Nghiên cứu đối chiếu động từ go trong tiếng anh với động từ đi trong tiếng việt

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FA CULTY OF POST- GRADUATE STUDIES

HA THIHONG
A CONTRASTIVE STUDY OF THE VERB GO' IN ENGLISH
AND DV IN VIETNAMESE: A PERSPECTIVE OF EMBODIMENT
IN COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS

(Nghien ciiii doi chieu dong tu 'go' trong tieng Anh v6i dong tu 'di'
trong tieng Viet: Ap dung tinh hien than trong Ngon ngu hoc Tri nhan)

M.A. MINOR THESIS

FIELD: ENGLISH LINGUISTICS
CODE: 60 22 15
SUPERVISOR: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Huu Manh

HANOI-2010

J


m

ABBREVIATION
Contrastive Analysis (CA)
Cognitive Linguistics (CL)


IV

TABLE OF CONTENT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
PART I: INTRODUCTION
1. Rationale

1

2. Aims of the study

1

3. Scope of the study

1

4. Research question

2

5. Method of the study

2

6. Design of the study

2

Part II: DEVELOPMENT

4

CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

4

L Cognitive linguistics

4

1.1.

Introduction

4

1.2.

Definitions of terms

4

1.2.1. Cognitive science

4

1.2.2. Cognitive linguistics

4

1.2.3. Cognitive semantics

5

1.2.4. Embodiment

5

1.2.5. Perspectives

5

1.3.

Cognition and linguistics

6

1.4.

Cognitive linguistics

6

1.5.

Major Principles of CL

6

1.5.1. Embodiment in CL

6

1.5.2. Grammar and meaning

6

1.5.3. Embodiment and lexicalization in CL
Perspecli\es

7
9

1.6.1. A clarification of the term 'perspective'

9

1.6.

L7.

1.6.2. Theoretical framework on perspective

10

Perspective and prototype

10

2. An overview of verbs and contrastive analysis
2,1. An Overview of Verbs

10
10


2.LL Verbs in English

10

2.1.2. Verbs in Vietnamese

10

2.L3. Types of meanings

H

2.L4. Synonyms

13

2.2. An Overview of Contrastive Analysis

Chapter II
\

14

2.2. L Definitions

14

2.2.2. Guiding Principles for contrastive study

15

A CONTRASTIVE STUDY OF THE VERB *GO' IN ENGLISH

AND 'DV IN VIETNAMESE: A PERSPECTIVE OF EMBODIMENT IN
COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS
3,1. A contrastive study of the verb 'go' in English and 'di" in Vietnamese.

16

3.1.1. An Investigation of the verb 'go' in English

16

3.1.1.1. Grammatical features

16

3.1.1.1.1. Syntactic features

16

3.1.1.1.2. Morphological Features

17

3.1.1.2. Semantic Features

17

3.LI.2.1. General features

18

3.1.1.2.2. Synonyms of "go"

19

3.1.L3. Embodiment in 'go'

20

3.1.1.4. Lexicalization of'go'

23

3.1.2. An Investigation of the verb 'di' in Vietnamese

25

3.1.2.1. Grammatical features

25

3.1.2.1.1. Syntactic features

25

3.1.2.1.2. Morphological Features

-6

3.1.2.2. Semantic Features

27

3.1.2.2.1. General features

27

3.1.2.2.3. Synonyms of'di"

28

3.1.2.3. Embodiment in'di'

29

3.1.2.4. Lexicalization of'di'

^0

3.1,3. Findings

^^


VI

3.1.3.1. In Terms of Grammatical Features

31

3.1.3.1.1 Similarities

31

3.1.3.1.2. Differences

31

3.1.3.2. In terms of Semantic Features

32

3.1.3.2.1 Similarities

32

3.1.3.2.2. Differences

34

3.1.3.3. Lexemes 'go' and 'di' in contrast

35

Part III: CONCLUSION

38

1. Recapitulation

38

2. Implications

38

2.1. For language learning and teaching

38

2.2. For translation

39

3. Some suggestions for further study
REFERENCES
APPENDIX

39

Part I

INTRODUCTION

1. Rationale
Language is an effective and irreplaceable tool of expressing mind, thought.
saying, etc. The verb 'go' in English has a variety of meanings and its usages in contexts
and there has the same in Vietnamese counterpart. However, they sometimes do not sh are
the equipvalent in meanings. Therefore, we can see some similarities and differences in
terms of grammatical and semantic features by contrastive analysis between the verb 'go in
English and 'di' in Vietnamese. Particulartly, we can see how people perceive the
action/activity through the two verbs in their

OWTI

languages.

