MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HAI PHONG PRIVATE UNIVERSITY --- A STUDY ON COLOURS USED IN IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE EQUIVALENT... BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO TRƯỜN
Rationale
English proficiency is increasingly crucial globally, particularly in Vietnam where mastering the language presents significant challenges for students, including comprehending idioms.
Mastering English idioms is crucial for effective communication, especially with native speakers Idioms enrich the language and using them fluently enhances your overall English proficiency Ignoring idioms hinders achieving native-like fluency.
Translating color idioms presents significant challenges due to their language-specific nature, unpredictable meaning, and cultural dependence These expressions often defy literal translation, requiring translators to analyze the intended meaning before selecting an appropriate translation strategy Successfully navigating color idioms demands recognizing their non-literal usage and understanding their cultural context.
This thesis explores the cultural nuances of color symbolism in English and Vietnamese idioms, comparing their usage in daily communication and analyzing equivalent expressions.
Aims of the study
English native speakers frequently use idioms, offering concise alternatives to complex ideas and adding creative flair Many idioms are based on colors These color-based idioms demonstrate the richness and expressiveness of the English language.
Vietnamese and English cultures differ significantly, impacting their idioms While idiom study is crucial for language learners, cultural unfamiliarity hinders accurate idiom comprehension This study aims to address this challenge.
Help readers to have better understanding about the basic background of idioms, its definition, types and classifications
Clarify the meaning of some English and Vietnamese idioms related to color
Research about the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese idioms.
Methods of the study
Considering all the characteristics, this paper made great use of qualitative method
This qualitative study utilized non-numerical data from supervisors, experts, and friends, facilitating in-depth exploration Idioms were sourced from dictionaries and other resources to inform the research.
Scope of the study
This study explores English color idioms and their Vietnamese equivalents Due to the vast number of existing idioms, this research focuses on a selection, offering a glimpse into this rich linguistic area.
Design of the study
This study is composed of three main parts:
Part I is the introduction which consists of rationale, aims, study methods, the scope and design of the study
Part II is the development-the main part of this paper which is divided into three chapters :
Chapter one is the literature review
Chapter two shows some English and Vietnamese idioms related to colours
Chapter three indicates similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese color idioms and some suggested solutions
Part III is the conclusion which summarizes what was given in previous parts
PART TWO: DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER I: LITERATURE REVIEW
An overview of idiom
Definition of idiom
Idioms, or idiomatic expressions, are formulaic language; their meaning can't be derived from direct translation These fixed expressions, common in everyday speech, cannot be literally translated or significantly altered Mastering idioms is key to fluent language acquisition.
Idioms demand reflection to grasp their meaning, prompting thoughtful consideration of their inherent truth Familiarity with idioms enhances written and spoken English, adding impressive and enjoyable nuances to communication.
Idioms are integral to language, reflecting cultural worldviews (Carine, 2005) They function as single units with meanings not deducible from individual components (Richards & Schmidt, 2002).
Idioms, as defined by [1972, p 122], are multiword expressions with meanings not deducible from individual word meanings For example, "a storm in a teacup" describes disproportionate anger over a trivial matter, and "to go for a song" means to be sold very cheaply Idioms must be memorized as complete units.
Types of Idioms
Fernando (1996, pp 60-63) distinguishes three different groups of idioms, as follows:
Pure idioms are multi-word expressions functioning as single semantic units; their meaning cannot be derived from the individual words For example, "smell a rat," meaning "become suspicious," is completely non-literal, demonstrating a new meaning unrelated to the individual words' meanings.
Semi-idioms, like "rain cats and dogs" (meaning "rain heavily") or "blue film" (referring to pornography), are partially literal, with one component retaining its direct meaning, resulting in a blend of literal and figurative language.
The idiom "obscene film," unlike its constituent words "rain" and "film," generates a single, distinct meaning; Fernando (1996, p 63) highlights that such idioms synthesize individual word meanings into a wholly new, unified sense.
Literal idioms, understood through their individual components' direct meanings, sometimes require figurative interpretation Fernando (1996, p 63) notes that their classification as idioms often rests solely on their fixed structure and combined nature.
Classifications of idioms
Idioms are characterized by their figurative meaning, which is crucial for identification Literal translation, while sometimes helpful for simple idioms, is insufficient for understanding their nuanced meanings.
