AN INVESTIGATION INTO COMMON NOUNS DENOTING ANIMALS AND THEIR METAPHORICAL MEANINGS IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE

Abstract

This study is focused on describing common nouns denoting animals and their metaphorical meanings in English and Vietnamese, especially in short stories. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis is made through 250 examples of each English and Vietnamese short stories. From the examples, we analyze metaphorical meanings of common nouns denoting animals in English and Vietnamese, and arrange these in small groups of metaphorical meanings for each language. In addition, the findings show the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese metaphorical meanings of common nouns denoting animals. This study also suggests some implications for the teaching and learning of metaphorical meanings of common nouns denoting animals as well as for further studies.