The word "perspective' in cognitive linguistics embraces more than one meaning
and have subnotion hanging with it this word used in the title way result in
misunderstanding. The meaning of the word "perspective' in the study the author wishes to
express is that of "view point'., "standpoinf.

More than that, the author wishes lo bring a

metaphor of the word "perspective' to the title, hoping lo create a profound and thoughtful
meaning of the title of the dissertation.
2. Aims of the study
The study aims to provide a critical analysis of theoretical approaches of cognition
of explaining language phenomena. More particularly, a perspective of embodiment in

cognitive linguistics will be critically explored lo help looking at this language
phenomenon. The study aims at presenting another way of anahsis the verb '^a', based on
cognitive linguistics in general and in cognitive semantics in particular will be displayed.
Through the analysis of the verb 'go' in English and 'di' in Vietnamese, the
researcher attempts lo present another \iewpoint of linguistic exploration, i.e. to interpret
ihe use of language from the understanding of our cognition.
3. Scope of the study
As staled pre\'iousl\'. one of the aims of the research is lo present my understanding
of cognitive linguistics; theretbre, the focus is on displa\ing major notions of this school of
linguistics. In particular, the study confines itself lo the notions o{ perspective,
embodiment in CL.
It should be noted that it is not possible to apply one notion of Cognitive CL, such
as perspective and metaphor, in analyzing of all kinds of the \crb 'go' in Ivnglish and 'di
in Vietnainese.


In short, the study will focus on perspective of embodiment is applicable in
analyzing the verb 'go' in English and 'di' in Vietnamese.
4. Research questions
The questions that the study will investigate will be as follows.
Question 1. What are the grammatical and semantic features of the verb 'go' in English
and 'di' in Vietnamese and how are they similar and different in terms of these features?
Question 2: What are their synonyms? What are some idioms with them?
Question 3: How are the verb 'go'

and "di^ seen from the perspective of

embodiment in CL?
5. Method of the study
The study has been carried out based on a combination of different methods as follows.

- synthesizing
- contrasting and analyzing
The procedure of the study is:
to synthesize meanings of "go' and 't//' from different diclionaries
to collect synonyms of each verb
to analyze and contrast each verb respectively to make clear the similarities and
differences between them.
6. Design of the study
The study consists of three parts. Part I. entitled 'INTRODUCTION' outlines the
background of the study in which a brief account of rele\ant information such as the
rationale, aims, scope, methods and design of the study.
Part II, with the title 'DEVELOPMENT' is subdivided into two chapters. Chapter I
presents a thorough review of literature about CL such as different terms embodiment,
perspective and major principles of CL, The theoretical framework based on major notions
of CL is established, providing foundation for the discussion and analysis of the \erb 'go'
and 'J/' from the light of embodiment in CL.
The second part of the chapter is that of verbs in English and Vietnamese, a theoretical
concept necessary and rele\ant to the scope of the study, covering a series of concepts
ranging from Contrastive Analysis (CA), guiding principles for CA, including definition,
grammatical features, semantic features and classification, and s>non\ms.


Chapter II discusses the grammatical and semantic features of the two verbs and the
Contrastive study of the verb 'go' in English and 'di' in Vietnamese from the perspective
of embodiment in CL.
Part III is CONCLUSION, which provides recapitulation, implications of language
teaching and learning, and English - Vietnamese translation and vice versa and some
recommendations for further research. The study ends with the REFERENCES and
APPENDIX.

PART II: DEVELOPMENT
Chapter I

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

1. Cognitive linguistics
1.1. Introduction
In this study, cognitive semantics is the main interest which provides gateways for
the understanding and analysis of linguistic expressions, especially perspective of
embodiment in cognitive linguistics which is the object of study in this research. This
chapter is committed to cognitive linguistics, thus enabling me lo provide a thorough
theoretical framework/background for the study. The focus of the chapter is the notions of
cognitive linguistics which will be implemented in explaining and discussing the verb 'go'
in English and 'J/' in Vietnamese.
L2. Definitions of terms
1.2.L Cognitive Science
It is impossible to be sure of a definition of what cognitive science, since different
scholars, e.g. Thagard, Trask, or dictionaries, e.g. The Oxford dictionary of Computing,
The Macmillan Dictionary

of Psychology,

have slightly different definitions. In my

understanding, cognitive science is a new branch that studies the human mind. A wide
range of sub-branches of cognitive science have been put into research, e.g. perception,
acquisition of knowledge, artificial intelligence, linguistics, etc. More importantly, the
purpose of cognitive science is to provide an understanding of the phenomena of thinking.
L2.2. Cognitive Linguistics

Cognitive Linguistics (CL) is an approach lo language that is based on our
experience of the world and the way we percei\'e and conceptualize it (Ungerer & JSchmid, 1996: x.)
CL emphasizes that the study of language is the study of language use (Fauconnier.
2000) because language is an integral part of cognition which reflects the interaction of
social, cultural, psychological, communicative and functional cognili\e de\elopmeni and
mental processing, which can only be understood in the context of a realistic \iew of
acquisition.


