A study of compound synonyms and synonymous substitutions in duong thuy‟s stories and their english translational equivalents

THE UNIVERSITY OF DANANG
UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES

Y THỊ THÚY NGÀ

A STUDY OF COMPOUND SYNONYMS AND
SYNONYMOUS SUBSTITUTIONS IN
DUONG THUY’S STORIES AND THEIR
ENGLISH TRANSLATIONAL EQUIVALENTS

MASTER THESIS IN
LINGUISTICS AND CULTURAL STUDIES OF
FOREIGN COUNTRIES

Da Nang, 2020


THE UNIVERSITY OF DANANG
UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES

Y THỊ THÚY NGÀ

A STUDY OF COMPOUND SYNONYMS AND
SYNONYMOUS SUBSTITUTIONS IN
DUONG THUY’S STORIES AND THEIR ENGLISH
TRANSLATIONAL EQUIVALENTS

Major : ENGLISH LINGUISTICS
Code :
822.02.01

MASTER THESIS IN
LINGUISTICS AND CULTURAL STUDIES OF
FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Supervisor: 1. NGUYỄN HỮU QUÝ, Ph.D.
2. LÊ TẤN THI, Ph.D.

Da Nang, 2020



ii

ABSTRACT
The investigation aims at finding out procedures for translating Vietnamese
compound synonyms and synonymous substitutions in Duong Thuy‟s stories into
English for the purpose of implication in translating as well as teaching, learning
English.
The data for the research are collected from the five stories written Duong
Thuy and 5 English translational versions by the native translator, Elbert Bloom.
The main methods applied for the study are qualitative and quantitative ones as
well.
In respect of the finding and discussion, we refer to the viewpoints of
translation theories by Armstrong N (2005) and Newmark P (1988), linguistic
features by Dinh Trong Lac (2012: 134 -137) and Halliday M.A.K. & Hasan R.
(1994) so as to describe, analyze and find out the procedures in the translation
process of compound synonyms and synonymous substitutions in source language
and their English translational equivalent in the target one on the basis of syntactic
and structural features. The quantitative results of the translation procedures of
Vietnamese compound synonyms and synonymous substitutions into English have
been taken into careful consideration. We have simultaneously discussed and found

the result in both qualitative and quantitative research so as to enhance the
reliability and validity of the study.
In findings and discussion, translation procedures of Vietnamese compound
synomyms and Vietnamese synomymous substitution into English have been
thoroughly analyzed and discussed in both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
It is hopeful that the result of the study will make a practical contribution to
translation as well as teaching and learning English language skills related
compound synonyms and synonymous substitutions.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS
STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP ......................................................................... i
ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................ iii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS...................................................................................v
LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................. vi
Chapter One. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................1
1.1. RATIONALE .......................................................................................................1
1.2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES..................................................................................2
1.2.1. Aims............................................................................................................2
1.2.2. Objectives ...................................................................................................2
1.3. SCOPE OF STUDY .............................................................................................3
1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS ..................................................................................3
1.5. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY .....................................................................3
1.6. ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY ..................................................................3
Chapter

Two.

LITERATURE

REVIEW

AND

THEORECTICAL

BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................5
2.1. LITERATURE REVIEW.....................................................................................5
2.2. THEORECTICAL BACKGROUND ..................................................................6
2.2.1. Compound synonym and synonymous substitutions .................................6
2.2.2. Theory of translation ..................................................................................9
2.2.3. Linguistic features ....................................................................................14
2.2.4. Overview of the stories by Duong Thuy ..................................................16
Chapter Three. METHODOLOGY AND PROCEDURES ................................18
3.1. RESEARCH METHODS...................................................................................18
3.2. SAMPLING .......................................................................................................18
3.3. DATA COLLECTION.......................................................................................19
3.4. DATA ANALYSIS ............................................................................................19


