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NATIONAL ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ENGLISH

NGUYEN TUNG LAM

Hanoi, April 2023

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NATIONAL ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ENGLISH

NGUYEN TUNG LAM

Ms. Tran Minh Chau

Hanoi, April 2023

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This graduation essay is deemed a success not only by the author, but also by Ms. Tran Minh Chau - Lecturer of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, National Economics University. That is because this essay would not have been complete without Ms. Chau's direction and help. As a result, words cannot express how thankful I am to Ms. Chau, who has always been there for me as I worked on my graduation thesis. Ms. Chau, as a lecturer with extensive experience and profound competence in the theory and practise of translation, has been extremely helpful in all aspects, from outline formulation to the final level of completion. Ms. Chau, we hope, will always be an enthusiastic and experienced professor for future courses, as she is now.

I'd want to thank the National Economics University, particularly the Faculty of Foreign Languages, for creating a professional and welcoming learning atmosphere where diverse aims and desires may be realised. As a result, I was able to get significant skills that I would not have been able to obtain otherwise. In particular, for this graduation thesis, I used the school library and the digital library, which provided me with a wealth of relevant materials and allowed me to broaden my knowledge not only in translation practise, but also in a variety of other key areas.

<small>Iam also grateful to my family and friends for their support throughout this difficult period.</small>

Family has always been spiritually uplifting, and friends have always helped each other finish this essay by exchanging resources and offering advice.

Lastly, I'd want to thank everyone who took the time to read my article, and I sincerely value their input. It is believed that this research paper will be useful to individuals who are interested in the topic of this article.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This study looks at how Vietnamese students acquire and utilise animal-related phrases. The study discovers that, while students acknowledge the value of idioms, they face a number of difficulties in effectively translating them from English to Vietnamese, such as cultural differences and numerous interpretations. The study does, however, emphasise the ways students utilise to overcome these challenges, including as utilising dictionaries, evaluating context cues, and obtaining assistance from native speakers. The study underlines the significance of encouraging students’ autonomy and self-directed learning in language acquisition, since they can improve their overall language

competency. This study's findings have implications for language teaching and learning,

such as the necessity for teachers to provide suitable instructional resources and activities

to assist students comprehend the meaning and context of idioms, particularly

animal-related idioms. The study closes by advocating more idiom research that takes into account a larger range of elements and settings.

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Students’ frequency of encountering animal idioMS _... .-. 28

Figure 2: Students’ use of animal 1dIOIS_...- -5- - + £++++e+seeseeeseesee 29

Figure 3: Students’ confidence in translating animal idioms _...- 30

Figure 4: Students’ rate of the quality of the resources for translating idioms related to

AMUMALS oases ... 31

Figure 5 Difficulties students face when translating those 1dioms _... 32

Figure 6: Strategies students use when translating those 1diOMS _... 35

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1.1. Introduction of research topic ... ..- -ó- «ng ng Hiệp 8

1.2. Rationale of the researchh... sgk ệt 10 1.3. Purposes of the researCh...- --- sung HH ng ệt 11 1.4. Scope of the research nh ...ố... 11 1.5. Research Questions hố... ... 11

1.6. Research method...-- cá x1 HT TH TH HH Hệ 11 1.7. Design of the research... .-- -- - HT HH HH 11 CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK... Ăn 14

2.1. Translafion...- 5 ch ng TH HH HH HT TT nh ch 14

2.1.1. Definition of transÏatIOII... ..- ác + vn ng ng ng rếc 14 2.1.2. Meaning analysis in frannsÏafIOI... .- << <1 E3 11 1v 9 ngư 15 2.1.3. Translation DFOC€SS... Ghi hưy 16 2.1.4. Classification of translation €TTOTS ...-- 5s + nsvrerrrrrerrrrre 17 2.2. IÏOIMS... ST HH TH TH TH HH TH tệp 19 2.2.1. Definition of 1IOIS,... ch Hung ng trệt 19 2.2.2. Translation Of idiOMS ...- -- «+ 1 nh nh nh nhiệt 22 2.2.3. Difficulties in translation Of 1d1OMS ...- «5 + *vEeeereerrrerskre 23