1.2.3. Cognitive semantics
Cognitive semantics is a branch of CL. It rejects the formal traditions of attributing
linguistics to phonology, syntax, pragmatics, etc, and states that meaning is independent
from syntax. On the other hand, cognitive semantics states that meanings come from our
mind; or rather, meanings are in the head (Gardenfors, 1994.)
Moreover, meanings are not independent from syntax; but semantics is primary to
syntax and partly determines it, and syntax cannot be described independently of semantics
(Gardenfors, 1994.) In other words, meanings cannot stand apart from the people who use
and create them because all linguistic expressions must come from and be activated by our
mind and brains. In short, cognitive semantics studies the relationship between language
and experience and embodied cognition.
L2.4. Embodiment
Cognitive semantics claims that the meanings of language is embodied, which means
that it is the speaker's bodily experience that triggers the linguistic expressions that carry
the mcaning(s) to the hearer(s). In other words, we perceive things in ihc world differently;
each of us has different perceptions on even one c\cnl or situation. As a result, language
used by us to describe the world must undergo changes through speaker's or writer's
perception, resulting in a fact that language is not the description of the real word (nor any
possible world), but rather a description of human perception of reality' (Janda, ibid.) Take
for example; looking at a given event, different people have different \iewpoinls on it. The
difference in realizing that given event results from the difference in their perception,

which in turn yields different linguistic expressions. These expressions actualh display
their perception on the given event, not the description of the real world.
1.2.5. Perspectives
Perspectives relate to the issue of point of \iew taken by the speaker wjiier in
communication. Perspectives include several more major notions, such as orientation.
vantage point, directionality, subjectivity, etc. Reality (of the world out there) is perceived
differently by different people due to the differences in their perspective \ iewpoint.
Once the event/situation described is seen from different standpoints, different
concepts are created in the perceivers. thus resulting in different construal. which lead to
dilTerent linguistic expressions.


1.3. Cognition and linguistics
There has been a growing movement of researches and studies in the field of
cognitive science. As a result, there are a dozen definitions of cognition. The major tenets
of cognition proposed include the study of mind and intelligence, the acquisition of
knowledge through perception and experience, and the organization of knowledge into
mental activities and processes. Moreover, cognition relates to our mind, rather than our
thought, which relates to the conscious or unconscious processing of knowledge via mental
operations. In short, cognitive science is concerned with major functions of human beings,
such as thinking, reasoning, remembering, etc. (c.f. Thagard. 1996; Bechtel et al., 1998;
Jensen, 2004).
1.4. Cognitive linguistics
CL is the scientific study of human languages in relationship to human cognition.
In other words, it is concerned with investigating the relationship between our (human)
language, our mind and our socio-physical experiences. CL concerned the relationship
between the way we communicate with each other and the way we think. Or as Fauconnier
(2005) states it is the study of language, conceptual systems, human cognition, and general
meaning construction.
L5. Major principles of CL

L5.L Embodiment in CL
People experience the real world and examine what they perceive; then it is their
perception that filters the experience. And it is a fact that no one is alike: thus their
perception about the world ditTers, resulting in the difference in their description of what
they experience. 'Therefore, when we examine meaning, our goal is not to find a
correspondence between utterances (real or othenvise). but rather to explore they ways in
which meaning is motivated by human perceptual and conceptual capacities (Janda. 2000)
L5.2. Grammar and meaning
The theory of linguistic meaning is the second fundamental principle of CL.
According to cognitive linguists, "meanings do not 'exist' independently from the people
who create and use them" (Barcelona, 1997: 9 referred from Rcddy. 1993.) Meanings
'reside' (Barcelona: ibid.) in our mind and our brains; linguistic expressions just activate


them. Since meanings result from people's real life experience, collectively and
individually, the meaning complex
Activated in one's mind does not necessarily need to be the same as the one
activated in someone else's by an utterance with the same linguistic form.
Let us take an example in the Vietnamese language to show the relationship
between grammar and meaning.
In English: - Where did you go this morning?
-1 went to the English club
In Vietnamese: - Sang nay em di ddu the?
- Em di den cdu lac ho tieng Anh
Usually in English we must use the past tense in both the question and answer in the
example above, in contrast, the verb 'di' (go) in Vietnamese does not change its form. To
show the tense in Vietnamese this case, we can use 'da' although it is not usually to do so
as the speaker(s) and hearer(s) understand the time in the question and answer.
L5.3. Embodiment and lexicalization in CL
(1) Figure and Ground

