Đặc điểm ngữ nghĩa và kết trị của nhóm tính từ chỉ đặc điểm về lượng của sự vật trong tiếng việt tt tiếng anh

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
HANOI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

NGUYEN THI THANH HUONG

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEMANTICS AND
VALENCY OF THE QUANTITATIVE ADJECTIVE
GROUP OF THINGS IN VIETNAMESE

Major: Linguistics
Code: 9.22.90.20

SUMMARY OF THE DOCTORAL THESIS OF LANGUAGE

HANOI - 2020


THE THESIS WAS COMPLETED AT:
HANOI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

Science instructor:

1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. LE THI LAN ANH
2. Prof. Dr. NGUYEN VAN HIEP

Reviewer 1: Prof. Dr. Dinh Van Duc
Ha Noi National University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Reviewer 2: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Khang
Institute of Linguistics
Reviewer 3: Prof. Dr. Do Viet Hung
Hanoi National University of Education

The thesis will be protected before the thesis dissertation committee
The school met at Hanoi National University of Education
in ... ... hours ... days ... months ... years ...

The thesis can be found at the libraries:
- The National Library, Hanoi
- The Ha Noi National University of Education


LIST OF THE TOPIC-RELATED PUBLISHED
SCIENTIFIC PROJECTS

I. PROJECT OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY
Studying the valency of the group of quantitative adjectives in Vietnamese,(2016),
Đề tài NCKH Cấp Cơ sở, Trường Đại học Hồng Đức.
II. SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES
1. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong (2013), Characteristics of quantitative adjectives in Kieu
novel by Nguyen Du, Journal of Language and Life Issue 8 /2013, pp 43-46.
2. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong (2016), The valency of the group of quantitative adjectives
of things in Kieu novel – Nguyen Du, Hong Duc University Journal of Science,
Issue 31, pp. 125-134.
3. Nguyen Thị Thanh Huong (2017), Meaning transference and valency change of the
group of quantitative adjectives of things in Kieu novel- Nguyen Du, Hong Duc
University Journal of Science – special isue, pp.124-131.
4. Nguyen Thị Thanh Huong (2017), The valency of the group of quantitative adjectives of
things in Vietnamese, Journal of Dictionary & Encyclopedia issue 4 (48), pp. 54 - 60.
5. Nguyen Thị Thanh Huong (2017), The valency and valency change of quantitative
adjectives in Vietnamese, Journal of Dictionary & Encyclopedia, issue 6 (50), pp. 21- 27.
6. Nguyen Thị Thanh Huong (2019), Meaning transference of the group of

quantitative adjectives of things in Vietnamese, National language and linguistics
conference 2019, pp.287-296.


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INTRODUCTION
1. The reason for choosing the topic
1.1. Adjective is a part of speech which has a large number and occupies an important
position in Vietnamese. In addition to the types of adjectives describing other characteristics of
things, the quantitative adjective group of things plays a significant role, making the abundance
and diversity of adjectives in particular and Vietnamese part of speech in general.
1.2. The theory of valency is one of the most important grammatical theories. The
research of this theory contributes to solving the essential problems for Vietnamese grammar,
especially the relationship between semantics and grammar in language realization. The theory
of valency shows that there is a relationship and interaction between the semantics and the
valency attribute of the word. In particular, the semantics plays a role of dominating the
valency, regulating the realization of the valency of words in administrative activities. And vice
versa, through the semantic attribute valency model, its inherent nature is revealed.
1.3. Language research from the perspective of valency is a new research direction and
has not received much attention. In the general trend of world linguistics, in Vietnam, in
recent years, the theory of valency has been quickly applied in a number of research projects.
But with the quantitative adjective group of things in Vietnamese in the light of the theory
of valency, there has not been any full and comprehensive scientific research. This is really
a promised land to discover interesting things.
For the above reasons, we choose the problem: Characteristics of the semantics and
valency of the quantitative adjective group of things in Vietnamese as the research topic of
the thesis.
2. Research purposes and tasks
2.1. Research purposes

Clarifying the characteristics of the semantics and valency of the quantitative adjective
group of things in Vietnamese, thereby confirming the close relationship between semantics
and valency of this adjective group in language realization.
2.2. Tasks of the thesis
- Developing a theoretical framework as the basis for the implementation of the
topic: theory of valency, theory of semantics and the theory of quantitative adjective of
things in Vietnamese.
- Analyzing and describing the characteristics of the semantics and valency of
quantitative adjective group of things in Vietnamese when being used with the original
meanings.