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3.5. RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY .....................................................................20
Chapter Four. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ..................................................21
4.1. TRANSLATION PROCEDURES OF VIETNAMESE COMPOUND
SYNOMYMS INTO ENGLISH ...............................................................................21
4.1.1. Translation Procedures of Vietnamese Pairs of Synonyms into English .22

4.1.2. Chain of synonyms and near synonyms ...................................................37
4.1.3. Summary ...................................................................................................45
4.2. TRANSLATION PROCEDURES OF VIETNAMESE SYNOMYMOUS
SUBSTITUTION INTO ENGLISH .........................................................................46
4.2.1. Translation procedures of Vietnamese dictionary synonymous
substitutions into English ..........................................................................................46
4.2.2. Translation procedures of Vietnamese negative synonymous
substitutions into English ..........................................................................................50
4.2.3. Translation procedures of Vietnamese descriptive synonymous
substitutions into English ..........................................................................................56
4.2.4. Translation procedures of Vietnamese temporary synonymous
substitutions into English ..........................................................................................60
4.2.5. Summary ...................................................................................................66
4.3. TRANSLATION PROCEDURES OF VIETNAMESE MIXED STYLISTIC
DEVICES INTO ENGLISH .....................................................................................68
4.4. SUMMARY .......................................................................................................71
Chapter Five. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS ....................................74
5.1. CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................74
5.2. IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING ..................................75
5.3. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY .....................................................................76
5.4. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCHES ..........................................77
REFERENCES
QUYẾT ĐỊNH GIAO ĐỀ TÀI LUẬN VĂN (Bản sao)


v

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviations

Full Forms

Ad

Adjunct

Cadj

Adjective complement

Co
Cprep

Objective complement
Prepositional complement

Cs

Subjective complement

Od

Direct object

Oi

Indirect object

S

Subject

Vi

Intransitive verb

Vint

Intensive verb

Vtcomp

Complex-transitive verb

Vtmono

Mono-transitive verb


vi

LIST OF TABLES
Number

Name of Tables

of Tables
4.1.

4.2.

4.3.

4.4.

Page

Procedures of translating Vietnamese compound synonyms
into English
Procedures

of

translating

Vietnamese

synonymous

substitutions into English
Procedures of translating Vietnamese mixed types into
English
Procedures of translating Vietnamese compound synonyms
and synonymous substitutions into English

45

67

71

72


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Chapter One
INTRODUCTION
1.1. RATIONALE
I am very interested in reading stories, novels or poems. And I have recently
had a thorough look at classic works and modern works of literature, and have
discovered many new and interesting stories written by a young author, Duong
Thuy. She is currently an author loved by young generation. Her stories and novels
have been interested by readers over the countries. Her books can be seen in many
places such as on the shelves of the bookstore, in the office or on the internet.
Duong Thuy is a well-known Vietnamese author who writes about
Vietnamese people and life in other countries. Many of her books have been
translated into English such as “Oxford yêu thương” published in 2007 and the
English translational version “Beloved Oxford” was published in 2014, “Cung
đường vàng nắng” published in 2012 and the English version “In the Golden Sun”
was published in 2016, “Nhắm mắt thấy Paris” was published in 2010 and “Paris
Through Closed Eyes”, the English version was published in 2013, “Tôi nghĩ tơi
thích nước Mỹ” and the English version “Across America” were published in 2016
and 2017, respectively, “Chờ em đến San Francisco” and “We‟ll meet again in San
Francisco” were published in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Her original stories in
Vietnamese as well as the translational versions are best-selling. Her stories have
made her beloved by especially young readers.
Through language, human can exchange their feelings, their emotions, and
their ideas and so on. With writers, to reach a perfectible work, they have to use a

variety of linguistic means. Among the most effective and useful literature means
are stylistic devices, more specifically compound synonyms and synonymous
substitution. I am a teacher at vocational school and a foreign language center in a
city. In teaching English I myself, have faced a lot of problems in terms of
translation. As we all know, among the stylistic devices, compound synonym and
synonymous substitutions appear in English and Vietnamese materials, especially in


