Báo cáo thực tập tốt nghiệp tiếng anh (39)

PART A: INTRODUCTION
1. RATIONALE
As we know, English is used the most widely over the word .As
a result, English is being taught and learned in Thailand. During the
course of English, we have chance to deal with many aspects of
English language. We are really fond of English idioms since they play
a very important role in reflecting the vivid, colourful picture of
nation’s customs, cultural traditions and history. Idioms are used both
in written and spoken language to emphasize meaning and make our
observation, judgment and explanation are more lively and interesting
(Longman, idioms dictionary); so, they have aesthetic function. In
other word, they are really useful tools for communicating of great
deal of meaning in just a few words. For example, to indicate a person
who is really beautiful, the English men are likely to say as beautiful
as the rainbow or as beautiful as the sunset. To indicate a person who
is very fat, Thailand would like to say ออ
ออออออ
อออออออออ (as fat
as a partridge). We are attracted by the question how and why idioms
differ from each other between English and Thailand in case of
comparative idioms with as…as referring to people.
Hence, there are many researchers, many linguists studying
about idioms such as peter Howard (English vocabulary aid), อออออ

อออ ออ… They give lists of English idioms and their uses or the
explanation. However, they have not mentioned much the similarities
and differences between English and Thailand idioms. Especially, for
comparative idioms without explanation and comparison with
Thailand.

1

Furthermore, as a student of English, I find that students of
English only stop as using non - idiomatic ways of expressing ideas.
There are a few students using idioms in their speaking and writing. It
means students of English miss the chance to reach the highest effect
in communication in general and in communication with foreigners in
particular. If they try consciously to fill their speech and writing with
idioms, the effect will probably be improved.
For all the reasons above, we decide to choose to study about
Idioms with “as…as referring to people in comparison with the
Thailand ones. I hope the study can partly improve the knowledge of
idioms in student of English .In this study, idioms are described in a
variety of contexts and situation. English idioms are various and
prosperous, especially about people. Thus, in this small scale of the
study, we only deal with comparative idioms with as…as about the
appearance, mental state, and health state in comparison with the
Thailand ones.
2. AIMS OF THE STUDY
The fist aim of this study is to help the learners to improve their
knowledge of English and Thailand idioms as well, especially
comparative idioms with as…as referring to people.
The second aim of the study is to give student and learners some
identities in culture, customs, and traditions of the two countries which
are described in comparative idioms with as…as referring to people.
The third aim is that through this study, we give some suggestions
for learning and teaching idioms and some types of exercises to improve
the ability to use comparative idioms with as…as referring to people.

2

3. SCOPE OF THE STUDY
- Idioms
- Comparative idioms with as…as referring to people in English
and Thailand.
- The meaning of English comparative idioms with as…as referring
to people and their equivalents in Thailand.
4. METHODS OF THE STUDY
- Analytic and synthetic method
- Contrastive and comparative method
- Statistic method
5. DESIGN OF THE STUDY
Part A: Introduction
1. Rationale
2. Aims of the study
3. Scope of the study
4. Methods of the study
5. Design of the study
Part B: INVESTIGATION
Chapter 1: Idioms with as…as referring to people in comparison
with the Thailand.
Chapter 2: Some suggestions for learning and teaching idioms and
some
Suggested exercises for using idioms with as…as referring to
people.
Chapter 3: Idioms
PART C: Conclusion
References
Appendix

3


PART B: INVESTIGATION
Chapter 1: Idioms
1.1. DEFINITIONS OF IDIOMS
Language follows the rules but an idioms is one of the interesting
things that are anomalies of language, mavericks of the linguistic world.
The very word idioms come from Greek idioms – one’s own, peculiar,
strange. Idioms therefore will break the normal rules.
According to the definition of Thai Dictionary (Linguistics Institute
Putalay Bookshop,1987), อออออออออออ
อออ
อ ออ
ออออออออออออออออ
อ

ออออออ
อออ
อออออออออออออ
อออออออออออออ
อออออออออ
ออออออ
Examples:

อออ
อออ
ออออ
อออ
อ

ออ
ออออออ
อออออ
อ
ออ
ออออ
อออออ
อออออ
อ
An idioms, as Johnathan Crow (1995) defines, is a phrase whose
meaning is difficult or sometimes impossible to guess by looking at the
individual word it contains (from Advanced Learners’ Dictionary); or, an
idioms can be defined as a number of word which when taken together,
have a different meaning from the individual meaning of each word.
Idioms, like proverbs, are common saying. However, they usually
do not make sense at first sight and do not offer any advice. For example,
to sting to the quick which means, to make someone angry. So that
idioms are fixed expressions that are commonly used. They are not
complete sentences but word – An idioms is equal to a phrase…
Idioms do not give comments, experiences, a moral lesson, advice
that make idioms aesthetic not educated, that is the reason why an idioms

4


does not be come a literary work – idioms belong to the language. An
example of a Thai idioms อ อออ อ อ อ , อออ อ อ อ it only indicates the
aesthetic – beauty of a woman, not a comment or advice or criticism,
even though an idioms can be ornate and flowery. So idioms do not bring
about the full understanding about life and lesson of the people’s

relationship in the society.
1.2. HISTORY OF STUDYING IDIOMS
1.2.1. In English and Europe
In English and Europe, lost of linguists started their study in
English idioms since the very beginning of 20 century. Many Western
and American authors gave great contributions to the collection of
English idioms such as:
- W. Mc Mordie with English Idioms and How to use them (1909),
which is considered as the first to research carefully on the field of
English Idioms.
- V.H. Collin with A Book of English Idioms with Explanation
(1985) and American English Idioms (1986).
- Browcal M. with Idioms for Everyday Use (1994).
- Teachers and researchers from Cambridge University with
Cambrigde International Dictionary of Idioms (1999).
1.2.2. In Thailand
Although the study in English idioms was started much later than in
Europe and other countries, many Thailand linguists show their interests
in this new and difficult subject. They are:
- ออ ออ
ออออ
อออwith Idioms for Everybody (1995).
- อออออออ
อ ออwith อออออ ออ
อ ออออออออ
อ ออออออออ
อ อออ
อ

อออ (1998)

5


- อออออออ with ออออ อออออออ
อ ออออ
อ ออออ อออออ
อ อออ
อ
volume 1,2,3,(1997- 1999)
Respectively, many linguists in England, Europe and in Thailand
have studied widely on idioms and have given great contribution to the
collection of the idioms. These works mostly give learners the lists of
idioms in English and Thailand with the explanations and examples.
However, they have not mentioned the similarities and differences
between English and Thai idioms.
On the whole, through the time idioms have been studied widely. In
order to master the base and criteria to define an idioms, we will come to
the next unit.
1.3. CRITERIA TO DISTINGUISH IDIOMSFROM PROVERB
According to Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, a proverb is a short
well-known sentence or phrase that states a general truth life or gives
advice. For example, think today than speak tomorrow means it is
better

to

think before speaking. This is an advice and the phrase

mentionedis called a proverb. There are many proverbs in both
English and Thailand. For example in English, live on the fat of

the land, cheapest is dearest, silence gives consent…
In Thailand ออออ
อ อออ
อ อออออออออ
อ , อออ
ออ ออ
อ ออออ It is clear
that a proverb is also a phenomenon of language; so, how is it used
in communication? Since a Proverb is short saying which expresses
popular wisdoma truth or a moral lesson in a concise and imaginative
way it is also figurative in term of meaning. Let’s consider many
hands make light work light work that means many people working
together bring successful result-a truth in life.

6


It seems that idioms and proverbs, to some extent,are. There any
criteria to distinguish an idioms from a proverb? In fact, the borderline
between an idiom from aproverb is not very solid. However, in this
study, wegive two criteria that can be used to distinguish an idiom from a
proverb.
The first criterion is the meaning. In that, idioms are not instructive,
moral in nature as proverbs. Idioms are construction

peculiar to a

language. For example, in. English, the proverb there is time for all
things means ออออออออออออ
อ in Thailand. We see that these proverbs

tell about the truth in life. Thus, a proverb is a principle that has been
concluded from the experiences in life. In short, a proverb is a lesson.
The second criterion is about structure or the stability of structure.
An idioms is a fixed group or a set phrase, this means the sequence of
words in an idiom cannot be changed or shortened anyway. If that
sequence is changed the meaning of the idiom may be in valid or it will
easily like home can be shortened into no place like home without
changing in meaning. Meanwhile, an idiom such as unity is strength
cannot be shortened in any circumstances; or in Thailand, we have
the proverb. This is an evidence to see that a proverb can be changed into
idioms.
Though there have been some studies about proverbs no particular
criteria are given to distinguish idioms from proverbs. A perfect criterion
is hardly possible since there have been many borderlines between them.
Up above, we only introduce two accepted criteria as a reference. Due to
the limitation of the subject, we do not widen this unit.