Understanding idioms requires focusing on their figurative meanings, not just literal translations of individual words While some idioms, like "rub someone the wrong way," offer clues from their components, many others, such as the Vietnamese "Tan đàn xẻ nghé," require learning their figurative meanings directly This emphasis on figurative meaning is crucial for mastering idioms in both English and Vietnamese.
Overextending oneself, or trying to do too many things at once, leads to poor performance in all areas The idiom "spread oneself too thin" aptly describes this situation, highlighting the negative impact of multitasking without sufficient focus.
The Vietnamese idiom "Quýt làm cam chịu" (the tangerine takes the blame for the orange) defies literal translation Its meaning, unrelated to the literal words, highlights the concept of innocent parties bearing the consequences of others' actions.
“Cam” The meaning of this idiom is someone did something bad but another person took the blame for him
Idioms possess diverse semantic functions, conveying both positive meanings (e.g., "back on one's feet," signifying recovery) and negative connotations (examples needed) Their multifaceted usage contributes to rich and nuanced communication.
“ugly day” (an unlucky day) This is totally based on the expressing purpose of the authors
In short, idioms should be understood figuratively and they can perform both negative and positive meanings to show the speaker’s opinion about a specific matter
Idioms are fixed phrases; altering word order destroys their meaning For example, "in black and white," meaning "officially," illustrates this inflexibility.
Altering idioms like "in black and white" destroys their meaning; some are complete sentences unchangeable to passive voice For example, "A little bird told me," meaning undisclosed information, sounds unnatural as "I was told by a little bird."
Idioms' flexibility varies; some allow alterations without losing their core meaning, while others are fixed Mass media frequently adapts idioms, adding components for emphasis, a technique useful in writing For example, "give someone the cold shoulder" can change tense, and "have the blues" can substitute "have" with "get," maintaining the original meaning.
Idioms exhibit diverse structures, including noun phrases (e.g., "pink slip," "red flag"), verb phrases (e.g., "sail under false colors"), and adjective phrases (e.g., "hot under the collar") Their structures can be regular, irregular, or even grammatically incorrect, as exemplified by "be at odds," which deviates from standard English grammar but remains accepted usage.
To sum up, when mentioning the syntactic feature of idioms, we need to know three
Idioms are fixed phrases whose word order cannot be changed without altering their meaning; however, media contexts may allow for stylistic modifications while preserving idiomatic sense Their diverse grammatical structures sometimes defy conventional rules.
Interpreting Idioms
Idioms and proverbs, while both conveying wisdom and societal norms, are distinct Idioms are rhythmic phrases, incomplete sentences lacking comprehensive conceptual meaning, unlike proverbs, which are complete sentences expressing full ideas or philosophies.
Idioms must be interpreted figuratively, not literally Accurate idiom translation requires understanding the intended meaning in the source language Distinguishing literal from figurative meaning is crucial for successful idiom translation, demanding strong source language proficiency.
Baker (1992, p 65) highlights key translation challenges posed by idioms and fixed expressions: accurate interpretation and effective rendering of their multifaceted meanings into the target language.
Furthermore, Baker (1992, pp 68-71) deals with the difficulties in translating idioms and establishes the following categories:
An idiom or fixed expression may have no equivalent in the target language
An idiom or fixed expression may have a similar counterpart in the target language, but its context of use may be different
An idiom may be used in the source text in both its literal and idiomatic senses at the same time
Idiom usage varies significantly between source and target languages, impacting their written application, contextual appropriateness, and overall frequency.
Also, we cannot do any of the following with an idiom:
Change the order of the word
Replace its word with another
Culture and Translation
What is culture?
The question is simple, yet it’s not easy to offer a detailed and pleasing answer
Culture, stemming from the Latin "colere" (to cultivate), encompasses knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, and customs acquired within society (Tylor, 1871) Geertz (1973) further defines it as a historically transmitted system of meanings embodied in symbols, shaping attitudes and knowledge about life.
Culture, a set of shared behaviors, values, and experiences, profoundly shapes social structures, communication, and societal etiquette Its influence is enormous on how we live.