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stories, newspapers and kinds of materials. In order to translate equivalents from
one language to another language effectively to help readers gain an accurate
insight into their meaning is a big challenge.
From these views, it is very necessary to deal with the research. This study
attempts to look at the two stylistic devices, namely compound synonyms and
synonymous substitutions in stories written by Duong Thuy and their English
translational equivalents manifested in the works of literature. Above all, this can
help me get insight into procedures of translation and master some useful strategies
when translating material from Vietnamese into English and vice versa. Therefore, I
would like to choose the research entitled “A study of compound synonyms and
synonymous substitutions in Duong Thuy‟s stories and their English translational
equivalents” for my study with the hope of finding out the translation procedures of
compound synonyms and synonymous substitutions in Duong Thuy‟s stories and
their English translational versions, then applying for studying and teaching
English, especially for translating.

1.2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
1.2.1. Aims
The study is expected to provide Vietnamese learners with a description of
procedures for translating Vietnamese compound synonyms and synonymous

substitutions in Duong Thuy‟s stories into English. The mainly aim of this study is
hoped to contribute to English language learning in general and to better translation
by Vietnamese learners of English in particular.

1.2.2. Objectives
To achieve the aims of the study, the following objectives are intended to:
- identify, describe and analyze procedures for translating Vietnamese
compound synonyms
- identify, describe and analyze procedures for translating Vietnamese
synonymous substitutions in Duong Thuy‟s stories into English.


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- Suggest some implications for teaching, learning and translating from
source language to target.

1.3. SCOPE OF STUDY
This study focused on investigating procedures for translating of the two
stylistic devices; i.e. Vietnamese compound synonyms and synonymous
substitutions in Duong Thuy‟s five stories into English by the native translator
Elbert Bloom.

1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
To fulfill the objectives mentioned above, the study tries to seek the answers
to the following questions:
1. What are procedures for translating Vietnamese compound
synonyms in Duong Thuy‟s stories into English?
2. What are procedures for translating Vietnamese synonymous
substitutions in Duong Thuy‟s stories into English?

3. What are the occurrence frequencies of procedures for translating
Vietnamese compound synonyms and synonymous substitutions in
Duong Thuy‟s stories into English?

1.5. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
For the purpose of investigating Vietnamese compound synonyms and
synonymous substitutions in Duong Thuy‟s stories and their English translational
equivalents, the research is expected to provide learners with practical knowledge
and use of the translation procedures of compound synonyms and synonymous
substitutions. Furthermore, the score of the study can be applied to studying and
teaching English skills as well as translation in terms of compound synonyms and
synonymous substitutions.

1.6. ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
This study consists of 5 main chapters as follows:
- Chapter 1:“Introduction” includes the rationale, aims and objectives, the
research questions, the scope of the study and organization of the study.


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- Chapter 2: “Literature review” presents the previous studies related to the
thesis. Theoretical background dealt with and provides us with fundamental
knowledge of compound synonyms and synonymous substitutions, translation
procedures, the overview about the author and the English translator.
- Chapter 3: “Methodology and Procedures”states the methods and
procedures of the study. Methodology and Procedures
- Chapter 4: “Findings and Discussion” deals with the translation procedures
of Vietnamese compound synonyms and synonymous substitutions found in Duong
Thuy‟s stories and their English translational versions.

- Chapter 5: “Conclusion and Implications” gives the main points discussed
in chapter 4, provides some implications for teaching, learning and translating;
simultaneously, shows the limitations and suggestions for further study.