5

- Analyzing and describing the meaning development and valency change of the
quantitative adjective group in Vietnamese.
3. Objects, scope of research and scope of linguistic data sources
Research object of the thesis is the characteristics of the semantics and valency of
quantitative adjective group of things in Vietnamese in 55 linguistic data sources in two
types of text of two different styles: science and art.
4. Research methods
The thesis applies a number of following research methods: Descriptive method
combined with method of syntax analysis; methods of modeling, comparison, statistics and
classification.
5. Contributions of the thesis
5.1. In term of theory
This is a systematic research specialized in the semantics and valency of the quantitative
adjective group of things in Vietnamese. Through the research, the thesis takes a further step
clarifying the theory of valency and semantics as well as their close relationship. At the same time,
it contributes more voice to demonstrate the progress of modern grammar research directions:

grammar associated with semantics.
5.2. In term of practice
The research results will be practical contributions to the research and learning of
Vietnamese, namely: compiling research documents, teaching and learning Vietnamese,
explaining words in textbooks as well as in everyday communication ... especially in
acquiring knowledge of science and literature through linguistic material. At the same
time, helping native speakers have a more specific view to use them better, more
sophisticated and diverse. (viết lại)
6. Layout of the thesis
In addition to the introduction, conclusion, references and linguistic data sources, the
thesis includes 3 chapters: Chapter 1: Overview of research situation and theoretical basis;
Chapter 2: Characteristics of the semantics and valency of quantitative adjective group of
things in Vietnamese when being used with the original meanings; Chapter 3: Semantic
development and valency change of quantitative adjective group of things in Vietnamese.


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Chapter 1
OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH SITUATION AND THEORETICAL BASIS
1.1. Overview of research situation
1.1.1. Research situation on the meaning and valency of words
1.1.1.1. Research situation on the meaning of words
In the world, the research of the meaning of words has been particularly interested
by linguists. The first one to mention is Michel Bréal - with the work: “ Essai de
Sémantique (Science des signification, 1877), then F.de Saussure (1916), C.K. Ogden
and I.A. Richards (1923), G. Stern (1931), V.A. Zveginxev (1957), S. Ullmann (1962),
John Lyons (1977) .... Besides, G. Lakoff, M. Johnson, M. Turner, C. Fillmore, V.
Evans, M. Green ... also pay attention to and research the meaning from the angle of
cognitive linguistics.

In Vietnam, linguists have acquired and selected research achievements about the
meaning of linguists in the world. From the angle of traditional linguistics, the earliest
researcher with many works on the theory of the meaning of words is Do Huu Chau (1998),
followed by Nguyen Thien Giap (2005), Le Quang Thiem (2008), Do Viet Hung (2014), etc.
From the angle of cognitive linguistics, authors such as Nguyen Duc Ton, Ly Toan Thang,
Tran Van Co, Nguyen Van Hiep, etc. also researched the meaning of words, especially the
meaning transference of words. Although from different angles, basically, researchers came
up with the concept of the meaning of words, meaning components of words, the
phenomenon of meaning transference of words, etc.
1.1.1.2. Research situation on valency of words
In the world, the theory of valency was researched on many levels with many different
points of view. First of all, L. Tesnière with Elément de Syntax structurale (Arguments of
syntactic structure) (1969) gave an understanding of the valency of the verb and the way to
distinguish the circumstants and actants. Then S.D. Kasnelson (1973) clarified the method to
understand the valency and distinguish the valency from the ability to engage in syntactic
relationships. N.I. Tjapkina (1980) and A.M. Mukhin (1987) expanded the concept of valency of
verbs. M.D. Stepanova (1988) extended the concept of valency from the word level to other
levels and aspects of language. ....
In Vietnam, Vietnamese linguists quickly apply the theory of valency to
Vietnamese research. The first one to mention is Cao Xuan Hao (2006) with the work
"Vietnamese - Fundamental of Functional Grammar". One of the pioneers who flexibly
applied the theory of valency of L. Tesnière to language research in Vietnam was
Nguyen Van Loc (1995). Dinh Van Duc (2015) put the issue of the research on parts of
speech of Vietnamese in the direction of the research of functionalism and was


7

primarily concerned with the theory of valency. Besides, there were: Nguyen Thi Quy
(1995), Nguyen Van Hiep and Lam Quang Dong (2008), Le Thi Lan Anh (2014),

Nguyen Manh Tien (2016), etc.
Reviewing the works that mentioned the semantics and valency of words in general,
adjectives in particular, we can see that this problem has received a lot of research interest.
Most of the authors pointed out the general characteristics of semantics and valency of words
and adjectives. But in fact, the application of the theory of semantics and valency to research
a specific adjective group, quantitative adjective group of things in Vietnamese, is still an
area with many complex and interesting issues.
1.1.2. Research situation on the meaning and valency of Vietnamese
adjectives
Adjective is a basic part of speech of Vietnamese language. Therefore, adjectives are
mainly reviewed from a grammatical perspective in terms of grammatical meaning,
conjugation ability and grammatical role. However, there are also works referring to the
semantics of adjectives; The relationship between semantics and valency of some specific
adjectives, such as those of Chu Bich Thu (1996), Nguyen Thi Du (2004), Le Xuan Binh,
(2009), Nguyen Quynh Thu (2013), Tran Ai Chin (2014), Nguyen Thi Huyen (2018).
1.2. Topic-related theoretical basis
1.2.1. Overview of the meaning of the word
1.2.1.1. The meaning of words and the semantic development of words from a
structural perspective
a. Conception of the meaning of the word
The concept “the meaning of the word” is one of the important concepts of language
and paid attention by linguistic researchers.
There are many different views and definitions about the meaning of the word,
however, in general, there are three important groups. In this thesis, we agree with the
conception stating that the meaning of the word is as an abstract mental entity that exists in
the brain of native speaker.
b. Meaning components of the word
The meaning of the word should be understood to be set of components of the
following meanings: denotative meaning, significative meaning, pragmatical meaning and
grammatical meaning. The four above-mentioned meaning components of the word are the

meanings of the word in the system – They are inherently stable and constitute the nuclear
meaning of the word. And in term of functionality, the word always creates other meanings,
without stability is called the connotational meaning.