7


Chapter 2
Idioms with as…as referring to people in comparison
Comparison with the Thailand ones.
Table. The meaning of English and Thailand idioms with as…as
Referring to people.
PEOPLE’S APPERANCE
NO
1.
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

English idioms
As black as coal
As black as chimney
As black as ink
As black as a raven
As fat as a pig
As big as an elephant
As pretty as a picture
As ugly as sin
As bald as an egg
As light as feather
As soft as a baby’s bottom
As slippery as an eel

As white as a sheet
As tough as old boots
As high as a kite
As regular as clockwork
As poor as church mouse
As proud as peacock
As flat as a pancake
2.1

Thailand idioms

อออออออ
ออออ
ออ
อออออออ
ออออ
ออออออ
อออออออ
อออออ
อ
อออออออ
ออออ
ออ
ออออออ
อออออ
ออออ
ออออ
ออออ
ออ
อออออออ

ออออออออ
ออ
ออออ
ออออ
ออออ
ออ
อออ
ออออออ
อออออ
อออออออ
ออออ
อ
ออ
อออออ
ออออ
ออออ
อ
ออ
อออออ
ออออออออ
ออ
อออออ
อออออ
ออ
ออออ
ออออออ
อออออ
อออออ
ออ
ออออ

อออออ
ออออออ
ออออ
อออ
อ
ออออ
อออออ
ออออออ
อออออออ
อออออออ
ออออออ
ออออออ
ออออ

PEOPLE’S CHARACTER
20.
21.

ออ
ออออ
อออออ
อ
ออ
ออออ
อออออออ
อ

As fierce as a tiger
As fierce as wolves

8


22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.

อออออออออ
อออออออ
ออ

อออออ
ออออออ
ออออออ
อออ
ออออออ
อออ
อออ
ออออออ
อออออ
ออออ
ออออออ
อออ
ออออ
ออ
ออ
อออออ
อออ
อออ
อออ
อออ
ออออ
อออออ
ออ
ออ
ออออ
ออออ
อออ
ออออ
ออ
อออ

ออออออออ
ออออออ
ออออ
อออออ
อออออ
อออ
ออ
ออออออออออ
ออ
อออ
ออออออ
อออออออ
ออออออ
ออออ
อ
อออ
ออออ
ออออออ
อออ
อออออ
อออออ
ออออ
อ
ออออออออ
อออออ
ออออ
อออ
อออออ
ออออ
ออ

อออออ
อออออ
อ
ออ
อออออ
อออออออ
ออออ
อออ
อออออ
ออออ
อ
อออ
อออออ
อออออ
อ
อออออออออ
อออออ

As timid as a rabbit
As gentle as a fawn
As quick as a wink
As quiet as the grave
As good as one’s word
As steady as a rock
As busy as a beaver
As dull as dishwater
As plain as day
As proud as a peacock
As devoted as a mother
As lazy as a pig

As lazy as a toad
As trick as a monkey
As stupid as a buffalo
As cold as ice
As sweet as honey
As fleet as the wind
As slow as a tortoise
As slow as a snail
As hard as stone
As grim as hell
As greedy as a pig
2.2

PEOPLE’SMENTAL STATE
45.
46.
47.
48.

As happy as a king
As fresh as daisy
As cool as a cucumber
As sick as a dog

49.
50.
51.
52.

As cheerless as death

As still as a statue
As still as a log
As bare as stone

ออออออออ
อออออออออ
ออออออ
ออออออออ
อออออ
อออออ
ออออออออ
อออออออ
อออออ
อออออ
อออ
อออออออ
อออออ
ออออ
ออออ
อออออออ
ออออ
อออ
อ
ออ
ออออออออ
อออออ
ออออ
ออออ
ออออออ
ออออ

อ
9


53.
54.

