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VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
GRADUATE ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

DO PHUONG LAM
CHARACTERISTICS OF SINO-VIETNAMESE FUNCTION
WORDS IN VIETNAMESE
Major: Vietnamese linguist
Major code: 62.22.01.20
DOCTORAL THESIS SUMMARY OF LINGUISTICS &
LITERATURE
…
Ha Noi – 2014
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The thesis was completed at:
Graduate Academy of Social Sciences -
Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences
Supervisor:
Prof.Dr. Nguyen Van Khang
Phản biện 1:
Phản biện 2:
Phản biện 3:
The thesis is assessed in Council of Graduate Academy of Social
Sciences at …
Thesis can be found at:
1. Viet Nam National Library
2. Graduate Academy of Social Sciences Library
INTRODUCTION
1. The reason for selecting topics
1.1. 1.1. Vietnamese belongs to the type of language “đơn lập” (words
don’t changes morphological when changing function syntax), means primarily

indirectly were mentioned function words. However the problem of function
words has yet to be an issue was closed now." Below we summarize
researching on function words of the Vietnamese under different angles.
Nguyen Anh Que (1988) conducted a survey and describe the
characteristics of semantics and grammar of function words with each group
and each specific function words. In that argument, comparing the different
uses of the same function words either of the function words significant
similarities.
Some authors studied the function words in pragmatics, which is not study
function words as themselves, which studies them as ability of activities. Such
as: Le Dong (1991) with "semantics , pragmatics of Vietnamese function
words: The Significance assessment of the function words" , "Semantics ,
pragmatics of Vietnamese function words" , Le Dong, Hung Viet (1995), "
Stresses as a phenomenon characterized pragmatics and the semantics -
pragmatics of support from some Vietnamese stressed auxilliry words"; Nguyen
Thi Luong (1996), Nguyen Van Chinh (2000), and his thesis: The role of
Vietnamese function words in shaping sentence informed; Phung Thi Thanh
Lam (2003) with The possibility of operating of Vietnamese adverbs in the
background of the situation; Vu Thi Kim Anh (2005) with The primary role of
the state from the last words of sentence into force in the words of the
sentences, etc.
In addition, there are studies towards the application, which is useful for
teaching overseas Vietnamese. For foreign language learning, to understand the
grammar of a language to capture the function words system is crucial. These
include a few articles such as The last words of sentence in Vietnamese and
how to teach elementary magnetic Vietnamese sentences for foreigners (Le Thi
Hoai Duong, 2003), Vietnamese conjunctions in some books teach Vietnamese
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for foreigners and the issues of teaching conjunctions to foreigners (Nguyen Thi
Thanh Ngoc, 2004)

Could name some authors have research related to Sino-Vietnamese function
words: Le Dinh Khan (2001, 2002), Pham Thi Hong Trung (2003, master
thesis), Vu Duc Nghieu (2006), Dao Thanh Lan (2007, Hanoi National
University).
Le Dinh Khan (2001) have "Sino-Vietnamese function words and the way
to Vietnameselize." In this article, the greatest contribution of the author is
listed 39 Sino-Vietnamese function words, grouped into three categories:
adverbs, prepositions and conjunctions. The book Vocabulary Chinese original
in Vietnamese have chapter 5: "Sino-Vietnamese function words and the way to
Vietnameselize." According to the author, function words consist 6 sub-
categories: “phó từ (phụ từ), giới từ, liên từ (kết từ), trợ từ, thán từ, từ tượng
thanh”. Pham Thi Hong Trung ( 2003), in "Survey functioning of function
words from the Chinese origin of modern Vietnamese " has established a list of
150 function words, including adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions. Here,
because she didn’t clearly define the problem of function words theoretically,
she omitted tình thái từ, trợ từ while support from the survey .
The National University Research project "Survey characteristics of
function words derived from Chinese in modern Vietnamese" chaired by Dao
Thanh Lan (2007). In this monograph, the authors have investigated 13 books
to make a list of Sino-Vietnamese function words in Vietnamese, including: 46
adverbs, 22 conjunctions, 7 prepositions and Hán Việt Việt hóa function words:
5 adverbs, 8 conjunctions, 3 prepositions. Vu Duc Nghieu (2006) in the article
“The fifteenth century Vietnamese function words in Quốc âm thi tập and
Hồng Đức Quốc âm thi tập" has established a list of 135 function words
present in the fifteenth century Vietnamese.
As above, the works are study extensive Chinese original function words
in general, not particular study about Sino-Vietnamese function words.
3. Purpose and research tasks
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Through studying the grammatical characteristics and semantic