8

c. Multiple-meaning phenomenon means and the phenomenon of meaning transference
of the word
Multiple-meaning phenomenon means a semantic phenomenon in which a word (a
phonetic shell) contains two or more meanings and each meaning corresponds to one or
some things and phenomena in objective reality.
Meaning transference means that a meaning of a word is formed based on an existing
meaning of that word. The meaning transference of the word is always done through the
method of transferring meaning. There are many criteria for classifying method of
transferring meaning, but according to some researchers, there are two methods of
transferring meaning: metaphor and metonymy.
1.2.1.2. Some basic concepts of cognitive linguistics related to the meaning and the
semantic development of words
a. Concept, conceptualization, conceptual metaphor, conceptual metonymy
Concept is the result, the product of human cognitive activities about the world around
them as well as themselves through their interaction with the world. The concept may be
expressed in words and may not be expressed in words as well. Conceptualization is the
cognitive activity to form concepts, including many different mental processes.
Conceptual metaphor is the systematic logical mappings between two conceptual
domains: the source domain and the target domain. The nature of conceptual metaphor is in
the structuration and perception of these phenomena in the interpretation of other
phenomena. It has a one-way nature, motivating the source domain and the target domain to
bring about additional meaning (knowledge) that is quite detailed and impressive sometimes.
Conceptual metonymy is a cognitive process in which a conceptual entity (means) provides

the mental reception to another conceptual entity (target) in the same domain or the same
idealized cognitive model.
b. Category and categorization
Category is a scientific concept reflecting the most common and basic attributes and
relationships of phenomena. In cognitive linguistics, the category is one of the cognitive
forms of human thinking that allows to generalize experience to classify things and
phenomena in the objective world. Categorization is a human cognitive process about the
world around them and classifying them into basic categories. On this basis, people are able
to form concepts and acquire meaning of linguistic symbols.
c. Domain, source domain and target domain
Domain is a conceptual entity used in conceptual metaphor theory and approaches
related to conceptual mappings. Conceptual domain has a relatively complex cognitive
structure related to unified aspects of experience, is a collection of concepts that are closely
connected.


9

Source domain consists of a collection of verbal entities, attributes, processes and
relationships, which are semantically linked and seem to be stored together in mind. Target
domain tends to be abstract and draws its structure from the source domain through
metaphorical links or "conceptual metaphor".
1.2.2. Overview of the valency of the word
1.2.2.1. Concept of valency
Based on the concept of valency of domestic and international linguists, the valency
of the word is the ability of words to incorporate into itself syntactic formants that help to
realize the semantic characteristics of words.
1.2.2.2. Concept of arguments, classification of arguments
a. Concept of arguments
Arguments are formants that realize the semantic characteristics of the central word,

which can assume a certain grammatical position in the sentence.
b. Classification of arguments
In this thesis, we use a pair of terms: actants and circonstants.
Actants are the type of argument needed for a word to have a minimum level of
meaning complete without the help of context. This argument is strongly influenced by
the semantic - grammatical characteristics of words. Circonstants are the type of
argument that may or may not be present next to the central word, but must still be
permitted by it. The semantic-grammatical characteristics of this argument are still
dominated by the central word.
1.2.2.3. Principles and tactics of valency determination
a. Principle of valency determination
The arguments of the word, as grammatical units, are characterized by two aspects:
semantics and grammar. Therefore, the principle of determination of the valency of the word
must be based on the characteristics of form (structure) and content (semantic).
b. Tactics of valency determination
When determining the valency of the word, there are many tactics, however, the simple
but most effective tactic is the question-making. This is a tactic based on the semantic
structure of the central word for question-making to find out the arguments. In other words,
we use the word central to ask questions to find out arguments. Such as, it can be meant that
the central word will be present in all questions for searching arguments. The answers to


10

such questions are the word’s arguments. Each question will help us identify a blank cell
needed or can be filled, which is equivalent to an argument.
1.2.2.4. Relationship between semantics and valency of the word
The meaning and valency attribute of the word are always in close relationshio. In
particular, the meaning always plays a dominant role to the valency, meaning that the
meaning of the word stipulates the realization of valency of the word in the activities of

