a study on english passive voice in after twenty years with reference to vietnamese equivalents

LIST OF DIAGRAMS Number Table 1.2 The verb “to be” according to the tense 14 Table 1.3 Structure of the passive voice according to tense 18 Table 1.4 Differences of passive voice bet

Rationale for the study

In the learning journey of Vietnamese students in general and English majors in particular, facing English grammar is often a significant challenge There is increasing evidence that English grammar is so complex that students cannot master it easily One of the grammar parts that students find most difficult is the passive sentence structures in English

Students often have difficulty learning the passive sentence structures in English because it is a new and complicated concept for them Some students often have problems recognizing passive sentences and distinguishing them from active sentences They may confuse “The dog bit the man” (active sentence) and

“The man was bitten by a dog” (passive sentence) Not only that, understanding how to use passive sentence components such as “to be” and “past participle” is also a challenge for students Some students also have difficulty applying passive sentence structures to real-life situations For example, in writing essays or answering exam questions, they may have difficulty choosing the right sentence structure This requires time and regular practice on the part of students to firmly grasp and fluently use the passive sentence structures in English

In Vietnamese, passive sentence structures are commonly used in daily communication, literature, poetry, short stories, and novels Passive sentence structure plays an important role in both English and Vietnamese, helping language users convey information effectively and accurately However, the way this structure is used and expressed in both English and Vietnamese has certain differences, and mastering the level of understanding of passive sentence structure is not easy for learners For example, English uses the auxiliary verb

“be” to create passive sentences, while Vietnamese uses verbs such as “bị”,

“được”, “bởi” Therefore, studying and comparing the passive sentence structure in these two languages is a topic of scientific and practical significance

For the above reasons, the topic “A study on English passive voice in

‘After Twenty Years’ with reference to Vietnamese equivalents”is a scientifically

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University significant research topic with practical value Therefore, the author wishes to research this topic for her graduation thesis.

Aims and objectives of the study

This thesis’s main purpose is to provide English learners with a solid foundation of knowledge about passive sentence structures used in English and Vietnamese To accomplish this, the thesis will focus on analyzing and applying passive sentence structures through the famous literary work “After Twenty

Years” This is an effective way to help learners gain a deeper understanding of passive sentence structures Furthermore, it also encourages them to use passive sentence structures in speaking and writing to make their speeches and writing more clear, in-depth, and quotable

This thesis is written with the following goals:

• Describe the structure of passive sentences in English and expressions of passive sentences in Vietnamese

• Identify the types of passive sentence structures that appear in “After

Twenty Years” by O Henry and Vietnamese version by Than Trong Son

• Compare and contrast the passive sentence structures in these two languages to identify similarities and differences.

Research questions

1 How are the English passive structures used in the short story “After Twenty

2 How are the passive structures in English translated into Vietnamese in Than Trong Son’s translation?

Scope of the study

This study focuses on analyzing the English passive structure used in the work

“After Twenty Years” by O Henry and the Vietnamese translation of the work will be compared with the original English to determine passive structural transformation method

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University

Significance of the study

This study helps analyze the passive sentence structures in the original English version and compare it with the Vietnamese version, thereby helping to better understand the linguistic equivalence and equivalent translation between the two languages This can open up opportunities to dig deeper into grammatical structures and meanings across both languages

This research can provide useful insights for translation and writing in both languages By comparing the use of passive voice in the original text and the translated version, we can understand how the target language processes this structure and thereby improve our expression and accuracy in writing translation

In addition, applying knowledge from this research to teaching English and Vietnamese can also help students better understand grammatical structure and how to use passive sentences accurately and flexibly.

Research method

Overview of passive sentence structures describes definitions, types of passive sentences in English and Vietnamese as well as how to use them The content of the original English version of O Henry’s “After Twenty Years” and the Vietnamese translation by Than Trong Son will be compared to find similarities and differences in the use of sentence structure The descriptive method will be used in this research, along with the comparative method to compare the original “After twenty years” by O Henry and the translation by

Than Trong Son This research paper will help identify similarities and differences in both languages and propose some solutions and methods for teaching and learning English in this aspect.

Design of the study

The thesis consists of three main chapters:

• Chapter 1: Literature review, which presents an overview of the passive voice General views of the passive voice and some fundamental theoretical background to the study will also be presented

• Chapter 2: Types of passive sentences in the original work and analysis of the translation by Than Trong Son to explore the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese

• Chapter 3: Result of comparing passive sentences between English and Vietnamese, the conclusion of this study and some suggestions for teachers and learners

LITERATURE REVIEW

Researches of the passive voice in English

1.1.1 Researches of passive voice sentences in Vietnam

The book “English Grammar Textbook” [1] is a valuable learning document, compiled by authors Le Van Quan, Bui Minh Toan and Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, published in 2018 This book provides a complete and detailed English grammar system, helping learners master important aspects of the language One of the highlights of the book is the section on passive sentences, where the authors thoroughly analyze the structure, function and usage of passive sentences in English

The part about passive sentences in the book is presented in a clear and easy to understand manner, helping learners easily absorb knowledge The authors not only explain the basic structure of the passive voice but also delve into different variations and usage situations, such as passive sentences with modal verbs and other special structures Each grammar point is illustrated with specific examples, helping learners have a more intuitive and easier to understand view

In addition to the theory, the book also provides many diverse and rich practical exercises These exercises are designed to help learners practice and consolidate their knowledge of passive sentences, thereby being able to use them fluently in real communication situations The exercises are arranged from easy to difficult, helping learners gradually improve their skills

“Advanced English Grammar” [2] is a very good book compiled by author

Nguyen Minh Tho's 2019 publication thoroughly explores passive sentence structures, including standard formations and nuanced variations The book guides readers through constructing passive sentences across different tenses and using them with modal verbs It delves into intricate passive structures, such as conditional sentences, double object constructions, and subjunctive contexts.

The author emphasizes providing illustrative examples to enhance comprehension and application These examples clarify the appropriate usage of passive sentences in various contexts, distinguishing between formal and informal writing, as well as academic and everyday settings.