survey on Sino-Vietnamese function words by category: adverb, conjunctions,
3 prepositions and auxiliary words.
In order to establish a list of 149 Sino-Vietnamese function words (see
Section 1.2.3.2.) We have carried out in three ways:
- Based on Vietnamese dictionary and function words dictionary,
thesaurus tool Vietnamese through checking the Sino-Vietnamese phonetic.
- Based on the work of previous authors about function words and original
Chinese function words on Vietnamese in order to draw out the Sino-
Vietnamese function words.
- Through surveys on Vietnamese texts from the fifteenth century back
here.
5.2. Resources survey
To obtain evidence about the operation of the Sino-Vietnamese function
words in Vietnamese vocabulary through the historical period, we rely on the
Vietnamese text in periods: ancient - middle, early modern, modern.
6. The practice and scientific significance of research
+ Theory significance:
- The thesis has launched a comprehensive look at the Vietnamese
function words theory and presents views on the concept of sub-categories
function words and Sino-Vietnamese function words. Through the study of the
grammatical characteristics of the sub-categories of function words, the thesis
put forward the views of how to deal delineation adverbs to auxilliry words in
Vietnamese. By doing so generalized rules of adverb combinations, the thesis
suggests methods to distinguish adverbs to auxilliry words. Vietnamese have a
series of words lying between the two boundaries between types of adverbs and
auxilliry words cause of their meaning. Based on their position in the sentence
where the function of words are just shaped.
- Describe the characteristics of grammar and pragmatics of the Sino-
Vietnamese function words.
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(the beginning words) and “tống mạt” (the ending words). From the Han
Dynasty to the Thanh Dynasty for over 2000 years, the content words between -
just based on the function words from the lexical meaning, therefore, does not
fall within the categories of types of grammar school which is the subject of tu từ
học and huấn hỗ học.
1.1.2.2. From “Mã thị văn thông” (1898) to the 1950
“Mã thị văn thông” 虚氏文通 (1898) by Mã Kiến Trung 虚建忠 is the
first book to apply linguistic modern theory to the study Chinese grammar
(ancient and modern). In this book, the concept of “thực tự” 實字, “hư tự” 虚字
became the first grammar concept. Book division between “hư tự” 虚字into 4
categories giới tự, liên tự, trợ tự, thán tự. After Mã thị văn thông, a movement
from the study of Chinese function words was nowhere raised. The authors
have presented enormous impact study must include: Le Cam Hy 黎 虚 熙 ,
Vuong Luc 王力, La Thuc Tuong 虚叔湘, Truong The Loc 虚世虚, Chu Duc
Hy 朱德熙.
1.1.2.3. Since 1950 to present
The authors of Modern Chinese language grammar 虚代 虚虚 虚法 虚虚
(1952-1953) was homogeneous based on the nature and usage of the words to
divided into 10 categories: nouns, pronouns, numbers, quantity words, abject,
verbs, adverbs, conjunctions.
1.1.3. Function words and classification in Vietnamese
From Nowhere groups from intermediate types
Author
Classification
Criteria
Groups Function words
Intermediate
types
Nguyễn
Tài Cẩn

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từ phụ
quan hệ từ
tình thái từ
(tiểu từ, trợ
từ, thán từ)
Nguyễn
Anh Quế
- phrases
-syntactic
positions
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phó từ, giới từ, liên
từ,
trợ từ, phụ từ (ngữ
khí từ, cảm thán
từ)
Hoàng
Văn
Thung
- phrases
-syntactic
positions
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phụ từ (định từ,
phó từ)
kết từ, tiểu từ (trợ
từ, tình thái từ)
thán từ
Lê Biên