functionality. In contrast, through the valency model, the inherent semantic attribute of the
word is expressed. This is the basis to assert that in every language, the ultimate basis of
syntactic connection is the semantic factor. The stipulative feature of semantics to valency
is shown in that each type of valency, normally associated only with the lexical grammatical meaning of the word. The valency is closely dependent on the meaning of the
word, therefore, the change of vocabulary-grammer meaning always leads to the change in
its valency.
Sub-conclusion
The group of quantitative adjectives of things is one of the central, basic groups of
words in any language. This group has many complicated characteristics attracting the
attention of many researchers. In implementing this topic, we have established some basic
theoretical concepts in terms of semantics, valency. These theoretical aspect will be applied
to clarify the semantic characteristics and valency of this adjective group when used with the
original meaning and meaning development.
Chapter 2
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEMANTICS AND VALENCY OF THE
QUANTITATIVE ADJECTIVE GROUP OF THINGS IN VIETNAMESE WHEN
USED WITH THE ORIGINAL MEANINGS
2.1. An overview of quantitative adjectives of things in Vietnamese
2.1.1. Concept of quantitative adjectives of things in Vietnamese
Based on different concepts of researchers, in this thesis, we state that: The
quantitative adjectives is these are adjectives that quantify things (high, low, shallow,
deep, wide, narrow, short, long, heavy, light, etc) and express the number of things (full,
shallow, sufficient, insufficient, little, much, crowded, big, small, middle, etc).


11

2.1.2. Identification criteria
2.1.2.1. In term semantic
Quantitative adjectives has the meaning of determine the amount of things in terms

of size, weight, distance, heat and express the number of things.
2.1.2.2. In term of combination ability
Like other groups of adjectives, the quantitative adjectives can combine with subcomponents or adverbs of degree. Special, the quantitative adjectives can combine with
sub-components only quantity.
2.1.2.3. In term of grammatical position
The quantitative adjectives directly work as a predicate, attribute (extension,
additional meanings of nouns)
2.1.3. Classification of quantitative adjectives of things in Vietnamese
Most authors base on the meaning and combination ability of this adjective group to
classify. The thesis shows that the groups of quantitative adjectives of things are divided
into two categories: quantitative adjective group measure of things (measure the size, the
weight, the heat, the distances of things) such as: high, low, shallow, deep, wide, narrow,
short, long, heavy, light, etc) and adjective group express the number of things such as: full,
shallow, sufficient, insufficient, little, much, crowded, big, small, middle, etc.
2.1.4. Llist of quantitative adjectives of things in Vietnamese
The thesis has surveyed 55 language sources with 2045 sentences in two types of
documents: science and art. We found: Vietnamese language has 31 quantitative adjectives of
things (high, low, shallow, deep, wide, narrow, short, full, shallow, sufficient, insufficient,
little, etc). They are single word and grammar specifies the mandatory arguments that
make up its valency.
2.2. The semantic characteristics of quantitative adjective group of things when
used with the original meaning
Based on the important suggestions of the researchers and survey results of 55
linguistic sources, we believe that: Quantitative adjectives of things in Vietnamese have
the original meaning of the quantitative characteristics of things including two groups of
meanings: group quantitative of things (measure the size, the weight, the heat, the distance
and group express the number of things. In particular, the group measure of things
appears more.
2.2.1. The semantics of quantitative adjective group measure of things

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2.2.1.1. The semantics of quantitative adjective group measure the size of things
Size, in general, is the quantities (such as length, width, height, etc) determining the
size of an object. Therefore, quantitative adjectives measure the size of things according
to different dimensions such as height, width, length, depth, thickness, etc. The semantics
of quantitative adjective group express the height, width, length, depth, thickness of
things. The typical of this group of adjectives are the following basic adjectives: high,
low, short, long, wide, shallow, deep, far, near, very high, very long, very short, very thin,
quite low,…etc. For example:
The plank 2 meters long, 1 meter wide, 5 centimeterts thick. (Hoang Phe – Vietnamese
Dictionary)
2.2.1.2. The semantics of quantitative adjecive grouup measure the weight of things
Weight is the word used to indicate the volume of a particular object. With this
understanding, heavy and light are the pair of quantitative adjectives that basically express
the weight of things. Besides are the derivative quantitative adjectives: very light, quite light,
very heavy…. The semantics of quantitative adjective group express the weight of things.
For example:
From a distance, Long Bien Bridge is like a winding silk strip crossing the Red River,
but actually "the silk band" weighs 17 thousand tons.
(Nguyen Khac Phi – Literature grade 6)
2.2.1.3. The semantics of quantitative adjecive grouup measure the heat of things
Heat is the amount of heat energy, usually calculated in calories. Typical for this
adjective group is the pair of basic quantitative adjectives: hot, cold, cool, warm,
lukewarm, cool, very hot … etc. In it this pair of basic adjectives hot and cold represent
and appear more. The semantics of quantitative adjective group express the heat of things.
For example:
Luong returned to the forest of western Quang Tri region this time in the middle of
the heaviest rainy month, the air was always cold to ten degrees.

