MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PHENIKAA UNIVERSITY GRADUATION PAPER A STUDY ON ENGLISH IDIOMS RELATED TO MONEY WITH REFERENCE TO VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENTS Nghiên cứu thành ngữ Tiếng Anh liên quan đến tiền và tương đương trong Tiếng Việt Student: Le Quynh Trang Student ID No: 20010028 Course: 2020 -2024 Field: English Language Mode of study: Full-time Supervisor: M. Do Thi Trang Ha Noi, 2024 Ha Noi, 2024 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PHENIKAA UNIVERSITY GRADUATION PAPER A STUDY ON ENGLISH IDIOMS RELATED TO MONEY WITH REFERENCE TO VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENTS Nghiên cứu thành ngữ Tiếng Anh liên quan đến tiền và tương đương trong Tiếng Việt Student: Le Quynh Trang Student ID No: 20010028 Course: 2020 -2024 Field: English Language Mode of study: Full-time Supervisor: M. Do Thi Trang Ha Noi, 2024 i ABSTRACT This thesis investigates the nature, historical development, syntactic functions, and modern usage of money-related idioms in English and Vietnamese. By examining these idioms through cognitive, sociolinguistic, and psycholinguistic lenses, the research identifies common characteristics such as their metaphorical nature, cultural relevance, and fixed expressions.
Historical influences from the Industrial Revolution, colonial periods, and modern economic transformations are explored, revealing how significant economic events shape idiomatic expressions. Syntactic analysis demonstrates the versatility of these idioms in various grammatical roles, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. The study also compares English and Vietnamese idioms, highlighting both shared and unique aspects influenced by cultural and historical contexts. Pedagogical implications emphasize the importance of teaching idioms in ESL/EFL settings, recommending strategies like contextual learning and the use of multimedia resources to enhance students' cultural and pragmatic competence.
The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interplay between language, culture, and economic behavior. ii DECLARATION I, Le Quynh Trang - Student ID No 20010028, certificate that no part of the above report has been copied or reproduced by me from any other person’s work without acknowledgements and that the report is originally written by me under strict guidance of my supervisor. Hanoi, 1st July, 2024 Supervisor Student Do Thi Trang, M. Le Quynh Trang iii ACKNOWLEGEMENT First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to Phenikaa University for providing me with excellent learning facilities and continuously improving equipment over the past four years.
I would also like to thank the English Department and all the lecturers for imparting valuable knowledge, which has equipped me with the necessary skills and expertise to undertake this graduation thesis. I am deeply grateful to my supervisor, M. Do Thi Trang, for her constant guidance and support throughout the completion of this thesis. Your unwavering assistance, reminders, and willingness to answer all my questions have been invaluable.
Lastly, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my family and friends for their financial and emotional support during this time. Your encouragement and backing have been instrumental in my journey. My deepest gratitude goes to all of you. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS PART 1: INTRODUCTION.
Aims of the Study. Scope of the Study. Significance of the Study .5 Interpretation and Synthesis .8 CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW. Concepts and Definitions.
Characteristics and Classification. Factors Influencing Idioms. Cognitive Linguistics and Sociolinguistics. Previous Studies on Idioms and Cross-Cultural Comparisons.
Overview of Previous Studies. Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Idioms. Translation and Equivalence of Idioms. Existing Problems and Gaps in Research.
The Position of This Topic in the System of Related Research. English Money-Related Idioms. Vietnamese Money-Related Idioms. Criteria for Selection .4 Cultural and Historical Contexts.
Data Collection Methods. Criteria for Idiom Selection. Data Extraction Process. Research data analysis.
The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms. Scope and Coverage. Structure and Content. Usability and Audience.
Tu dien Thanh ngu va Tuc ngu Viet Nam. Content and Scope. Structure and Organization. Audience and Usefulness.
A collection of English idioms related to money and Vietnamese equivalents .33 CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION. Characteristics, Theoretical Perspectives and Influential Factors of Money-Related Idioms. Syntactic Function Analysis of English Idioms Related to Money. Idioms as Noun Phrases.
Idioms as Verb Phrases. Idioms as Adjectives. Idioms as Adverbs. Historical Development and Its Influence on English and Vietnam Idioms related to money and comparison.
Canada and Other English-Speaking Countries. The Cultural Context and Its Influence on English and Vietnamese Idioms Related to Money and Comparison. Canada and Other English-Speaking Countries. New Idioms Formed in the Era of Economic Integration.
Globalization and Cultural Exchange. English idioms related to money and their Vietnamese equivalents in translation. Teaching Idioms in ESL/EFL Contexts. Strategies for Effective Teaching.
Summary of Findings. Implications of the Study. Limitations of the Study. Future Potential Research Avenues .x viii LIST OF TABLE AND PICTURE Number of Title of table Page table Table 2.1 English idioms related to money containing the word 24 “money” and Vietnamese equivalents Table 2.2 English idioms related to money containing currency and 27 denominations and Vietnamese equivalents Table 2.
English idioms related to money do not contain 31 the words money and currencies terms, economic terms. English idioms related to money do not contain 35 the words money and currencies terms, economic terms. ix LIST OF ABBREVIATION Abbreviated words Full meanings US United States UK United Kingdom ESL English as a Second Language EFL English as a Foreign Language 1 PART 1: INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale Idioms have played a pivotal role throughout history, reflecting the cultural, economic, and social contexts of their time.
