Difference between English and Vietnamese synonyms

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to take this opportunity to give our sincere thanks to our supervisor , Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen for her guidance, detailed remarks and encouragement through the course of writing this essay. We would like to express our thanks to all our teachers at the Foreign Department, Phuong Dong University for their teaching, advice and help during our four years studying here. Next, our thanks also go to our friends, who gave us documents and encouraged us much while the work was in process. Last but not least, we would like to express how thankful we are to our beloved families who always stand by us and help us overcome all the difficulties in studying and completing this essay. . OUTLINE Part1: Introduction. Rationale……………………………… Aims of the study……………………… Scope of the study……………………... Methods of the study…………………... Part 2: Development. Chapter 1: Theoretical background knowledge. An overview of English synonym. Definition and characteristic features. Classification. 1.1.2.1. Semantic synonyms. 1.1.2.2. Stylistic synonyms. 1.1.2.3. Semantico – stylistic synonyms. 1.1.2.4. Praseological synonyms. 1.1.2.5. Territorial synonyms. 1.1.3 Sources of synonym. 1.1.3.1. Borrowings. 1.1.3.2. Change of meaning. 1.1.3.3. The development of word formation. 1.2 An overview of Vietnamese synonym. 1.2.1. Definition and characteristic features. 1.2.2. Classification. 1.2.2.1. Absolute synonyms. A. Archaic and modern words. B. Regional dialect and standard words. C. Native words and borrowings. D. Termilogy and standard words. 1.2.2.2. Partial synonyms. A. Stylistic synonyms. B. Scale synonyms. C. Concrete and abstract synonyms. D. Level synonyms. E. Phraseological praseological synonyms. F. Manner synonyms. 1.2.3. Sources of synonyms. 1.2.3.1. Borrowings. Part 3: Conclusion. Part 4: Appendixes. Some suggested exercises. Answer keys. Part 1: Introduction 1. Rationale (reasons of the study) Building a strong vocabulary is not something we can do overnight. Learning new words and how to use them is are a never - ending process. The more words we know, the better we will communicate. This makes us feel more confident and we can express ourselves better. In addition, when we write, it is important to know how to transmit an idea in different ways. That is why learning synonyms can help us improve our communicative skills. Can you imagine how language would be if we always use the same words when speaking, reading and writing? If everything (person, place, object…) in the world had only one word to refer it, the world would be a very boring place. Well, in order to make language a lot more expressive and interesting we should try to vary the words we use as often as we can. That’s why synonyms come into the picture. With regard to the importance of English synonyms, we study synonyms from different perspectives, namely focusing on its definition, classification and features. Therefore, English learners should pay more attention to the study of English synonym and be aware of the functions in text. Through analyzing the functions of synonym, this paper cannot only help understand synonyms more deeply but also facilitate the English skills, such as: speaking, writing, reading and listening. 2. Aims of the study. We hope that our study is useful for both English and Vietnamese learners, those who want to consolidate their knowledge of synonyms. Furthermore, it can help people significantly improve their vocabulary. The result of this study should be meaningful for helping English learners to pay more attention to the study of English synonyms and eventually enrich our skills in using English language. 3. Scope of the study. The elimination of the essay is from 10 – 15 pages, so we can only deal with: _ Background knowledge, definition of English synonyms, classification and features, definition of Vietnamese synonyms , classification and features, some exercises to consolidate the knowledge. 4. The methods of the study. To complete this study, we used some following methods: + Library research: We collected the data from curriculums, internet and some valuable books of foreign and domestic scholars. We think these are valuable sources to effectively support for our study. + Description: based on the collected data and data analysis, we withdrew some helpful applications of learning synonyms. Part 2: Development Chapter 1: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE An overview of English synonym. Definition and characteristic features. To research synonym, first of all, we must understand what synonym is? It really is a complicated question. There are various versions of synonym’s definition. In our research we will provide you some