As dumb as a mouse
As unfeeling as rocks

55.
56.
57.

As cool as a cucumber
As clear as crystal
As tough as old boots
2.3

อออ
ออออออ
ออออออ
อออ
อออ
อออออออ
ออออออ
ออ
ออ
ออออ
อ

อออออ
อออออ
อออออ
อ
ออออออ
อออออ
ออออ
อออออ
ออออ
ออออออ
อออออ
อออออ

PEOPLE’S HEALTH STATE
58.
59.
60.

As strong as an elephant
As strong as ox
As helpless as infant

61.

As spineless as a jellyfish

62.
63.
64.
65.

66.

As white as chalk
As white as moonlight
As pale as death
As pale as ghost
As green as a leaf

อออ
ออออออออ
ออออ
ออ
อออ
ออออออออ
ออออออ
ออ
อออออออออ
อออ
ออออ
ออ
อออ
อออออออ
อ
อออ
ออออออ
อออออ
อออออ
อออออ
อ
อออออออ

ออออออ
อ
อออออออ
อออออออ
ออออ
ออ
อออออ
อออออออ
ออ
อออออ
ออออ
อออ
ออออออ
อออออออ

2.1. THE ENGLISH IDIOMS WITH AS…AS
ARE SIMILAR WITH THAI ONES
Human races have been passing through many periods of
development. That is why whenever, wherever we are, which race we
belong to, we have the same cognition and outlook to the nature, the
people and the society. Regardless of different bloods, different colours
of skin and different locations of living, out minds, to some extent, are
similar, which are expressed in a great number of idioms. Some of

10


English idioms with as…as referring to people listed underneath have the
Thai equivalents without changing in meaning.
2.1.1. IDIOMS WITH AS…AS REFERRING TO

PEOPLE’S APPERANCE
It is natural that English people’s very different from that of Thai
people because of geographical position and climate…
To some extent, English and Thailand have some similar idioms.
For example, when saying someone’s skin is non – white, English people
have idioms as black as ebony and as black coal. In Thailand we say

อออออออ
ออออ
ออ
To express the truth that someone is fat, English people say: as fat
as a pig or as fat as patridge. In Thailand, similar meaning is ออ
ออออออ
ออ

อออ
,
Besides, there are English idioms about people’s beauty like as
smart/pretty as a picture as in the example.
This charming cottage dates back to the 15 century and is as pretty
as a picture, with its thatched roof and secluded gardent.
Oxford Idioms Dictionary (2003 : 236)
In Thailand, similar idioms is อออออออ
ออออ
ออออ as in example :

ออ
อ อ ออ
อ อออ
อ ออ ออออ

อ ออ
อ อออ
อ อออออ
อ ออ
อ อออ ออ
อ ออ
อ ออ
อ อออ
ออ
อออ อออออออ
อออออออ
ออออ
ออออ
ออออ , อออ
ออออ… (1995 : 102)

2.1.2. IDIOMS WITH AS…AS REFERRING
TO PEOPLE’S CHARACTER
We would like to mention some idioms referring to people’s
character that are commonly used by both English and Thai people.
When saying about someone who is very fierce, English people
say: as fierce as a lion, as fierce as wolves
11


Meanwhile, Thai also use the similar idioms such as: อออออออ
ออ

อออ
อ, ออ

ออออออ
ออออ
ออ
Example:

ออ
ออออ
ออออ
อ ออออออ
ออออ
อออ
อ ออ
อออออออ
อออ
อออ
อ อออ
อ
อออออ
อออ
อ
ออออ, อออออออ…(1995 : 269)
Besides, English has some similar idioms about somebody who is
very timid like: as timid as a rabbit and Thai also have idioms: ออ
ออ อออ

ออออ
อออออออ
ออ
Example:

ออ
ออออออ
อออ
อออ
อออออออ
ออออ
อออ
ออออออ 2-3 อออ
อ อออออออ
ออ
ออ
อออ
ออออ
อออ
อออออ
อออ
ออออออออ
ออออ อออออออ
อออ
อออออ
อออออออ
ออ
ออออ, อออออออ…
(1995 : 409)
2.1.3. IDIOMS WITH AS…AS REFERRING
TO PEOPLE’S MENTAL STATE.
The English use the idioms as fresh as a daisy to say someone is
very happy/fresh as in example:
Even when it’s so hot, she looks as fresh as a daisy. How does she
do it?