The term Figure and Ground were taken from Gestalt psychology, but Talmy
(1972) gave them a distinct semantic interpretation that is continued here. The Figure is a
moving or conceptually movable object whose path or site is at issue. The Ground is a
reference frame, or a reference object stationarj' within a reference frame, with respect to
which the Figure's path or site is characterized.
Look at these examples below.
Motion

Manner

(a)

Mar>' w^ent out at 9 o'clock

(b)

Mary went from the living room to the kitchen

(c)

Mary went into the kitchen

In all three sentences, Mary functions as the Figure and the kitchen, the living room
as the Ground. Out. from ... to, into express Paths (respectively, a path and a site). The
verb in (a), (b), (c) express motion. In addition to these states of Motion, a Manner is
expressed in 'WENT'.


8

(2) The Pattern in Representation of Event Structure
According to Talmy (2000), in a motion sentence pattern characteristic of one
group of languages, the verb expresses at once both the fact of Motion and a Co-Event,
usually either the manner or the cause of the Motion. Here is the Pattern in Representation
of Event Structure.
(Figure

Motion

Path

Ground)Mouon Event Rjelation

MOVE
BELOCATION

(Event)co.Evcnt

^ Precursion
Enablement
Cause
Manner

^

Concomitance
Subsequence^
Verb(s) roots
(3) The Pattern Underlying Co-Event

Conflation

We can indicate the type of conflation pattern in\olved here with a construction
that represents the separate semantic component individually - that is, that decomposes or
'unpack' the sentences. The Manner motion conflated in the verb is then best represented
by a separate subordinate clause standing for a Co- Event. In this construction, the relation
that the Co-Event bears to the main Motion event is then indicated by a form like WITH THE- MANNER OF. Such a form represents a deep or mid-level morpheme that functions
semantically like the subordinating preposition or conjunction of a complex sentence. And
the fomi GO is used to represent self-agentive motion.
(a) Mary w^ent out at 9 o'clock = fMary> WENT out] with the Manner of
(Mary move)
(b) Mary went into the kitchen =fMary WEST into the kitchenjwith the
Manner of (Mary move)
(4) Path
According to Talm\' (2000). the fundamental Figure schema appear first - here alwa\s as
'a point'. A fundamental Ground schema - a member of a \er\' small set- follows the Vector.
Each fomiula is exemplified with a sentence whose more specific spatial reference is based on
tlie fomiula. We will discuss in more details in the latter of the stud)'.


1.6. Perspectives
1.6.1. A clarification of the term 'perspective'
Regarding the title of the study, the term 'perspective' means point of view or
viewpoint, standpoint, or angle, from which the passive voice is seen. However, the term
^perspective' in this study goes beyond the meaning of viewpoint. The term perspective in
semantics means viewpoint, but it spreads its significance to other concepts: orientation,
directionality, vantage points and subjectivity/ objectivity
1.6.2. Theoretical framework on perspective
Perspective or sometimes-called perspective taking is an issue of point of view
from interlocutors. Looking at an object, or more generally at an event or an issue.

different people may have different points of view expressing their views about the issue or
event being discussed. In cognitive linguistics, 'the meaning associated with a linguistic
symbol refers to a particular mental representation termed a concept. Concepts in turn
derive from percepts' (Evans & Green, 2006.) (bold in original.) Figure 1 below, cited
from Evans & Green, 2006, further illustrates this point. This figure indicates that human
beings perceive events in the reality which will then be conceptualized into our brain, from
which linguistic expressions are produced to describe the situation.

Conception

Pcrcept(ion)
W

^
^

Lineuistic
...
meaning

i L

1 he world
'out there'

Fonm

1.7. Perspective and prototype
We perceive the real world based on what we experience. Our understanding of the
world is stored in our mind, which cognitive linguists called concepts. Once a concept is

formed, it is stored in our mind. However, it is impossible for us to form as many concepts
for things as the number of things in the real world. Therefore, we store in our mind the
most typical member of the same category, called -prototype" and the 'prototype provides
us with essential information on the concept' (Antovic. 2003).


