MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PHENIKAA UNIVERSITY GRADUATION PAPER AN INVESTIGATION INTO ENGLISH IDIOMS WITH WORDS DENOTING WEATHER AND THEIR VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENTS Student: Ngo Thi Hao Student ID No: 19010274 Course: 2019 - 2023 Field: English Language Mode of study: Full-time Supervisor: Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Ph.D Ha Noi – 2023 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PHENIKAA UNIVERSITY GRADUATION PAPER AN INVESTIGATION INTO ENGLISH IDIOMS WITH WORDS DENOTING WEATHER AND THEIR VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENTS (NGHIÊN CỨU VỀ CÁC THÀNH NGỮ TIẾNG ANH CÓ TỪ CHỈ THỜI TIẾT VÀ NHỮNG TƯƠNG ĐƯƠNG TRONG TIẾNG VIỆT) Student: Ngo Thi Hao Student ID No: 19010274 Course: 2019 - 2023 Field: English Language Mode of study: Full-time Supervisor: Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Ph.D Ha Noi – 2023 iii ABSTRACT Idioms are commonly employed in daily communication, both in the English language and in other languages spoken around the world. This study investigated the meanings of idioms related to weather in English and Vietnamese. Through analyzing a list of such idioms, the study would identify cultural and grammatical factors that influence the use and interpretation of words denoting weather in both languages. The findings would shed light on the similarities and differences between the two languages, and their impact on bilingual communication.
The study highlighted the intricate relationship between language and culture, and how they have shaped our perception of the world. iv v ACKNOWLEDGMENT My study has been only completed successfully with the assistance and guidance of my teachers, my friends, and my relatives. I would, first of all, like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Ph. for her invaluable guidance and advice, which helped me focus my study and stay on track.
I am also grateful to all my teachers at the Faculty of English at Phenikaa University. The assistance and support from the faculty and staff have been instrumental in making our research a success. Lastly, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to our families and friends for their unwavering support and faith in my abilities. Their encouragement and motivation were crucial in helping me to persevere through the various challenges I encountered during the research process.
Without them, this achievement would not have been possible. Definitely, I will not be able to do anything without their help! vi TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION. Rationale for the study. Aims of the study.
Scope of the study. Significance of the study. Design of the study. 5 CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW.
Definition of idioms. Definition of idioms. The usage of idioms. The usage of idioms about the meaning.
The usage of idioms about the spiritual values. Words denoting weather idioms in English. 9 CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY. The second edition of “The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms” [2004].
“Tu dien thanh ngu va tuc ngu Viet Nam” of Prof. The synthesis of English idioms with words denoting weather. English idioms with words about weather condition. English idioms with words about temperature.
English idioms with words about weather phenomenon. 32 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH RESULTS. Analysis of the syntactic function of English idioms with words denoting weather. Idioms function as subjects or objects.
English idioms function as subjects. English idioms function as objects. English idioms function as adjectives or adverbs. English idioms function as adjectives.
Idioms function as adverbs. Idioms function as complements. English idioms with words denoting weather function as subject complements. English idioms with words denoting weather function as object complement.
The reference of English and Vietnamese idioms in terms of culture 41 3. Similarities of English and Vietnamese idioms in terms of culture. Differences of English and Vietnamese idioms in terms of culture. The application of the study in practice.
Expectations with the study. Outcomes of the study. Contribution to the field. Conclusion of the study.
General conclusion of the study. Features of syntax. Features of culture. Significance of the study.
Significance for society. Significance for learners. Limitation of the study. Suggestions for future research.
57 viii LIST OF IMAGES AND TABLES Number of images and Title of images and table Page tables Picture 2.1 The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms 20 Picture 2.2 Tu dien thanh ngu va tuc ngu Viet Nam 21 Table 2.1 English idioms with words about weather condition 23 Table 2.2 English idioms with words about temperature 31 Table 2.3 English idioms with words about weather phenomenon 36 ix LIST OF ABBREVIATION Ordinal Abbreviation Expansion number 1 OPU Oxford University Press 2 LPH Literature Publishing House 1 INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale for the study One of the most challenging aspects of learning English as a second language is mastering idiomatic expressions. English is rife with idioms that are commonly used in everyday conversations, business meetings, academic writing, and many other contexts. One category of idioms that is particularly difficult for non-native speakers to understand and use is those with words denoting weather.
According to Gibbs [1], these idiomatic expressions can be confusing since they often have a figurative meaning that cannot be inferred from the literal meaning of the words. Vietnam is a developing country, as Vietnam seeks to quickly integrate into the global economy, improving English proficiency levels is vital. So, there is a growing demand for English language proficiency in Vietnam, where the use of English is becoming increasingly important for business, tourism, and international communication. Due to the limited time and knowledge, the study just focuses on a very small part of the huge idiomatic treasure of English and Vietnamese idioms by conducting a study titled “An investigation into English idioms with words denoting weather and their Vietnamese equivalents”.