In addition to the theory, the book also provides a variety of practical exercises These exercises not only help learners consolidate and test their knowledge but also create conditions for them to practice using passive sentences in many different situations

The book “English communication” [3] compiled by authors Phan Thi Thu

Ha, Bui Minh Toan and Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, published in 2017, is an important learning document for those who want to improve their communication skills in English The book focuses on teaching English grammar in the context of everyday communication, to help learners use the language confidently and effectively

The authors have presented how to use the passive voice in different communication situations in a clear and easy to understand way This section not only introduces basic passive voice structure but also guides learners on how to apply it in real communication situations, such as in everyday conversations, in the office environment, and in academic contexts Rich illustrative examples that are close to everyday life help learners easily visualize and apply

In addition to the section on passive sentences, the book also covers many other aspects of communicative English grammar, from how to use tenses, how to ask questions, to how to use complex sentence structures Each topic is presented in a detailed and scientific manner, accompanied by many practical illustrative examples and specific practice exercises This helps learners have a comprehensive view of English grammar and how to apply it in communication

1.1.2 Researches of passive sentences in other countries

The book “A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language” [4] is a massive and detailed work on English grammar, compiled by leading linguists

Randolph Quirk, Sidney Greenbaum, Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik, published in 1985 At 1768 pages, the book provides a comprehensive description of every aspect of English grammar, from basic structures to complex and in-depth grammar points

One of the important parts of the book is the detailed analysis of passive sentences The authors have thoroughly researched and presented the structure, function and usage of passive sentences in English They not only explain how to form passive sentences from different tenses, but also analyze the differences and specific situations when using passive sentences versus active sentences The book also covers the use of passive voice in different types of writing, from formal style in academic texts to usage in everyday communication

To help readers better understand passive sentences, the book provides many rich and specific illustrative examples These examples are carefully selected, reflecting realistic and diverse usage contexts, helping learners not only master the theory but also apply it effectively in practice In addition to the section on passive voice, “A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language” also covers many other important topics of English grammar, such as syntax, semantics, and pragmatics Each section is presented in detail, with a combination of language theory and practical application

“English Grammar” by author Raymond Murphy (2012) [5] is a valuable document with a total of 480 pages This book is designed to help English learners master grammar through a simple, easy to understand and detailed presentation

One of the highlights of the book is the section on passive sentences, where the author not only thoroughly explains grammar rules but also gives many specific illustrative examples Raymond Murphy used clear and coherent language to explain complex concepts, helping readers easily absorb knowledge

In addition, the book also provides a rich series of practice exercises, designed to reinforce learners’ grammar knowledge and skills These exercises vary in form and level of difficulty, from basic exercises for beginners to advanced exercises for learners with a solid grammar foundation Each chapter in the book is

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University arranged logically and scientifically, helping readers self-study and progress along a clear path

“A Short Course in English Grammar” by authors Bruce Thomson and

Andrew Conklin, published in 2019 [6], is a 352 pages book that summarizes important English grammar points This book aims to help learners quickly and effectively grasp essential grammar rules

Passive voice sentences in English

Transitive verbs, capable of forming passive sentences, are distinguished from intransitive verbs by their ability to take objects Identifying transitive verbs is crucial for passive voice construction, as only sentences with transitive verbs can be converted to passive Conversely, intransitive verbs cannot form passive sentences due to the absence of objects.

Therefore, the author will briefly explain these two types of verbs before analyzing passive sentences in more detail In English, these two types of verbs are simply understood as follows:

An intransitive verb is a type of verb that does not need an object behind it but the sentence still has the full meaning [9] Intransitive verbs are usually action verbs such as cry, laugh, sneeze, sit, run, swim,

Although an intransitive verb can be followed by an adverb or adverb phrase, it does not directly affect another object

For example: The number of students at school rises significantly

In the example above, the verb is “rises” and is modified by the adverb

“significantly” and there is no object affected by “rise.” In addition, intransitive verbs can also be followed by an adverbial phrase

A transitive verb is a type of verb that must be followed by an object -

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University which can be a noun, noun phrase or pronoun to state the object affected by the action of the transitive verb [9] A sentence without an object will be considered grammatically incorrect

In the two examples above, “a cake” and “a pen” act as objects and are influenced by the actions of “eat” and “buy”

Passive voice is a type of sentence in which the subject is the person or thing affected by the action expressed by the verb In other words, the subject in a passive sentence does not perform the action but is the object of that action At the same time, the main verb in the sentence will be changed to the form: be + P2 (participle verb)

David Crystal (1995) indicates that “The passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject is the recipient of an action, rather than the performer” [10] This definition emphasizes the role of the subject in the passive sentence In this sentence, the subject of the sentence is not the person performing the action, but the person or thing affected by that action This means that instead of focusing on the person performing the action, the passive voice focuses on the person or thing affected by the action

Example: “The cake was baked by Sarah.” (Cake is the recipient of the baking action)

Geoffrey Leech (1994) says that the passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the agent of the action is not mentioned or not emphasized [11] This definition focuses on the agent of the action In the passive voice, the agent (the one who performs the action) is either not mentioned or not emphasized This means that, in a passive sentence, attention is shifted from the person doing the action to the person or thing affected by that action This use of the passive voice is often useful in a variety of communication situations, such as

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University when the agent of the action is unclear, unimportant, or the speaker wants to avoid blaming someone directly

Example: “The window was broken.” (Who broke the window is not mentioned) Randolph Quirk and colleagues (1985) shows that “The passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject has a passive role in the action, as opposed to an active role in the active voice” [12] This definition emphasizes the role of the subject In the passive voice, the subject plays a more passive role, simply experiencing the action rather than performing it This means that the subject of a passive sentence is the person or thing that is affected by an action performed by another agent, not the person who initiates the action

Example: The meal is cooked by the chef (The subject “The meal” has a passive role, receiving the cooking action.)

John McEnery and colleagues (2006) says that the passive voice is a grammatical phenomenon that is used to shift the focus of the sentence from the performer of the action to the recipient of the action [13] This definition specifically emphasizes the ability to change focus in a sentence when using the passive voice Instead of focusing on the person performing the action, the passive voice allows you to shift the focus of the sentence to the person or thing receiving the action, thereby changing the way the reader or listener receives and understands the information

Example: “The experiment was conducted successfully.” (Focus is on the experiment and its outcome, not the person who conducted it)

The above definitions all refer to different aspects of passive sentences, but are most common in their emphasis on the affected role of the subject in the sentence All four definitions capture different aspects of the passive voice, but they all share the core idea: The emphasis is on the recipient of the action (what is being acted upon) rather than the doer (performer of the action)

1.2.4 Steps to convert to passive voice sentences

- Step 1: Identify the subject and object in the active sentence

• For example: The cat chased the mouse (Subject is “the cat”, object is

- Step 2: Put the object of the active sentence as the subject of the passive sentence

• For example: The cat chased the mouse

=> The mouse was chased by the cat

- Step 3: Conjugate the verb “to be” according to the tenses of the active sentence

Table 1.2 The verb “to be” according to the tense

Present simple am/is/are

Present continuous am/is/are being

Past continuous was/were being

Present perfect has/have been

- Step 4: Use the main verb in the past participle form

• For example: The mouse was chased (Main verb is “chased” – past participle is “chased”)

- Step 5: Add “by” and the subject of the active sentence if necessary

When denoting the performer of an action in an active sentence, place "by" before the subject If the subject is inconsequential, its inclusion is dispensable Ensure that sentences flow coherently within paragraphs.

