TTLA: The semantics of flower-related words in Chinese (in relation to Vietnamese)

Author's name: Le Thi Kim Dung

Thesis title:The semantics of flower-related words in Chinese (in relation to Vietnamese)

Dissertation field: Linguistics

Major: Comparative Linguistics Code: 62 22 01 41

Name of the postgraduate training unit: University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

1. Purpose and scope of the thesis

1.1 Purpose of the thesis

The purpose of this thesis is to clarify the semantic structure and semantic transfer characteristics of Chinese flower-related words, comparing them with Vietnamese, identifying similarities and differences in the semantics of flower-related words in Chinese and Vietnamese, thereby highlighting the cultural implications and cognitive characteristics of Chinese and Vietnamese people as expressed through the meaning of this group of words. Finally, this research aims to contribute to more effective comparative linguistic research, teaching, and translation of Chinese-Vietnamese texts.

1.2 Research Subjects of the Thesis

The subject of this research is a number of words.flower" in Chinese and Vietnamese, primarily at the semantic level. The scope of research will be narrower compared to the general field of botanical vocabulary. Based on the meaning of the word "flower," we have chosenchrysanthemum, peach blossom, apricot blossom, orchid, lotusThese are the names of five representative flower species in both Chinese and Vietnamese, intended to delve into the semantic development of the words referring to these five flowers. Hopefully, through case studies, this study of flowers and some typical flower-related terms can help readers visualize the overall meaning of flower names in both Chinese and Vietnamese.

2. Research methods used

To complete this thesis, we employed the following methods:

Firstly, there is the method of semantic analysis, specifically the method of analyzing semantic components, to discover semantic structure and examine the rules of semantic shift.

Secondly, there is the comparative method, which is applied to compare word to word, semantics, and the semantic shift of the word "flower" and specific flower-related terms.chrysanthemum, peach blossom, apricot blossom, orchid, lotusThis study examines the similarities and differences between the two languages, particularly the assimilation of Chinese influences into Vietnamese language and literature.

In addition, some quantitative analysis and description will be used as needed to further clarify the relevant issue.

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

- Regarding the semantic structure of the word "hoa" (flower), the thesis, through statistical analysis of the meanings of the word "hoa" in dictionaries, concludes that "hoa" has 21 meanings. From this, the thesis presents a diagram of the semantic structure of the word "hoa" in Chinese. In Vietnamese, the word "hoa" has 11 meanings. Through the synthesis and analysis of the semantic structure of the word "hoa" in both Chinese and Vietnamese, it can be seen that they are both polysemous words. Derived meanings are diverse and rich. The meaning of the word "hoa" in Chinese has 8 identical meanings, while the rest are different. This reflects the characteristics of thinking and association of each nation with the same objective entity.

- Regarding the phenomenon of semantic shift, the word "flower" in both Chinese and Vietnamese has a very rich semantic shift capability. We believe that the main mapping of the word "flower" in Chinese and Vietnamese is specifically expressed as: (1) From flower to reflecting things that are not flowers, (2) From things that are not flowers reflecting to flowers, (3) From the characteristic growth habits of flowers reflecting to flowers. The associative meaning of the word "flower" besides the good meaning and neutral meaning also has a negative meaning.

-Regarding expressions containing the word "hoa," the thesis conducts a statistical analysis of expressions containing the word "hoa" in Chinese and Vietnamese dictionaries, showing that there are 645 expressions in Chinese and 96 expressions in Vietnamese. This demonstrates that the ability to combine and use words in Chinese is much richer and more diverse than in Vietnamese.

Next, choose 5 words that describe flowers.chrysanthemum, peach blossom, apricot blossom, orchid, lotusTo analyze and synthesize the meanings of these five words in dictionaries, as well as their symbolic meanings in usage, it can be seen that the meanings of these flower-related words are very rich. These derived meanings clearly reflect characteristics stemming from the natural environment as well as cultural factors and national identity. In addition to meticulously analyzing the meanings of five typical flower-related words in Chinese, the thesis also compares them with their corresponding flower-related words in Vietnamese. Then, a summary table comparing their symbolic meanings in Chinese and Vietnamese is presented, identifying similarities and differences between the two languages. These similarities and differences clearly reflect the cultural, historical, geographical characteristics, customs, and lifestyle habits of the two countries, highlighting both similarities and differences.

