENGLISH. In terms of denotational meaning. In terms of connotational meaning .A CORPUS OF THE WORDS DENOTING “ĐẸP” INVIETNAMESE. In terms of denotational meaning.
In terms of connotational meaning. Rationale Theoretically, the research project, "Synonyms of the Words Denoting 'Beauty' in English and 'Đẹp' in Vietnamese," is driven by a clear rationale grounded in both theoretical and practical considerations. While previous studies in linguistics have explored synonymy, they often lack a comprehensive examination of words signifying "beauty" in the English and Vietnamese languages. Moreover, they tend to study the synonyms and relationships between a three-adjective group.
For example, an article titled ‘A Corpus-Based Analysis of the Adjectives and Synonyms - Beautiful, Handsome, and Pretty’ (2022) conducted careful research on three synonyms beautiful, handsome, and pretty in terms of their meanings and collocation. However, none of them have in- depth research on both synonyms of their orienting subjects. Practically, for learners, making mistakes in choosing approriate and suitable words indicating “beautiful’’ for describing the good-looking appearance in contexts is unavoidable for the diversity and confusing of the adjective words’ sources in this area. For this reason, we took conducting this research into consideration aiming to help learners and communicators effectively communicate in specific contexts.
Therefore, this project is conducted to fill these gaps, offer a nuanced understanding of beauty expression in these languages, and facilitate more effective cross-cultural communication and linguistic research. Aims and Objectives This research is dedicated to a meticulous examination of the semantic features inherent in synonyms and words signifying "beauty" in English, and the equivalent term "đẹp" in Vietnamese. In order to gain the aim of the study, the primary objectives include the identification of semantic features characterizing synonyms of the expressions denoting "beauty" in English and "đẹp" in Vietnamese. By focusing on semantic attributes, the study deals with uncovering the nuanced layers of meaning embedded in these words and their synonyms, offering learners a deeper understanding of the subtle distinctions in usage.
Furthermore, the research endeavors to make a comparative analysis between the semantic features of synonyms in English and Vietnamese, aiming to unveil potential 9 similarities and differences. The research questions guiding this exploration revolve around the semantic features of synonyms for "beauty" in each language and the cross- linguistic similarities and distinctions. The implication of the study is to equip learners with practical knowledge that enhances their proficiency in navigating and utilizing synonyms effectively when expressing the concept of beauty in both English and Vietnamese linguistic contexts. Methods of the study This research employs a mixed methods research design, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches to comprehensively investigate the linguistic features of synonyms for the words denoting "beauty" in English and "đẹp" in Vietnamese.
Qualitative research is conducted to delve into the semantic features of these synonyms, unraveling the intricate layers of meaning associated with expressions of beauty in each language. This involves a descriptive method that meticulously outlines and interprets the semantic attributes of the identified synonyms. Concurrently, quantitative research is employed to measure the frequency of these synonyms, providing a quantitative perspective on their usage. The study utilizes a combination of descriptive, comparative, and contrastive analysis methods to achieve its objectives.
Descriptive analysis is employed to articulate the semantic features of the identified synonyms, offering a nuanced understanding of their individual characteristics. Comparative and contrastive analysis methods are then utilized to systematically compare and contrast the semantic features of synonyms for "beauty" in English and "đẹp" in Vietnamese, revealing both similarities and distinctions. Data for this analysis is collected from reputable lexical resources such as the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (LDCE) and Từ Điển Tiếng Việt (Hoàng Phê, 2003), while the English - Corpora (COCA) and Từ Điển Tiếng Việt (Hoàng Phê, 2003) serve as sources for frequency and contextual usage data. The overarching aim is to provide a holistic view of the semantic landscape of beauty-related synonyms in both languages, enhancing our understanding of their usage and contextual nuances.
Scope of the study This research delves into the realm of synonyms, with a focused exploration of adjective signifying "beauty" in English and their Vietnamese counterpart, "đẹp’’ that describes appearance. The scope of the study is defined by a rigorous semantic approach, aiming to unravel the nuanced layers of meaning embedded in these synonyms. Employing a range of methodologies, including descriptive, comparative, and contrastive analysis, the study systematically dissects the semantic features of the identified synonyms. The data, drawn from authoritative sources such as the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (LDCE), English - Corpora (COCA), and Từ điển Tiếng Việt (Hoàng Phê, 2003), serves as the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the lexical landscape.
For, adjective synonyms denoting “beautiful’’ in English, we found 37 words including 26 denotations and 11 connotations and 20 Vietnamese denotative and 39 connotative ones, which made 59 adjective synonyms denoting “đẹp’’ in Vietnamese in total. By scrutinizing the semantic attributes of beauty-related synonyms, the research seeks to offer valuable insights into their usage patterns and contextual nuances. The implications of this study extend to enriching the learning experience for individuals seeking to master the art of utilizing synonyms effectively when expressing the concept of beauty in English, thereby enhancing their language proficiency. Significance of the study Theoretically, the investigation into the similarities and differences among synonyms for the words conveying "beauty" in English and "đẹp" in Vietnamese holds profound significance.
By scrutinizing the semantic features and usage patterns of these synonyms, the study offers a nuanced understanding of linguistic expressions that go beyond mere translation, emphasizing the cultural intricacies embedded in the concepts of beauty. Unraveling the subtle distinctions in meaning between English synonyms such as "beautiful," "attractive," and "stunning," and their Vietnamese counterparts like "xinh đẹp," "hấp dẫn," and "lộng lẫy" is crucial for effective cross-cultural communication. Understanding when and how to employ these synonyms in various contexts and with different objects allows for a deeper appreciation of cultural norms and linguistic nuances.