1.2.5 Some notes when converting to passive voice sentences in English

As you can see, the passive sentence is changed from the active sentence, so it is easy to cause confusion when conjugating the verb as well as determining the main subject, so when switching to the passive sentence, pay a little attention to the following parts:

1 Intransitive verbs are not used in passive form:

For example: cry, die, arrive, disappear, wait, hurt…

In case there are two objects in the active sentence:

In passive sentences, the subject receives the action As a priority, people should be designated as the main subject Alternatively, the sentence can be restructured into two passive constructions to maintain clarity and SEO compliance.

S + V + Oi (indirect object) + Od (direct object)

→ Changing to passive voice will have the following 2 cases:

Case 1: take the indirect object as the subject of the passive sentence: S + be +

Case 2: take the direct object as the subject of the passive sentence: S + be + P2

For example: He gave me a banana yesterday (“me” is an indirect object and “a banana” is a direct object)

Case 1: I was given a banana yesterday

Case 2: A banana was given to me yesterday

2 In the active sentence there is an adverbial of place When switching to a passive sentence, you must put the adverbial of place before “by + object.”

For example: John bought oranges at market

→ Oranges were bought at market by John

3 For active sentences with adverbials of time, when changing to passive sentences, place the adverbial of time after by + object

For example: Jane used the computer ten hours ago

→ The computer was used by Jane ten hours ago

4 If the active sentence has both an adverb of place and an adverb of time, when changing to the passive sentence, follow the rule:

S + be + Ved/P2 + place + by + object + time

For example: Ms Lan threw the garbage in front of my home last night

→ The garbage was thrown in front of my home by Ms Lan last night

5 When the subject in the active sentence is negative like no one, nobody, none of then when changing to the passive sentence, we compound the passive verb in the negative form

For example: No one can wear this blue dress

→ This blue dress cannot be worn

6 In some cases “to be/to get + P2” will not have a passive meaning when used to:

- indicate the situation or state that the subject in the sentence is experiencing For example: Jaden got lost his wallet at the library yesterday

- indicate that the subject in a sentence does the action itself

For example: My mother gets dressed very quickly

7 All changes in tense and tense in the sentence are aimed at the verb “to be”, while the second participle remains the same

- to be made of: material that makes things

For example: This table is made of wood

- to be made from: raw materials are changed from their original state to make an object

For example: Chair is made from wood

- to be made out of: the process of making things

For example: This egg tart was made out of flour, butter, sugar, eggs and milk

- to be made with: just one of many materials from which a thing is made

For example: This fish soup tastes good because it was made with a lot of spices

1.2.6 How to use passive voice in English

According to researchers, the passive voice has three main uses, each of which brings specific benefits and purposes in language expression Firstly, the passive voice is used to emphasize the subject affected by the action This helps to better highlight who or what is the focus of the sentence The usual structure of passive sentences is: S + be (am/is/are/was/were) + V3/ed (+ by O) For example, in the sentence “The report was written by John,” the subject “the report” is the object affected by the action of “written.” The passive verb “was written” helps emphasize the act of writing on the subject, and the object “by John” indicates who performed the action

Secondly, the passive voice is used when it is not known who performed the action This is common in situations where information about the person

Structures of the passive voice

1.3.1 Structures of the passive voice according to tenses

Table 1.3 Structures of the passive voice according to tenses

Tenses Active sentence Passive sentence

Present simple S + Vs/es + O “O” + is/am/are + V3/ed (by

S + is/am/are + V-ing + O “O” + is/am/are + being +

Present perfect S + have/has + V3/ed + O “O” + have/has + been +

“O” + have/has been + being + V3/ed (by + S)

Simple past S + V2 + O “O” + was/were + V3/ed (by

Past continuous S + was/were + V-ing + O “O” + was/were + being +

Past perfect S + had + V3/ed + O “O” + had + been + V3/ed (by

S + had been + V-ing + O “O” + had been + being +

Simple future S + will + V1 + O “O” + will + be + V3/ed (by +

Near future S + is/am/are + going to +

“O” + is/am/are + going to be + V3/ed (by + S)

Future continuous S + will be + V-ing + O “O” + will be + being +

Future perfect S + will have + V3/ed + O “O” + will have been + V3/ed

“O” + will have been + being + V3/ed (by + S)

1.3.2 Specific examples for each tense

Passive sentence: O + am/is/are + V3/ed (by + S)

• The teacher explains the lesson

→ The lesson is explained by the teacher

Active sentence: S + am/is/are + V-ing + O

Passive sentence: O + am/is/are + being + V3/ed (by + S)

→ A book is being read by her

Active sentence: S + have/has + V3/ed + O

Passive sentence: O + have/has + been + V3/ed (by + S)

• He has finished his homework

→ His homework has been finished by him

Active: S + have/has been + V-ing + O

Passive: O + have/has been + being + V3/ed (by + S)

• They have been repairing the car for two hours

→ The car has been repaired for two hours

Passive sentence: O + was/were + V3/ed (by + S)

• The teacher gave the students a test yesterday

→ The students were given a test by the teacher yesterday

Active sentence: S + was/were + V-ing + O

Passive sentence: O + was/were + being + V3/ed (by + S)

• He was reading a book when the phone rang

→ A book was being read by him when the phone rang

Passive sentence: O + had + been + V3/ed (by + S)

• They had eaten all the cake by the time I arrived

→ All the cake had been eaten by them by the time I arrived

Passive: O + had been + being + V3/ed (by + S)

• They had been discussing the project for weeks before it was approved

→ The project had been being discussed for weeks before it was approved

Passive sentence: O + will + be + V3/ed (by + S)

• They will build a new school next year

→ A new school will be built next year

Active: S + is/ am/ are + going to + V

Passive: O + is/am/are + going to be + V3/ed (by S)

• I am going to visit my grandparents next weekend

→ My grandparents are going to be visited by me next weekend

Active sentence: S + will be + V-ing + O

Passive sentence: O + will be + being + V3/ed (by + S)