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Chapter Two
LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORECTICAL
BACKGROUND
2.1. LITERATURE REVIEW
In association with my thesis, we referred to the two stylistic devices,
compound synonyms and synonymous substitutions in Vietnamese by Đinh Trọng
Lạc (2012: 134-137), the author of a well-known book entitled “99 Phương tiện và
Biện pháp Tu từ tiếng Việt”. In English, we adapted the view points by Halliday
M.A.K. & Hasan R. (1994: 284-292, 339) in his prestigious book “Cohesion in
English” that are related to collocation, such as lexicosemantic relation, synonyms
and near synonyms, occurrence in proximity, pairs of cohesive effect or direction
and distance of cohesion.
Regarding the most related to my research, Nguyen Thi Huyen Ngoc (2017)
reported her M.A. thesis at University of Danang named “An Investigation into
Translating Stylistic Devices in “Cung đường vàng nắng”by Duong Thuy into
English in “In the golden sun”

by Elbert Bloom in terms of Translation

procedures”. However, she investigated different stylistic devices of mine, i.e.
simile, metonymy and hyperbole with restriction of only one story by Duong Thuy
and its English translational version.
So far, there have been studies on translation in general and translation

procedures in particular of Vietnamese stylistic devices into English. However, to
my best knowledge, an investigation into compound synonyms and synonymous
substitutions as stylistic devices in Duong Thuy‟s stories and their English
translational equivalents in terms of translation procedures has not been found yet.
Thus, I made up my mind to choose the topic entitled “A study of compound
synonyms and synonymous substitutions in Duong Thuy‟s stories and their English
translational equivalents”. It is hopeful that the result of the study will help English
learners have an insight into this interesting aspect of translation procedures of these
two stylistic devices as well as contribute a small part to teaching, learning and


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translating languages.

2.2. THEORECTICAL BACKGROUND
2.2.1. Compound synonym and synonymous substitutions
2.2.1.1. Compound synonym
a. Concept
According to Dinh Trong Lac (2012: 134 -137): “Compound synonym” is a
rhetorical method in which two or more synonyms are used to express a certain
meaning, in order to characterize the object in the fullest sense since each synonym
is expressed only a certain nuance of meaning.
In the learning style and in the practice of the language, synonyms are
understood as meaningful words close to each other (words of the same meaning,
with most of the same meaning and do not contain the opposite meaning) but they
are different in rhetorical colors and in nuances. These synonyms are used in the
same sequence of words to further correct the content of the speech and enhance its
emotion.
In literary arts and literature, compound synonyms are widely used to carry

out the function of meaning. In everyday oral exchanges, in scientific prose and in
administrative speech - tools, the possibilities of making and using synonyms are
very limited.
Thanks to compound synonyms, users or communicators can send their
messages to recipients in an attractive and effective way. They transfer their feeling
or attitude towards their partners through implied saying. Consequently, compound
synonyms are regarded as a special code which has to be well-known to the
reader in order to be deciphered easily.
b. Classification of Compound synonyms
According to Dinh Trong Lac, compound synonyms are classified into two
kinds based on their specific features and functions. They are:
b1. Pair of synonyms
It accurately adds the content of a spokesperson and contributes to the


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expression of additional information.
E.g. Nhưng đúng như dự đoán của bà tôi! Cuối cùng mẹ tôi đã trở về, sau
bao nhiêu ngộ nhận, lầm lạc, sau những cơn trầm uất vì ân hận, vị xé nội tâm…
Nhưng có thể tóm tắt thế này: bà đẫ đuổi theo một cái bong bong, vì quẫn trí, mê lú.
(Ma Văn Kháng)
b2. Chain of synonyms and near synonyms
It enhances expressiveness. Speaking people are conscious of choosing the
most expressive language tools to achieve maximum benefit.
E.g. Bà bế bồng, dìu dắt chúng cháu đi qua những năm tháng cách trở, lọc
lừa, phản trắc, bất công. Bà đưa chúng cháu qua nơi hỗn độn đến sự an bằng. Có
mẹ, có cha mà hóa ra cơi cút, bao oan khổ, đắng cay, thiệt thòi của chúng cháu
đều được bà san lấp, đền bù, an ủi. Những đau tủi, buồn khổ của tuổi ấu thơ đơn
côi giữa cảnh đời, nhờ có bà, đã được gột rửa khỏi tâm hồn. Nhờ bà, chúng cháu