Diệp
Quang
Ban
- generalized
meaning
- combining
ability
-syntactic
positions
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mạo từ, phó từ,
quan hệ từ, tiểu từ
tình thái (ngữ thái
từ, trợ từ), thán từ
đại từ
Đào
Thanh
Lan
- generalized
meaning
- combining
ability
-syntactic
positions
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phụ từ (định từ,
phó từ)
kết từ (liên từ, giới
từ)
tình thái từ

1.2. SINO-VIETNAMESE FUNCTION WORDS
1.2.1. Sino-Vietnamese exposed bilingual and Chinese loanwords in
Vietnamese
1.2.1.1. Exposure language
Exposure language (language contact) is a common phenomenon for all
languages around the world. Lexical borrowing as a result of the mutual
influence between languages during language exposure.
1.2.1.2. Loanwords
"Borrowed vocabulary is one of the important methods to complement the
vocabulary of a language." Words borrowed from other languages is called
"loanword."
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Function words

PHÓ TỪ
TRỢ TỪ
QUAN HỆ TỪ
Step 1
(based on generalized meaning)
Content word
Step 2
(based on phrases structure)
Step 3
(based on syntactic positions)
1.2.1.3. Loanword
1.2.1.4. Divergent processes Sino-Vietnamese exposed
Figure 1.2. Performing the Sino-Vietnamese exposure period
1.2.2. Sino-Vietnamese words
1.2.2.1. Sino-Vietnamese phonetic
Sino-Vietnamese phonetic is the product of the interaction between

words
- Not all the words have Sino-Vietnamese phonetic words are Sino-
Vietnamese words.
- Can not be based on the degree of assimilation or so-called "sense of
language" to define a word is Sino-Vietnamese word or not.
- Regardless of the origin of the word: to borrow directly, indirectly or
Vietnam created, they are considered Sino-Vietnamese words.
- Although Vietnam has a number of Chinese phonetic variations, but in that
case the variant used in the Vietnamese text and separated, they are considered
Sino-Vietnamese words.
We perceive Sino-Vietnamese words have Sino-Vietnamese phonetic,
activities in the Vietnamese texts, are borrowed directly or indirectly from the
Chinese or created by the Vietnamese themselves on the basis of coupling
elements of Sino-Vietnamese.
1.2.3. Sino-Vietnamese function words
1.2.3.1. The view of Sino-Vietnamese function words
We excluded from the list Han function words have ancient Chinese
phonetic or “Hán Việt Việt hóa”, such as: đang (đương), cùng (cộng), càng
(cánh), dầu, dù (do), etc. We also don’t survey variation of tone dialect Sino-
Vietnamese, as: phúc-phước, vũ-võ, etc. We accept the Sino-Vietnamese
pronunciation variants of the same letter, such as giá/giả
1.2.3.2. List and classify Sino-Vietnamese function words
Based on the criteria for classification Sino-Vietnamese function words,
we have established a list of 149 words, divided into three sub-categories:
adverbs (71 words), prepositons & conjunctions (36), auxilliry words (41) .
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Primary of Chapter 1
Sino-Vietnamese function words occupies a significant proportion (1/3) in
function words from Vietnamese and is a important part vocabulary to express
the grammatical categories of Vietnamese. However, studies on the function