definitions which is are the most useful and easiest to identify. According to Synonym Vocabulary, a synonym is a word or expression that has the same or almost the same meaning as another word or expression. In English, a language known for its enormous vocabulary, most words have synonyms. The word synonym is composite of two Greek words. The prefix “syn” means “together” and “onym” is “name”. Synonyms - together naming the same thing. From the definition above, we can define that synonyms are phonetically and morphologically different words belonging to same part of speech, possessing similar denotation but differing in connotation, combinability etc. English is very rich in synonyms chiefly due to the great number of borrowed words. To understand this issue deeper, I will show an example. “To welcome, to accept, to greet, to recognize, to receive, to invite” Usually in such a synonymic group, there is a synonymic dominant which is the most general, neutral word. The synonymic dominant here is “to welcome”. 1.1.2. Classification 1.1.2.1 Semantic synonyms (denotative dimension) Are words differing in shades of meaning. +Ripe-mature all refer to state of being fully grown but “ripe” refers to fruits and “mature” refers to people. +To ask, to beg, to entreat to ask sbd for doing something but in different emotional way. To ask: in normal way, you can do it alone but it will better if they give you a hand. To beg: in anxious way because you want or need it very much. To entreat: In serious or often emotional way. If two words differ in semantic meaning (e.g: mist, fog) then substituting one for the other in a sentence or discourse will not necessarily preserve truth conditions; the denotations are not similar. 1.1.2.2: Stylistic synonym (connotative dimension) : subtleties of denotation and connotation Are words differing in stylistic aspects . Concerning stylistic synonym we can speak of euphemisms, i.e words and expressions synonymous to those denoting unpleasant notions Ex1: -die, pass away, kick the bucket all express the state of stopping living. However, “Die” denotes the state of stopping living of human or creatures, with neutral emotion.”Pass away” expresses the death of a person with regret regretful feeling.”Kick the bucket” denotes the death of people but indifferent feeling. If two words differ (solely) in stylistic features (e.g., frugal, stingy), then intersubstitution does preserve truth conditions, but the connotation--the stylistic and interpersonal effect of the sentence--is changed 1.1.2.3. Semantico-stylistic synonyms: are words differing both in shades of meaning and stylistic aspects: Bird-chick-girl-Miss-Mrs-female all refer to woman in general. Nonetheless, ”bird-chick” express a lot of love while “Miss ,Mrs ,female “do not express any feeling. Praseological synonyms : are words differing in their collocations (combinability) or collocational constraints of the word. They are fixed expressions such as idioms, phrasal verbs, and other types of multi-word lexical units . e.g :+ groundhog and woodchuck denote the same set of animals; yet Groundhog Day, * Woodchuck Day). +do-make: to create or prepare or produce sth .However, “do” is often used when referring to work of any kind: to do a drawing/painting/sketch and “make” is often used when referring to preparing food of any kind: to make a cup of coffee/bread/cement/paper. +Say-speak: to tell sbd sth , using words .‘Say’ can be used for any kind of talking .We use 'speak' to mean 'talk formally', and when we use 'speak', we use the word 'to' if there's a personal object. +tongue-language: we only say “mother tongue” instead of language tongue” .Similarly, we can say “native language” instead of mother language”. +sick-ill: we can say “home sick/car sick”, not car-ill We can say “ill-treated” instead of “sick-treated”. Territorial synonyms: are synonyms that belong to different countries (territories) In England  In America  In Australia   autumn  fall  autumn   luggage  baggage  baggage   football  football  soccer   colour  color  color   Fall  uses most likely developed from the Middle English expression “fall of the leaf.” Autumn as a word for the season came into common usage about the same time as Fall did.. The English who stayed home eventually adopted the word Autumn . 1.1.3 .Sources of synonyms. 1.1.3.1. Borrowings. The borrowed words form synonymous groups with native words: To ask (native) – to question (Latin) – to interrogate (Latin). 