TTLV: A preliminary study of idioms containing animal terms in Vietnamese and Thai.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name:Songpon Baolopet

2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: January 26, 1981

4. Place of birth: Thailand

5. Decision No. 2808/2016/QD-XHNV-SDH, dated August 18, 2016, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, recognizing postgraduate students.

6. Changes in the training process: None

7. Thesis title:A preliminary study of idioms containing animal terms in Vietnamese and Thai.

8. Major: Vietnamese Studies Code: 60.22.01.13

9. Scientific supervisor:Dr. Bui Duy Duong– Department of Vietnamese Studies – University of Social Sciences and Humanities

10. Summary of the thesis results:

This thesis, titled "A Preliminary Study of Idioms Containing Animal Words in Vietnamese and Thai," aims at three objectives:

First, let's explore the structural forms of idioms involving animals in Vietnamese and Thai.

Secondly, analyze the semantics, symbolic meanings, and similarities and differences in the symbolic nuances of some animals appearing in Vietnamese and Thai idioms.

Thirdly, explore and explain the similarities and differences between Vietnamese and Thai cultures through Vietnamese and Thai idioms that contain animal elements.

Based on the objectives of this thesis, through the process of research and investigation, we have obtained the following results:

- Idioms containing animal elements hold a significant position in the overall Vietnamese idiom system: 721 idioms with 129 (including birds and fish) names of animals used; Thai idioms with animal elements have 666 with 99 (including birds and fish) names of animals used.

- By selecting 10 representative animals from 4 groups: domesticated animals, wild animals, insects, and imaginary animals, we found similarities and differences in the symbolic meanings of each animal between idioms containing animal elements in Vietnamese and Thai, depending on the feelings, thoughts, and unique beliefs of the people of each country.

- Idioms containing animal elements in Vietnamese and Thai reveal many interesting characteristics of both the material and spiritual cultures of the Vietnamese and Thai people. Through these, we can understand to some extent the eating habits, housing, means of transportation, occupations, games, entertainment, historical stories, legends, and unique aspects of human behavior in each ethnic group.

Through specific and detailed analyses, we place the two cultures within a frame of reference to see the similarities as well as the differences between Vietnamese and Thai cultures; at the same time, we also explain these similarities and differences in many aspects, from geographical location and national history to the process of cultural integration and exchange of each country.

11. Practical applications:

The results of this thesis will, in practice, provide a database that contributes to the teaching and learning of Vietnamese and Thai idioms.

12. Future research directions: None

13. Published works related to the thesis: None

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Songpon Baolopet 2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: January 26, 1981 4. Place of birth: Thailand

5. Admission decision number: 2808/2016/QD-XHNV-SĐH, dated August 18th, 2016 by Rector of University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University.

6. Change in academic process: No

7. Official thesis title: Initial approach on idioms having animal element in Vietnamese and Thai language

8. Major: Vietnamese Study Code: 60.22.01.13

9. Supervisor: Dr. Bui Duy Duong – Faculty of Vietnamese Study - University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University

10. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The thesis titled “Initial approach on idioms having animal element in Vietnamese and Thai language” aims to 3 objectives:

Firstly, research different structures of idioms having animal element in Vietnamese and Thai language.

Secondly, analyze the meaning of words, symbolic meanings, similarities and differences between some animals mentioned in Vietnamese and Thai idioms.

Thirdly, study and explain the similarities and differences between Vietnam and Thailand culture through Vietnamese and Thai idiomatic expressions having animal element.

Based on above mentioned objectives, after time of researching and studying, we have collected the following results:

- Idioms having animal element play an important account in Vietnamese idiom: 721 idioms with 129 names of animal kinds referred (including different kinds of bird and fish), in Thai language there are 666 idioms having animal element with 99 names of animal kinds referred (including different kinds of bird and fish).

- Choosing 10 animals representing 4 groups: pet, wild animal, insect and imaginary animal, we found out that there are similarities and differences in symbolic meaning in each animal between idioms having animal element in Vietnamese and Thai language depending on specified feeling, thinking and concept of each country.

- Idioms having animal element in Vietnamese and Thai language reveal many interesting features in both material and spiritual culture. We partly learn eating, living manner, transportation vehicles, occupation, games, recreation, history stories, legends, distinctions in behavior between each country's people through this.

By detailed analysis, we compare the two cultures to find out interference and diversity of Vietnam and Thailand culture; in the meantime explain such similarities and differences in many aspects from geographic location, national history to integration procedure of each country.

11. Practical applicability:

This thesis results in, practically, data basis for teaching and learning Vietnamese and Thai idioms.

12. Further study directions, if any: No

13. Thesis-related publications: No