VIETNAMESE FUNCTION WORDS
2.2.1. Sino-Vietnamese adverbs
2.2.1.1. Adverbs of quantity
Adverbs of quantity of Vietnamese are 12, including: các, cái, mấy, mỗi,
độ, độ chừng, tất cả, những; từng, mọi; gần, khoảng, including 3 Sino-
Vietnamese (các, mỗi, độ), accounting for 25%.
Tiếng Việt có 12 phó từ số lượng, gồm: các, cái, mấy, mỗi, độ, độ chừng,
tất cả, những; từng, mọi (Nguyễn Tài Cẩn coi là số từ); gần, khoảng, trong đó
có 3 từ Hán Việt (các, mỗi, độ), chiếm 25%.
2.2.1.2. Adverbs of Negative
Vô, phi, bất are adverbs of negative response from Chinese into
Vietnamese very soon. They are commonly used in the writing stages XIV-
XVIII centuries. When in Vietnamese, they got the "assignment" function quite
clear.
2.2.1.3. Adverbs of time
Adverbs of time to interpret or to the place of the predicate variables in the
process. Deputy from the time period is divided into time and process time. It
can be classified according to the time axis response from the past - present-
future.
2.2.1.4. Adverbs of unexpected happenings
This group included 8 Sino-Vietnamese adverbs: đột nhiên, đột ngột, hốt
nhiên, bất đồ, bất giác, lập tức, tức khắc, tức thời.
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2.2.1.5. Adverbs of frequency
+ Expressing low frequency: tạm thời, hy hữu, nhất thời
+ Expressing repetition: tái. Tái equivalent response from lại. However, the
use of two from this distinction.
+ Expressing high frequency: thường, thường thường, thường xuyên, thường
nhật, hằng, liên tục
2.2.1.6. Adverbs of degree

This group included 8 from : price , giá, giá như, nhược, quý hồ, giá dụ/
giả dụ, giá sử/ giả sử, giá thử/ giả thử, ví thử.
2.2.2.3 . Conjunctions denote cause , reason: tại, sở dĩ, do, động
2.2.2.4 . Relations manifest themselves through market relations
2.2.2.5 . Group conjunctions denote the inverse relationship to
2.2.2.6 . Group conjunctions denote position (head - end)
2.2.2.7 . Conjunctions denote exclusion relations
2.2.3. Sino-Vietnamese auxilliry words
2.2.3.1 . Overview of Sino-Vietnamese auxilliry words
- The evaluation team "function to show the speaker's assessment of the
quantity and severity of a portion of the content mentioned in the mouthpiece.
"This group consists of 10 words, 24% support from .
- Group emphasizes: " function expressed particular emphasis on the
speaker's assertion or negative for the content part of spokesperson stated . "
This group consists of 31, accounting for 76 % Sino-Vietnames. This group
consists of 10 words, 24%: giá, giá như, nhược, quý hồ, giá dụ/ giả dụ, giá sử/
giả sử, giá thử/ giả thử, ví thử.
2.2.3.2. Auxilliry words ssessing the number and scope
Evaluation of the amount can also follow a two-way analysis: assessment (-)
and evaluation (+). In support of the assessment of the number of Vietnamese, we
noticed there seems to be a clear assignment: support from the Sino-Vietnamese
dimensional evaluation indicated (-)chỉ, độc, mỗi, trần; Axilliry words
dimensional evaluation indicated (+):đến, những, tới, cả, hẳn. Depending on
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usage, the additional support from inside the mouthpiece will make meaningful
assessment of the amount of support from'll have more nuances.
2.2.3.3. Asessment: đặc, thậm chí
2.2.3.4. Conjecture assessment
2.2.3.4. Powered by emphasizing the difference
2.2.3.5. Emphasizing authenticity