1.1.3.2. Change of meaning. Having acquired the meaning of “worker” the word “hand” became a synonym of this word. 1.1.3.3. The development of word formation. a) Derivation and compounding. Phonetic – phonetical Synonymic – synonymous Many compound verbs formed by “prepositional adverbs” became synonyms to simple verbs: To return – to come back To improve – to brush up To postpone – to put off b) Conversion ( a ) return – ( a ) come – back ( an ) improvement – ( a ) brush – up Laughter – laugh c) Shortening Examination – exam Refrigerator – fridge 1.2. An overview of Vietnamese synonym In Vietnamese language, Vietnamese linguists seem not to pay greater focus on synonyms .For them, synonym words which make their difference in terms of semantic or stylistic site or both semantic and stylistic sites are words similar in meaning, different in sound . (Từ đồng nghĩa là những từ tương đồng với nhau về nghĩa, khác nhau về âm thanh và có phân biệt với nhau về một vài sắc thái ngữ nghĩa hoặc sắc thái phong cách,... nào đó, hoặc đồng thời cả hai.- Cơ sở ngôn ngữ học và tiếng Việt. Nxb Giáo dục, H., 1997.). However,the most detailed definition is given by Nguyễn Văn Tú in “ Từ và vốn từ tiếng việt hiện đại”.He is the first people developed developing the subject of Vietnamese lexicology .According to him ,synonyms words are different words refer referring to the same thing, characteristic or action.(Những từ khác nhau cùng chỉ một sự vật,một đặc tính,một hành động nào đó thì là những từ đồng nghĩa-page 153).Therefore ,Vietnamese synonyms include two major types: absolute synonyms(từ đồng nghĩa hoàn toàn) and partial synonyms(từ đồng nghĩa không hoàn toàn).According to the course book of Vietnamese language for students at sixth grade-1998,absolute synonyms have identical shades of meaning, while partial synonyms have different shades of meaning.(Từ đồng nghĩa hoàn toàn là những từ có sắc thái nghĩa hoàn toàn giống nhau.Từ đồng nghĩa không hoàn toàn là những từ đồng nghĩa có sắc thái nghĩa khác nhau-SGK tiếng việt lớp 6,NXBGD-1998,p.83) 1.2.1. Definition and characteristic features. 1.2.2. Classification 1.2.2.1 Absolute Synonym: Absolute synonyms are divided into four subtypes according to the source of the origin of the word .We can replace this one for another in context or during conversation. A. Archaic and modern words: Archaic words make a great contribution to the development of Vietnamese language beside extended modern words .They are used in the past and rooted in native words or words borrowed from Mon-Khmer,  Mon-Khmer, Tày-Thái, Mường , Hán or even European language which is no longer used in Vietnamese language. Therefore,they co-operate with new ones to create couples of synonyms as following: Archaic Words  Modern words  Meanings   Văn pháp  Ngữ pháp  Grammar   Tình nhân  Người yêu  Lover   Phi cơ  Máy bay  Plane   B. Regional dialect and standard words. As a nature, regional dialects develop in certain areas of the country along with the standard language, which on the one hand, enriches the language itself, on the other hand, contributes to form the synonyms: Standard words  Southern words  Meaning   Bố  Ba  Father   Mẹ  Má  Mother   Bát  Chén  Bowl   Mũ  Nón  Hat   Chăn  Mền  Blanket   Say  Xỉn  Drunk   C. Native words and borrowings In its long-lasting history, Vietnamese country used to be colonized by China, France, and the USA. Naturally, words from Chinese, French and English have entered Vietnamese as a consequence of these invasions. These borrowings exist as the synonyms of Vietnamese words. Borrowings  Native words  Meaning   Công-tai-nơ  Thùng đựng hàng  container   Rốc - két  Đạn phản lực  rocket   Xì – căng - đan  Vụ bê bối  scandal   Mit-ting  Buổi họp  meeting   Phụ nữ  Đàn bà  woman   Tivi  Vô tuyến  television   Xe hỏa  Xe lửa  train   D. Termilogy and standard words Termilogy include specific words used only in a certain field of science. They are the scientific names of the things. For example, the peel of mandarin is called “ vỏ quýt” in common Vietnamese, but in traditional medicine it is “ trần bì” 1.2.2.2.Partial synonyms. Partial synonyms are subdivided due to different nuances of meaning. We have to carefully consider when choosing words to express right objective reality and feeling nuances. A. Stylistic synonyms. This kind of stylistic synonyms have similarity in denotation but difference in connotation. For example:”hy sinh,từ trần,ngoẻo” all describe the state of stopping living .However,”hy sinh” are is expressed to give up one’s life for a noble purposes purpose, with great regret of livers..”Từ trần” is used to describe the death of normal people with neutral emotion.”Ngoẻo” are is used to describe a death of a certain person with indifferent feeling. B. Scale synonyms. Words of this type refer to things that vary in scale and size. For instance, they compare “ lâu đài” ( castle ) , “nhà” ( house ) and “ lều” ( hut ) and then draw out that: a castle is bigger than a house and a house is bigger than a hut. So they are scale synonyms. D. Level synonyms. These are synonymous words differing in the level of expressive ability. For