(Nguyen Minh Chau – Soldier footprints)
2.2.1.4. The semantics of quantitative adjecive grouup measure the distances of things
Distance is the distance between two objects. Typical for this group of adjectives are
the pair of basic quantitative adjectives: far, near, quite far, very far, near and far, quite
near… etc. In it this pair of basic adjectives far and near represent and appear more. The


13

semantics of quantitative adjective group express distances the of things. For example:
A horse runs very fast, if a good road, it can run for more than a hundred kilometers an hour,
its jump is as far as 4 meters.
(Nguyen Huy Thiep – Collection of short stories)
2.2.2. The semantics of quantitative adjective group express the
number of things
Quantity is a number indicating whether there is more or less. The typical ones for this
adjective group are quantitative adjectives: full, shallow, sufficient, insufficient, little, much,
crowded, empty, sparse, big, small, middle, etc. The adjective have the general meaning of
aan express the number of thing. However, the things which are referred to are things that
exist in a set other than things that individually exist. For example:
The train tonight is not as crowded as usual, it is empty and seems less luxury.)
(Tu luc van doan Collection, Volume 3)
Quantitative adjectives

Quantify

Express the number

Quantify theQuantify
size

the weight
Quantify the
Quantify
heat the distances

Figure 2.1. The diagram about semantics of quantitative adjective group of
things in Vietnamese when used with the original meanings
2.3. The valence characteristics of quantitative adjective group of things when
used with the original meanings
2.3.1. The valence model of quantitative adjective group of things when used with the
original meanings
Based on the principles and tactics of determining the valence, we define the valence
model of the quantitative adjective group of things as follows:


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Arguments indicating quantity

Arguments indicating things having quantitative characteristics

Arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics

Quantitative adjectives

Arguments indicating comparison

Figure2.2. The valence model of the quantitative adjective group of things in Vietnamese
when used with the original meanings
When used with the original meanings, the valence model of quantitative adjective

group consists of four arguments surrounding the nuclear adjectives: (1) Arguments
indicating things having quantitative characteristics, (2) Arguments indicating quantity,
(3) Arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics (4) Arguments indicating
comparison. In particular, the arguments indicating things having quantitative
characteristics are actants, the remaining three arguments are circonstants.
2.3.2. The arguments characteristics of quantitative adjective group of things when
used with the original meanings
2.3.2.1. Arguments indicating things having quantitative characteristics
a. For content
This type of arguments supplements and realizes the meaning of things with
quantitative characteristics expressed by quantitative adjectives. These are things in a
material form that can be perceived by humans. Through a survey of 2045 sentences, of
which 1224 sentences containing quantitative adjectives used with the original meaning from
55 linguistic sources, the results are as follows:


15

Arguments
indicating
Number of
No. things having
Examples
occurrences
quantitative
characteristics
Objects or
This room is 12 square meters wide, the door
artificial
is in the middle, the two sides have two small

1 objects
beds, each headboard has a cabinet of books
381
and clothes. (Nguyen Huy Thiep – Collection
of short stories)
2 Natural
The abyss is more than a hundred meters
phenomenas
deep, beneath the abyss is a dry, shallow
362
stream. (Nguyen Huy Thiep – Collection of
short stories)
3 Human
Baby weighs three pounds two kilograms,
218
honey. (Le Luu – Two houses)
4 Animals
This octopus is 18m long (including the
mouth cap), the eyes are 30cm in diameter,
162
the cornea of the mouth is about the size of a
hat...(Nguyen Quang Vinh - Biology grade 7)
5 Plants
Grass is few inches taller than a thin willow
137
grass. (Nguyen Du - Story of Kieu)

Rate
%

31%

27%

18%

13%

11%

Table 2.1. Statistics of Arguments indicating things having quantitative characteristics when
the quantitative adjective group of things used with the original meanings
b. For form
* Location
When realized in the sentence, the position of the arguments indicating things having
quantitative characteristics is usually before the quantitative adjectives, which can be
considered as its common position.
Arguments indicating things having quantitative
characteristics

Quantitative adjectives

* Word type
Arguments indicating things having quantitative characteristics may be expressed by the
following types of words: nouns, pronouns.
* Structure
Arguments indicating things having quantitative characteristics may be structured from
a word or noun.
2.3.2.2. Arguments indicating quantity

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a. For content
Arguments indicating quantity create specific numerical meanings of quantitative
adjectives of things. Thanks to it, the quantitative characteristics of things in objective reality
can be “quantified”. Through surveying the corpus, we find that this expression expresses
the following meanings: size, weight, distance ...
For example: Pho Minh Cauldron: Cast in bronze in the time of Tran Nhan Tong,
located at the yard of Pho Minh pagoda (Tuc Mac, suburban Nam Dinh). The cauldron 4foot

1,6 m) deep, 10-foot (

wide, weighing over 7 tons. (Tran Ngoc Them–

Introduction to Vietnamese Culture)
b. For form
* Location:
The common position of the arguments indicating quantity can be before or after
quantitative adjectives. In particular, the position behind is basic, appears with high frequency.
Arguments indicating things having
quantitative characteristics

Quantitative adjectives

Arguments indicating
quantity

* Word type
The arguments indicating quantity are determined by numerical words, the number of

words indicating the estimated and inaccurate quantity, and the noun of the unit of
expression.
* Structure
The arguments indicating quantity are composed of a word combined with unit nouns
(science, folklore, nature), a specific combination of number of words (word group): sub-word +
word count + single science unit noun.
2.3.2.3. Arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics
a. For content
Arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics add meanings of levels and
nuance to the quantitative adjectives of things, help the amount of things to be expressed in
more specific, suggestive, and descriptive ways. For example:
During high tide, the river bed is spaciously wide up to thousands of meters and more
than ten meters deep. (Phan Ngoc Lien – History grade 6)
b. For form
* Location:
As a supplement of meaning to adjectives, the arguments indicating the levels and