10 act and respond, the way we produce, send and normally interpret different kinds of information According to many cultural experts, culture has these four basic and noteworthy attributes:
Culture is not biological but socially learned and acquired knowledge, as Hudson (1980, p.74) emphasizes, defining it as "socially acquired knowledge".
Secondly, culture does not ever belong to any individuals in particular Absolutely, it’s shared by all members of a community
Culture, a symbolic meaning system (Geertz, 1973, p 89), relies heavily on language as a crucial medium for cultural transmission.
Last but not least, culture is a “unified system”, which means that the integral parts of it are closely related and linked to one another
Culture, the shared patterns of behavior, thinking, and interpretation within a social group (Benedict, 1934), encompasses beliefs, language, customs, art, dress, technology, food preparation, religion, and economic systems This unique human attribute significantly differentiates human groups from each other and from other species.
What is language?
Language, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is the structured, conventional communication system using spoken or written words This uniquely human ability distinguishes us from other species and serves as our primary means of communication.
Language is widely known as a “communication tool”, helping people to express opinions, thoughts as well as communicate information Language carries out these three crucial functions:
1) Language is the primary vehicle of communication;
2) Language reflects both the personality of the individual and the culture of his history In turn, it helps shape both personality and culture;
3) Language makes possible the growth and transmission of culture, the continuity of societies, and the effective functioning and control of social group
The relationship between culture and language
Language and culture are closely related and dependent on each other Language is formed by culture, while culture is influenced and impacted by language
Language and culture are inextricably linked; one cannot exist without the other Brown (1994) highlights their interwoven nature, emphasizing that separating them diminishes their significance Kramsch (2000) further asserts that language, particularly in communication, is fundamentally intertwined with culture in multifaceted ways.
Language and culture are inextricably linked; language is vital for transmitting culture, while culture profoundly shapes language development Learning a language inherently involves learning its associated culture, a process that happens concurrently.
Culture profoundly influences language, serving as a mirror reflecting cultural values This close relationship means differing cultures yield distinct languages.
English and Vietnamese, while vastly different, highlight that no culture is entirely isolated Shared human characteristics and cultural diffusion result in surprising similarities in concepts and expressions across languages, reflecting universal thinking patterns.
SOME ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE IDIOMS RELATED
English idioms related to colours
English idioms frequently incorporate color, reflecting their artistic and popular origins These colorful expressions are commonly used in everyday speech, film, and television.
This paper analyzes the unique meanings of color idioms, focusing on those featuring black, red, white, green, and gray, to demonstrate how these idioms transcend literal color descriptions.
As black as It was as black as night
We could not see anything night
As black as Very black pitch
As black as the ace of spades
The place where goods or money are illegal bought and sold
He bought that gun in the black market
A person who is a disgrace to a family or group
I have always been the black sheep in my family
To take money from someone by threatening
He has blackmailing me been for him or her months with some photos he took
To exclude or ostracize someone, to write someone’s name on a list if they break some rules
I was in debt couple months ago, so I’ve been blacklisted
Good or bad, right or wrong
My boss always thinks he knows everything but he doesn’t realise this situation is not as black and white as he thinks!
A black look An angry expression on somebody’s face
He gave me a black look when he found out that I lost his keys
A dangerous area, usually on a road where accidents often happen
Don’t go any further There is a black spot in front of you
(As) red as a beetroot very red in the face, because you fell angry, embarrassed or hot
I could see my son up on the stage, his little face was as red as a beetroot
in the red in debt
I’ve got three credit card bills to pay off at the moment I hate being in the red
(not to have) a red cent have no money at all He has a red cent He paid too much on acohol
as poppy red red as as a a Bright red
This dress is so beautyful It’s as red as a cherry
I don’t like that shirt because I don’t like anything that as red as blood
(on) red alert prepared for an emergency or something dangerous to happen
When I had a minor heart attack last year, I saw the red alert and realised that I had to quit smoking, and improve my health
red tape complicated official rules that prevent things from being done
I just want to start my own business, but the amount of red tape involved is so frustrating
(to) see red to become very angry He saw red when he lost his car
(As) white as a sheet/ghost
Extremely pale in the face because of fear, illness or shock
Are you alright? You’re as white as a sheet, what’s the matter?
I hope it will be a white X-mas this year
A useless, but very expensive thing or possession
CD player for me, but it’s a white elephant I don’t need it, I don’t even have any CDs!