In Thai, we have similar idioms like that: ออออออ
ออออออออ
When saying someone’s sadness, English use the idioms as sick as
a dog, Thailand have the similar idioms

ออออ
อออออ
อออออออ
ออ.
2.1.4. IDIOMS WITH AS…AS REFERRING
TO PEOPLE’S HEALTH STATE.

12


When describing someone who is very strong, is completely
healthy or better in very good condition, English has idioms: as strong as
an elephant and the Thai people use: อ ออ
อ อ อ อ อ อ อออ อ อออ อ . In the
example:

อออออออ
อ อออออออ
อ 1 ออ
ออ อออออ
อ อออ 4 ออ อออ
อ อออออ
ออ
ออออออ
ออออ

อออ
อออ
ออออออออ
ออออ
ออ
ออออ, อออออออ…(1995 :
374)
To indicate someone who is in bad physical condition because of
illness or he/she is going to be ill or is frightened by somebody or
something, the English idioms are: as pale as a death or as pale a ghost.
And in Thailand the similar meaning is: อออ
อออ
อออออ
ออออ
ออออ.
Since idioms are the recollection of all the aspects including natural
conditions, social development, personal feelings, etc, they show all
typical character relating to the language and culture of a country.
Through idioms, the learners can have an overview about each nation as a
certain result.
And there are many other English idioms with their equivalents in
Thailand shown in the table above.

2.2. THE ENGLIST IDIOMS WITH AS…AS
DIFFERENT FROM THE THAI ONES.

13


As I analysed above, people from different areas, different countries

on earth somewhat have the same thinking and awareness of nature and
society. However, each country has its own geographical situation,
financial position and social environment; the same thinking and
awareness can be expressed by language differently. Meanwhile, idioms
belong to language, so the ways of expressing ideas and thoughts through
idioms are also different.
What is more, though people all over the world have the same
concepts about people’s appearance, character, mental state, health
state…, they are effected by living condition, socio – economic situation,
their country customs and traditions. Thus, they express those concepts
differently. As a result, English comparative idioms with as…as that are
different from Thai idioms when both Thailand and English express a
same concept.
2.2.1. THE IDIOMS WITH AS…AS
REFERRING TO PEOPLE’S APPEAANCE
People’s appearance is much effected by geographical position,
climate… Therefore, English people’s appearances are very different
from Thailand’s as a result, apart from the same idioms with as…as to
express it.
For instant, when talking about someone’s beauty or ugliness, apart
from the similar idioms with as…as presenting the same thought, the
same viewpoint, Thailand and English have different idioms. If English
often describe a girl or woman to be as fair as rose as follows:
I guess you’ll be in love with her at the first sight because she is as
fair as rose.

14


Thai normally depict a female to be อออออออ

อออออออ
อ ( as fair /
beautiful as fairy) like this:

ออออออออออออ
อ อออออ
อ อออออออออ
อ ออ
อ ออ
อ ออ
อ อออ
อออออออ
อออออออ
อ
ออออ, อออออออ…(2003 : 112)
Clearly, both English and Thailand refer to the beauty of a female
but things or people to compare with are different. Similarly, If English say
someone is as ugly as sin, they imply that he/she is extremely ugly like in this
example:
Some babies are ugly as sin as that age.
Oxford Idioms Dictionary(2003 :453)
With

the

same

implication,

Thailand

say

he/she

is

(as ugly as a ghost). It can be seen from two pairs of idioms with as…as
above that there is a difference between the sense of Thailand and English
people. As you know, อออออ
อ (fairy) and ออ(ghost) are imaginary being.
They do not exist on earth. They only exist in people’s; so, it appears very
ugly. As a matter of fact, Thai people often compare somebody’s ugliness
with ออ(ghost).
Again, อ อ อ อออ is a beautiful imaginary female with magical
powers. For Easten people, especially Thai people, in the past, whenever
they were repressed, oppressed, or they could not protect themselves,
they thought of fairy as a mythical power which could help them in hard
time. Long time ago, fairy became the most beautiful and kind – hearted
character in their mind. Thus, they often compare somebody very
beautiful with fairy.