• He will be working on the project tomorrow

→ The project will be worked on by him tomorrow

Active sentence: S + will have + V3/ed + O

Passive sentence: O + will have been + V3/ed + (by + S)

• They will have completed the project by the end of the year

→ The project will have been completed by them by the end of the year

Active sentence: S + will have been + V-ing + O

Passive sentence: O + will have been + being + V3/ed (by + S)

• They will have been building the bridge for a year by next month

→ The bridge will have been built for a year by next month

1.3.3 Passive sentence structure with modal verbs

Some modal verbs include: must, can, could, may, might, should, have to, Active sentence: S + modal verb + V (infinitive) + O

Passive sentence: S + modal verb + be + P2 + by O

For example: City residents should plant trees in their neighborhood

→ Trees should be planted in their neighborhood by city residents

1.3.4 Passive sentence structure with “have/get”

Active sentence: Ask someone to do something

S + have + O (for people) + V + O (for things)

S + get + O (for people) + to V + O (for things)

S + have/get + O (referring to things) + P2 by O (referring to people)

For example: I have him fix my car

→ I have my car fixed by him

1.3.5 Passive sentence with two objects

Some verbs in English can be followed by two objects (objects denoting people and things): V + someone + something When converting to the structure of passive sentences in English, these sentences can be rewritten in two different ways, by moving the object to the beginning of the sentence as the subject

Case 1: Put the indirect object as the subject in the passive sentence:

Case 2: Put the direct object as the subject in the passive sentence:

For example: Tommy bought his wife a trench coat yesterday

→ Tommy’s wife was bought a beautiful trench coat yesterday

1.3.6 When the active subject is “people”, “someone”, “they”…

Instead of using “by people, by someone, by they” … we can omit the part

For example: People build houses

1.3.7 When the active subject is “I”, “you”, “we”…

Instead of using “by I, by you, by we” … we often omit the part “by + subject” or use other phrases such as “myself, yourself, ourselves” …

For example: I opened the door

→ The door was opened by me

1.3.8 Passive sentences with verbs indicating states and feelings

Normally, verbs that indicate states and feelings (love, hate, like, want, seem, appear ) cannot be turned into passive sentences

→ This sentence cannot be turned into passive voice

1.3.9 Some situations do not use the passive

The object is a reflexive pronoun or possessive adjective that coincides with the subject of the action in the subject

For example: He hit himself

In this example, the object is “himself”: a reflexive pronoun, so it will not be used in the passive voice for this sentence

Some verbs include: have, belong to, lack, resemble, appear, seem, look, be For example: I have a cat

The above sentence does not have the following passive form: “A cat is had by me.”

Passive voice in Vietnamese

When it comes to passive sentences in Vietnamese, there are many opinions that this type of sentence does not exist in Vietnamese However, in reality, it

Despite the existence of copies for internal use at Phenikaa University, passive sentences are less common in Vietnamese compared to English Consequently, English learners often encounter challenges in utilizing passive sentences in English effectively However, it is important to note that Vietnamese, despite lacking a dedicated morphological category for passivity, possesses its own passive structure.

According to Nguyen Tai Can (2007) [14], a passive sentence is a sentence in which the subject is the person or thing affected by the action or state expressed by the predicate

For example: Cô giáo phê bình học sinh

→ Học sinh bị cô giáo phê bình

In this passive sentence, “học sinh” is the subject affected by the “phê bình” action of “cô giáo”

Bui Van Tieng (2020) [15] said that a passive sentence is a sentence in which the subject is the person or thing affected by the action expressed by the predicate, in which the verb can be accompanied by passive expressions such as

“bị”, “được”, “bởi” or is omitted

For example: Anh ấy sửa chữa xe máy

→ Xe máy được anh ấy sửa chữa

The subject “xe máy” is the object affected by “anh ấy” action of “sửa chữa”, and the verb “sửa chữa” can be accompanied by passive expressions or omitted depending on the context

According to the concept of Hoang Trong Phien (1980) [16], the syntactic relationship in Vietnamese passive sentences is expressed as follows:

First of all, the object complement in the active sentence will become the subject in the corresponding passive sentence This means that the subject receiving the action in the active sentence will be emphasized and placed in the subject position in the passive sentence

Next, the predicate in the passive sentence will include the words “bị/được/do” accompanied by a transitive verb The words “bị” and “được” are often used to express the speaker’s attitude about the action, in which “bị” often has a negative meaning and “được” has a positive meaning Additionally, the word

“do” is used to indicate the agent causing the action

Finally, the subject in an active sentence does not have to appear in the corresponding passive sentence This means that the agent causing the action can be omitted if it is not important or necessary to mention in the specific context This creates flexibility in using Vietnamese passive sentences, allowing the speaker to focus on the result of the action rather than the agent performing that action

For example: Mẹ tặng con gái một cuốn sách

→ Passive sentence: Con gái được mẹ tặng cho một cuốn sách

In the passive voice transformation, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence The predicate in the passive sentence features the auxiliary verb "to be" followed by the past participle of the transitive verb The subject of the active sentence may be omitted if it is not essential to specify it.

1.4.2 Ways to express passive sentences in Vietnamese

1.4.2.1 “Bị” and “được” in Vietnamese

The words “bị” and “được” are derived from Chinese characters The Sino

- Vietnamese reading of this word is “đắc”, there is also a Vietnamization reading of “được” [17] Basically, it can be said that “bị, được” are two words in modern Vietnamese that have receptive and modal meanings Based on modal meaning, they are divided into two groups The first group only has the word

“được” which represents luck and benefit; The second group is the word “bị” which represents unfortunate and unfavorable meanings

In terms of meaning, “được” means to receive or endure with pleasure, while “bị” represents the meaning of enduring a misfortune (failure, death, defeat ) or it can also be saying “bị” denotes the subject’s state of risk

Regarding grammatical characteristics, “bị” and “được” in Vietnamese are still used as real words and can be combined with other words, they often come before nouns, verbs or clauses to form a syntactic structure expressing passive ideas in Vietnamese Structure of passive sentences with “bị” and “được”:

Subject + bị/được + verb + by + agent

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University a The word “được”

"Được" in Vietnamese is a versatile word denoting positive outcomes, advantages, or permissions granted by an external entity Despite its grammatical functions, "được" primarily conveys the notion of receiving favorable circumstances or approval from someone else.

“được” often appears in passive sentences, describing actions that the subject receives passively but that bring positive benefits or results [18]

For example, in the sentence “Cô ấy được khen” the subject “cô ấy” receives praise from an external agent, and this is a positive outcome Additionally, “được” is also used to express permission or the ability to perform an action, as in “Bạn có được phép vào căn phòng này không?” In sentence structure, “được” can be accompanied by verbs and complements to describe a positive action or result that the subject receives, such as “Anh ấy được giúp đỡ tận tình.”