A small or harmless lie said in order not to hurt somebody
I just wanted to get out of work so I told my boss a little white lie, and said I had a doctor’s appointment
A term used for office workers that traditionally wear white shirts with a collar
We have a lot of vacancies for white-collar workers at the moment, but hardly anyone is applying for them!
To give somebody/get the green light
To give somebody permission to do something, to be allowed to go ahead with the project
We have been given the green the light by the Marketing Executive to go ahead with the new advertising campaign
Green as grass Inexperienced, naive
He can be as green as grass sometimes I don’t think he’s ready to be promoted to a higher position yet
Green finger/thumb skill in gardening
This garden used to look so beautiful when my mum lived here She definitely had a green thumb I wish I did too!
When we were children, my older brother always used to get green with envy if my dad bought something for me and not for him
Be green Sick or immature Are you ok? You look green!
A grey area Something that is not clearly defined, ans there is still debate as to whether it is “back of white”, neither one way or another
Some of the current rules surrounding bedroom tax in the UK seem to be in a grey area, as many residents disagree with its determining factors
Gray matter Describes a group of important cells that are found in the cerebral cortex
Trinh and Quynh are nice but they don't exactly stimulate the old grey matter
The man in grey suits
Men in business or politics who have a lot of powerand influence although the public does not see them or know about them
It is the men in grey suits who will decide what we'll see in politics
To have/grey hair from
To be worried or upset by something
I have got grey hair from work
To give grey To worry or upset someone
She gives her parents grey with all the drugs she’s been using
The grey pound In the UK, the grey pound is an idiom used for the economic power of elderly people
My aunt spends her grey pound to travel around the world.
Vietnamese idioms related to colours
Gần mực thì đen, gần đèn thì rạng Ở gần cái tốt tất nhiên sẽ trở nên tốt hơn và ngược lại
Đỏ da, thắm thịt Người béo tốt, khoẻ mạnh, da dẻ hồng hào
Đỏ như son Màu đỏ tươi
Đỏ mặt tía tai Rất giận dữ
Trắng như tuyết Rất trắng
Như tờ giấy trắng Ngây thơ, trong sáng
Giấy trắng mực đen Có chứng cứ, bằng chứng rõ ràng, không thể chối cãi được
Đổi trắng thay đen Tráo trở, lật lọng; Tốt xấu, thật giả đảo lộn
Xanh như tàu lá Da mặt tái xanh, bị bệnh
Mặt xanh, nanh vàng Người ốm yếu đến mức xanh xao, vàng vọt
Tóc xanh nanh sắc Còn trẻ tuổi, khoẻ mạnh làm việc gì cũng nhanh gọn
Kẻ đầu bạc tiễn kẻ đầu xanh Người già chưa mất nhưng người trẻ đã qua đời
Lo bạc râu, rầu bạc tóc Tác hại của lo buồn, phiền muộn; quá lo lắng
Xanh như lá, bạc như vôi
Tình yêu mãnh liệt, gắn kết khăng khít, nhưng khi tan vỡ lại trở nên lạnh nhạt, xa cách như người dưng.
CHAPTER III : SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE IDIOMS OF COLOURS
Similarities between English and Vietnamese idioms of colours
Despite significant socio-cultural and linguistic differences between Vietnamese and English, striking similarities exist in their respective color idioms This article explores these correlations in English and Vietnamese color idioms.
1/ Color idioms in both languages are used to convey the color tone of something They are used to describe things in a fascinating way and they commonly appear in literary works Here are some examples to clarify this point
- As red as blood - Đỏ như máu
- As black as soot - Đen như bồ hóng
- As black as ink - Đen như mực
- As black as coal - Đen như than
- As white as the driven snow - Trắng như tuyết
- As green as a leaf - Xanh như lá
- As white as paper - Trắng như tờ giấy
As we can see, there are lots of English idioms of comparison which have exact equivalents in Vietnamese language concerning not only meaning but also vocabulary
An excellent example is “as good as gold” which means “Tốt như vàng” In no uncertain terms, such coincident cases somehow make translation a little bit easier
2/ Secondly, there are many particular colors used to express a particular idea Some objects, animals or phenomena sometimes can be found in both nations, both cultures such as the following examples below:
- Be green - Mặt nó xanh như tàu lá
- Green as grass - Nó còn non và xanh lắm
- Silence is golden - Im lặng là vàng
- As pale as ghost - Xanh như tàu lá
Differences between English and Vietnamese idioms of colours
Color idioms vary across languages, reflecting cultural differences Some color expressions in one language lack direct equivalents in others.