2.3. Translation of animal idioms ...-- . - 5 G19 TH HH gen 24

2.3.1. Definition of animal idioms ...-- 5 + + + vEeeseereeeseerererserree 24 2.3.2. The process of translation wo... cece cece TH TH HH HH HT 24 2.3.3. Difficulties in translation DTOC€SS... + SE HH HH 26 CHAPTER III: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION...àẶSenHe 28

3.1. Students’ approach and preliminary assessment of animal idiome... 28

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3.1.1. Students’ approach of animal 1IOINS...- -- «5< ‡+vEsekeeeeeessee 28 3.1.2. Students’ preliminary assessment of animal 1dioIms... .- --‹- ««+- «+ 30

3.2. The most common difficulties students face when translating animal idioms from English to Viefnaimese... - --- sư 32

3.2.1. The most common đIfẨICỤ{IeS...-- --- «5 55 + SE sEseEeekreereerrre 32 3.2.2. The reasons why students encounter those dIfficulfIes...- ---‹---« 33

3.3. Strategies students use to translate animal idioms from English to

Vietnamese. ... ... 35

3.3.1. Looking up the idiom in a dictionary or online r€SOUTC€...- --s«+ << + 35 3.3.2. Consulting with a native speaker of the target language ...-- - -- 35 3.3.3. Using context clues to determine the meaning of the Idiom... .- 36 3.3.4. Translating the idiom word for word and then explaining its meaning to the target AUCICNCE TA ..ố. ...e... 36 3.3.5. Adapting the idiom to a similar one in the target language ...- - -- 37

CHAPTER IV: RECOMMENDA TIONS... Q Ăn ngư, 38

4.1. For SÍU€NS... Q nh ng HH HH Hưng rệt 38 4.2. For f€aCh€FS... Q nàn TH HH HH HH Hư rệt 39 CONCLUSION 2 2... (c3... 41 5.1. COn€ÌÏUuSỈOH... Qui HH HH nh Hư rệt 41 5.2. The limitations of the sfudly...-- - <5 HH ng, 41

5.3. Recommendations for further studÌes... ... sàn ssikeeeesirrsee 42

REFERENCES... HH HH HT HT HH HT HH TH nh 43 APPENDIX...- Án HH HT HH HH HT HH HH TH TH HH 46

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CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION

This chapter characterizes the research issue and rationale, the aims of the research and research questions, the scope and significance of the thesis, and the general design of

the study.

1.1. Introduction of research topic

The study investigates the challenges of third and final-year Business English students at National Economics University in translating animal-related idioms from

<small>English to Vietnamese.</small>

Translation is widely regarded to have an important role in the dissemination of human knowledge. It focuses on cosmopolitan alignments, socio-cultural, mindfulness,

<small>information proficiency exercises, progress creation, and a number of other things. Tian</small>

(2004) offers another rationale for the need of translation. Translation, he says, is becoming

<small>increasingly vital in global and intercultural action, notably in works of shared</small>

understanding among numerous racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural groups, as well as in conflict resolution.

Idiom is a phrase that is often used in language to communicate true ideas. These phrases are required to back up the statement and present opposing viewpoints. It also leads

to a greater understanding of the language. As a result, idioms and phrases are frequently

seen in competitive examinations. It is mostly used in everyday discourse. Idioms and phrases are crucial because they allow for natural communication in English. There are proverbs such as "taste your own medicine" and "every cloud has a silver lining." So, what do they mean? Do they imply you should experiment with your own medication? Instead, if that fails, draw a silver line in the clouds, which is impossible. The first idiom relates to being treated the same as everyone else. The following examples demonstrate that for every negative situation, there is always a light of hope. Idioms steer one's thoughts in a different

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path. It also appears rational when someone brings up the subject. They essentially aid in the creative expression of our emotions. These statements are both humorous and wise.

