The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
Table of contents
Part A: Introduction
I. Rationale
Nowadays, English is the most popular language all over the world.
Being considered as a bridge to make every countries closer, English is used
in many fields such as economic, diplomatic, politic, science, technology etc.
English provides us with an effective tool to have a deep understanding about
the culture, people, traditional, lifestyle and custom of other countries.
However, there are usually much sophistication in learning and using a
foreign language in general and English in particular. When learning a foreign
language, learners should concentrate on not only its grammar, structure,
vocabulary, pronunciation but also its own cultural factors. Obviously,
learners often have subjective thinking because of their unawareness of
cultural differences. Therefore, they often impose their cultural characteristics
or their mother tongue on the foreign language.
As the matter of fact, there are many Vietnamese learners of English
especially the third-year students of English at Hanoi Open University still
have difficulties when dealing with English-Vietnamese translation. It is no
fully right to think that they can be good at translation if they have broad
sense of grammar. Moreover, large amount of cultural vocabulary is also the
major factors which help translators to translate appropriately and effectively.
With the hope of helping the third-year students of English at Hanoi
Open University translate texts from English into Vietnamese better, the
author has decided to choose the theme"Influences of Vietnamese and British
culture on English-Vietnamese translation by the third year students of
English at Hanoi Open University” for her graduation paper study.
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cultural influences study can not covered in the graduation paper. I would like
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The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
to pay attention to the differences of Vietnamese-British cultural factors which
affect English-Vietnamese translation. I also attempt to do research some
mistakes which are connected with cultural characteristics and some
suggestions to avoid the mistakes of the third year students of English at
Hanoi Open University in translating from English into Vietnamese. The
author hopes that will help them improve their skills in translating from
English into Vietnamese.
V. Design of study
The paper is divided into three main parts:
Part A: INTRODUCTION
This part includes rationale, aims of study, scope of study methods of
study and design of study.
Part B: DEVELOPMENT
The main part of the study contains 2 chapters:
Chapter 1: is the literature review on: definition of culture, language, and
translation, relation between language and cultures andVietnamese culture the
British one is also referred in this chapter.
Chapter 2: is the findings in the survey and some cultural influences on
English - Vietnamese translation
Chapter 3: gives some suggested solutions to overcome negative
influences of culture on English - Vietnamese translation.
Part C: CONCLUSION
Summarizes all the main points in the whole graduation paper.
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syntactic, semantic, stylistic and text pragmatic comprehension by the
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The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
translation of the original text".
(Van, Hoang Van cited in Wills 1982 a: 112)
''Translation, as the process of conveying message across linguistic and
cultural barriers, is an eminently communicative activity…''
(Tudor, cited in Duff 1989: 5)
"Translation is the expression in another language (or target language) of
what has been expressed in another language (source language).
(Dubois 1973, cited in Bell 1991: 5)
As can be seen definition on translation are different and contradictory.
In order to discuss more current views on translation, I would like to introduce
the theories of cat ford, Hakim and Mason, and Bell.
a. Catford.
In "A linguistic theory of translation (1965) Catford defined translation
as: "The replacement of textual material of one language (source language) by
equivalent textual material in another language (target language) (page20)
Two important points need to be discussed are textual material and
equivalence. Textual material is used more popular than text to cater for the
fact that normally it is not the linguistic entirely of a source language text
which is translated, that is, replaced by target language equivalence. Simple
replacement by target language material may be taken place at one or more
levels of language. About "equivalence", Catford distinguishes between it as
empirical factors and a theoretical consideration. He said that, equivalence is
discovered by comparing source language and target language by way of not
only informants but also con mutation and observation, and theoretically we

semantic sense and communicative value within a systematic functional
model of language and linked them with text.
Last but not least, an emphasis to memory expresses two basically
factors of information: theory and knowledge which are great importances to
any understanding of the translation process.
1.1.1. Type of translation
In the opinion of Catford in "A linguistic theory translation"(1965) ,there
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The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
are 3 types of translation:
a. Full and partial translation
Full translation relates to the translation of a whole passage. On the other
hands, partial translation refers to translation of each part of the passage.
b. Total and restricted translation
While total translation means the translation at all levels of language,
restricted translation refers to the translation at limited level of language.
c. Unbounded and rank bounded
Unbounded translation relates to the translation which consists of
translation removing of the source language and target language with the same
meanings hunt up and down ranks scale. Meanwhile rank bounded translation
includes a careful selection of translation equivalents at corresponding levels
on translating one work, the translator questions about the kind of the text, the
writer's aims, etc to decide the kind of translation which she/ he believes the
best.
1.1.2.Translation vs interpreting
There are some differences between translation and interpreting. While
translation means shifting an idea from one language to another expressed in