bước qua vùng tủi hổ đến với hi vọng và tin yêu. Bà là sự nhẫn nhịn, là lịng hỉ xả
là tuyệt sạch giá trong, là tình thương, là lẽ phải, là sự cứng cỏi, kiên trinh. Bà
là cổ tích. Bà là bà mụ đỡ nâng trong linh hồn chúng cháu. Bà là phật bà. Hay
chính bà là cô tiên giáng trần đã che chở cưu mang chúng cháu bằng tình
thương yêu và các phép màu huyền nhiệm, thần kì! (Ma Văn Kháng)

2.2.1.2. Synonymous substitutions
a. Concept
According to Dinh Trong Lac synonymous substitution is a rhetorical method
in which one uses synonyms to name the object (phenomena, actions) that is said, in
order to supplement that object with the features belong to a new aspect.
b. Classification
Synonymous substitutions are classified into four kinds based on their
specific features and functions. They are:
b1. Dictionary synonymous substitutions
Both linking elements are synonyms (usually fixed in thesaurus). In addition
to the main function of the link, this type of function provides additional


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information about the evaluation.
E.g. Một cái mũ len xanh nếu chị sinh con gái. Chiếc mũ sẽ dỏ tươi nếu chị
đẻ con trai. (Anh Đức)
b2. Negative synonymous substitutions
Either of two linking elements is the words formed from the antithesis plus a
negative word. In addition to the main function of linking, this kind of function also
provides additional information about nuances that repetition cannot be expressed.
E.g. Nó phải đi hết chỗ này chỗ nọ, để kiếm cái nhét vào dạ dày.
Để nó sống

Vì nó chưa chết (Nguyễn Cơng Hoan)
b3. Descriptive synonymous substitutions
Either or both of linking elements are a descriptive phrase that is sufficiently
representative of the object it represents. This allows us to take advantage of the
ability to characterize the object from a variety of perspectives with different
indication for the presentation of the feedback information.
E.g. Nó (ngơn ngữ) là cái “cây đời” trong câu thơ của Gớt, câu mà Lê Nin
rất thích, mà tơi cũng rất thích. Nhà thơ lớn của nhân dân Đức đã viết: “Mọi lí
thuyết, bạn ơi, là màu xám. Nhưng cây đời của cuộc sống mãi xanh tươi”. (Phạm
Văn Đồng)
b4. Temporary synonymous substitutions
The two linking elements are not synonymous; however, they convey a
general semantic relation, e.g. general words denoting breeds or species, in which
the word has a narrower extension (indicating breeds)is the main element;
otherwise, the word has a broader extension (indicating species) is the replacement.
Temporary synonymous substitutions can avoid reiteration; simultaneously provide
readers with an amount of new information and evaluation about the mentioned
object.
E.g. Một số phường săn đến thăm dò để giăng bẫy bắt con cọp xám. Nhưng
con ác thú tinh lắm, đặt mồi to và ngon đến đâu cũng khơng lừa nổi nó.


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2.2.2. Theory of translation
2.2.2.1. Notion of translation
Peter Newmark (1981) gave out his point of view: “translation is a craft
consisting in the attempt to replace a written message and/or statement in one
language by the same message and/or statement in another language.”
PeterNewmark (1988) believed that “Translation is a craft consisting in the

attempt to replace a written message and/or statement in one language by the same
message and/or statement in another language.”

2.2.2.2. Literary translation
As defined, literary translation is the translation of literary works, such
as novels, short stories, poems, plays and the like. Its function is to “bridge
the delicate emotional connections between cultures and languages and
furthers the understanding of human beings across national borders.”
Baker (1992) regarded some different equivalents in his effort toward
the notion and practice of translation. Vinay and Darbelnet (1995) regarded
translation as equivalence-oriented study. Nida and Taber (1964) focused on formal
and dynamic equivalence; their flexible binary oppositions were revised several
times. House (1977) contended that equivalence is either overt or covert; hence, she
derived here theory of translation based on this taxonomy.