Animal idioms are highly widespread in English and are frequently used to communicate complicated concepts or sentiments in a simple and memorable manner. These idioms are well-known because they have entered our daily conversations, literature, and society. One of the reasons animal idioms are so popular is their capacity to conjure up vivid imagery and feelings. Phrases like "stubborn as a mule" or "sly as a fox," for example, may be readily recognised and communicate a powerful message in only a few words. Additionally, numerous animal idioms have been passed down through the ages, forming part of our collective cultural memory. Another element that contributes to their attractiveness is their versatility. Animal idioms are useful in a variety of circumstances because they may depict a wide range of emotions, behaviours, and events. The phrase

"rain of cats and dogs," for example, can apply to both a strong rainstorm and a short and

<small>fierce argument.</small>

Idioms can be difficult to translate from English into other languages because they are typically culturally different and cannot be deduced from the meanings of the individual words that make them. Idioms have evolved to the point that the history and original

meanings behind them are sometimes lost. Even in our own language, idioms are difficult

to define, but translating them into other languages makes them quite simple to grasp. Before they can interpret novel idioms, translators must first comprehend them, something machine translators cannot accomplish. Alan Duff, author of the Translation, recommends following certain fundamental rules when translating idioms. The first, of course, is to avoid literal translation if the sentence makes no sense in the target language. Translators

should also remember that a pun in one language may not be a pun in another.

The difficulties of translating animal-related idioms can be a significant difficulty for those working in the translation industry. Animal idioms are strongly embedded in

language and society, and they can have nuanced meanings and cultural implications that

are difficult to describe in another language. Misunderstanding, confusion, and even

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offence can result from incorrect translation of these idioms. As a result, it is critical to address the difficulties involved with translating animal-related idioms in order to facilitate successful cross-cultural communication and avoid misunderstandings. Finding

comparable terms or formulations that preserve the essence of the idiom while being

culturally relevant and accessible to the intended audience might be a part of this process. 1.2. Rationale of the research

<small>Animal idioms are commonly used in English and play an important role in various</small>

industries, including business. Translating these idioms from English to Vietnamese can be difficult due to cultural differences and the intricacies of the Vietnamese language. As a result, the goal of this study is to examine the challenges that third and fourth year Business English students at National Economics University have while translating animal-related idioms from English to Vietnamese.

The study is noteworthy for several reasons. For begin, it adds to the existing literature on idiom translation by giving insights into linguistic challenges students confront while translating verbal idioms. Second, the study will highlight the relevance of idiomatic phrases in corporate English communication and the necessity for them to be included in language instruction materials. Lastly, the research will offer language instructors and translators practical guidance on how to improve students' translation skills. Furthermore, the study's emphasis on Business English is noteworthy since effective communication is critical to success in this sector. Animal idioms are often employed in corporate communication and have a big impact on how people understand what they say. By recognising the problems students have while translating these idioms, language

teachers and translators may help students build communication skills and avoid

misunderstandings in the workplace.

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1.3. Purposes of the research

The purpose of this study was to look at the difficulties students had while translating animal-related idioms from English into Vietnamese throughout their third and fourth years at National Economics University. The study's overall goal is to give a greater understanding of the problems students have while translating animal-related idioms, as well as ideas on how they might improve their translation abilities. his craft. The research will also help to build corporate English training materials that employ colloquial words to help students communicate more effectively in English. This study's findings will be useful to English and Vietnamese instructors, interpreters, and other language professionals.

1.4. Scope of the research

The research was conducted within a limit of 100 third-year and final-year students studying Business English at National Economics University in the academic years 2022-2023.

1.5. Research questions

e = What are the challenges encountered by third and four-year Business English majors at National Economics University when translating these idioms into Vietnamese?

e How do third and fourth-year Business English majors at the National Economics University interpret these idioms, and what tactics do they employ?

1.6. Research method

This research utilized quantitative methodology to examine the frequency of exposure to animal-related idioms, the initial appraisal of these idioms, and the challenges and strategies employed by third and final-year Business English students when translating them into Vietnamese. The study employed a questionnaire developed by the researcher and administered to 100 Business English students via Google Form. The questionnaire consisted of three major sections aimed at addressing the two research questions:

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Part 1: This section consisted of multiple-choice questions aimed at determining the frequency with which students encounter animal-related idioms and their initial appraisal

of them.

Part 2: The second section consisted of multiple-choice questions aimed at identifying the obstacles and strategies that students typically employ during the translation

Part 3: The final section consisted of writing questions in which participants were asked to translate some English animal idioms into Vietnamese.