The term “được” conveys a positive connotation and commonly appears in scenarios that bring joy or benefits to the subject Examples include "Anh ấy được thăng chức," indicating a favorable action received that brings happiness and advantages Additionally, "được" expresses desired outcomes, such as "Cô ấy được nhận vào một trường Đại học," indicating an expected positive result However, it can also appear in negative sentences to denote prohibition or inability, as in "anh ấy không được đi du lịch vì lí do sức khỏe." Furthermore, it is used in comparative structures to express higher regard, as in "cô ấy được đánh giá cao hơn người khác."

Thus, the word “được” plays an important role in Vietnamese, helping to express passive meanings but bringing positive results It reflects an important part of the way this language is expressed, showing that the subject receives an action or situation from an external agent that often brings benefit or pleasure The word “được” not only helps clarify the meaning of the sentence but also emphasizes the passive and active nature of the situations the subject experiences, thereby making Vietnamese expressions richer and more sophisticated b The word “bị”

"Bị" serves as a crucial grammatical element in Vietnamese, encompassing various nuances It commonly denotes negative actions or situations that befall a subject, implying a passive role for the subject who undergoes the consequences of such actions Grammatically, "bị" typically accompanies a verb to construct passive sentences.

“cậu bé bị mắng” or “cô ta bị mất túi xách trên xe” These sentences clearly show that the subject must endure an action from an external agent

Summary of the work “After twenty years”

“After Twenty Years” by O Henry is a short story but it is full of meaning about friendship and loyalty The story begins with a date between two close childhood friends, Bob and Jimmy They arranged to meet after twenty years of separation on a street corner in New York Bob arrived at the meeting point first and began waiting for his old friend

In the meantime, he recalls happy memories from his childhood when he and Jimmy roamed the streets Bob’s waiting reflects the remembrance and expectation in his heart, as he hopes to see again his close friend who shared all his joys and sorrows with him But when he met Jimmy, he did not realize that the person standing in front of him was Jimmy, because time had changed his appearance a lot since they last met

During the time the two talked, Jimmy continued to keep his identity and job a secret, causing Bob’s curiosity and expectations to increase Meanwhile, Bob shares about his life, but knows nothing about Jimmy They share their experiences and memories, but the biggest surprise is the discovery of Jimmy and his new career

As the streetlights begin to light up, Jimmy finally reveals his identity, and Bob suddenly discovers that his old friend has become a policeman The big change in Jimmy’s appearance and work surprised Bob and made him feel strange However, this reunion also opens up an opportunity for them to learn about each other and the lives they have chosen

The pivotal moment of their encounter occurs when a bank robber is apprehended, revealing Jimmy's true identity as a police officer Recognizing the thief as Bob's former associate, Jimmy's allegiance to justice clashes with Bob's sorrow upon learning the truth This poignant revelation highlights Jimmy's unwavering commitment to the law, while Bob's regret over his past actions adds depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

“After Twenty Years” is not only a story about the reunion of two old friends but also a lesson about friendship, loyalty and changes in life This story emphasizes the importance of maintaining values and morals in a relationship, no matter how much time has passed and life has changed.

Summary of chapter 1

Passive sentences in English employ the "to be" verb and the main verb's past participle, with the agent either expressed or omitted, shifting emphasis to the action's result In contrast, Vietnamese passive sentences utilize "bị" for negative situations that the subject is forced to endure and "được" for actions benefiting the subject This distinct difference between "bị" and "được" conveys the sentence's tone and perspective.

“được” helps the listener or reader easily identify the speaker's attitude and feelings toward the action in question

In addition, the author also summarized the content of O Henry’s short story “After Twenty Years”, providing the necessary context for analyzing passive sentences in this work The short story tells about the meeting after twenty years between two old friends, with many situations and actions described through passive voice This gives us more insight into how O Henry uses the passive voice to create surprise and emphasize important details in the story Through studying and comparing passive sentences in both languages, we find that although the structure and expression are different, but the purpose and function of the passive voice remains consistent in emphasizing the result of the action rather than the person performing the action This is especially important in literary works, where the author wants to lead the reader in a certain direction or keep the person carrying out the action a secret until the end of the story

LIST THE PASSIVE SENTENCES IN THE ORIGINAL

Passive sentences are used in the original work “After twenty years” by O.Henry

The reason the author chose the short story “After twenty years” to include in this research article is because this is a famous classic English short story, which uses very rich passive sentence structures The short story is printed in the collection “In The Four Million,” published in 1906 The short story is about 7 pages long, on pages 107-114, and is a story set in real life in New York O Henry’s short story “Twenty Years Later” is a good work with high artistic value The effective use of passive voice is a unique feature of the story, contributing to the story’s appeal and depth Therefore, this is a suitable choice for you to analyze for the author’s thesis This short story has three translations in 1942, 2017 and 2019, but the author chose the 2017 translation by Than Trong Son because this is the closest translation to the original English version

The study will employ a descriptive approach and a comparative and contrasting methodology to gather and evaluate data from O Henry's original English version of "After Twenty Years" and its Vietnamese translation by Than Trong Son This approach aims to identify similarities and differences between the two versions, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of the translation in conveying the author's intended meaning and engaging readers in both languages.

2.1.1 Classification and statistics of passive structures in the original “After twenty years”

Table 2.1 Statistical table of the number of passive sentences

Amidst the twilight, sporadic illuminations emanated from cigar stores and late-night eateries However, most doors led to commercial establishments that had ceased operations long ago, their once-bustling facades now shrouded in darkness.

2 He and I were raised here in New York, just like two brothers, together I was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty

3 It was torn down then Line 21

4 The waiting man pulled out a handsome watch, the lids of it set with small diamonds

5 The man from the West, his egotism enlarged by success, was beginning to outline the history of his career

6 “You’ve been under arrest for ten minutes, ‘Silky’

Bob Chicago thinks you may have dropped over our way and wires us she wants to have a chat with you.”

7 Now, before we go on to the station here’s a note I was asked to hand you

2.1.2 Analysis of passive sentences in the original “After twenty years” by O Henry

The bustling streets of the city had quieted as night fell, leaving only a select few establishments still illuminated Cigar stores and all-night eateries emitted their faint glow, a stark contrast to the shuttered doors of countless businesses that had long ceased their operations for the day The once-vibrant cityscape had transformed into a serene panorama, with darkness enveloping the majority of its structures.