15


Generally, what Thai compare with is not specific. Both อ อ อ ออ
อ
and ออare idle fancy and imaginary. Meanwhile, what English associate
with is very specific. They are rose and sin. They compare the beauty
with rose because rose is the most beautiful flowers, is the Queen of all

flowers. Rose is also the national flower of England – one of the best
symbols of this country. They compare ugliness with sin because to their
mind sin is regarded as the ugliest thing on earth.
Besides, when saying someone’s skin is non white, English often
use the idioms:
as black as chimney
as black as a sweep
as black as soot
We can find Thai equivalent idioms like:

อออออออ
อออออออ
ออออออ
(as black as burned column of a
house )
Example :

ออ
ออออ
อออ
อออออ
ออออออออ
อออออ
ออออออออออ
ออออ
ออออ
อออออออ
ออออออ
ออออ,อออออออ….(1995)
The reason why there are such differences was because things

around them affect Thailand and English. For the English people, when
saying somebody’s skin is black, they associate with chimney and sweep.
Because in the past, there was always a stove in English houses, of
course, there was chimney through which smoke is carried away from fire
and through the roof or wall of the houses. However, there have never

16


been chimneys in the Thai houses. Thai were more used to อออออออออ

ออ
ออ (burned column of a house).
Besides, when concerning a person who has no expected covering
like clothes, Thailand say he/she is ออออ
อ อออออ
อ อออ
อ อออ(as bare as a
pupa) Meanwhile, English have many different ways, many idioms with
as…as that differ from Thai idioms to express this opinion such as:
Example:

ออ
อ อออ
อ อออ
อ ออออ
อ ออออออออ4 ออ ออออออ
อ 4 อออออ
อ ออ
อ ออ

อออออออออ
อออออ
ออออ
ออออออ
ออออ
ออออ
ออออ, อออ
ออออ…..(1996 : 606)
Meanwhile, English have many different ways, many idioms with
as…as that differ from Thai idioms to express this opinion such as:
as bare as a stone
as bare as the palm of your hand
as naked as picked bone
as naked as my mother bore me
In fact, with the same concept about the bareness, Thailand think of
pupa, and English think of stone, the palm of one’s hand, a picked bone…
What creates these differences? As we know, Thailand is an agricultural
country. Especially, in the past, in some regions, except for planting
paddy, growing silkworms was the main work. As a result, the Thai
people got used to pupa. Therefore, they compare somebody bare with a
pupa. This comparison has been commonly used in daily life. Up to now,
this idioms has become very popular. It partly presents the national
peculiarity of Thailand. It is likely that the observations and comparisons
in the English idioms are more exact than comparing nakedness with a
baby just being born? And it can be clearly seen the things they associate
17


with that their points of view, thoughts expressed by idioms different
from Thailand.

Moreover, both Thailand and English have plentiful ways/idioms
with as…as to talk about people’s shape. Thailand and English have their
own idioms with as…as about fatness.
2.2.2. THE IDIOMS 2 WITH AS…AS REFERRING TO
PEOPLE CHARACTER
As we know, people’s characters are very abundant. So the means
of expressing them are also plentiful. Therefore, apart from idioms
referring to people’s character that are similar between two countries:
England and Thailand, each country has many idioms of this type of their
own.
We would like to mention some idioms referring to people’s
character that are commonly used by both the English and Thai people.
When saying about someone who often change his/her mind, lifestyle,
viewpoint… the English people say that he/she is:
as changeable as the moon
as changeable as the weather
as uncertain as the weather
Example:
Don’t trust her, she is as changeable as the weather
Meantime, the Thai use the idioms ออออ
อ ออออ
ออ อออออ
อ อออออ
อ
(as
Changeable as pinwheel) as in this example:

อออ
อออ
ออออออออออ

อออออ
อออออออ
ออออออ
อ.
อออ
อ,อออออออ….(1995)
Why is there such difference? Everybody studies English know that
the weather in England is very changeable. The English people can never
be sure of a dry day; there can be cool (or even cold) days in July and
18


some quite warm days in January. Perhaps it is the reason that English
people always seem to be talking about the weather. And it might also be
the reason why the English people compare this kind of person with the
moon, they also have the reason. Most of us know that the shape of the
moon always changes night after night during a month. And the next
month the moon restarts that cycle.
But why the Thai people take the image of pinwheel? It is because
the Thai people find that pinwheel often changes depending mainly on the
wind. It is continuously changes direction whenever the wind blows
different direction or better whenever the wind shifts. The Thai people do
not use the image weather to express this concept because the weather in
Thai is steadier. They can forecast the weather. They also do not use the
image the moon. It many be because in the past, science and technology
were backward. They did not discover many natural laws of changing like
the changing of the moon.
From the idioms above, it can be clearly seen that the differences of
idioms between English and Thailand are to some extent, caused by their
surroundings. Moreover, the English people observe things or phenomena

more scientifically than the Thai people.
In addition, when saying about someone who is very lazy,
unwilling to work, the English people say that he/she is:
as lazy as a pig
as lazy as a toad
Example:
John will never learn better because he is as lazy as a toad.
But Thai compare this kind of person with the person who gets
leprosy.
Example:

ออ
อ ออ
ออออออ
อ ออออออ
อ อออ ออ
อ ออออออ
อ ออ
ออ อออ
อออ
อ, อออออ
อออออ
ออออ
ออออ
19


อ
อออ,อออออออ…(1995)
Each nation has its own reason. The Thai people perceive that the

one getting leprosy does nothing and is unwilling to work because when
one contracts this disease, his/her skin, bone and viscera are ulcerated,
which leads to loss of sensation, paralysis gangrene and deformation.
Meanwhile, the English people associate some body lazy with a toad or a
pig. Because they realize that a pig does nothing but lies, sleeps and eats
even they do not have to find food. And a toad moves a little to find food
or even keeps still waiting mosquitoes flying across to catch them.
Lastly, an idioms that is very familiar with the Thai people is ออ
อ ออ
อ

ออออ
อออออออ
อออออ
อ
Example:

อออออ
อออ
อออ
อ ออ
อออ
อออ
ออ ออ
อ ,อออ
อออ อออออออออออออ
อ
ออออออ
อออออออ
ออออออ

อออ
อออออออ
อ
ออออ
,อออออออ….(1995)
The Thai use it in the case of saying someone is very stubbornly
adhering to an attitude, an opinion or a course of action, very obdurate.
We can find the English equivalent idioms as obstinate as mule.
Example:
She was very stubborn when her mind was made up.
In this case, English people find that mule is an animal that is hard
to control and very stubborn. So there is the idioms as obstinate as a
mule.

20


However, Thailand do not base on the characteristics that are
connected with the ones of the person compared. They realize that a crab
craws horizontally. Than, they use the homonymous different meaning
phenomenon to create the idioms
2.2.3.

THE

IDIOMS

WITH

AS..AS

REFERRING

TO

PEOPLE’S MENTAL STATE.
Emotional developments of people are different and numerous, so
they always find different ways to express them lively and easily to
understand. Therefore, apart from the idioms with as…as that are the
same between English and Thailand, each country has its own idioms
referring to people’s mental state.
For instance, to say about someone who is cheerful, happy, and
enjoys what they are doing, these idioms are usually used:
as happy as a sand boy
as happy as a lark
as happy as a pig in shit (a rude expression)
as happy as a clam at high tide…
Example:
I remember the first day I saw my new bike I was as happy as a clam at
high tide.
The reason why there is the idioms as happy as clam at high tide in
English because they find clam is a large shellfish that live in sand and
only when the tight is high does it get food (the high tide often brings
much food for clam).
We can find series of Thai idioms are equivalent to the English
idioms above such as:
21


ออ

ออออออ
ออออ
อออออออ
อออ
ออออ
อออ
Example:

