Comparative Study Of The Numerals Used In Chinese-Vietnamese Idioms

A concept of Number was obtained by human beings by way of observation and exploration of the objective world. This concept emerged and was developing along with the advent of human civilization and its evolution. It represents the knowledge about material world, which people had managed to summarize. Numerals, except for indicating the quantity or order of things, are also extensively used in idioms (cheng yu) in order to convey hyperbole or metaphor's figure of speech, to make the speech be more concrete and refine, vivid and flowery, to help it be terse but comprehensive and to apply new colors to it. In scientific world Numerals fulfill the function of real numbers, such as calculating, they are rigorous, accurate and distinct. But inside the linguistic world of human being and his spirit, they act as imaginary numbers, their function is to signify certain meanings and thus many Numerals undergo an extensive change, they can express one's emotions or thoughts and take the shape of emphatic. Due to influence of national mentality, religious beliefs, language and cultural diversity, there are similarities and differences which exist in structure and semantics of the Numerals used in Chinese and Vietnamese idioms. This work, based on predecessors'research works, is an attempt to make a comparative study of the Numerals used in Chinese-Vietnamese idioms, their structural, semantic, etc. aspects and to explore their discrepancy, as well as to display and understand the reasons causing the differences between Chinese and Vietnamese ethnic culture.There are three main research reasons: 1) Numerals which are used in Chinese and Vietnamese idioms can be called a magnificent treasure of people, because they certainly make an important contribution to Chinese and Vietnamese ethnic cultures and cultural peculiarities. By means of studying the Numerals of Chinese and Vietnamese set phrases it is possible to understand profoundly the differences between these two cultures and languages. 2) The author sincerely hopes that the work presented will become useful reference material not only for the author itself, but also for people who conduct a study of Chinese and Vietnamese languages. It can be helpful in comprehending and applying the Numerals and the cultural phenomenon implied by them, as well as in carrying out successful Chinese-Vietnamese cultural exchange and communication. 3) In the course of investigation it was discovered that for the moment this area of study is still not enough developed and the meaning of the Numerals in Chinese and Vietnamese languages never had been explored deeply. This fact gives us hope that this research work will be able to a certain extent to fill up this gap.This work is divided into four main parts. The First Part is a preface which gives the main introduction of the Numerals'study home and abroad and also exposes the author's ideas, means and way of thinking concerning this problem.The Second Part is set about the Numerals which are used in Chinese-Vietnamese idioms. Here a comparison is made between the structural peculiarities of the Numerals used in Chinese and Vietnamese idioms. Statistics indicates that the Chinese-Vietnamese idiom's Numeral can be used separately and also can be used together with other numerals or between them. However the capacity to unite in a group and the way of compounding are not alike. Numerals of Chinese idioms for the most part are used separately (which makes 61.35%), while Numerals of Vietnamese idioms mostly have an intermediate usage (which makes 60.43%). Some of the combinations of the idiom's Numerals at present day can appear either only in Chinese language or only in Vietnamese language. There are even some combinations which do not emerge at all in one of the languages.The Third part, made on basis of the First part, is aimed to carry on comparison of the semantic characteristics expressed by the Numerals used in Chinese-Vietnamese idioms as well as to inquire into similarities and differences for both of the sides. This is the central part of the paper. The Numerals used in Chinese-Vietnamese idioms can express both definite and indefinite denotation (real sense and nominal sense). However, there are differences in meaning implied by both of the sides. The same one Numeral or Numeral structure in Chinese-Vietnamese idiom can partake of different indefinite denotation. And some different Numerals or Numeral structure in Chinese -Vietnamese idiom can have identical connotation. But again, some Numerals or Numeral structures which are absolutely the same can have totally different implication and so forth, and so on.The Fourth part makes an attempt to reveal the reasons which bring about these differences and similarities, taking into consideration such aspects as ethnic mentality and national customs, way of thinking and calculating, surrounding environment and historical background, traits of national language and esthetic notions etc.The Last part sums up peculiarities and connotations revealed in the Numerals of Chinese -Vietnamese idioms. It also suggests the significance of the research and its insufficiency.