2.2.2.3. Types of equivalence
Jakobson (1959) introduces the concept of equivalence in difference and
suggests three kinds of equivalence known as intralingua , interlingua, and
intersemiotic. As for Baker (1992) defined four kinds of equivalents including
equivalence that can appear at word level and above word level, e.g.
grammatical equivalence, textual equivalence and pragmatic equivalence

2.2.2.4. Translation methods
Peter Newmark discussed in his study that “translation methods relate to
whole text”, on the other hand, “translation procedures are used for sentences
and the smaller units of language.” Some methods of translation are referred as


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follows.
a. Word- for- word translation
This is often demonstrated as interninear translation, with the target language
immediately below the source language words. The source language word order is
preserved and the words translated singly by their most common meanings, out of
context. Cultural words are translated literally. The main use of word for word
translation is either to understand the mechanics of the source language or construe
a difficult text as a pre- translation process.
b. Literal translation
The factor that distinguishes literal translation from the former method is that
the source language grammatical constructions are converted to the nearest target
language equivalents but the lexical words are again translated singly, out of
context. As a pre-translation process, this helps to indicate the problems to be
solved.
c. Faithful translation
Moving a step further than the previous one, faithful translation is an attempt
to reproduce the precise contextual meaning of the original within the constraints of
the target language grammatical structures. It transfers cultural words and preserves
the degree of grammatical and lexical “abnormality” (deviation from source
language norms) in the translation. It aims at being completely faithful to the
intentions and the text- realisation of the source language writer.
d. Semantic translation
Semantic translation differs from “faithful translation” only as it must take
more account of the aesthetic value (that is, the beautiful and natural sound) of the
source language text. Further, it may translate less important cultural words by
culturally neutral third or functional terms but not by cultural equivalents may
become “ a nun ironing a corporal cloth”- and it may make other small concessions
to the readership.
The distinction between “faithful” and “semantic” translation is that the first

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is uncompromising and dogmatic, while the second is more flexible, admits the
creative exception to 100% fidelity and enable the translator‟s intuitive empathy
with the original.
e. Adaptation
This is the “freest” form of translation. It is used mainly for plays (comdies)
and poetry; the themes, characters, plots are usually preserved, the source language
culture converted to the target language culture and the text written. The deplorable
practice of having a play or poem literally translated and then rewritten by an
established dramatist or poet has produced many poor adaptations, but other
adaptations have “rescued” period plays.
f. Free translation
Free translation reproduces the matter without the manner, or the content
without the form of the original. Usually it is a paraphrase much longer than the
original, a so-called “ intralingual translation”, often prolix and pretentious, and not
translation at all.
g. Idiomatic translation
Idiomatic translation reproduces the “message” of the original but tends to
distort nuances of meaning by preferring colloquialisms and idioms where these do
not exist in the original. (Authorities as diverse as Seleskovitch and Stuart Gilbert
tend to this form of lively, “natural” translation.)
h. Communicative translation
The last method proposed by Newmark (1988) is communicative translation
which tries to render the exact contextual meaning of the original in such a way that
both content and language are readily acceptable and comprehensible to the
readership. In other words, communicative translation is written basing on the
readership and normally is most suitable for informative and vocative text.

2.2.2.5. Translation procedures
According to Newmark (1988a, p. 85) translation procedures involve a
change in grammar from source language into target language.


