An investigation into Linguistic features Of money related proverbs In english and vietnamese

Abstract

This is an investigation into linguistic features of money related proverbs in English and Vietnamese. The data for analysis in this thesis are 300 samples of money related proverbs (150 in English and 150 in Vietnamese) collected from reliable dictionaries, books and websites. The research has been carried out based on the combination of a variety of methods, namely qualitative, quantitative, statistics, descriptive, analytic, synthetic, comparative, contrastive, deductive and inductive. The study analyzes syntactic, semantic features of English and Vietnamese money related proverbs. It also discovers the similarities and differences of these features between the two languages. The findings show that English money related proverbs are structured in simple, compound, complex, comparative and aphoristic sentences while Vietnamese ones are recognized in only four types without aphoristic. In addition, statements make up the absolute majority both in English and Vietnamese money related proverbs. As for semantic characteristics, English and Vietnamese samples have three kinds of meanings: literal, figurative and literal-figurative and belong to three semantic types: negative, positive and negative-positive. On the basis of the findings, some implications for teaching and learning in both languages are suggested. This thesis is significant in providing some linguistic and pedagogical contributions. Linguistically, the study yields a better insight into structures and meanings of proverbs in general as well as the syntax and semantics of money related proverbs in English and Vietnamese in particular. Pedagogically, the research result can be useful for teachers and learners of English.