10

2. An Overview of Verbs and Contrastive Analysis
2.1. An Overview of Verbs
2.1.1. Verbs in English
Verb is considered to be the king of all parts of speech in English. At the heart of
every sentence is a verb, an action word that is generally indicates what someone or
something is doing or perhaps merely indicates being. The shortest sentence can be formed
with one word such as 'Stop!' or 'Go'.
According to Jack C. Richards at al (1992:398). in English, a word is a verb when it
satisfies these following criteria:
Occurs as part of the predicate of a sentence.
Carries makers of grammatical categories such as tense, aspect, person, number,
and mood; and
Refers to an action or state
Almost all verbs in English change in form in accordance with tense, mood, person,
etc. For example; 'She eats apple'; 'I like eating cookies with milk \
The classification of English verbs can be as follows.
The first one is stative verbs and dynamic verb. Dynamic verbs (sometimes referred
to as 'action verb') usually describe actions we can take, or things that happen such as
'eat', 'go', 'drink'; stative verb usually refer to a state or condition which is not changing
or likely to change, for example: 'love', 'hate', 'like', etc.
Another way is action verbs such as 'think", 'drive', 'grow"; linking verbs like 'be",
'feel', 'smeir, etc.; and auxiliary verbs, sometimes called helping verbs, for example:

*can', 'may', 'might', 'should', etc.
Verbs can also be classified into transitive \erbs (ones cannot stand alone, they
need objects) such as "buy\ "giye\ 'telP. etc; and intransiti\e \erbs (ones can stand alone
without objects) like "sleep\ "cry\ "rain', etc.. This way of classification is useful when
we want to compare a verb in English and that in Vietnamese.
2.1.2. Verbs in Vietnamese.
Like nouns, verbs are one of two fundamental parts of speech in Vietnamese and
they play an important role in Vietnamese vocabular>' as well as in forming sentences.
Grammatical features of verbs remain complicated.


11

According to Le Bien (1999: 70), and Diep Quang Ban (2001:21), in terms of
general meaning, verbs are substantives referring to progress, forms of movements. They
may be acfivities such as: Toi doc sdch; Me ndu cam tdi s&m cho chting toi hoc bdi thL
They may be states as in: Em yeu que huang\ Chung toi mong ngong thu nhd. They may
be changing processes as in: Chi ay da tra thdnh c6 gido\ Chu dy da tra nen giau co a khu
nay. They may be movements as in: Nam di hoc
By means of grarmnaUcal features, when functioning as central component of a
verb phrase, verb can combine with other auxiliary components as follow:
With auxiliary components before verbs (so called 'thanh t6 phu chi tinh thai' in
Vietnamese) to indicate scope of the action or activity such as "cung\ "deu',"cu\ etc. To
indicate continuation like 'con', 'van', etc; to indicate tense, aspect such as "sap, dang, se,
da, etc; to refer to negative meaning, for example: "chua. khong, chdng'. etc.; to indicate
advice or prohibit such as "hay. cha. dirng. and so on.
Let us see the nouns. This is the most popular combinations of \'erb. For example:
viet thu. doc sdch, an cam, ect.
With other auxiliary components of other parts of speech as in: 'thi do, hoc gidi, an
ngon, etc.

Verbs in Vietnamese can have different functions in a sentence. The most popular
and outstanding one is predicator. For example: Hoa na. Toi an toL etc. Verbs can also be
subjects of a sentence as in Day tot, hoc tot la nhiem vu cua thdy vd tro trong nhd truoiig
chung ta, etc. They can be complements, for example: Be tap an cam, Nguyen c6 gang
hodn thdnh cong vice tricac khi trai toL
Diep Quang Ban and Hoang Van Thung classify' Vietnamese \'erbs into two kinds:
transitive verbs and intransitive verbs. Intransitive verbs are ones that can stand alone with
complete meaning without help from other words, for example: Lit tre dang an: Trai mica:
Co dy hat. etc. Transitive \erbs, in contrast, can not stand alone. the\' need help from other
words to complete their meaning as in: Toi tra sdch. Can bo time thu time kinh doanh. etc.
2.1.3. Types of meanings
Word-meaning has been a great concern of many linguists. The theories of meaning
and its types can be found in the literature (Leech 1974, Lyon 1977. 1995. Palmer 1981,
Crystal 1995). There are two types of meanings: grammatical meaning and lexical
meaning.