Pie and bar charts were utilized to illustrate the popularity of various obstacles and

strategies identified in the study. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by Business English students when translating animal-related idioms into Vietnamese. The findings of this research could be utilized to improve the teaching and learning of Business English, particularly in the area of translation skills. Furthermore, the methodology and tools employed in this study could be adapted and utilized in future

<small>research on idioms in other languages or contexts.</small>

1.7. Design of the research

The essay is divided into four chapters, which are as follows:

Chapter 1: Introduction, which covers the research issue, including the rationale and

goals of the study, research questions, and paper format.

Chapter 2: Literature review, which covers concepts and definitions of relevant terminologies (translation, idioms) and importance of studied problem. This chapter gives background information about the subject under consideration to aid in analysis and debate.

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Chapter 3: Findings and discussion, which demonstrates the author's insights concerning typical challenges based on particular facts gathered from reality. This chapter carefully analyses and discusses the topics.

Chapter 4: Conclusion and Recommendation, which highlights the article's key concepts, limits, and gives suggestions and ways to solve typical challenges for various individuals and organizations.

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CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1. Translation

2.1.1. Definition of translation

According to Budianto and Fardhani (2010, P.3), translation occurs exactly as if the original were written in the target language. The translation's language and structure are neither unusual nor out of place. As a result, while translating, ensure that the individual has considered making some alterations to the target language in order to obtain an exceptional and natural translation.

Translation, according to Weber (1984, p.3), is the process of converting a text

written in the source language into the target language. Translation entries, one may argue, can assist persons who do not understand English in gaining information from English

According to Nida and Taber (1974), translation requires duplicating the greatest likeness of the source language message in the receptive language, first in significance and second in style. Translators, according to them, should employ the closest casual

<small>comparison in terms of importance or style of the general receptive language, and the</small>

resultant translation should not be identical to the translation without changing the meaning of the source language.

Translation, according to Newmark 1998 in Machali (2002, P.48), is more than merely transferring meaning from one language to another; it is also a means of presenting meaning in the manner in which the author wishes to transmit the text. Because understanding a document necessitates translating its meaning into an objective language, the translator is not only responsible for modifying lexical units (surface design), but also for staying current with shifting trends. The author expected a shift in meaning.

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Translation, according to Wills in Choliluddin (2005), is the process of going from a created source-language text to an ideally identical objective-language text and needs the translator to have a high syntax, semantics, style, and realism of the original document.

Based on the preceding definitions, it is possible to conclude that translation is the process of converting or replacing a text document in one language/source language with an identical text-based document in another language/target language, where the translation preserves the author's original meaning.

<small>2.1.2. Meaning analysis in translation</small>

The first step in the translation process is to comprehend the overall meaning of the original material. In a meaning-analysis of the source text, three sorts of "meanings" can be found (Nida & Taber, 1982):

2.1.2.1. Grammatical meaning

Grammar is generally undervalued because it appears to be a collection of arbitrary criteria concerning courses of action, decisions that need be followed to grasp, but not decisions themselves that appear to have any significance. It is the main word that executes the activities specified by the constant word. "Did you go?" and "you did go?" can be modified with a similar example of intonation, but the linguistic contrast of request offers

a very different connotation.

2.1.2.2. Referential meaning

Descriptive meaning, denotative meaning, conceptual meaning, and sense are all synonyms for referential meaning. It refers to the cohesive, cognitive, or distinctive substance of a phrase. These are words that serve as symbols for objects, events, abstracts, and relationships. As an example:

He drank water.

He watered his flowers garden yesterday.

He is going to chair the meeting next Friday.

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He is sitting on the chair.

The event of these terms distinguishes the varied meanings of the phrases "water"

and "chair" in a really distinctive difference with action words. 2.1.2.3. Connotative meaning

Connotative meaning refers to how language users react to words and their combinations, whether negatively or positively. Connotative meaning is the moment at

which a word suggests a set of associations or it is an innovative or impassioned notion

linked with the words, which readers may connect with. Sometimes the associations around a few words grow so strong that people strive not to use them at all. This is what is known as language taboos, revulsion, or revolutionary sentiments toward phrases that relate to a certain organ of the body and its functioning.

<small>2.1.3. Translation process</small>

According to Choliludin (2005), there are a few stages that the translator must go through in order to make the translation compatible with the original form. According to Larson, the translator's goal while translating a text is an informal translation that bends over backwards to convey the meaning of the SL text into the regular forms of the receptor language. Furthermore, his translation is focused with the examination of the dictionary,

linguistic construction, correspondence condition, and cultural context of the SL text in

order to determine its meaning.

