As has been mentioned before, idioms represent a significant part of language and as such they influence the language potential and contribute to the cultural heritage. Their frequent use in discourse shows that idioms play an important role in terms of core vocabulary and thus in language acquisition in general. Thanks to their metaphorical nature idioms make the language colourful and rich, reflecting human experience and the way people comprehend the world around them. This is even more true for human body idioms. Since human body is very close to any human being, idiomatic expressions that contain body parts are tightly connected with the sensual aspects of human existence. When designating a new object, it is first of all compared to what one can see and feel. In this way the somatic idioms, especially those connected with body parts or internal organs, provide a framework of metaphorical universals. Especially, the perception of reality, when reflected in hand idioms, is often more comprehensible and vivid for speakers.
The qualitative data analysis reveals that all English idioms containing the word hand belong to pure idiom and semi-idiom. After classifying the data of English idioms containing the word hand can be pointed out that such idioms can carry with themselves the following typical meanings namely: Experience, old (not new), money, power and responsibility, help at work, cooperation, authority, value, robbery, retributive power, disability. There are many other English idioms with their equivalents in Vietnamese shown in the table below:
4.1.1. Experience
Experience is the knowledge or skill acquired by a period of practical experience of something, especially that gained in a particular profession or an event or occurrence which leaves an impression on someone. A person with considerable experience in a specific field can gain a reputation as expert. The
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concept of experience generally refers to know-how or procedural knowledge, rather than propositional knowledge: on-the-job training rather than book-learning.
In English has some idioms contain: to be a dab hand at something, to be an old hand, to try your hand at something, to turn your hand to something to talk about someone’s experience such as cooking, making clothes, painting, do better something which has no experience of it before it, knowing about something that very much.
In Vietnamese in order to express experience, Vietnamese usually use trăm hay không bằng tay quen, chữ tốt xem tay người hay xem khoáy, day tay mặt đặt tay trái, chai tay bạc áo…
4.1.2. Old (not new)
NOT NOld (not new) is something that is old has existed or been used for a long time. Thus, it is easy to pick out this meaning of English idioms contain hand like second hand, hand-me-down.
In Vietnamese, the old meaning is used when Vietnamese meet an old friend, for example: tay bắt mặt mừng.
4.1.3. Money
Money is the most general word for the notes and coins that you use for buying things and what you earn by working and can use to buy things. Money can be in the form of notes and coins or cheques, and can be kept in a bank. Otherwise, money is any item or verifiable record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a particular country or socio-economic context, or is easily converted to such a form. The main functions of money are distinguished as: a medium of exchange; a unit of account; a store of value; and, sometimes, astandard of deferred payment. Any item or verifiable record that fulfills these functions can be considered money. Money is historically an emergent market phenomenon establishing a commodity money, but nearly all contemporary money systems are based onfiat money. Fiat money, like any check or note of debt, is without use value as a physical commodity. It derives its value by being declared by a government to be legal tender; that is, it must be accepted as a form of payment within the boundaries of the country, for "all debts, public and private". Such laws in practice cause fiat money to acquire the value of any of the goods and services that it may be traded for within the nation that issues it.
The money supply of a country consists of currency (banknotes and coins) and,
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depending on the particular definition used, one or more types of bank money (the balances held in checking accounts,savings accounts, and other types of bank accounts). Bank money, which consists only of records (mostly computerized in modern banking), forms by far the largest part of broad money in developed countries.
Hence, it is no surprise to find a great deal of English idioms contain hand denoting money as to cross someone’s hand/palm with silver, when give someone the money they often tell you about your future. To live from hand to mouth, (only had enough money to live, not the well-off). To put your hand in your pocket (for money someone or charity). To go cap in hand to someone (ask someone politely and honestly on how to do something).
In Vietnamese, when saying something relating to money, one can say vung tay quá chán when someone spending too much money, nốt ruồi ở tay ăn vay cả đời, hai bàn tay trắng when someone has no money at all.
4.1.4. Power and responsibility
Power and responsibility express the ability to control people and events and the amount of political control a person or group has in a country. Or to be in a position of authority over someone and to have a duty to make certain that particular things are done have a responsibility to have a duty to work for or help someone who is in a position of authority over you. These following English idioms like that:
To have/get the upper hand: If you have or get the upper hand, you're in a position to have the rights or advantages).
To get/be out of hand: If the work gets out of hand, it is no longer in control).
To have your hands full: If your hands are full, or if you have your hands full with something, you have a lot of work to do so that you can not get more work or responsibility anymore.
To have your hands tied: If your hands are tied, or if you have your hands tied, something that is hindering you in action.
To wash your hands of something means you reject participation in an event and you will not accept the responsibility that occur in this event).
With a heavy hand / heavy-handed refers to the way the tough and dominating).
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A stretched-out hand on: It is culturally established that a man with a stretched-out hand is a powerful person. The image of such a stretched-out hand in the source domain metaphorically symbolizes the concept of authority in the target domain. The metaphorical depiction is built on the power and influence, which are associated with both domains, and serves as the cognitive mapping in this idiom.