12

According to Lyons (1995:52) a lexeme may have different word-forms which will
generally differ in meaning. For example, the forms of 'teacher' and teachers^ differ in
respect of their grammatical meaning. 'Teacher' is singular form (of a noun of a particular
class), and "teachers' is plural form (of a noun of particular class); and the difference
between singular forms and plural form is semantically relevant: it affects sentence
meaning. The meaning of a sentence is determined partly by the meaning of the words of
which it consists and partly by its grammatical meaning.
Leech, G. (1981:23) classified lexical meaning into seven types shown in the
following table:
Definition

Examples

Logical, cognitive or

Alphabet =A set of

denotative content

letters

Types of lexical Meanings
1. Conceptual/denotational meaning

which

used

to

are

write

a

language
Associative

2. Connotative

What

meaning

meaning

communicated
virtue

is Female

of

by
what

=soft.

earring, likely to cry.
cooking

language refers to
is

Domicile-resident-

3. Social/stylistic

What

meaning

communicated of the abode-home;
social circumstances

Cast-throw-chuck

of language use
4. Affected

What

is

communicated of the

Will

you

belt

up

[+intonation]

feelines and attitudes
of

the

speakers/writers
5. Reflected meaning

What

is

communicated
through

Intercourse.
erection, gay

association

with other sense of
the same expression
1


13

6. Collocative

What

is Heav7 smoker, rain,

meaning

communicated
through
with

fine,

pretty

vs

association handsome

words

which

tend to occur in the
environment

of

another word
7. Thematic meaning

What

is She donated the first

communicated by the prize

way in which the The

prize

was

message is organized donated by her
in terms of order and
emphasis

Basically, in terms of lexical meaning, verbs in English and in Vietnamese are
similar. However, they differ in respect of grammatical meaning. English verbs carr) two
kinds of meanings; meanwhile. Vietnamese verbs themselves do not carr>' grammatical
meaning such as tense, aspect, etc.
2.1.4. Synonyms
Meaning of a word can only be understood and learnt in relationship with other
words in a language. Synonymy is a kind of sense relation or more specifically, one of the
substitutional tense relations.
Jack C. Richards et al (1992: 368) defined synonym as a word which has the same or
nearly the same meaning as another word. It should be noticed that two words which are
synonymous must belong to the same part of speech.
Lyon (1995: 60) divides synonyms into three kinds: absolute synonyms, near
synonyms, and partial synonyms. However, some linguists such as Jack C. Richards et al
(1992:368, Palmer (1981:88) argue that no two words have exactly the same meaning
(denotational and connotational meanings.) Absolute synonyms, according to Lyon (1995:
61), must satisfy three conditions:
(i)

all their meaning are identical

(ii)

they are synonymous in all contexts.


14

(iii)

They are semantically equivalent (i.e. their meaning(s) are identical) on all
dimensions of meaning, descriptive and non-descriptive)

Actually, absolute synonyms of this type are almost non-existent in English.
Therefore, the study only focus on partial synonyms (descriptive, cognitive, or
prepositional synonyms) when dealing with synonyms of 'go'.

However, absolute

synonyms can be found in Vietnamese as in 'bong da' and "ttic cdu', sdn bay' and 'phi
tru&ng', etc.
Another classification of synonyms, according to Hoang Tat Truong (1993: 73) is
semantic synonyms (words differ in shade of meaning .e.g., "big'- 'large"); stylistic
synonyms (words differ in stylistic aspect such as 'father"-^dad'/daddy); semanticostylistics synonyms (words differ both in shade of meaning and stylistic aspect, for
example: to dismiss - to sack; to fire - to lay- off): phraseological synonyms (words differ
in their collocation such as 'to do- 'to make'); and territorial synonyms (words belong to
different countries such as 'autumn' - 'fall", 'mobile phone" - cell phone').
In brief, synonyms are paramount importance in sense relation both in English and in
Vietnamese. We will see how diversified and interesting they are when we deal with
synonyms of'go'

and "di' in the latter parts.

2.2. An Over> iew on Contrastive Analysis
2.2.1 Deflnition
Contrasti\'e Analysis (CA) has been viewed as a systematic comparati\e study in
which differences and similarities among languages (usuall\ between two languages) are
clearly recognized. The term "Contrastive linguistics' was suggested by Whorf (1941), lor
comparative study which is giving emphasis on linguistic differences

meanwhile

contrastive linguistics has been redefined as "a sub discipline of linguistics concerned with
the cotnparison of tMO or more languages or subsystetns of languages in order to
determine both the differences and similarities between them' (Fisiak. 1981:1)
The real beginning of modem applied contrastive linguistics was marked with the
publication of 'Linguistics across Cultures' by Robert Lados in 1957. later, Contrastive
Analysis' is used as an alternative for contrasti\c linguistics.
According to Richard, J. C et al (1992), CA is 'the comparison of the linguistic
S)\stem oftMO languages, for example the sound system or the grammatical system.


