A Comparative Study Of Chinese And Vietnamese Predicate Modifier Phrase

Predicate modifying phrase is a type of modifying phrase.In the process of learning Chinese,predicate modifying phrases is the difficulty to Vietnamese students.From the perspective of comparative linguistics,the similarities and differences between Chinese and Vietnamese in terms of composition and combination rules of predicate modifying phrases are discussed.First of all,the types of modifiers and central words that can act as predicate modifying phrases,as well as their differences in Chinese and Vietnamese are proposed.Secondly,a comparative study on similarities and differences between Chinese and Vietnamese in terms of the semantic and syntactic structures of predicate modifying phrases is performed.Finally,teaching suggestions are mentioned to avoid the common errors in Vietnamese students’acquisition of Chinese predicate modifying phrases.In the viewpoint of semantic structure,the relationships of determination and description exist in the modifiers and central words of predicate modifying phrases in both Chinese and Vietnamese,and there is also the relationship of supplement and explanation in Vietnamese.Judging from the syntactic structure,the only form of predicate modifying phrases in Chinese is that the modifier comes first,followed by central words.However,in Vietnamese,the modifier can appear first,last,or simultaneously.Differences in semantics and syntax are the main factors causing errors in Vietnamese students’ acquisition of Chinese predicate modifying phrases.As the knowledge imparter,teachers shall master the characteristics of this phrase both in Chinese and in Vietnamese,so as to find effective teaching strategies.It is expected to provide a reference forteaching and learning Chinese as a foreign language,and effectively improve the efficiency of classroom via positive transfer,thereby reducing the interference caused by negative transfer.