were being morpheme completely, seemingly, vô, phi, bất and the words not
entirely, such as natural nguyên ~, hiện ~, đương ~, toàn ~, etc.
3.1.2. The phenomenon of conversions on Sino-Vietnamese function
words
Conversion is a kind of extremely complex characteristics of the
Vietnamese. Due to Vietnamese conversion are very common and in many
cases it is difficult to identify and define, so the placement of a particular word
in a word class is very difficult. This is a job that does not require discrete, hard
molds and non-fixed.
For Sino-Vietnamese function words, the conversion taking place mainly
around adverbs and auxilliry words.
3.1.2.1. Conversion in adverbs
A total of 24/41 (59%) Sino-Vietnamese adverbs are converse.
Conversional phenomenon occurs mainly in a group of adverbs: adverbs of
frequency, adverbs of degree, adverbs range.
3.1.2.2. Conversion in C&P
Number of Sino-Vietnamese C&P have not many conversion, only 7/36 of
(19%).
3.1.2.3. Conversion in auxilliry words
Within the scope of auxilliry words, there is a total of 14/41 (34%) units
have conversion between these classes with auxilliry words. Thus, compared
with the adverbs, C&P, auxilliry words have amount of conversion highest. In
particular, most of the conversion are adjectives, have the capacity to take the
role of syntax in other contexts. It is the such dĩ nhiên, đương nhiên, hiển nhiên,
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ngẫu nhiên, tất nhiên, nhất định. In stark contrast is the content words has been
used as auxilliry words in sentence.
3.1.3. Grammaticalisation of Sino-Vietnamese function words
a. Grammaticalisation
b. In the process of grammaticalisation, the words have undergone phase

period
The statistical results showed that the amount of Sino-Vietnamese function
words before the fifteenth century this had increased to nearly 10 times. Of these,
only about a century ago, the amount of Sino-Vietnamese function words has
developed very strong. This is due to the exact requirements of expression, needs
transmission of information modern society. This also demonstrates a clear change
of direction Vietnamese grammar more complete.
3.1.5.2. Evaluate the using of the Sino-Vietnamese function words
The Sino-Vietnamese function words have quantity and frequency of the
greatest works in literary style and lowest in administrative style. In style news,
scientific and administrative support from and relationships from a high
percentage, dealing from a very low proportion.
Hư từ Hán Việt có số lượng từ và tần suất hoạt động lớn nhất ở phong cách
văn chương và thấp nhất ở phong cách hành chính. Ở phong cách thông tấn,
khoa học và hành chính, trợ từ và quan hệ từ chiếm tỉ lệ cao, phó từ chiếm tỉ lệ
rất thấp.
3.2. THE CASE STUDY: CHARACTERISTICS OF USING SOME
FUNCTION WORDS COMMONLY USED
3.2.1. Some commonly used adverbial group
3.2.1.1. Adverb of number
3.2.1.2. Adverb of negative: vô, phi, bất, cấm
3.2.1.3. Adverb of time: nguyên, hiện, đương, chuẩn bị
3.2.1.4. Adverb of level
3.2.2. Một số nhóm quan hệ từ thường dùng
3.2.2. Several C&P groups commonly used
3.2.2.1. Denotes comparisons
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3.2.2.2. Conjunctions denote relations assumptions
3.2.2.3. Preposition of positioning
3.2.2.4. Conjunctions denote cause

Viet function words and Sino function words mandates separation clearly. Such
Sino-Vietnamese denotes time no word denoting the recent past and future. Viet
function words and Sino-Vietnamese function words clearly distinguish the
semantic nuances they bring as well as writing style which they usually appear .
4. Hư từ Hán Việt cũng nằm trong xu thế biến động từ vựng của tiếng Việt.
Số lượng hư từ Hán Việt gia tăng theo thời gian. So với thời kì trước thế kỉ XV,
hiện nay số lượng hư từ Hán Việt đã tăng lên xấp xỉ 8 lần. Khảo sát hoạt động của
hư từ Hán Việt, chúng tôi đã rút ra một số kết luận về xu hướng vận động của
chúng, cụ thể là:
4. Function words located in trends of Vietnamese vocabulary. The number
of Sino-Vietnamese function words increased over time. Compared with the
period before the fifteenth century, the current number of function words has
increased approximately 8 times. Survey of corrupt activity from Sino-
Vietnamese, we draw some conclusions about the trends of our athletes,
namely:
- Trends in “being morpheme": some Sino-Vietnamese function words,
which mainly monosyllables tend to shrink, become the constituents of
component parts in the structure of word.
- A lot of Sino-Vietnamese function words have the ability to converse
from the active category. The conversion takes place between sub-types of
contents words and function words.
- Trend "being emty word", also known as the " Grammaticalisation" of
some content words.
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