expressed that instead of analyzing immediately from one set of surface
grammar to other, a translation naturally has a process with three stages:
Analysis, Transfer and Restructuring. According to him, at first, the translator
has to analyze the content of the source language into its easiest understanding
and clearest form, shift these information in his mind from the source
language into the target language that is the most appropriate for the reader
who he/ she is going to reach.
Here is the diagram of Nida 's model:
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SL text
analysis
TL text
Restructuring
Transfer
The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
(Fig 1) Nida 's process of translating (1965,p.80)
1.1.4.The success of translation
As the matter of fact, translation is a complicated and careful activity.
The translator needs to be not only an expert reader in one language but also
active writer in another one.
There are only two kinds of translation, one being to direct to the original
text while the other paying attention to translate a wonderful translation that
precisely indirect on the original. In fact, there is neither translation that
precisely independ on the original text nor any that tries to imitate the original
in another language completely.
If direct translation means to reproduce exactly by copying original text,
it can not have a beautiful product. It is worth mentioning that culture in the

8. A Translation should read as a con tem portray of the translation.
9. A Translation may add to or omit from the original.
10. A Translation of verse should be in prose.
11. A Translation of prose should be in verse.
1.2.Overview of culture
Culture is seemed to be a sophisticated, popular term in our life. In fact,
culture relates to the value about material and spiritual of human activities.The
definition of culture is defined by many authors.
The anthropologist Alfred Kroeber and Clybe Kluckholn said,"Culture
consists of pattern, explicit of behavior aqquired and transmitted by symbol
constituting the distinctive achievement of human group. The essential care of
culture consists of traditional ideas especially their attached values, culture
system may on the other hands, be considered as production of action and on
the other as conditioning element of further action" (1952: 181).
Culture is defined by Scollon as "Culture is any of the customs, world
view, language, kinship system, social organization, and other regular
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The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
practices of a people which set that group a part as a distinctive group" (1995 :
126).
According to a Vietnamese expert on culture, professor TrÇn Quèc V-
îng, "Culture is the spiritual product of people 's creativity and it was born
with the appearance of human beings on Earth." (1998:17).
Another definition of culture given by Phïng Quý Nh©m is that culture is
the system of spiritual and material values mankind has in the historic process
(1975: 7).
Meanwhile Proffessor TrÇn Ngäc Thªm asserted that:'' Culture is an

anthropologists.
Enculturation is an evolution which need much time to carry out. .As the
human language concern, which is a main part of enculturation, lasts many
years. Naturally, every family often protect and enculturation children in their
households at least eighteen years or more. At this period, children can leave
and establish their own households.
Not only human but also another species learn behaviors which are very
sophisticated. For instance, people may make distinction between one group
of chimpanzees and another by the way they find food or the way they use
common tools in working. However, the behaviors of some species are smaller
than great culture of human being. Because the chimpanzees don't have
speech, they have many difficulties in exchanging information and teaching
another what they know.
1.2.1.2. Culture is transmissible
Culture is mainly result of communication and understanding the
symbols. Thanks to symbols, people may think more complicatedly A
symbol can connect or not connect to the things which it relates. For example,
many people in the United States think when the colors: red, white and blue
combine, is very meaningful about their patriotism, this is the color of their
national flag.However, these colors doesn't mean anything if we let them
alone.
In order to transfer new information, people immediately find new
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The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
symbols, for example chemical formulas or physical formulas. Furthermore,
people can use only one symbol, for example a picture or a single word to
refer to many objects, behaviors or feelings. Also, symbols supply a simple