Exploring the historical roots of idiomatic expressions related to money provides insights into past economic systems, trade practices, and societal values. For instance, idioms like "penny-pinch" or "make ends meet" offer glimpses into historical financial struggles and frugality. The value of idioms lies in their ability to enrich language by all-encompassing complex ideas or emotions in succinct phrases. They contribute to the richness and expressiveness of a language, reflecting the creativity and ingenuity of its speakers.
According to Glucksberg [1], idioms are a “window into the history, values, and norms of a culture,” express wisdom and shared experiences. Money-related idioms often reflect the significance of money in society and its impact on human behavior. By examining idiomatic expressions related to money, researchers can gain insights into cultural perceptions of wealth, success, and financial management. For example, idioms such as "money talks" or "time is money" underscore the pervasive influence of money in various aspects of life.
These expressions reveal how economic concepts shape daily interactions and societal values [2]. The concept of money, as a measure of value and a medium of exchange, has held significant sway across various cultures throughout history. In ancient societies, wealth and currency played pivotal roles, shaping social structures, influencing power dynamics, and affecting everyday life. These themes are deeply woven into the fabric of language through idioms—expressions that include cultural wisdom, shared experiences, and underlying values.
2 English, as a global language with a rich history, has a diverse array of idioms that relate to money. These idioms reflect the English-speaking world's attitudes towards wealth, work, and financial success, often containing metaphors that stem from historical practices, folklore, or societal norms. For instance, idioms like "penny for your thoughts" or "worth its weight in gold" illustrate the enduring influence of money on the English language and, by extension, on English culture [3]. Similarly, Vietnamese culture, with its deep-rooted traditions and historical connections, uses idioms to express views about money and wealth.
In Vietnam, idioms like "mạnh vì gạo, bạo vì tiền" (literally means confident because you have a lot of rice and money) reflect the agrarian society’s values and economic conditions. These idioms, much like their English counterparts, carry layers of meaning and context that reflect the unique social and economic dynamics of Vietnamese society [4]. During Vietnam's economic integration process, English—being the most widely spoken language in the world with approximately 1.456 billion users by 2023 [5]—has become more important and closely associated with the process of economic integration. The use of English words related to money and English idioms related to money has become more popular and frequent.
This underscores the necessity for a study comparing English idioms related to money with Vietnamese equivalents. However, while much study has focused on idioms about money in English or Vietnamese separately, there is a distinct lack of comparative studies that explore the similarities and differences between these two linguistic backgrounds. This gap in scholarship creates a need for cross-cultural analysis to understand how idioms about money reflect broader cultural values and social norms. Therefore, the study “English Idioms Related to Money with Reference to Vietnamese Equivalents” aims to address this gap by examining English idioms related to money and comparing them with their Vietnamese equivalents.
By analyzing idioms from both cultures, this study seeks to identify common themes and unique characteristics, providing a deeper understanding of how language and culture intersect in expressions of wealth and financial matters. Through this comparative approach, we can gain insights into the cultural 3 underpinnings of both English and Vietnamese idioms, offering a valuable contribution to the field of cultural comparative research. Aims of the Study This study aims to investigate English idioms related to money and their equivalents in Vietnamese, providing a wide enough list of English idioms related to money compiled, analyzed, and understood according to their meaning and equivalent in Vietnamese. Additionally, the study will analyze the historical and cultural contexts of formation and the circumstances of using English and Vietnamese idioms, thereby comparing the similarities and differences between them in terms of grammar and culture.
Scope of the Study The scope of the study includes four main sources: The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms 4th ed. published in 2010 by John Ayto, Tu dien Thanh ngu va Tuc ngu Viet Nam published in, 2014 by Nguyen Lan, dictionary.org, and nguyenvietkhoa. The research is limited to synthesizing, analyzing, and explaining English idioms related to money and their equivalents in Vietnamese. Besides, the study uses other external sources to clarify the cultural context of these idioms and compare them with each other.
Significance of the Study The study on English idioms related to money and their equivalents in Vietnamese is hoped to fill the cross-cultural gap by comparing English idioms related to money and their Vietnamese equivalents, thereby showing the differences and similarities. Studying the idioms of two cultures can provide a deeper understanding while reducing some linguistic and cultural barriers. In addition, comparing the formation and use of idioms also reveals interesting similarities and differences between the two cultures. Objectives The primary objective of this thesis is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of English idioms related to money, examining their cultural, historical, and linguistic aspects.
By exploring these idioms, the study aims to uncover the underlying values and societal 4 attitudes reflected in language. Additionally, this research seeks to compare these English idioms with their Vietnamese equivalents, highlighting both similarities and differences in cultural perspectives on money. This comparison will provide insights into how language and culture intersect in expressing financial concepts. Furthermore, the thesis intends to investigate the syntactic roles and modern usage of money-related idioms, offering a deeper understanding of their relevance in contemporary communication.
Research Questions This study raises the following fundamental questions: 1. What are the English idioms related to money and what are their Vietnamese equivalents? 2. What is their history, cultural context and usage? 4. How are these money-related English idioms and their Vietnamese equivalents similar and different? 3.
How do their differences reflect cultural differences? 6. Research Methods This study employs a combination of comparative research and qualitative analysis to investigate English idioms related to money and their Vietnamese equivalents. The methodologies used are designed to comprehensively explore the linguistic, cultural, historical, and structural aspects of these idioms, ensuring a thorough understanding and meaningful comparison. The following sections outline the specific research methods utilized in this study: 6.