12

The following are the different translation procedures that are proposed by
Newmark (1988b: 83, 114).
a. Literal translation
This is the basic translation procedure, both in communicative and semantic
translation. It ranges from one word to one word, through group to group,
collocation to collocation, clause to clause, and sentence to sentence.
b. Transference
It is the process of transferring a source language word to a target language
text as a translation procedure. The word, then, become a “loan word”.
c. Naturalization
This procedure succeeds transference and adapts the source language word
first to the normal pronunciation, then to the normal morphology (word -forms) of
the target language.
d. Cultural equivalent
It means replacing a culture word in the source language with a target
language one. However, “they are not accurate”.
e. Functional equivalent
It requires the use of a culture-neutral word.
f. Descriptive equivalent
In this procedure the meaning of the cultural based translation is
explained in several words.
g. Componential analysis
It means “comparing a source language word with a target language word

which has a similar meaning but is not an obvious one-to-one equivalent, by
demonstrating first their common and then their differing sense components”.
h. Synonymy
It is a “near target language equivalent to a source language word in a
context, where a precise equivalent may or may not exist”. Here economy trumps
accuracy.


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i. Through translation
It is the literal translation of common collocations, names of organizations
and components of compounds. It can also be called: calque (adaption) or loan
translation.
j. Shifts or transpositions
It involves a change in the grammar from source language to target language;
it occurs when the translator “normally uses the official or the generally accepted
translation of any institutional term”.
k. Translation label
It is a provisional translation, usually of a new institutional term.
l. Compensation
It occurs when loss of meaning in one part of a sentence is
compensated in another part. “Compensation is said to occur when loss of meaning,
sound effect, metaphor or pragmatic effect in one part of a sentence is compensated
in another part, or in contiguous sentence”, reduction or also called compression as
stated
m. Reduction and expansion
To use fewer/ more words in the target language in order to re-express an
idea or to weaken/ reinforce the sense of a source language word because his
correspondence in the target language cannot be expressed as concisely. These are

rather imprecise translation procedures, which you practice intuitively. However,
for each there is at least one shift that you may like to bear in mind, particularly on
poorly written text.
n. Paraphrase
This is an amplification or explanation of the meaning of a segment of the
text. Here the explanation is much more detailed than that of descriptive equivalent.
o. Couplets
It occurs when the translator combines two different procedures.


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p. Notes, additions, glosses
The additional information a translator may have to add to his version is
normally cultural (accounting for difference between source language and target
language culture), technical (relating to the topic) or linguistic (explaining way
ward use of words), and is dependent on the requirement of his, as opposed to the
original, readership.

2.2.2.6. Punctuation in translation
Amstrong N (2005: 150, 159, 160, 204, 205): “Clearly, there will be
occasions where the sensible decision is to leave untranslated a segment of source
text. (…). This will generally occur when the segment contains needless detail that
will weary the reader, or information that is difficult to translate concisely because
culture-specific, or both. We can contrast the structural aspect of punctuation with
purely conventional differences across French and English. An example of a
conventional difference is the expression of decimal numbers in the two languages;
French uses a comma where English has a full stop. In such a case, the translator
simply needs to be aware of different conventions (…)”
It is only occasionally that punctuation indicates a difference in meaning, as

in the well-known difference between „defining‟ and „commenting‟ relative clause
where the use of a comma distinguishes the two types. We touched on punctuation
indirectly in the chapter on syntax when we discussed the greater tendency in
French to isolate the clauses between full stops. This tendency is connected to what
we might call the „structural‟ aspect of punctuation.

2.2.3. Linguistic features
2.2.3.1. Syntactic features
According to Quirk et al (1988: 207) the verb is always realized by a verb
phrase. It is normally present in all clauses, including imperative clauses (where the
subject is typically absent). The verb determines what other elements (a part from
the subject) may or must occur in the clause.
The subject is typically a noun phrase, normally occurs before the verb in


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declarative clauses and after the operator in yes-no interrogative clauses. It
determines the number and person, where relevant, of the verb in finite clauses
requires the subjective form for pronouns that have distinctive case forms.
The object is typically a noun phrase; normally follows the subject and verb
and if both objects are present, the indirect object normally comes before the direct
object; may generally become the subject of the corresponding passive clause; in
finite clause requires the objective form for pronouns that have distinctive case
forms.
The complement is typically a noun phrase or an adjective phrase; normally
follows the subject and verb if subject complement, and the direct object if object
complement; relates to the subject if subject complement, or to the direct object if
object complement; does not have a corresponding passive subject; in finite clauses
requires the subjective form of pronouns in formal use (especially in AmE), but

otherwise the objective form.
The adverbial is normally an adverb phrase, prepositional phrase, or clause,
but can also be a noun phrase; is typically capable of occurring in more than one
position in the clause, though its mobility depends on the type and form of the
adverbial; is optional, except for adverbials in the SVA and SVOA clause types.