ออ
อ อออออ
อ อออออออ
อ ออ
อ อออออ .ออ
อ อออ
ออ ออออออออออ
อออออออ
อออ1 อออ
อ ออออ
อออออ
อออออออ
ออออ,อออออออ….
(1995 )
There remains the idioms such as: ออ
ออออออ
อ, อออ
อออออ
Thai language because for Thai people, Tet in particular festival as
a whole bring them happiness, pleasures, enjoyments… Similarly, the
idioms อออ อ อ อ อออ อ อ อออ อ อ implies someone is enjoying doing
something as if he/she picked up something very valuable. However,

there is nothing making them happier than the father comes to life again.
Therefore, they use the idioms ออ
ออออออ
ออออ
ออออ

อออ
อออ
ออออ
อออ
อออ to express the happiness at the highest.
Besides, English people have many idioms with as…as used to say
about somebody who gets terribly, the English people often say he/she:
as angry as wasp
Like in the example:
I felt as angry as wasp that they left me out
They associate somebody angry at a wasp because they find that a
wasp is a black and yellow flying insect that canting anyone who annoys
it or even only touches it. However, the Thai people have a different
idioms to express this emotional state. That is:

อออ
อออออ
อออออ
อออออ
Like in the example:

22

ออออออออ
อ ออออออออออ
อ ออออออออ
อออออ
อออ
อออออออ
อ
อ
อออ,อออออออ….(1995)
It means someone is filled is filled with annoyances as if his/her
intestines were upside down. This is a really lively and specific image.
2.2.4. IDOMS WITH AS…AS REFERRING TO PEOPLE’S
HEALTH STATE.
Except for idioms about people’s character, people’s appearances,
and people’s mental state, English has many other idioms with as…as that
are used to express people’s heath state.
We can find many equivalent idioms of this kind in Thailand. For
example, when describing someone who is very strong, is completely
healthy or better in very good physical condition, English has plentiful of
idioms with as…as such as:
as fit as a fiddle
as right as rain
as rude as a bear
Example:
I don’t want you doing anything until you feel better.
Nonsense! I am as fit as a fiddle.
Longman Idioms Dictionary (2100 : 185)
To express the concept of fitness, healthiness, Thai use the idioms:

อออ

ออออออออ
ออออ
ออ
Example:

23


ออออ
อออ ออออออ
อ อออออออ
ออออ
อ อ อออออออออ
อออ
อออออ
ออออออออ
อออออออออออออ
ออออ,ออ
อออออ….(1995)
The resemblance between the idioms of two countries is that both
Thailand and English associate somebody in good physical condition
very strong with fit and strong animals like: bear, elephant, gelded
buffalo…Besides, English people associate with rain, because to their
mind, rain is a natural phenomenon that mankind cannot prevent from
happening. Thai also compare somebody strong with

Truong

phi.

According to some legends because he was a Chinese commander who
could fight against thousands of soldiers on his own.
On the contrary, when mentioning somebody who is weak, unable
to act without help or coward, easily frightened, the English people use
many different idioms with as…as such as:
as fiddle as a child
as weak as baby
as weak as kitten
as helpless as baby
as helpless as infant
as spineless as a jellyfish
Example:
She is still as weak as jellyfish…
The English people associate somebody weak with a child, a baby,
an infant, kitten, and jellyfish… because they realize all of them have an
outstanding characteristic that is the weakness. They are unable to protect
themselves. And so, they are easily frightened. However, with the same
24


concept, the Thailand think of a slug in the idioms ออ
อ อออออออ
อ อออ
อ ออ

อ อออออ อ อ อออ (as weak as slug) rather than baby, kitten, infant or
jellyfish…
Example:

ททททททททท

ทททท
ททท
ททททท
ทททท
ททททททท
ทททท.
ออออ, อออออออ……(1997 :
628)
Because they perceive that a slug is a small creature like a scail,
without a shell, its body is very solf, whenever it is touched, it shortens
body easily frightened.
In addition, both English and Thailand, there are some idioms with
as…as used to describe who is in bed physical condition mainly because
of illness, or because one is going to be ill or is frightened by somebody
or something such as:
as white as chalk/sheet
as wan as moonlight
as green as grass
Example:
Quickly, find a chair for this patient, nurse. He’s as white as a chalk
and I think he is going to faint.
Longman Idioms Dictionary (2001:275)
Respectively, we can find a series of Thailand equivalent idioms
such as:

อออ
ออออออ
อออออ
อ
Example:

25