In the sentence “Now and then you might see the lights of a cigar store or of an all–night lunch counter; but the majority of the doors belong to business places that had long since been closed,” we can analyze the passive sentence structure in detail to better understand its use in this specific context: Subject + had been + past participle (closed) This structure shows that an action completed before another time in the past, emphasizing the state of the affected object The sentence describes the stillness and forgetfulness of once vibrant shops and businesses Let’s dive into the analysis and explanation of the passive sentence structure and the sense of space it creates

In this quote, the passive voice structure is used to emphasize the current state of the shops, which helps create a poignant image of the desolation and loneliness of the area at night Although the sentence does not specify who closed these stores, it focuses on their current state: “the majority of the doors belonged to business places that had long since been closed.” Here, “business

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University places” is the subject of the passive sentence, described as part of the main sentence The verb “had been closed” is in the past perfect tense, showing that the action of closing occurred before the time of the narrative, highlighting the desolation and immobility of the area

"Long since" emphasizes the prolonged closure of stores, suggesting they have been abandoned and neglected for an extended period This phrase not only conveys the passage of time but also evokes a sense of desolation and decline, contrasting the once-thriving atmosphere of these now-silent establishments.

By using the passive voice structure in this excerpt, O Henry not only describes the state of the closed stores but also evokes a profound sense of the changing times and impermanence of business jobs Passive sentences not only help to clarify the loneliness and desolation of the area at night but also highlight the change in time and the denial of the companies’ activities

2 He and I were raised here in New York, just like two brothers, together I was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty (lines 19, 20)

Sentence “He and I were raised here in New York, just like two brothers, together I was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty” uses passive structure to emphasize the growing up process of the two main characters The structure of this passive sentence is: Subject + were + past participle (raised) In this case, the passive voice is formed by the auxiliary verb “were” (past tense of “to be”) combined with the past participle “raised”

The subject of the sentence is “He and I”, referring to the two people who received the act of being raised This suggests that they grew up together in New York, just like two brothers The use of the adverbial phrase “just like two brothers” emphasizes the close and close relationship between the two, further clarifying that they not only grew up together but also have a close relationship like siblings

In this passive sentence, the person doing the action (those who raised them) is not mentioned explicitly, but it can be implicitly understood that it is a parent or guardian Not mentioning the person performing the action is a common feature in passive sentences, where information about the person

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University performing the action is not important or has been implicitly understood from the context

The sentence “I was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty” are two independent sentences, using the simple past tense to express the age of the speaker and Jimmy at that time This provides more information about the situation of the two people in the past, helping readers better visualize the context and time of the story

The adverbial phrase of place “here in New York” indicates where the nurturing action takes place The use of this phrase not only clarifies the location but also creates a specific context for the story, helping readers easily imagine the living environment of the two main characters

By employing the passive voice, the author highlights the characters' shared upbringing and intimate bond This sentence structure evokes vivid imagery of their childhood in New York, capturing their closeness and shared experiences The sentence's structure and word choice create a deeper connection between the characters and the reader, conveying both information and emotions Thepassive voice emphasizes the growth process and the relationship between the two, showcasing the author's skillful use of grammar and sentence structure to create meaningful content.

3 It was torn down then (line 21)

The original English version of “After twenty years” by O Henry and

Table 2.3 The translation of short stories

Original work by O Henry The translation by Than Trong Son

Now and then you might see the lights of a cigar store or of an all–night lunch counter; but the majority of the doors belonged to business places that had long since been closed

Đêm khuya, phố xá vắng lặng, chỉ còn lại ánh đèn le lói từ những tiệm bán thuốc lá hoặc quầy thức ăn đêm Hầu hết các cửa hàng khác đều đã đóng cửa từ lâu, tạo nên một không gian yên tĩnh và hiu quạnh.

He and I were raised here in New

York, just like two brothers, together

I was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty

Hắn và tôi cùng lớn lên ở New York, như hai anh em ruột Lúc đó tôi 18 tuổi, và hắn hai mươi

It was torn down then Người ta đã phá tiệm đó cách đây năm năm rồi

The waiting man pulled out a handsome watch, the lids of it set with small diamonds

Người đứng chờ rút trong túi ra chiếc đồng hồ rất sang, vỏ nạm hột xoàn

The man from the West, his egotism enlarged by success, was beginning to outline the history of his career

Người từ miền Tây tới, do thành công nên tỏ ra tự cao, bắt đầu kể qua quá trình làm ăn của mình

“You’ve been under arrest for ten minutes, ‘Silky’ Bob Chicago thinks you may have dropped over our way and wires us she wants to have a chat with you.”

Anh đã trong tình trạng bị bắt từ 10 phút rồi, Bob “lành” ạ Chicago nghĩ là có thể anh sẽ qua chỗ chúng tôi nên đã điện báo cho chúng tôi là họ muốn tán gẫu với anh một chút

Now, before we go on to the station here’s a note I was asked to hand you

Bây giờ, trước khi về đồn, đây là mấy chữ mà người ta nhờ tôi trao tận tay anh

2.2.1 Analysis and comparison in the original “After twenty years” by O Henry and the translation by Than Trong Son a, “Now and then you might see the lights of a cigar store or of an all–night lunch counter; but the majority of the doors belonged to business places that had long since been closed.” (lines 6,7)

- The translation: “Thỉnh thoảng thấy có ánh đèn từ một tiệm bán thuốc xì gà hoặc từ một quầy bán thức ăn phục vụ suốt đêm, còn phần lớn những nơi buôn bán đã đóng cửa từ lâu.” (By Than Trong Son)

Although the Vietnamese translation of this passage is quite literal and accurate, there are still some small details that could be improved to increase its

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University naturalness and smoothness First of all, it is necessary to clearly understand the meaning of each part of the original English sentence The phrase “Now and then” means “sometimes”, “the lights of a cigar store or of an all–night lunch counter” refers to the lights from a shop that is served all night, and “the majority of the doors belonged to business places that had long since been closed” means that most of the stores have been closed for a long time

When analyzing the Vietnamese translation, we see that “Thỉnh thoảng thấy có ánh đèn” translates quite literally to “Now and then you might see the lights”, “từ một tiệm bán thuốc xì gà hoặc từ một quầy bán thức ăn phục vụ suốt đêm” is equivalent to “of a cigar store or of an all-night lunch counter”, which is also correct The sentence “còn phần lớn những nơi buôn bán đã đóng cửa từ lâu” also conveys the correct meaning of the original

The striking difference between the two languages is the passive structure

In English, the phrase “business places that had long since been closed” is a passive relative clause, in which “had been closed” is the passive form of the past perfect tense Meanwhile, the Vietnamese translation “những nơi buôn bán đã đóng cửa từ lâu” uses an active structure

Although the Vietnamese translation accurately conveys the meaning, it does not retain the passive structure of the original English sentence This loses part of the nuance that the original sentence wants to convey To keep the passive structure as in the original English sentence, the Vietnamese translation can be edited as follows: “phần lớn các cửa hàng thuộc về những cơ sở kinh doanh đã bị đóng cửa từ lâu.”