2.2.3.2. Structural features
Armstrong N. (2005: 150) wrote: “Linguistic transposition concerns the
grammar, and involves replacing the source language word or structure with a target
language word or structure with different category.”
In linguistics, the term often refers to sequence of linguistic units that are in a
certain relationship to one another. For example, one of the structure of a noun
phrase may be “article + adjective + noun” as in the friendly ape, Richards J C et al
(2002: 358)

2.2.3.3. Cohesive features
Halliday M.A.K. & Hasan R. (1994: 319, 285, 286, 339) confirmed that we
can extend the basis of the lexical relationship that features as a cohesive force and


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say that there is cohesion between any pair of lexical items that stand to each other
on some recognizable lexicosemantic (word meaning) relation. This would not
include synonyms and near-synonyms such as climb … ascent, beam … rafter,
disease … illness (…) In general, any two lexical items having similar patterns of
collocation – that is, tending to appear in a similar context – will generate a
cohesive force if they occur in adjacent sentences. The cohesion between lexical
items in English text can be immediate or mediate. They stated: “Any cohesive
instance, or „tie, may be immediate (presupposing an item in a contiguous or

adjacent sentence) or non-immediate. If not mediate, it may be „mediated‟ (having
one or more intervening sentences that enter into a chain of presupposition) or
„remote‟ (having one or more intervening sentences not involved in presupposition),
or both.

2.2.3.4. Morphlogical features
The study of morphemes and their different forms, i.e. allomorphs, and the
way they combine in word formation. For example, the English word unfriendly is
formed from friend, the adjective-forming suffix -ly and the negative prefix un-,
Richards J C et al (2002: 237).

2.2.4. Overview of the stories by Duong Thuy
2.2.4.1. Duong Thuy - The author
Duong Thuy was born in 1975 in Ho Chi Minh City. She is a female writer
with many works sold. She was born in a studious family and hardly gifted
literature, right from the 10th grade, Duong Thuy has the short story Ice Dolls debut.
She holds a BA in French Literature at the University of Social Sciences and
Humanities in Ho Chi Minh City and a Master of Business Administration from the
French-Vietnamese Center for Management Training. Duong Thuy also received a
scholarship from the Belgian government and received a Master of Business
Administration degree from the University of Liege in 2002. She writes prolifically
and her works include national best-selling novels Beloved Oxford, Paris through
closed eyes, and many other collections of stories.


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Duong Thuy has traveled and studied abroad in Europe for many years and
is well educated and versed in cultures other than her native Vietnam. She has used
weaved both the wester and the easter cultures into works of art.

Literature of Duong Thuy is famous for its romantic, gentle, feminine
character. Readers are easily attracted by beautiful love stories such as poetry, the
land of dreaming, the story vibrating in every detail. Her works have always
received enthusiastic support from readers.
Duong Thuy currently lives and works in Ho Chi Minh City.

2.2.4.2. Elbert Bloom - The native translator
Elbert Bloom has been a computer chip designer for most of his working
career. When he was young, he worked in Vietnam for 5 years as a
Communications Field Engineer.
I lived in Vietnam for a number of years when I was much younger. That is
where I learned the Vietnamese language. I worked with the author, Duong Thuy,
first translating each chapter, sending my translated versions to Duong Thuy for
review, and then editing my work based on her comments. I only hope that my
translation does justice to her original work.