MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING 3cm LAC HONG UNIVERSITY 5cm NGUYEN QUANG HUY ANALYZING CLASSIFIERS IN ENGLISH, VIETNAMESE AND CHINESE MASTER GRADUATION PROJECT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS MAJOR: ENGLISH LANGUAGE MAJOR CODE: 8220201 INSTRUCTORS 1. PHAM HUU DUC 2. NGUYEN THI CHAU ANH DONG NAI, 2024 i TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Page No. TABLE OF CONTENTS i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii ABSTRACT iv THE RECOGNIZANCE FOR NON-PLAGIARISM v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS vi LIST OF TABLES vii INTRODUCTION 1 Background to the study 1 Objectives of the study 3 Scope of the Study 4 Research questions 4 Significance of the study 5 The Organization of the project 6 CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW 9 1.
Overview of Classifiers 8 1. Classifiers in English 9 1. Classifiers in Vietnamese 12 1. Classifiers in Chinese 17 1.
Conceptual framework 37 CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY 38 2. Sample and sampling procedures 39 ii 2. Data collection procedure 40 2. Data analysis procedure 40 2.
Validity & reliability, ethical considerations 41 CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS 42 3. Discussion 48 CONCLUSION 48 Implications 51 Limitations 48 Recommendations 52 REFERENCES ix iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Assoc. Pham Huu Duc and Dr. Nguyen Thi Chau Anh for being amazing mentors and supporting me throughout my research.
Their assistance and guidance were invaluable to me. Pham Huu Duc, you are incredibly knowledgeable, and your invaluable advice significantly enhanced my understanding of my research. Thank you for your consistent availability to address my inquiries and provide encouragement. Nguyen Thi Chau Anh, your valuable feedback and constructive criticism have been incredibly helpful in shaping my ideas and methodologies.
I am really appreciative of the time you dedicated to assisting me in enhancing my work. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the faculty and staff of LHU for fostering a supportive environment conducive to my research endeavors. Your encouragement and enthusiasm significantly contributed to my academic pursuits. Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for their unwavering love, support, and encouragement.
Their belief in me has been a constant motivation, driving me to push the boundaries of knowledge and strive for excellence in all that I do. In conclusion, I am profoundly grateful to Assoc. Pham Huu Duc and Dr. Nguyen Thi Chau Anh for their invaluable support and mentorship throughout my research journey.
Once again, I am really thankful for their willingness to share their expertise and provide constructive feedback, which has greatly enriched my understanding of the research process. Dong Nai, July 2024 Author Nguyen Quang Huy iv ABSTRACT Classifiers (CLs) are linguistic elements that play an integral role in many languages, particularly in Asian languages such as Chinese and Vietnamese, where they are used to specify quantity, measure, or type. English, while not as classifier- dependent, also employs classifiers in certain contexts to indicate unit, measure, or category. This study examines the use of classifiers in English, Chinese, and Vietnamese, using the classic Vietnamese work, “The Tale of Kiều,” as a case study to understand their functions, structure, and semantic roles across these languages.
The analysis explores how classifiers are used in different contexts and compares their application and syntax in each language. Mandarin Chinese classifiers are inherently tied to nouns and often mandatory, providing specific types of categorization and measurement. Vietnamese classifiers, much like Chinese, are integral to grammatical correctness, playing a significant role in expressing number and measure. English classifiers, while not as structurally essential, serve to clarify, quantify, or categorize, often in a more flexible manner.
By examining translations and interpretations of “The Tale of Kiều” across these three languages, the study identifies patterns in classifier usage, explores the semantic and syntactic functions of classifiers, and highlights the differences and similarities among the languages. The findings suggest that while classifiers serve similar purposes in terms of adding specificity and reducing ambiguity, their implementation and grammatical requirements vary, reflecting deeper linguistic structures and cultural distinctions. This study contributes to a broader understanding of classifiers and their role in language, providing insights into how different cultures use these linguistic tools to communicate clearly and effectively. Keywords: Classifiers; classification system; diplomatic notes v THE RECOGNIZANCE FOR NON-PLAGIARISM I hereby declare that all the work presented in this projectis my own, except where indicated otherwise.
I have acknowledged all sources of information and ideas used in this work through proper citation and referencing. Any assistance I received from individuals or sources has been acknowledged and credited accordingly. I understand that plagiarism, using someone else's ideas or work without giving credit, is a serious academic offense. I am fully aware of the consequences, including disciplinary action and academic penalties, which could harm my academic reputation.
By signing this declaration, I affirm my commitment to academic integrity and honesty. I pledge to follow ethical standards, avoid plagiarism, and produce original work that reflects my own ideas and efforts. Dong Nai, July 2024 Author Nguyen Quang Huy vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Abbreviations Meaning Adj Adjective ANOVA Analysis of Variance CCL Centre for Chinese Linguistics CFL Chinese as a Foreign Language CL(s) Classifier(s) CSL Chinese as a second language Dem Demontrative DLD Developmental Language Disorder FLOB Freiburg-LOB LCMC Lancaster Corpus of Mandarin Chinese M Measurement MC Mandarin Chinese N Noun NSs Native speakers Num Numeral Poss Possessive Adjectives Rel. Clause Relative Clauses TD Typically-Developing TK The Tale of Kiều vii LIST OF TABLES Tables Page Table 1: Two-element classifiers 14 Table 2: Three-element classifiers 15 Table 3: Four-element classifiers 16 Table 4: Sortal Classifiers 19 Table 5: Measural Classifiers 19 Table 6: Chinese common classifier constructions 21 1 INTRODUCTION ❖ Background of the Study Classifiers are linguistic elements that serve a critical role in many languages, particularly in East Asian languages like Mandarin Chinese (MC), Japanese and Vietnamese.