15

Carl James (180:2) confirmed that CA is neither generalist nor particularist. It stands
somewhere intermediate on a scale between the two extremes. It is more interested in
differences between languages than in their likeness and it is viewed as diachronic rather
than synchronic in orientation. He defined CA as 'a linguistic enterprise aimed at
producing

inverted (i.e. contrastive, not comparative) two values typologies (a CA is

always concerned with a pair of languages), and founded

on the assumption that

languages can be compared,
2.2,2. Guiding Principles for CA
CA provide an objective and scientific base for second language teaching. If the
mother tongue of the learner and the target language both have significantly similar
linguistic features on all the levels of their structures, there will not be many difficulties in
learning the new language in a limited time. To help contrastive studies bring into full
play, Chatur\x'di (1973) suggests the following guiding principles for contrastive studies:
(i)

To analyze the mother tongue and the target language independently and
completely.

(ii)

To compare the two languages tem-wise-item at all levels of their structure.

(iii)

To arrive at the categories of:
b) similar features
c) partially similar features
d) dissimilar features

for the target language and
(iv)

To arrive at principles of text preparation, test framing and target language
teaching in general

These principles coincide with what Carl James presented in CA (1980:64) to some extent.


16

Chapter II

A CONTRASTIVE STUDY BETWEEN THE VERB *GO' IN

ENGLISH AND THE VERB 'DP IN VIETNAMESE:
A PERSPECTIVE OF EMBODIMENT IN COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS

3.1. An Investigation into the verb ^GO' in English and 'di^ in Vietnamese
3.1.1. An Investigation into the verb 'GO' in English
3.1.1.1 Grammatical features
3.1.1.1.1. Syntactic features
'GO' is a typical verb, sharing the following syntactic function of a verb
(a) occurs as part of the predicate of a sentence
For example:

He went to the cinema last night
They are all gone.

(1: 207)

Princess, I am going out into the world

(1: 212)

(b) Derivates of 'GO" can have different grammatical functions such as subject, object or
complement, etc, as in:
Going to the theatre is my favourite pastime.
Would you mind my going shopping today?
Her hobby is going to the cinema,
GO carries markers of grammatical categories such as tense, aspects, person, number and
mood as in:
and instead of returning to school. I went to work in Goldman's
workshop

(1: 208)
Pff They are all gone.

(1:208)

(d) "GO" is both a transiti\e and intransiti\'e verb. This means "GO" can occur with or
without objects.
As an intransiti\'e xerb:
We will go by bus
She went to Saigon
Mary often goes shopping every Saturday afternoon
Does your watch go well?
He went mad when he learned about the accident


17

As a transitive verb:
The man decided to go 'two spades \
3.1.1.1.2. Morphological features
The verb 'GO' consists of one morpheme as a root. According to Quirk et al (1987), like
many other verbs, it has five forms:
the base 'GO'

I go;We go; They go; You go

the '-s' form: GOES

She goes; He goes; It goes

the past form 'WENT'

We went; They went: He went

the past participle: 'GONE'

We've gone; She's gone

the -ing form: 'GOING'

They're going; She's going

By means of derivation, it has 5 derivates as follows:
'GO' (GOES- plural): + a person's tum to move or play in game
Whose go is it?
It \s your go
+ Energy and enthusiasm (infonnal)

Be on the go (very active or bu.sy)
'GOER' (noun): a person who regularly goes or attends the specified place or c\cnt
Theatre goer(s)
'GOING' (adjective): a going concem (a business or activity that is making a profit and is
expected to continue to do well)
'GOING' (noun): an act of leaving a place
We were all sad at her going
'GO" can be used in such compound adjectives as easy -going (happy to accept things
without worrying or getting angry), heavy going (difficult or boring), going over/goings over (an act of examining, cleaning or repairing something thorough!)), going on' goingson (unusual, surprising or morally undesirable happening or exents: There were some
strange goings- on next door last night)
3.1.1.2. Semantic features
In this section, we will attempt to discuss different senses of 'GO" in general and
idioms as well as its synonyms. Like many other lexical verbs, 'GO' refers to movement,
position, activity, state and sound.
... She went into her room and shut the door behind her.
DAI HOC QUOC GiA HA NOi
TRUNG TAM T H 0 N £ T 1 N J ^ ^ ^

(7: 505)


18

-

This dictionary goes on the top shelf.

(7: 505)

Did everything go smoothly?