This proposed correction sentence is analyzed as follows: “phần lớn các cửa hàng” translates as “the majority of the doors”, “thuộc về những cơ sở kinh doanh” translates as “belonged to business places”, and “đã bị đóng cửa từ lâu” is the passive structure of “had long since been closed”

In the realm of deserted storefronts, only occasional glimpses of life remain Cigar shops and late-night diners struggle to stay afloat amidst the ruins, while the majority succumb to the inevitable closure that time and circumstances have bestowed upon them Their once-bustling facades now bear witness to the passage of time, silently speaking of forgotten dreams and abandoned aspirations.

Preserving the original sentence structure and passive voice in translations from English to Vietnamese enhances authenticity and accuracy It retains the nuances and precise meaning of the source material, ensuring that the Vietnamese translation flows smoothly and naturally For example, Jimmy and I grew up together in New York like brothers.

- The translation: “Hắn và tôi cùng lớn lên ở New York, như hai anh em ruột Lúc đó tôi 18 tuổi, và hắn hai mươi.” (By Than Trong Son)

When comparing and analyzing the original English sentence and the Vietnamese translation by Than Trong Son, we see a clear difference in the use of passive voice and some subtle differences First of all, the phrase “were raised” in the original English sentence is used in the passive voice, clearly indicating that the subject “he and I” is the recipient of the action from an unknown agent This means that “he and I” are raised by someone, perhaps a parent or guardian, and do not have to do this act themselves

In the Vietnamese translation, the phrase “cùng lớn lên” uses the active voice, showing that “hắn và tôi” are the ones performing the action ourselves, not the recipient of the action from an outside agent This changes the meaning of the original sentence, because it removes the implication that an outside agent (such as a parent or guardian) raised them The change from passive voice to active voice in the Vietnamese translation may cause the reader to not realize the original meaning that the original sentence wants to convey

Additionally, the original English sentence clearly implies care and nurturing from a certain person or group of people This creates a strong family connection and foundation for the character, emphasizing that they have grown up under the protection and care of an outside agent The current Vietnamese translation does not express this implication, making the story somewhat lacking in cohesion and deep meaning about family relationships and upbringing

To maintain the passive voice and the implication of an outside agent in the Vietnamese translation, we can edit the translation to better reflect the meaning

Summarize the analysis

In the research article, the comparison of passive sentences between the original text “After twenty years” by O Henry and the Vietnamese translation by Than Trong Son helps clarify the differences in structure and linguistic style between the two languages It also helps to better understand how translators handle complex grammatical structures and convey meaning accurately and naturally This is not only useful for language learning but is also important in literary analysis and translation

English often uses contraction structures in passive sentences to create succinctness and emphasize the action or result of the action For example, the sentence “the lids of it set with small diamonds” in the original text is a contracted passive construction without the auxiliary verb “to be” This helps keep sentences short and concise

In Vietnamese translation, passive sentences are often expressed in full construction with the particle “bị” or “được” For example, the sentence “chiếc đồng hồ rất sang, vỏ được nạm hột xoàn.” Use “được” to express the passive action clearly and specifically This complete structure helps Vietnamese readers easily understand the action and the agent causing the action

Analyzing and comparing passive sentences in the source text and the translation not only helps language learners better understand the grammatical structure of both languages but also provides important translation skills

Comparing the passive sentences in “After Twenty Years” by O Henry and the Vietnamese translation by Than Trong Son clearly shows the differences in grammatical structure and expression style between English and Vietnamese This difference not only reflects the grammatical characteristics of each language but also opens up many approaches to translation and language learning These detailed analyzes will help readers, especially students and language researchers, better understand how to use and translate passive sentence structures, thereby improving their language and translation skills

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Statistical diagram of the number of passive sentence structures

3.1.1 Create a data table for the chart

Subject + had been + past participle 14,3 %

Subject + were/was + past participle 42,8 %

S + have/has + been + past participle 14,3 %

3.1.2 The chart shows the percentage of passive sentences in a short story

Chart 3.1 Passive sentence percentage diagram

According to this pie chart, the structure “Subject + had been + past participle” is used in the past perfect passive tense, usually to express an action that was completed before another time in the past The 14.3% use of this structure shows that the author often refers to completed events in the past, emphasizing that these actions were performed before another time or event The structure “Subject + were/was + past participle” accounts for the

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University largest part in the thesis at 42.8%, showing that most of the content refers to actions or events that happened in the past This is a common choice when it is necessary to describe actions that are unclear or where it is not necessary to identify the performer

The structure "Subject + past participle + complement" employs the past participle as part of a phrase that modifies the subject, commonly found in relative or descriptive clauses This structure imparts a passive meaning without utilizing the verb "to be." Notably, 28.6% of these structures incorporate relative clauses or modifying phrases, enriching the subject description and resulting in intricate, informative sentences.

The structure “S + have/has + been + past participle” with a rate of

14.3% This is the passive structure of the present perfect tense, often used to describe actions completed at an unspecified time in the past but still related to the present Used to emphasize actions or results that are still relevant or relevant to the present time.

The conclusion of the study

Through the process of researching the use of passive sentences in English in “After Twenty Years” by O Henry and comparing them with equivalent structures in Vietnamese, the author has drawn some important conclusions as follows:

Firstly, passive sentences in English play an important role in emphasizing the subject affected by the action, especially in situations where the subject of the action is unknown or unimportant In the work “After Twenty Years”, O Henry cleverly uses passive voice to create surprise and add drama to the story This is evident in sentences like “You’ve been under arrest for ten minutes, ‘Silky’ Bob”, where the emphasis is placed on the act of being arrested rather than the person performing the act

In comparison to Vietnamese, English and Vietnamese passive sentence structures exhibit both similarities and distinctions In Vietnamese, passive constructions commonly employ the verb "được" followed by the main verb This structure signifies the subject's experience of an action rather than its performance In English, passive voice is formed by combining the auxiliary verb "be" with the past participle of the main verb, denoting the object of the action as the subject While both languages share this shift in subject-object relationship, their specific grammatical mechanisms differ, offering insights into the diverse ways languages express passive constructions.