The translation process, according to Nababan (2008), consists of three stages:

<small>2.1.3.1. Analysis source language text</small>

Because translators often look at source language material first, each translating operation begins with an investigation of the source language content. Examining the original language text is a reading exercise. Following that, the reading activity of the source language text is intended to get the text's content. It is impossible that a translator can obtain the content of the text if the person does not first read the material.

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2.1.3.2. Transfer of message

After understanding the meaning and structure of the source language, the translator will wish to accept the message in it. The next stage is to translate the source language's

content, meaning, and message into the target language. The translator anticipated to see what may be compared to the source language term into the target language during this stage. This process of transferring meanings, contents, and messages is an example of inner interaction. These processes take place in the translator's mind. When the substance, meaning, and message have been established in the translator's head, they express themselves vocally or in writing in the target language. To get a superior translation as defined by the translation purpose, the translation must be rebuilt.

2.1.3.3. Restructuring

If the transfer process has a complex structure that coordinates with the target language, that of the reader or audience, restructuring is altering. As a result, during the restructure stage, a translator must concentrate on the variety of languages to choose the language style appropriate for the type of material to be translated. A translator must also consider whose translation it is. If a translator has completed the inquiry, knowledge of the source language into the target language, and restructuring, the translator has given a translation.

2.1.4. Classification of translation errors 2.1.4.1. Grammatical errors

One major difficulty in translating between Vietnamese and English, according to

Duong (2018), is the overuse of verb tenses. The simple present tense is used more

<small>frequently in Vietnamese than in English. This might lead to misunderstandings about</small>

previous occurrences or future intentions. Additionally, the Vietnamese present continuous tense lacks a counterpart in English, which might cause difficulty when interpreting ongoing acts. The usage of pronouns is another source of grammatical problems. There are numerous pronouns in Vietnamese to signify social position and gender that do not exist

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in English. When translating pronouns from Vietnamese to English and vice versa, this might cause misunderstanding.

Grammatical errors are a sort of translation error that happens when the translator

<small>makes errors in grammar rules and structures between English and Vietnamese.</small>

Vietnamese grammar differs greatly from English grammar, which can result in problems in word order, verb tense, and subject-verb agreement.

2.1.4.2. Semantic errors

The usage of colloquial idioms, according to Phan (2006), is a common source of semantic problems while translating from Vietnamese into English. Several idioms in Vietnamese do not have identical English equivalents, and their direct translation might cause confusion or misunderstanding. Another cause of semantic problems in Vietnamese is the adoption of loanwords from English. Some terms may have a different meaning or connotation in Vietnamese than they do in English, resulting in mistranslations.

Semantic mistakes arise when the translator misinterprets the meaning of English and Vietnamese words and phrases. The lexicon and use of Vietnamese and English differ

significantly, which can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.

For example, the English word "exciting" is sometimes mistranslated into

Vietnamese as "interesting," which has a distinct sense. This can lead to misunderstandings

and misinterpretation. Moreover, Vietnamese has a complicated tonal system that can impact word pronunciation and meaning. Word mispronunciation owing to inappropriate tone can result in semantic mistakes in translation.

2.1.4.3. Lexical errors

<small>The employment of technical phrases, according to Duong (2018), is a typical</small>

source of lexical problems while translating from Vietnamese and English. Because Vietnamese lacks a consistent framework for translating technical words from English, discrepancies and mistakes in translation might occur. The usage of abbreviations and

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acronyms is another source of lexical mistakes. Vietnamese has different abbreviation and acronym rules than English, which can lead to translation difficulties and misinterpretation.

When the translator utilizes erroneous or improper language and terms in English

and Vietnamese, this is referred to as a lexical mistake. The language and terminology of

English and Vietnamese differ significantly, which can lead to ambiguity and confusion in translating.

The English word "entrepreneur," for example, has no exact counterpart in Vietnamese and may be rendered differently depending on the context. This might lead to translation uncertainty and misunderstanding. Moreover, Vietnamese has a large number of loanwords from Chinese and French, which might be difficult to translate effectively into English.