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nuance of characteristics usually can be before or after adjectives, directly combining with the
central adjectives. In particular, the position behind is basic and popular.
Arguments indicating things
having quantitative

Arguments indicating level
Quantitative adjectives

characteristics

and nuance of
characteristics

* Word type
The basic expression form of arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics is
expressed by adjectives.
* Structure
Mostly, the arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics is usually made up of
either a alliterative word or a compound word .
3.2.2.4. Arguments indicating comparision
a. For content
Arguments indicating comparision add the levels and shades or add detailed
information for the nuclear adjectives. For example:
The head is heavy and hot like a sticky rice pot. (Ha Minh Duc - To Hoai’s Collection,
episode 1)
b. For content
* Location
As an adjunctive, additional meaning to the adjective, the common position of the
arguments indicating comparision always behind the adjective, indirectly associated with the
central adjective with words indicating comparative relations: as, equal, more, be….
Arguments indicating things having
quantitative characteristics

Quantitative adjectives

Arguments indicating
comparision

* Word type
The arguments indicating comparision are expressed by a noun or linguistic noun.

* Structure
In terms of structure, the arguments indicating comparision has the following structure:
a word, a phrase.
2.3.3. Presence ability of the arguments in a sentence
2.3.3.1. Full presence ability
The full presence ability is the case that all the arguments in the valence structure of
the quantitative adjective group of things when using the original meaning are realized in
the sentence. In fact, the survey of 55 linguistic sources shows that, in 1224 sentences


18

containing quantitative adjectives when using the original meaning, the fully presence
ability arguments do not appear.
2.3.3.2. Inadequate presence ability
Inadequate presence ability is the case of missing one or several arguments in the
valence structure.
a. Absence of arguments indicating things having quantitative characteristics
Theoretically, this is actant that must be present in. However, under the influence of
context, there are still cases where this arguments is missing for certain purposes, often
taking place in artistic texts.
For example: I shot this bear in Sponge.

Weighs 137 pounds. (Nguyen Huy Thiep-

Collection of short stories)
b. Absence of quantitative arguments
Because these are circonstants, they may not appear in the sentence.
For example: On the cowlick, long

white whip hair dangled like the red tail of a white

horse. (Ha Minh Duc – To Hoai’s Collection, episode 1)
However, due to the influence of pragmatic factors, this factor may appear incomplete
when omitted, but this computation is rare and uncommon.
c. Absence of arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics and arguments
indicating comparision
If the phenomenon of absence of the arguments indicating things with quantitative
characteristics is very rare and uncommon, the phenomenon of absence of the arguments
indicating level and nuance of characteristics and arguments indicating comparision is quite
popular, aiming for specified purposes. For example:
This morning, Mr. Pho's eyes were deep and his beard was a full centimeter long
(Many authors - Good short stories)
d. Absence of quantitative arguments; arguments indicating level and nuance of
characteristics and arguments indicating comparison
In these cases, circonstants do not appear, only actants are the arguments indicating
things having quantitative characteristics appears with the central adjective. This
phenomenon is quite common. For example:


19

Now the ocean is wide the sky is high
(To Huu - Literary works awarded Ho Chi Minh Prize)
Sub-conclusion
Through a survey of 55 linguistic sources, 2045 sentences in scientific and artistic
texts, we found that: In Vietnamese, there are 31 quantitative adjectives are single words.
In term semantic, the quantitative adjective group has the meaning measure of things and
express the number of things. In terms of valence, due to the dominance of semantic
characteristics, quantitative adjective group of things always requires 4 arguments. Each

type of arguments has different content and form characteristics. The presence of the
sentences in a sentence is flexible and extremely diverse.
Chapter 3
SEMANTIC DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGING THE VALENCY OF
QUANTITATIVE ADJECTIVE GROUP OF THINGS IN VIETNAMESE
3.1. The semantic development of quantitative adjective group
of things in Vietnamese
3.1.1. Concept of the semantic development of words
The semantic development of words is a universal phenomenon in all languages, derived
from communication needs and motivation of human. The essence of semantic development is
the conceptual development, associated with the process of conceptualization, is the projection
from one conceptual domain to another and the semantic structure is essentially the appearance of
the semantic structure.
The process of semantic development of words can take place in many different ways
and is related to the expansion of the semantic category, to the variation of the category
hierarchy. The semantic development of the group of quantitative adjectives is shown in the
meaning transference according to the conceptual metaphor and the category expansion.
From the survey results 821/2045 sentences containing quantitative adjectives used
with the tra meaning transference, the thesis will present semantic development directions
of quantitative adjective group of things in Vietnamese ways as follows:
3.1.2. Semantic development directions of quantitative adjective group of things in
Vietnamese
3.1.2.1. Quantitative adjective group that expresseses people
a. Quantitative adjective group that express personality of people
Quantitative adjective group development meaning to express personality of people