example, “ngại” ; “ sợ” and “kinh” all describe the feeling of being afraid. But “ngại” ( dread ) is lighter, “ sợ” is more expressive, “ kinh” is the most expressive of the feeling. They are similar to semantic synonyms in English. E. Praseological synonyms. Words in this type of synonym convey similar actions but go with different subjects: For example, ”bửa,chẻ,chặt,chém,vót” which refer refer to make an opening or a wound in sth, esp with a sharp tool. However, we only say ”bửa củi,chặt củi,chẻ củi” ,we cannot say” cắt củi,chém củi,vót củi”. F. Manner synonyms. Words of this type mostly include verbs that refer to the actions done by different manners. For example, “gạch”, “xóa” and “tẩy” all express the action of vanishing things, but “gạch” is to cross the thing, “ xóa” is to use a duster to make the thing disappear, and “tẩy” is to use an eraser to get rid of the thing. 1.2.3. Sources of synonym 1.2.3.1. Borrowings: The number of Vietnamese synonyms rooted in Hán-Việt is large .For example: nữ (hán-việt) has the same meaning with đàn bà , con gái (woman in English). Chapter 2: Comparison 2.1. Similarities. Both synonyms in Vietnamese and English language are not those which have identical meaning .They are different in some aspects of usage. ”Start, commence, begin” in English and “cố, gắng, cố gắng” in Vietnamese. Besides ,in each set of synonym words ,there is a synonymic dominant. We can based base on that word to make comparison and analyze other words in its group .For example ,in Vietnamese language “yếu,yếu đuối,yếu ớt” mean “weak” in English, the synonymic dominant here is “yếu” .Similarly ,in English ,”to know ,to understand ,to perceive ,to comprehend” ,the synonymic dominant here is “to know”. Besides, Vietnamese and English language has some same kinds of synonyms such as territorial synonym (English) vs Regional and dialect synonym (Vietnamese).Stylistic synonym in both English and Vietnamese language, praseological synonym in both English and Vietnamese language Both Vietnamese language and English one have absolute and partial synonym .In terms of partial synonym, they all have praseological synonym, and stylistic synonym .Moreover, regarding sources of synonym, borrowing is the common type among Vietnamese and English language. 2.2. Difference. Although English and Vietnamese all have absolute synonym and partial synonym but in English, the number of partial words is much more those of absolute words. Besides, Vietnamese and English language has some different kinds of synonyms. English language has semantic and semantico-stylistic synonym which don’t exist in Vietnamese synonym. In contrast, Vietnamese language has Archaic and modern words, native words and borrowings, term logy and standard words, scale synonyms, concrete and abstract synonyms, level synonyms, manner synonyms. In terms of sources of synonyms, English language has more types of sources of synonyms than in Vietnamese language .In addition to borrowing, English language has change of meaning, the development of word formation. Some suggested suggestions in learning synonym -When you’re studying English vocabulary, it’s worth spending much time on studying collocation. You can do this by looking at (English-English) dictionaries which are reliable such as: oxford dictionary, merriam webster dictionary, etc which explain collocation. You can also study collocation by reading texts (fiction or non-fiction) in English and looking carefully at the combinations of adjectives and nouns, and verbs and their objects. 2.3.1 .Create the list of the synonym words. Group: normal, ordinary vàand usual. 2.3.2. Analyze the meaning of each word in the group. “Normal” means that something is typical something typical , or ordinary. “Ordinary” means something is not unusual or different in anyway. “Usual” means something that happens or is done most of the time or in most cases. Make comparison of each word with the main word in the group. Main word is: normal. Normal  and ordinary have [a] very similar meaning, which is probably: ‘how you expect something to be, not unusual or special. Usual: This is slightly different because it implies habit or regular behavior. Part 3: Conclusion Synonyms is are a part of a culture, it reflects the cultural needs. Language is not neutral codes or grammatical rules. Culture and language are intertwined and are shaping each other. It is impossible to separate the two. each other . Therefore, to know knowing the cultural background will help us to understanding understand what information the author wants to tell us know the cultural background will help us and know the true meaning of word. Therefore, by providing some basic information about synonyms, we hope that students can have useful materials to strengthen their knowledge about it.