Put his hand on: The theme of illegal possession is metaphorically and conventionally built on the image of a hand being put over some properties in the source domain. As in the previous idiom, authority is the target domain. The metaphorical mapping that links the target and the source is the idea of effect and power (though illegal power here) which is shared between the two domains.
To strike on the hand denotes retributive power as the abstract image in the target domain. This metaphorical image is conceptualized by the predicate
‘daraba’, which means strike, as the source domain. The hit, which is supposedly done through the hand of a powerful authority, is also on the hand of the object in order to prevent carrying out the action. Since both power and striking can symbolise force, the metaphorical mapping between the target and the source domain is established by the idea of force.
To strike with a hand of iron: The image of striking in this idiom is different from the one in the previous idiom. The action of striking here is done with a brutal hand of iron which presents the experiential source domain. The mention of iron in this figurative depiction implicates strength and brutality to symbolise an oppressive power in the target domain. This idiom has the potential to structure the metaphor cognitively through two different sets of mapping for the same conceptual metaphor. The two metaphorical mapping sets are strength and oppression that link both the target and the source domain.
In Vietnamese, in order to express power, one can use chỉ tay năm ngón, gảy móng tay cũng xong, thượng cẳng chân hạ cẳng tay, mạnh chân, khoẻ tay. In order to express responsibility, one can say tay bế, tay bồng, tay hòm chìa khoá, tay xách nách mang.
4.1.5. Cooperation and Help at work
Help at work is make it possible or easier for someone to do something If someone gives you a hand, they help you; if more people help make a job, it will be completed quickly and easily. This semantic feature of English idioms contain hand,
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can be illustrated some idioms as to give someone a hand, many hands make light work, many hands make light work!
Cooperation is to act or work together for a particular purpose, or to be helpful by doing what someone asks you to do. the concept of cooperation in the target domain is metaphorically established in the image of clapping in the source domain. The concrete entity, which is the single hand, represents symbolically a person who is in need for the help and support of others. The semantic mapping between the source and the target domain is built on the need for a partner. The image of a person taking another person by his hand to help him out in the source domain conceptualizes the notion of cooperation in the target domain. This experiential image conventionally indicates support and assistance. The mapping that constitutes the metaphor is the provided help in both the source and the target domain This aspect of meaning can be shown in such idioms: one hand cannot applaud, take by the hand.
hand in glove (with someone): in close cooperation, in a close relationship or agreement
In Vietnamese, there are many idioms containing the word hand with this meaning, for example: chung tay góp sức, một chân một tay, đều tay xoay việc, một bàn tay thì vừa, hai bàn tay thì vơi.
4.1.6. Value
In English, in order to express something valuable, one can use the following idioms:
Hand the right: Globally, most of the people are right-handed. The right hand being the concrete source domain con- ceptualizes the abstract notion of high value in the target domain. The significance of the right hand to the extent that almost nobody can work without it facilitates the figurative image. Also, the wide scope of the source domain which includes work and importance constitutes the metaphor and represents the semantic mapping for this idiom.
From hand to hand: The concept of low value in the target domain is inferred from the experiential picture of something being passed-around from hand to hand in the source domain. This theme is contrasted to the theme of the high value in the previous idiom. If something possesses a high value, it will be kept out of reach opposing to the passed-around object. The metaphorical
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mapping in this idiom is based on the idea of being circulated or rotated till loosing the presupposed worth.
In Vietnamese, when saying about the value of hand, one can say: giàu hai con mắt, khó hai bàn tay, khéo tay hay miệng.
4.1.7. Disability
In English, in order to express an someone’s disability, one can use the following idioms:
With tied hands: The cognitive relation between hands and movement is globally established. Thus, the theme of disability in the target domain is metaphorically based on the image of the tied hands in the source domain. Being unale to move, tied hands offer neither help nor support and they stand up disabled.
In Vietnamese, in order to express that someone is unable to do something, or be awkward, one can use tay chiêu đập niêu không vỡ, tay dùi đục, chân bàn chổi, vụng tay, hay con mắt.
4.1.8. Actions and Behaviour
In English, in order to express an someone’s action or behaviour, one can use the following idioms:
Bite hand that feeds you: If you bite the hand that feeds you, you are unfriendly or do harm to someone who is kind to you. If you say bad things about the person who gives you a job, you bite the hand that feeds you;
Cap in hand: If you do something cap in hand, you ask for something in a very respectful manner. They went to the teacher, cap in hand, and asked for more time to complete their project.
Dab hand at something: If you're a dab hand at something, you're very good at doing it. Why don't you call Suzy? She's a dab hand at organizing barbecues.
Eat out of someone's hand: If you eat out of somebody's hand, you are eager to please and will accept to do anything that person asks. She is so persuasive that she has people eating out of her hand in no time.