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University words “bị” or “được” before the main verb For example, the sentence “You’ve been under arrest for ten minutes, ‘Silky’ Bob” by O Henry can be translated into “Anh đã trong tình trạng bị bắt từ 10 phút rồi, Bob ‘lành’ ạ” by Than Trong Son However, Vietnamese tends to use active sentences more in many contexts, which reflects the differences in grammar and expression style between the two languages

Thirdly, research also shows that converting from active sentences to passive sentences in English and Vietnamese is not simply a change in sentence structure but also depends on the context and purpose of expression Especially in literature, the choice between active and passive sentences can greatly influence the reader’s emotions and understanding

Finally, from the above analysis, we confirm that mastering the use of passive sentences in English and equivalent structures in Vietnamese is very important for translating and understanding the source text This not only helps foreign language learners improve their language skills but also helps them gain a deeper understanding of the culture and writing style of the two languages Understanding the similarities and differences between passive sentence structures in English and Vietnamese will help translators more accurately convey the content and nuances of the original work

This study offers insights into the nuances of passive voice usage in English and Vietnamese, highlighting the significance of comprehension and correct application in translation and literary analysis By understanding the differences between these two languages, researchers and practitioners can effectively convey meaning and preserve the intended significance of texts during the translation process.

Suggestions

Learning and teaching English grammar, especially passive sentences, through famous foreign classic literary works not only helps learners better understand grammatical structure but also helps them improve their reading comprehension and translation skills At the same time, it also gives teachers the opportunity to use unique literary works to enrich their lectures In addition, this graduation paper will contribute to teaching and learning passive sentence structure in general and passive sentence forms through literary works in particular

Read books, newspapers, and English literary works to identify and learn how to use passive sentences When you reading, pay attention to passive sentences and take notes for analysis Identifying passive sentences in real-life contexts will help students better understand how to use this structure

Practice writing passive sentences from active sentences every day Writing diaries or short paragraphs using passive voice will help students become familiar with this structure and improve their writing skills

There are many textbooks, study materials, and English learning websites that specialize in grammar that students can use The sites like Grammarly, BBC Learning English, and Cambridge English offer many lessons on passive voice Take advantage of these documents to do exercises and test your knowledge Create exercises to convert from active sentences to passive sentences and vice versa Learners can find sentences in books or online to practice This is a good way to consolidate knowledge and get familiar with different sentence types

Take English classes or courses at the center or online These classes often provide exercises and tests to help you improve your grammar skills, including the passive voice Studying with friends and getting feedback from teachers will help you progress faster

Use real-life contexts to teach passive sentences For example, use articles, short stories, or videos that use passive voice to make it easier for students to visualize This helps students clearly see how the passive voice is used in everyday life

Provide a variety of exercises, including writing, reading, and converting sentences Ask students to rewrite paragraphs or articles using passive voice Diverse exercises will help students better understand the structure and use of passive sentences

Organize group activities for students to discuss and solve exercises related to passive sentences This helps students learn from each other and consolidate

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University their knowledge Group activities also help students develop teamwork and communication skills

Use online tools and applications to support teaching Apps like Kahoot! or Google Classroom can help create interactive grammar tests and exercises Technology makes learning more fun and engaging

Learn and teach the passive voice in English can become more interesting and effective when appropriate learning methods and materials are applied By combining theory and practice, both learners and teachers can improve their grammar skills and understanding of passive sentences, thereby enhancing their ability to use English in everyday life

By analyzing passive sentences in "After Twenty Years" and their Vietnamese counterparts, we uncover significant insights The process reveals patterns and variations, highlighting the nuances of passive voice usage across languages, deepening our understanding of sentence construction and meaning.

The use of passive sentences in English has its own unique characteristics, helping to emphasize the action or the affected object instead of the subject performing the action In English, passive sentences are not only widely used in writing but also commonly in speaking This creates variation in sentence structure, while also bringing flexibility and richness in expression When compared with Vietnamese, we notice that Vietnamese uses less passive sentences and often prefers active expressions This partly reflects the difference in linguistic and cultural thinking between the two languages In Vietnamese, passive sentences are usually only used when necessary to emphasize the affected object or in formal contexts In addition, the passive sentence structure in Vietnamese is often simpler than in English, and switching between these structures requires the translator’s flexibility and creativity

Than Trong Son's translation techniques effectively convert passive English sentences into Vietnamese, preserving the original meaning and spirit Son prioritizes natural and contextually appropriate translations, avoiding literal word-for-word conversions When necessary, Son employs active expressions or rhetorical devices to convey the intent of passive sentences accurately and coherently.

This study also shows differences in the way passive sentences are expressed in literature and everyday life In literature, authors tend to use passive sentences to create emphasis and bring depth to the story Meanwhile, in everyday communication, speakers often prioritize active structures to convey information clearly and directly

In summary, this study has shed light on the characteristics and differences in the use of passive sentences between English and Vietnamese, as well as

Copies for internal use only in Phenikaa University providing insight into the art of translation The research results not only contribute to a better understanding of language but also open up new research directions in the field of translation and language teaching Comparison and analysis between passive sentences in English and Vietnamese not only helps us grasp linguistic characteristics but also promotes the development of effective translation methods, contributing to improving the quality of translation and language teaching in the context of increasingly deep international integration

Although this study has provided many insights into the use of passive voice in English and its equivalents in Vietnamese, there are still some limitations that need to be mentioned for a more comprehensive view First of all, this study only focused on analyzing passive voice in a specific work, “After

Twenty Years”, which may not be representative enough for all other types of texts, especially in different literary genres or in different communicative contexts The number of analyzed sentence samples is still limited, which may affect the accuracy and representativeness of the conclusions drawn from the study In addition, the study mainly relied on Than Trong Son’s translation, comparing different translations of the same work or analyzing other works may provide new and richer perspectives on how to translate passive voice between the two languages In conclusion, although this study has provided important contributions on the use and translation of passive sentences between English and Vietnamese, overcoming these limitations would make the study more comprehensive and valuable in improving the quality of translation and language teaching

Tiêu đề	A Study on English Passive Voice in ‘After Twenty Years’ with Reference to Vietnamese Equivalents
Tác giả	Ha Thuy Duong
Người hướng dẫn	MA. Phan Thao Nguyen
Trường học	Phenikaa University
Chuyên ngành	English Language
Thể loại	Graduation Paper
Năm xuất bản	2024
Thành phố	Ha Noi

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