<small>2.1.4.4. Cultural errors</small>

According to Nguyen and Le (2021), one typical cause of cultural mistakes in translating between Vietnamese and English is the usage of culturally distinctive idioms and metaphors. These expressions may be difficult to translate correctly into English and may need extra explanation. The use of informal or slang language is another source of cultural mistakes. Vietnamese has a rich tradition of slang and casual language, which may be unfamiliar to English speakers and might lead to translation misunderstanding and misinterpretation.

When a translator misunderstands or misinterprets cultural allusions, habits, and beliefs between English and Vietnamese, cultural mistakes arise. Cultural variations between the

two languages might cause misunderstandings and mistranslations, affecting the

translation's accuracy and clarity. 2.2. Idioms

<small>2.2.1. Definition of idioms</small>

Idioms are structural and semantic wholes that are used to describe objects and

<small>phenomena like words in each language. Idioms are quite prevalent because they are</small>

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extensively employed in all forms of spoken and written language. Furthermore, when a new thought emerges, individuals frequently do not coin an entirely new term, but rather combine existing words in a certain order to produce a new meaning. This is true of all human languages. What makes it challenging for foreign language learners and translators is not the literal meaning but the metaphorical (idiom) meaning of the term under discussion.

Classical grammar has always viewed idioms as a distinct lexical category, not only because of their structure but also because of their extraordinarily specific usage in each language. Some writers believe that idioms are semantically, structurally, and functionally equivalent to words in a phrase. Idiom dictionary definitions by Trask, Weinreich, and others are typical of this point of view. An idiom is a phrase whose meaning goes beyond

the meanings of the words that make up the phrase (Trask). Weinreich defines an idiom as

a two-part word unit with several meanings. Collins English Dictionary (2006) defines an idiom as a phrase, such as a comparison, whose words have no literal meaning but are categorized as multi-word phrases that operate in the text as a coherent unit. An idiom, according to the Longman Dictionary of Idioms (2000), is a set of words that have a meaning that differs from the meaning of each individual word when combined.

Idioms are "special combinations" or "fixed word combinations" that only have one meaning, however the meanings of these combinations are a metaphor rather than the meanings of the constituent words joined together. An idiom is a phrase of at least two words that is not taken literally and works conceptually as a unit (Beekman and Callow 1974 - cite Larson 1984). According to Baker (1992), idioms and set phrases are at the bottom of the word association scale: flexibly associative and clear in meaning. They are

consistent combinations that seldom change in form, and the meaning of idioms cannot

typically be determined from the individual pieces unless the speaker means to make a joke or play on words. But, you cannot modify the word order, add words, substitute words with another word, or change the grammatical structure of an idiom.

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Langlotz (2006) developed a chart that aggregated idiomatic characteristics and displayed them in terms of signal meaning and grammatical placement. Idioms are complex symbols with distinct formal, semantic, pragmatic, linguistic, and social aspects. Langlotz

goes on to say that a statement is only an idiom if the constituent parts are idiomatic,

depending on the word type. All of an idiom's other properties change as its form changes. As a result, Makkai (1972) has emphasized the idiomatic complexity in both consumers and researchers. Makkai describes an idiom as a unit of meaning that is

syntactically surprising, exceedingly difficult, and hence frequently misapplied.

Vietnamese language experts have also attempted to define idioms, but there is still no agreement due to varied study techniques as well as the semantic and grammatical complexity of idioms. unified. In terms of function, grammatical structure, and semantics, most Vietnamese academics see idioms as units comparable to words. "Idioms are built-in units that bear the function of naming, in other words, utilized to identify things, qualities,

and actions," according to Cu Dinh Tu (1973). Likewise, Ho Le (1976) says "Idiom is a word combination that has a solid nature in structure and a glossy meaning and is used to convey an image, a character, or a specific attitude." Diep Quang Ban (1998) defines them as "provided structures comprising of two or more lexical and grammatically stable terms." They are phrases, but they are set, therefore they are as tight, accessible, essential, and

social as words, according to Do Huu Chau (1999).

Nguyen Van Tu describes the figurative, semantic unity of idioms as follows: "Idiom is a set phrase in which the words have lost their independence at a high degree of meaning. The meaning of each constituent does not produce its meaning. These idioms are

either metaphorical or nonexistent" (1986). Nguyen Thien Giap (1999) contends that idioms have an extra sensuality in addition to their wholeness of meaning.