E.g.: Red also reflects the luck in Vietnamese culture whereas the meaning of red in English idioms is not the same
Green- eyed monster used to express the jealousy of a woman
Ghen như Hoạn Thư do not have a color- based term to reflect the same meaning
A small or harmless lie said in order not to hurt somebody
Lời nói dối do not have a color- based term to reflect the same meaning
Once in a blue moon Very rare, rarely Hiếm khi do not have a color- based term to reflect the same meaning
Số thằng Bi đỏ như son means that he is very lucky
Bi’s fate is as red as a rose does not make any sense
Means good looking women are usually unlucky
Pink beauty silver fate does not make any sense
Means though outside they don’t look friendly, inside they’re warm and kind
Green outside red inside does not make any sense
Some difficulties in translating idioms related to colours
Idioms, particularly comparative idioms, are rich with cultural nuances reflected in color usage Cross-cultural communication is significantly impacted by the varying associative meanings of colors across languages Learning English idioms presents considerable challenges, as highlighted by research difficulties encountered in this study.
They do not mean what they say The meaning idioms convey is non-compositional
Idioms defy literal translation; their meaning isn't derived from the individual words but from the phrase as a whole Understanding idioms requires grasping their figurative meaning as a single unit.
It’s difficult to use idioms correctively
Mastering English idioms requires years of practice; misuse reveals non-native speech, hindering the goal of native-like fluency.
Mastering English idioms requires more than just understanding their meanings; accurate usage presents a significant challenge Idioms exhibit varying formality levels, ranging from informal slang to formal expressions.
Teaching materials are not much available
Second-language teaching materials often neglect idioms, relegating them to vocabulary lists without sufficient learning aids like exercises Simply providing definitions and examples within reading materials or notes is insufficient for effective idiom acquisition, requiring additional teacher-led practice.
Learning English idioms, particularly colorful ones, is engaging but challenging for many Vietnamese students Mastering them requires careful consideration of key learning strategies.
Learn idioms in context, never in isolation
Mastering idioms requires both comprehension and practical application; demonstrate idiom usage through contextual examples, such as realistic conversations clarifying their meaning.
Understanding idioms requires contextual clues For example, "as red as a beetroot" describes someone's angry, flushed face, as illustrated by a boss's furious outburst.
Record new idioms encountered; verify their meanings using a learner's English dictionary; construct a sentence using each idiom to aid memorization and retention.
A lot of idioms can be found in songs
Download song lyrics and identify idioms; idioms are whole expressions, not literal translations of individual words.
Mastering idioms involves both comprehension and effective application Practice using idioms by writing conversational dialogues with a partner, incorporating at least one idiom per conversation.
26 Use the idioms you have learnt in everyday life Should you be in a certain situation then don‟t be afraid to use one either in writing or in speaking
As referred in previous parts, according to Jenifer Seidl and W.Mc Mordie in
English idioms are phrases where the overall meaning isn't deducible from the individual words Definitions highlight that idioms function as single units with meanings distinct from their components.
The Oxford Advanced Learner‟s Dictionary of Current English (Oxford University
Press - 1995) defines idiom as “a phrase or sentence whose meaning is not clear from the meaning of its individual words and which must be learnt as a whole unit.” (1995: page 67)
Mastering idioms significantly enhances language proficiency Students struggling with fluency and essay writing often rely on individual words, resulting in fragmented or run-on sentences Improved idiom use directly addresses these challenges.
Mastering English idioms significantly boosts fluency and comprehension However, cultural nuances pose learning challenges Effective strategies include contextual learning, idiom journaling, using songs, and conversational practice.
Despite the fact that we may not know about idioms clearly, we cannot deny that learning idioms is a very interesting part when we study languages
Despite my considerable efforts, certain limitations could be detected in this study due to time constraint and other unexpected factors
Chapter 1 provides a foundational overview of idiom theory, equipping readers with the essential knowledge for improved idiom identification.