3.2. Conclusion

- Through our research, we affirm that Vietnam and China, being situated within the same cultural space and influenced by Sino-Vietnamese contact, have developed a common understanding of the word "hoa" (flower), as well as words referring to certain types of flowers."Chrysanthemum", "peach blossom", "plum blossom", "orchid", "lotus"..., in Vietnamese, there is a close relationship with Chinese in both phonetic form and meaning, creating similarities and differences in derived meanings, especially the symbolic meanings of words referring to flowers in general and words referring to flowers in particular.chrysanthemum, peach blossom, apricot blossom, orchid,lotusspecifically.

- Words denoting flowers are subtly used in the artistic creation of language in the classical poetry of both countries. The symbolic meanings of the five flower words we selected for this thesis all evoke human beings, with their admirable qualities and aspirations for romantic love... Flowers bloom and then wither, just like the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Therefore, the symbolic meaning of these flower words represents, on the one hand, youthfulness and freshness, and on the other hand, aging and decay. Flowers and people are intimately connected, reflecting the ability to explore the world, the characteristics of perception, as well as the rich spiritual world and boundless linguistic creativity of the people of both countries. The symbolic meaning of flowers in the classical poetry of both countries also reflects the elements of the era and history. Although conventional, these are "fossils" of language and culture, a mirror reflecting the era of the people of Vietnam and China that needs to be cherished and preserved.

- Based on the research findings of this thesis, we can relate them to foreign language teaching and translation work. Through in-depth analysis of the Chinese language, we gain a deeper understanding of Chinese language and culture. By comparing it with Vietnamese, this helps Vietnamese learners of Vietnamese and Chinese learners of Chinese to gain a broader understanding of the languages ​​of different ethnic groups, contributing positively to foreign language learning, textbook compilation, translation, and dictionary compilation.

- Within the framework of this thesis, which studies the relationship between language, culture, and cognition, particularly the connection between two languages, there are still some issues that we have not had the opportunity to thoroughly investigate in both languages. Therefore, we sincerely hope that when conditions permit, these will serve as directions for further research that can continue this thesis in the future.

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS

The author's name: Le Thi Kim Dung

Thesis title: Semantics of words for flowers in Chinese (in relation to Vietnamese)

Scientific branch of the thesis: Linguistics

Major: Comparative-contrastive Linguistics Code: 62 22 01 10

The name of postgraduate training institution: University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University (VNU-USSH

1. Thesis purpose and objectives

1.1. Thesis purpose

The purpose of the research is to clarify characteristics of structure and method of translating Chinese words for flowers, comparing with Vietnamese, finding similarities and differences in semantics of words for flowers in Chinese and Vietnamese. This highlights the cultural implications as well as the cognitive characteristics of Chinese and Vietnamese people through the meaning of this group of words. Finally, this study aims to contribute to the study of language reconciliation, teaching and translation of Chinese - Vietnamese language more effectively.

1.2. Thesis objectives:

The object of the thesis is some words for "flowers" in Chinese and Vietnamese, mostly in the semantic plane. The scope of the study will be narrower than that of the general plant vocabulary. On the basis of the meaning of the word "flower", we choose daisy, peach, apricot, orchid and lotus, which are the five typical flower species in both Chinese and Vietnamese to deeply analyze the process of developing the meaning of the word only. Hopefully, from the point of view, through case studies, flowers and some typical flower words can help readers visualize the general picture of the meaning of the names of Chinese and Vietnamese flowers.

2. Research methods
To implement this thesis, we apply the following methods: The first is the method of semantic analysis, specifically the method of analyzing the meaning, to detect the structure of meaning and examine the rules of transformations. The second is the contrastive method, which is used to compare words with words, contrast semantics as well as the method of translating the meaning of the words for "flower" and from the specific flower daisy, peach, apricot, orchid and lotus in two languages ​​to find similarities and differences between them, especially the continuation of Chinese texts in Vietnamese language - literature. In addition, a number of analytical analyzes and descriptions will also be used when needed to help clarify the issue.