(7: 505)

Her hair is going grey.

(7: 505)

How does that song go?

(7: 505)

3.1.1.2.1 General meanings
According to Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, Lacviet MTD 2002-EVA
Dictionary, tratu.vn and some other dictionaries, the verb 'GO' in English has the
following basic meanings.
(a) Movement
'GO" is the movement away from the place where the speaker/writer is or a place where
they imagine themselves to be. Its Vietnamese equivalent expression is 'DI'. For example:
Would you go to the market for me?
She went lo her country cottage for the weekend
(b) Becoming/ turning
'GO' is similar to 'become/tum/get/tum' in some ways. Its Vietnamese equi\alent is 'hoa
thanh , thanh, thanh ra'. For example: He went mad when he learned about the accident
The milk went sour,
(c) Running (a machine)
'GO' can also be understood as to work, operate, run a machine, etc. Its Vietnamese
equivalent is 'chay (may moc). For example:
Does your watch go well?
The machine goes by electricity.
I cannot get the engine to go properly

(d) Disappearance (without a trace), vanishing, evaporation or passing away
Its Vietnamese cquixalents are "bien mat, tieu tan, chani dirt...' as in:
All hope is gone
Where has all the tnoney gone?
(e) Reaching, extending or leading to
The next meaning is to reach, lead to or extend. In Vietnamese, it means "dan tcVi". For
example:
Does this road go to (Oxford?


19

(f) Being appropriate/suitable

with, going with or matching,

'GO' also means lo be appropriate or suitable with. Its Vietnamese equivalent is 'phu hop
voi'. See the following examples:
These colours don t go
Red goes well with brown
3.1.1.2.2. Synonyms of ' G O '
Words are considered the tool in our creation of the world. Therefore it is of
paramount important to deal with synonyms of a word when we want to have a deep
understanding of it. Synonyms can be classified into five main kinds: semantic synonyms.
stylistic synonyms, semantico- stylistic synonyms, phraseological synonyms and territorial
synonyms. Here, we would like to focus on its semantic synonyms.
Here we wish to figure out synonjTns of'GO' in relation with its basic meaning as follows.
(a) The first meaning of 'GO' is synonymous with 'move', 'leave', "travel", 'proceed',
'depart' and 'set off, etc. These verbs are similar to the movement from the place where
the speaker/writer is or a place where they imagine themselves to be.

... She went into her room and shut the door behind her.

(7: 505)

- Would you go to the market for me?
- She went to her country cottage for the weekend
(b) When understood as becoming/ turning/getting, 'GO" is synonymous with 'become',
'get', 'turn' or "grow'.
'Joe went (mad/crazy/herserk)
' Joe went from ecstatic to dejected (and back again) in the space
of a few minutes.
- The tnilk went sour
- The breadMcnt stale
- The meringue went angry
- This face went pale
(7:511)

(c) 'GO' is synon\mous with 'work', "run", "operate", and 'perform'.
Does your watch go well?
The machine goes by electricity.
I cannot get the engine to go properly
(7: 505)


20

(d) Other synonyms of 'GO' are 'to die' or 'pass away' (euphemism).
By the time the doctor arrived, Graham had gone.
3.1.1.3. Embodiment of 'GO'
In this study, the author would like to mention the verb 'GO' in the light of

metaphor. In Cognitive Grammar (1988), John R.Taylor says that an important theme in
Jackkendoff s work has been some striking anologies between the ways in which different
domains are structured, (see especially Jackendoff 1983 chapter 9 and 10 and Jackendoff
1990, chapter 1 and 2). Consider the following
(\) a. I went from the hotel to the airport
b. The inheritance went from George to Philip
c. The light went from green to red.
These expressions designate events in three different domains: motion in space.
transfer of ownership, and change in state. Yet the same \'erb 'GO', is used in all three
sentences, in association with the same prepositions, from and to.
As Lakovian analysis, we might say that lb and Ic illustrate that change of ownership
and change of state are metaphorically constmed in temis of aji experiential 1\ more basic
domain, change of location. TTius. in Ic, tlie light "GOES' from one metaphorical location (the
state of being green) to another metaphorical location (the state of being red). The conceptual
metaphors motixating tlie spatial construals are the following:
(2) States are locations
A change of state is a change of location
Essentially, this involves a function [GO] which maps a [THING] and a [PATH] into an
[EVEN Tj. Jackendoff fomializes this as follows:
(3) [event GO ([thingX]. PathY])]
An expansion of the [PATH] concept is more conveniently represented as in (4)
EVENT
(4)

TO(Z)