This study explores the meaning and usage of English idioms with words denoting weather, thereby, it identifies the Vietnamese equivalents of these idioms and analyses their practicality in daily life. Through this investigation, the study compares and references the usage of such idioms across two different cultures. Overall, this study expects to partly help readers understand English idioms with words denoting weather and their Vietnamese equivalents and provide valuable insights for second language learners, educators, … By enhancing the knowledge and skills of non-native English speakers in this aspect, it is hoped that this study improves their communicative competence and cross-cultural understanding in international settings. Aims of the study This study aims to investigate English idioms that contain words denoting weather and their Vietnamese equivalents.
A comprehensive list of English idioms with words denoting weather was summarized, which was analyzed and understood in terms of their Vietnamese equivalents. Furthermore, the study analyzed the cultural and historical backgrounds that gave rise to these idioms in Vietnamese and English. Thereby, the study was comparing any similarities and differences between them in terms of grammar and culture. Scope of the study The study was limited to two sources, namely “The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms: second edition” [2] published by Oxford University Press in 2004, and “Tu dien thanh ngu va tuc ngu Viet Nam” [3] by Professor Nguyen Lan and published by Literature Publishing House in 2014.
The focus of this study was to summarize, compare and analyze English idioms with words denoting weather and their Vietnamese equivalents. Additionally, the important cultural and grammatical aspects of these idioms were highlighted in this study. Significance of the study The study of English idioms that feature words denoting weather, as well as their Vietnamese equivalents, carries significant value within the realm of cross-cultural communication and learning. These idioms were a crucial element of any language as they expressed the cultural customs, beliefs, and mentality of its native speakers.
Examining the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms, therefore, offers readers a deeper insight into the unique cultural perspectives and linguistic nuances at play in both languages. Moreover, investigating these idioms can provide readers with a far better understanding of the figurative language utilized in everyday communication. Understanding the figurative language in idiomatic expressions is crucial for effective communication, particularly in a multilingual and multicultural society. 3 Additionally, the study enables readers to understand the varied abstract and conceptual meanings that these expressions cause.
Research method The analysis and synthesis method were utilized in the investigation of English idioms with words denoting weather. This method involves breaking down the idioms, analyzing the usage of words denoting weather, and drawing conclusions about their meaning and usage. The suitability of the idioms within the context of English language and culture was determined by integrating the results of this analysis. Cultural and grammatical elements take into account during the analysis process to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances and meaning behind English idioms that use words denoting weather.
A qualitative research approach was also employed to investigate English idioms with their Vietnamese equivalents. Relevant sources in both languages, such as books, academic journals, and online resources, were reviewed carefully. Thematic analysis was used to identify and categorize common themes associated with the use of idioms containing words denoting weather. Design of the study The study is divided into three parts: Introduction, Development, and Conclusion.
The Introduction highlights the key concepts of exploring idioms with words denoting weather in English and their corresponding Vietnamese equivalents. The Development part is organized into three chapters. In chapter 1, the theoretical framework is presented. Its contents explore the relationship between language and culture, the differences between literal and idiomatic interpretations, as well as provide an analysis of prior studies related to the topic.
Chapter 2 summarizes and examines the meaning of words denoting weather in English and its equivalents in Vietnamese. In Chapter 3 of the graduation paper, a comparison is made between idioms with words denoting weather in English and their Vietnamese equivalents. This analysis 4 aims to reveal the underlying cultural characteristics of both languages with regard to words denoting weather, both in terms of their similarities and differences. The Conclusion part provides a summary of all the discussions and findings throughout the thesis.
5 DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW This chapter provide a theoretical foundation for the study of English idioms with words denoting weather, drawing on relevant theories and prior studies to develop a deeper understanding of the subject and identify new avenues for exploration 1. Definition of idioms 1. Definition of idioms Idioms are often deeply rooted in a particular culture or language, and their origins can be traced back to specific historical events, traditions, or even folklore. Thereby, idioms could pose a challenge for individuals who are not familiar with the culture or language in which they are used.
According to Amineh Adelnia and Hossein Vahid Dastjerdi [4], “Idioms are linguistic expressions or lexical items representing objects, concepts or phenomena of material life particular to a given culture. They are necessary to any language in order to keep the local and cultural color of that language.” In a definition given by Manser [5], an idiom is a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words. According to Fernando [6], idioms are the language peculiar to a people, country, class, community or more rarely, an individual. They are constructions and expressions that have a meaning different from the literal one or not according to the usual patterns of the language.
The usage of idioms 1. The usage of idioms about the meaning According to the study of Lundmark and the study of Owen [7, 8], an idiom is a phrase, expression or group of words that have a figurative or metaphorical meaning, that is different from its literal meaning. It is a common feature in all languages and is typically unique to a particular language or culture. An idiom is 6 often used in informal or everyday language, and may not make sense when translated literally.