20

based on metaphorical notions that PERSONALITY IS AN OBJECT WITH

QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS. For example:
The doctor voice is still as cold as ice cream: - Depending on the family.
(Many authors – Good short stories)
b. Quantitative adjective group that express concepts that belong to human thinking,
intelligence, knowledge and awareness.
Based on metaphor, INTELLIGENCE, KNOWLEDGE, TALENTS ARE OBJECTS
WITH QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS, the quantitative adjective group of things in
Vietnamese has the ability to transference meaning to express concepts of human thinking and
intellectual activity and knowledge. These are all abstract concepts. For example:
High conspiracy is not as good as thick mind.
(Vietnamese Proverbs - Folk songs)
c. Quantitative adjective group that express psychological - emotional characteristics of people
Based on the conceptual metaphor,

AFFECTION IS AN OBJECT WITH

QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS, the quantitative adjective group of things is expanded
the meaning beyond the limit of quantitative characteristics of things to describe the level of
affection and spiritual life, inner life of man. This is a quite remote transference and difference in
nature (from the physical category to the spiritual category), which is the most abundant and
predominant transference meaning in large numbers. For example:
Deep affection, heavy sentimental attachment, sweet spring sky.
(Nguyen Binh - Nguyen Binh whole episode)
d. Quantitative adjective group that express life and fate of people
Quantitative adjective group transferences meaning to express life and fate of each
person basing on metaphor, LIFE, FATE IS AN OBJECT WITH QUANTITATIVE
CHARACTERISTICS. For example:
The dog is dead. Life is short, the life of an unborn.
(Nguyen Huy Thiep - A collection of short stories)
3.1.2.2. Quantitative adjective group that express time

By the effect of metaphor, TIME IS AN OBJECT WITH QUANTITATIVE
CHARACTERISTICS, the quantitative adjective group of things has the ability to
transference meaning to express time, from space to time, from concrete to abstract.
For example: Long past is my black hair. (Xuan Quynh - Xuan Quynh Poetry)
3.1.2.3. Quantitative adjective group that express personality, mood of the
objects, natural phenomena
In the concept of entity, THE NATURAL PHENOMENA ARE MOODY OBJECTS,


Time
Personality, mood of the objects, natural phenomena21
ATTRIBUTES OF THE SOURCE DOMAIN ARE USED TO PERCEIVE THE
DESTINATION DOMAIN. The quantitative adjectives belong to the human meaning field
which transference meaning to express status and emotion of things.
For example: Forest is callous, emotionless, unruffled, frigid, cruel. Forest like that
People
forever. Nature like that forever: callous, emotionless, unruffled, frigid, cruel. (Nguyen Huy
Thiep - A collection of short stories)

Figure 3.1. Diagram of semantic development directions of quantitative adjective
group of things in Vietnamese
3.2. Valency transference of quantitative adjective group of
things in Vietnamese
3.2.1. Transference of valency model
Surveying 55 linguistic sources, we found that valency model of the quantitative
adjective group transferenced and meaning content, form of each type of arguments also
had certain transferences.

Arguments
indicating things having characteristics

Arguments
indicating level and nuance of characteristics

Quantitative adjective

Arguments
indicating comparison

Quantitati


22

Figure 3.2. Valency model of the quantitative adjective group of things in Vietnamese when
changing meaning
A set of three arguments revolving around adjectives are: (1) Arguments indicating thing
having a characteristic, (2) Arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics (3) Arguments
indicating comparison. The quantitative arguments do not appear. In particular, the arguments
indicating a thing having a characteristic are still actants while the arguments indicating level and
nuance of characteristics and the arguments indicating comparison are circonstants.
3.2.2. Transference of Argumentss
3.2.2.1. Transference of argumentss indicating thing having a characteristic
a. For content
The arguments indicating things having characteristics still supplements and actualizes the
meaning of things having characteristics due to the expression of adjectives. However, the
difference is that the arguments indicating things having quantitative characteristics
transferences to the arguments indicating the things having characteristics and the scope of the
meaning is extended. At the moment, the quantitative adjective has the ability to combine both
material things and non-material things, belonging to different meaning field, expressing

different shades of meaning.
The thesis has surveyed 821 sentences containing quantitative adjectives when used
with the meaning of transference in 55 linguistic sources, the results are as follows:
No

1

2

3

4

Arguments
Number of Rat
indicating things
Example
occurrences e %
having
characteristics
Emotional state,
My heart is wide but the heaven is tight.
human spiritual
(Tu luc van doan Collection, Volume 3)
339
41%
life
The autumn is too short, followed by a
Time
long and sad winter. (Nguyen Hong 252

31%
Selected works).
Activities of
High talent and wide knowledge
human thinking,
shall bring about fortune and luck.
85
10%
intelligence
(Nguyen Binh - Nguyen Binh whole
and knowledge
episode)
The fate is heavy with female karma.
Life, fate
48
6%
(Nguyen Du - Story of Kieu)


23

5

Things, natural Cold flowers, sparse afternoon, gradually
falling dew. (Xuan Dieu - Poetry and life)
phenomena