The above viewpoints all have one feature: they all see idioms as a syntactically and semantically complete unit that, while being composed of numerous words, is stable and structurally invariant. As a result, for the sake of this article's research, I define an idiom as a combination of at least two words: An idiom's meaning is not the sum of the meanings

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of the words; it acts as an autonomous, complete, and unified unit in a language and is recognized by the culture that employs it.

2.2.2. Translation of idioms

Many studies on idiom translation techniques have been conducted. Although Newmark cautions that idioms should never be translated word for word, he feels that literal translation of idioms can help foreign language learners comprehend and recall

idioms. Yet, the meaning of each word must be distinguished from the meaning of the

entire phrase. The main hazard is literal translation, because the output is frequently

<small>nonsensical in the target language.</small>

According to Larson, idiomatic translation and metaphorical translation of language use the same concepts. It is occasionally required to translate using a term that does not have a metaphorical sense, but it is also sometimes necessary to utilize an idiom. There

<small>will frequently be phrases in the source phrase that are not idioms but are the best way to</small>

represent the idiom.

The most common idiom translation approach is to use an idiom in the target language that has the same meaning as the source phrase. Nida and Taber reject the literal translation technique and suggest three alternative translation strategies:

1) Replace idiomatic phrases with non-idiomatic phrases. 2) Use an idiom to translate idioms.

3) Translate non-idiom phrases one by one.

Idioms in the source language are frequently translated into the target language by non-idiomatic phrases, according to Nida and Taber, but it is still preferable to locate an idiom in the target language that has the same meaning as the idiom in the source language.

Baker (1992) provided a variety of ways for translating idioms after outlining problematic places to translate. According to Baker, when there are no available

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equivalences in the target language, the translator must occasionally utilize the following strategies:

1) Employ idioms with the same meaning and form as the original idioms.

2) Use idioms that have the same meaning but differ in form from the parent idiom.

<small>3) Use paraphrase to translate.4) Skip the translation.</small>

5) Use an extravagant translation technique (translate with a more generic word). 6) Make use of borrowed words.

Baker observes that deciding which technique to utilize is dependent on various factors, including:

a) the context in which the idiom is translated.

b) The appropriateness of utilizing idioms in a certain form of conversation in the target language.

c) The significance of the idiom's constituent terms and if they are utilized elsewhere in the

<small>original language.</small>

2.2.3. Difficulties in translation of idioms

Idiom translation is one of the most difficult tasks for translators. The objective is to replace not only vocabulary and syntax, but also the original language's essential linguistic properties. Idioms should be translated based on phrase function, according to Bassnett-McGuire (1991) the original idiom should be substituted with an idiom that has the same meaning in the target phrase. Awwad (1990) identified two key obstacles when translating idioms: the first is misinterpreting the writer's/intentions, speaker's and the

second is spotting cultural differences in idioms between languages.

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Davies (2004) examined the issues that students and translators may experience while translating idioms as follows:

1- Recognize the idioms used.

<small>2- The target language has no equivalent.</small>

3- An equivalent exists in the target context but is used in another.

<small>4- Idioms in the native language with literal and metaphorical connotations.</small>

5- Separating convention, context, and frequency of usage in source and destination settings.

2.3. Translation of animal idioms 2.3.1. Definition of animal idioms

An animal-related idiom, according to Oxford Learner's Dictionaries, is "a statement that employs animals to make a point, frequently by alluding to their qualities, behaviors, or environments."

An animal-related idiom is described as "a group of words in a defined order that have a particular meaning that differs from the meanings of each word on its own and that

involves a reference to an animal or animals."

Merriam-Webster defines an animal-related idiom as "a phrase in which the literal meaning of the words is not the meaning of the statement as a whole, and which employs

an animal, or animals, in its construction or meaning."

<small>The meanings of animal-related idioms provided by the three sources range slightly.</small>

They all agree, however, that animal-related idioms are statements that make use of animals to communicate a metaphorical meaning or notion. The definitions underline that animal-related idioms frequently refer to animal attributes, behaviors, or habitats and have a non-literal meaning that differs from the meaning of the individual terms.

2.3.2. The process of translation

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