In Vietnamese, in order to express an someone’s action or behaviour, one can use the following idioms: bốc lửa bỏ tay người, gắp lửa bỏ tay người, cờ đến tay ai người ấy phất, mồm miệng đỡ chân tay, khéo tay, hay miệng, nhanh tay hơn mau miệng.
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In English, in order to express an someone’s authority or power, one can use the following idioms:
force someone's hand: If you force someone's hand, you make them do something unwillingly or sooner than planned. The interviewer forced Brad's hand and made him reveal his relocation plans.
with a heavy hand: Dealing with or treating people with a heavy handmeans acting with discipline and severity, with little or no sensitivity. He ran the juvenile delinquent centre with a heavy hand.
iron fist/hand in a velvet glove: This expression is used to describe someone who, behind an appearance of gentleness, is inflexible and determined. To impose the necessary reforms, the leader used persuasion followed by force - an iron fist in a velvet glove.
upper hand: If a person or organisation gains or gets the upper hand, especially in a fight or competition, they take control over something. We increased our market share and gained the upper hand over our competitors
In Vietnamese, in order to express an someone’s authority or power, one can use the following idioms: chỉ tay năm ngón, thượng cẳng tay hạ cẳng chân,
4.1.10. Law and Order
In English, in order to express meanings related to law and order, one can use the following idioms:
caught red-handed: If a person is caught red-handed, they are caught while they are doing something wrong or illegal. The police arrived as the burglar was leaving the house. He was caught red-handed.
get out of hand: If a person or situation gets out of hand, they cannot be controlled any longer. During the student demonstration, things got out of hand and several shop windows were broken.
take the law into one's own hands: If, instead of calling the police, you act personally against someone who has done something wrong, you take the law into your own hands. Instead of calling the police, he took the law into his own hands and confronted the youth who had stolen his son's scooter.
have one's hand in the till: to be stealing money from a company or organization; for example: The sales clerk has had her hand in the till since she first started her job.
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In Vietnamese, in order to express meanings related to law and order, one can use the following idioms: bắt tận tay day tận trán, ra khỏi tầm tay, tay đã nhúng tràm, trở mặt như trở bàn tay.
4.1.11. Business and Work
In English, in order to express something related to business and work, one can use the following idioms:
get your hands dirty: If you get your hands dirty in your job, you become involved in all aspects of it, including work that is physical, unpleasant or less interesting.His willingness to get his hands dirty won the respect and approval of the whole team.
wash your hands of: If you wash your hands of a problem or ituation, you refuse to deal with it any longer. For exampe: You can't just wash your hands of David's behaviour. He's your son.
golden handcuffs: The term golden handcuffs refers to a large sum of money or a generous financial arrangement granted to an executive as an incentive to stay in their job, or to ensure long-term cooperation after their departure.
golden handshake: A golden handshake is a generous sum of money given to a person when they leave a company or retire (sometimes given to encourage early retirement).
one hand washes the other (together they wash the face): This expression means that when people cooperate and work well together, there is a better chance of achieving results.
upper hand: If a person or organisation gains or gets the upper hand, especially in a fight or competition, they take control over something.
For example: We increased our market share and gained the upper hand over our competitors
all hands on deck: When there is a need for all hands on deck, everyone must help, especially if there's a lot of work to be done in a short amount of time. For example: As the opening day approached, it was all hands on deck to have everything ready in time.
have one's hands tied: If a person has their hands tied, something such as an agreement or a rule is preventing them from doing what they would like to do. For example: Mark deserves to earn more, but the manager's hands are tied by the recent salary agreement.
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overplay your hand: If you overplay your hand, you are overconfident and spoil your chances of success by trying to obtain too much. For example: Sam is hoping for a bonus for his good results, but he may be overplaying his hand if he asks for a promotion.
In Vietnamese, in order to express something related to business and work, one can use the following idioms: bắt cá hai tay, cờ đã đến tay, may tay hay làm, tay làm hàm nhai, tay quai miệng trễ.
4.1.12 Relationship
In English, in order to express the relationship between someone with someone, one can use the following idioms:
hand in hand expresses holding hands with someone, for example: The young couple walked hand in hand along the beach.
have a hand in (something): to be involved in doing something, to play a part in doing something, for example: The school principal has a hand in the new cafeteria rules.
from hand to hand: from one person to another person, for example: We passed the dictionaries from hand to hand until everybody had one.
go hand in hand (with something): to be closely related with something so that they must be considered together, for example: The change in school hours goes hand in hand with the new policy regarding class sizes.
In Vietnamese, in order to express something related to business and work, one can use the following idioms: như tay với chân, tay đứt ruột xót, năm ngón tay có ngón dài ngón ngắn, tay đứt dạ xót.
4.1.13. Efficiency and Competence
In English, in order to express something related to efficiency and competence, one can use the following idioms:
dab hand at something: If you're a dab hand at something, you're very good at doing it. For example: Why don't you call Suzy? She's a dab hand at organizing barbecues.
take matters into your own hands: If you take matters into your hands, you take action yourself rather than waiting for others to intervene. For example: When Susan saw the lack of progress, she decided to take matters into her own hands.