3. Major results and conclusions

3.1. The major results

- Regarding the structure of the meaning of the words for flower, the thesis adopts the statistical meaning of the words for flower in the dictionary, summing up the word of flower has 21 meanings, from which the thesis gives the structure of the meaning of the word of flower in Chinese flower words. In Vietnamese, the word "flower" has 11 meanings, by synthesizing the structural analysis of the meaning of flower words in two languages: Chinese and Vietnamese can be seen, they are multi-word words. Definition of derivative diversity, richness. The meaning of Chinese words in Chinese has 8 similar meanings, others are not the same. This shows the thinking and association characteristics of each ethnic group for the same objective entity.

- Regarding the phenomenon of changing meaning, the word "flower" in Chinese and Vietnamese has the ability to change the meaning. We believe that the main mapping of Chinese and Vietnamese flower words is specifically: (1) From flowers to reflect things that are not flowers, (2) From things that are not flowers reflect on flowers, (3) From the habit of customary growth of flowers to reflect flowers. The connotation of the word "flower" in addition to good meaning and the neutral meaning also has a negative meaning.

- Regarding the word expression containing the word flower, the thesis conducts statistical expressions of words containing the words in Chinese and Vietnamese dictionary, showing that there are 645 expressions in Chinese and 96 expressions in Vietnamese, since then can see the ability to combine and apply the words of Chinese language richer and more diverse than Vietnamese.

- Following the selection of 5 words fordaisy, peach, apricot, orchid, lotusto analyze and synthesize the meaning of these 5 words in the dictionary as well as their symbolism in the process of use can see the meaning of the words for flower is abundant. These derivative meanings show very clearly the characteristics coming from the natural environment as well as from cultural factors, national identity. In addition to conducting a thorough analysis of the meanings of the five typical Chinese words in Chinese, the thesis also refers to the corresponding Vietnamese flower words. Then give a summary table comparing their symbolism in Chinese and Vietnamese, finding similar and different meanings in two languages. This similarity and difference clearly shows the characteristics of culture, history, geography as well as customs and habits, and the living habits of the two countries have similarities and differences.

3.2.Revisions

- Through research, we affirmed that the two countries of China and Vietnam are in the same cultural space, under the influence of contact with Sino-Vietnamese, making the word "flower" as well as the words of some flowers. such as "daisy", "peach", "apricot", "orchid", "lotus" ..., in Vietnamese, there is a close relationship with Chinese in both phonetic and meaning forms, creating similarities and the differences in derivative meaning, especially the meaning of the words that refer to symbolic flowers in general and fromdaisy, peach, apricot, orchidandlotusin particular.

- The words for flowers are modified used in the artistic creation of words in the ancient poetry of the two countries. The symbolic meaning of the 5 words that we choose in the thesis are related to people, with good qualities as well as the desire for love of the couple... Flowers bloom and fade, also like the birth of a human illness. The symbolism of the words for flowers therefore represents a fresh youth on the one hand, and on the other hand symbolizes aging. Flowers with people are closely linked, demonstrating the ability to explore the world, exempting characteristics as well as the world of abundant spirit and creative capacity of endless languages ​​​​of the two peoples. The significance of the symbolism of flowers in the ancient poetry of the two countries also reflects the elements of history and history. Despite its conventions, these are the "fossils" of language and culture, reflecting the era of the people of the two Sino-Vietnamese people that need to be embraced and preserved.

- From the research results of the thesis, related to the teaching of foreign languages ​​​​as well as in the translation work, through an in-depth analysis of the Chinese language, we have a deeper understanding of Han language and culture. On the basis of contacts compared with Vietnamese, helping Vietnamese learn Vietnamese, as well as Chinese learners of Chinese can gain a deeper understanding of ethnic languages, contributing positively to learning. foreign languages, textbook compilation as well as translation and compilation of dictionaries.

- In the framework of the thesis, studying the relationship between language, culture and perception, especially conducting a relationship between the two languages, the thesis still has some problems that we do not have conditions to understand. thoroughly thoroughly both languages. Therefore, we look forward to when there are conditions, it will be the next research directions that can continue this thesis in the future.