97

12%

Table 3.1. Statistics of arguments indicating things having characteristics when the quantitative
adjective group transferences meaning.
b. For form
* Location
The arguments indicating things having characteristics can still stand in both positions,
before and after adjectives. The front position is still basic.
Arguments indicating things having characteristics

Quantitative adjectives

In general, compared with other arguments, when the quantitative adjective is used with
both original meaning and transference meaning and field transference, the arguments indicating
things having characteristics have a relatively stable position.
* Word type
The arguments indicating things having characteristics often combine directly or
indirectly with the adjectives and can be questionable nouns, noun phrases and pronouns. In
particular, when this argument is given by a noun transformed noun by adding the nominal
arguments first and there is usually an "one" with the expression.
* Structure
The arguments indicating things having characteristics has forms composed of a word or a phrase.
3.2.2.2. Transference of arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics
Although still participating in the valency model, the arguments indicating level and nuance
of characteristics appear relatively little and there is little transference in content and form.
a. For content
This result still adds the meaning of degree and shade to the adjective. They both give
information about the nature of things and tell us the relationship between things and subjects. For
example:
Love is very far swinging under blanket
(Nguyen Binh - Nguyen Binh whole episode)

b. For form
* Location:
The arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics usually behind the adjective,
directly combining with the adjective.
Arguments indicating things
having characteristics

Quantitative adjectives

Arguments indicating level
and nuance of
characteristics

* Word type
Through a survey of over 55 linguistic sources, we found that the basic expression form of
the arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics still due to the expression


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adjectives.
* Structure
In terms of structure, the arguments indicating degree and shade of the characteristic is
usually composed of a complex word.
3.2.2.3. Transference of arguments indicating comparison
Unlike when the group of quantitative adjective used with the original meaning, when
the adjective group transferenced its meaning, the arguments appeared with lower
frequency and had the following characteristics:
a. For content
The arguments indicating comparison still add level meaning, shade, or extra detail to

the nuclear adjective. Especially in artistic texts, this combination indicating increases the
perceived and expressive value of poetry words. The arguments indicating comparison are
still non-physical objects and phenomena with abstraction. For example:
Kieu's fate is as thin as sheet
(Nguyen Du - Story of Kieu)
Through the survey of linguistic sources, when used with the transference meaning,
the arguments indicating comparison are still non-physical objects and phenomena with
abstraction.
b. For form
* Location
The common position of the arguments indicating comparison is always behind the
adjective, indirectly associated with the central adjective by words indicating comparative
relations: such as, equal, more, is ....
Arguments indicating things having
Quantitative adjectives
characteristics

Arguments indicating
comparision

* Word type
Just like when an adjective is used with its original meaning, the basic form of the
arguments indicating comparison is usually expressed by a noun or noun phrase.
* Structure
In terms of structure, the arguments indicating comparison can be made up of a
word or phrase.
3.2.3. Presence possibility of the Arguments in a sentence
3.2.3.1. Full presence possibility
Surveying 55 linguistic sources, among 821 sentences containing quantitative
adjective used with the meaning of transference, there is no case that the trio of arguments

with full presence. This proves that when the quantitative adjective group used with the


25

original meaning or the transitional meaning, the possibility of full presence of the set of
arguments in the valency model does not occur.
3.2.3.2. Inadequate presence capacity
a. Absence of arguments indicating things having characteristics
Like when the adjective group uses the original meaning, under the influence of
context, the arguments indicating things having characteristics is still missing for certain
purposes such as: avoiding repetition of words, creating close links between language
units, rhythms, directing readers to new information, the focus of notifications.
For example:
Broad as mother's affection when pushing cradle
As passionate as a lover forever
(Xuan Dieu - Poetry and life)
b. Absence of arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics
Due to the influence of pragmatic factors, the arguments may be omitted. This
phenomenon is common when the arguments indicating comparision appear. The intention of
the writer to avoid duplicate information so the listener focuses on new information.
For example: A sadness as far as waves crashing
(Huy Can - Collection Huy Can II)
c. Absence of arguments indicating comparision
The arguments indicating comparison shall be omitted when the arguments indicating
level and nuance of characteristics appear to increase the attention of information of
another arguments and avoid repeating the same information. If omission of arguments
indicating things having characteristics happens uncommonly, this omission of arguments is
fairly common. For example:
Love you so heavy heart . (Nguyen Du - Story of Kieu)

d. Absence of arguments indicating level and nuance of characteristics and arguments
indicating comparison
In actual use of the lower language, the case of absence of arguments indicating level
and nuance of characteristics and arguments indicating comparison is very common. At this
time, there is only one single Arguments surrounding the adjective - the arguments
indicating things having characteristics. For example:
Deep love ∅ heavy sentiment ∅ big grace.
(Nguyen Binh - Nguyen Binh whole episode)
Sub-conclusion
The quantitative adjective group of things in Vietnamese has a very development
diverse meaning, from the fact that only the physical properties of the quality of things in the
objective world have transferenced meaning to express the contents related to all fields in the
spiritual life of man. Based on the conceptual metaphor, the quantitative adjective group has