Classifiers are used to indicate type, measure, or count when referring to nouns, offering a means to add precision and reduce ambiguity in communication (Sybesma, 1996). MC has a rich system of classifiers, with over 100 distinct classifiers for different categories of nouns (Chao, 1968). They are mandatory when quantifying nouns and are integral to sentence structure (Cheng & Sybesma, 2005). Vietnamese classifiers operate in a similar manner, providing specificity and supporting grammatical accuracy (Le, 2010).
English, however, has a more flexible approach to classifiers, using them for certain contexts but not requiring them as extensively as Mandarin or Vietnamese (Erbaugh, 1986). “The Tale of Kiều,” (TK) written by Nguyễn Du in the early 19th century, is a classic Vietnamese literary work that has been translated into multiple languages, including English and Chinese. The poem narrates the life of Kieu, a young woman whose story is marked by sacrifice and hardship. The various translations offer an opportunity to examine how classifiers are used across different languages and cultural contexts.
Classifiers are an essential part of East Asian languages, with Vietnamese and Chinese employing them extensively, while English uses them less frequently. The intricate use of classifiers in Vietnamese and Chinese presents unique challenges and opportunities for comparative linguistic studies. It seeks to compare the use and structure of classifiers, examining their semantic functions and syntactic roles. By exploring different translations, this research aims to uncover the nuances and differences in how classifiers function in English, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
This 2 study is particularly relevant given the increasing interest in comparative linguistics and the need to understand cross-linguistic influences and structures. By investigating these aspects, this study contributes to the broader understanding of how classifiers shape language and meaning, providing insights into the cultural context of TK. TK with its complex narrative and rich language, serves as an ideal text for exploring these linguistic features through the three languages. Additionally, this comparative approach offers practical implications for language learners, translators, and educators in understanding the complexities and roles of classifiers in various languages.
❖ Statement of the Problem Despite the significant role that classifiers play in Vietnamese and Chinese, and their occasional use in English, there is a lack of comprehensive comparative studies that examine these linguistic elements across the three languages using a single literary text. The TK, with its rich use of language and cultural significance, provides an ideal basis for such an analysis. The problem this research seeks to address is the gap in understanding the comparative use and function of classifiers in English, Vietnamese, and Chinese. Specifically, this study aims to identify how classifiers are employed in the TK, compare their usage across the three languages, and analyze the implications of these findings for broader linguistic theories and language learning.
This research will contribute to a deeper understanding of classifiers and their role in language structure and usage, providing valuable insights for linguists, translators, and language educators. ❖ Objectives of the Study The primary objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of classifiers in English, Chinese, and Vietnamese, using TK as a source text for cross- linguistic comparison. Classifiers, which play a significant role in conveying quantity, specificity, and context in many languages, are central to understanding the syntactic and semantic differences among English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. 3 This research aims to achieve the following specific objectives: ✓ Identify Classifiers in the TK: Systematically identify and catalog the classifiers used in the TK in its original Vietnamese version, as well as in its English and Chinese translations.
✓ Compare Classifier Usage Across Languages: Analyze and compare the usage of classifiers in English, Vietnamese, and Chinese to highlight similarities and differences in their linguistic structures. ✓ Examine Contextual Variations: Investigate how classifiers are used in different contexts within the TK and how these usages may differ across the three languages. ✓ Evaluate Translation Strategies: Assess the translation strategies employed to handle classifiers in the English and Chinese versions of the TK and their effectiveness in preserving the original meaning and nuance. ✓ Contribute to Comparative Linguistics: Provide insights and contribute to the field of comparative linguistics by highlighting the role and function of classifiers in English, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
✓ Enhance Language Learning and Translation: Offer practical recommendations for language learners and translators on handling classifiers in cross-linguistic contexts, based on the findings from the analysis of the TK. Through this approach, the study attempts to expand the understanding of classifiers in various languages and to explore how they contribute to linguistic and cultural variety. By focusing on TK the research attempts to illuminate the ways in which classifiers create meaning and communication, creating a bridge between linguistic analysis and cultural interpretation. 4 ❖ Research Questions The purpose of the study is to focus on answering the following research questions: 1.
What are the key differences and similarities in the use of classifiers across English, Vietnamese, and Chinese translations of TK? 2. What types of classifier constructions are most commonly used in English, Vietnamese and Chinese translations of TK? ❖ Scope of The Study The scope of this study involves the investigation of classifiers in English, Chinese, and Vietnamese, focusing primarily on their application within TK. This section discusses the bounds and limitations of the research to clarify what is included and what is not. ✓ Languages Analyzed: The study examines classifiers in three languages— English, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
It does not explore other languages or dialects. The emphasis is on comparing the usage and functions of classifiers across these three linguistic systems. ✓ Text Selection: The primary text for analysis is TK, written by Nguyễn Du. The study uses various translations of this poem to compare classifiers across the three languages.
No other literary works are included in the analysis. ✓ Classifier Types and Functions: The research focuses on both sortal classifiers (those used to count or categorize nouns) and measure classifiers (those used to indicate quantity or measurement). The study explores their semantic roles and syntactic structures within the context of the poem. It does not examine other grammatical elements or broader linguistic features.