the inventions construct the culture.
"Diffusion" is the way which causes change in culture. Learning and
understanding of what is borrowed speeds up when culture appears in direct
communication with another. For instance, when Japan and the United States
share more commerce, it is believed that the United States learns and
understands Japanese business management in practice and the Japanese
cooperate the United States marketing skills.
1.2.1.4. Culture is selective
Each culture expresses a typical characteristic of behaviors from the
specialization of human experience in each society .Basing on the elementary
assumptions and value conceptions, this selection is made to each culture
meaningfully. In brief, culture is defined on the boundaries of different
societies.
1.2.1.5. Culture is interrelated
As Richard E. Porter and Larry A. Samovar inserts that: "You touch a
culture in one place and every thing else is affected". (Richard E. Porter and
1994: 13). From the characteristics of culture, culture likes a sophisticated
mechanism.
1.2.1.6. Culture is ethnocentric
According to Keesing about the characteristic of culture, "universal
tendency for any people to put its own culture and society in central position
priority and worth" (Richard E. Porter and Larry A.S. Samovar, 1994:13).
Most of countries in the world highly appreciates this characteristic of culture,
because it can help people be better citizen
1.2.2. The cultural background of Vietnam and the Great Britain
As we all know, every country in the world has their own culture which
affect to language. In fact, language and culture are related tightly with each
other. Therefore, we ought to pay attention to the cultural peculiarity of each
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sincere, high responsible, brave but conservative, stubborn, discretionary.
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The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
John Bull was considered as a typical English man who owned most of the
above characteristics. Today, the British feels free to express their own
feelings.
People from other countries should know the differences between British
formal and informal behaviors. This is a friendly way in Britain to show that
you are not bothering with the formalities. When the British is sympathy and
respectful with you, it means you are considered as their friends .British only
have formal behaviors when meeting a stranger or an acquaintance (but not a
friend) after a long time.
British also highly appreciate private life. Each people has right to keep
his/ her information about himself/ herself privacy. It is considered a rude
behavior when asking British "personal questions" (for example: about their
salary ,their families or their sex life) of you don not know them very well.
British government is democratic which has grown over the centuries,
and is made up of hundreds of Parliamentary Acts. This constitution has taken
away power from the monarch, so today Queen does not have political power
But the British people still respect the Royal family as they used to do.
Britain is a very cold area with dry climate. It is not suitable for planting
tree except for immense meadows. As a result, British breed mainly sheep,
goat, cow. The forefront of British agriculture is dairy farming. British diary
cattle are well-known in the world. The raising of beef, too, is one of the most
important farming activities everywhere in Britain. Nearly a third of the area is
in purpose to do farming consists of hill pastures where sheep - the animal
provides both wool and meat flourish in a land can graze.

illustrated as family-village, country, and based on the socio-economic
foundation with 3 elements: countryside-agriculture- farmer. Because of these
factors, the patriotism of Vietnamese people was set up with its particular
features. In brief, it is undeniable that patriotism is a guide to Vietnamese
people's behavior. It is easy for us to find it in every field of cultural spiritual
life in Vietnam.
In addition, the community spirit is another important cultural,
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The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
characteristic of Vietnamese. This is the result of the wet rice cultivation of
Vietnamese people, forcing its members live in coordination with other, which
set up family, generations and closed village as well. The community spirit
has formed a kind of principle emotional orientation. As a result, this principle
lead to the respective toward human dignity, literature and woman
1.2.3.1. Similarities between British culture and Vietnamese one
The most similarity between English and Vietnamese culture are
humanity. Both two cultures are the things which people made. They has
humanitarian characteristics.
1.2.3.2. Differences between British culture and Vietnamese one
As the matter of fact, every culture has their own characteristic in each
culture.People can express their thought, feeling, opinions in different ways in
different cultures in every field.
The climate where the Vietnamese communities lived was very hot.
Thus, it rained very much, and many big rivers with fertile delta regions were
made. As a result, an agriculture originated culture was formed. Britain was a
cold region with dry climate which is suitable for planting trees. There were
only immense meadows, and the British people earned their living by

human being can communicate with one another by using our spoken
language.
Language is one of the most important inventions of human being. In
order to understand clearly about language, let's take some definition.
According to L. Donald and W. Harry (1956) "Language is the means by
which men and women reach searching finger toward one another, understand
one another, conduct as members off is prime vehicle of our conduct as
member of a human society, it is the basic of our writing and the instrument of
our literature.
The America Heritage Dictionary of the English language gave out
another definition that: "a communication of thought and feeling through a
system of arbitrary signal such as voice sounds, gesture or written symbol,
such a system including its rules for combining its component such as: words
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The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
used by a nation people, or other distinct community, often contrasted with
dialect".
While Tadeuze asserted that: "language is a product in that it can survive
ages without essential changing despite social upheavals (1973:3).
In brief, language is considered as a mean of human being’s
communication. It is created from linguistic unit such as: morphemes, words,
renitence, etc. Also, by using language, people can interchange information,
express their feeling, keep the social relation between each members.
1.3.1 Function of language
We can see many classifications by many linguists. Exactly, the most
popular function that most language learners and researchers can recognize is
the function as a mean of communication.

not handle this vastly complex system. It has been estimated that if the brain
used some of the methods of computting language, it would take several
minutes to produce or to understand a single short sentence.
Secondly, language is productive. We can produce uncountable sentences
that we have never heard before. It is true that we have some kinds of sestence
- producing mechanism - that sentences are produced new every time and not
merely imitated. One role of grammatical theory is to explain this quite
noticeable fact.
Last, language is arbitrary. There is no one–to- one relation between
sound and meaning. This account for the fact that languages differ most of all
in their grammatical structure.
1.3.3. The interrelation between language and culture
The issues of language and culture relationship has drawn the concern of
many linguistics and other inter branch's attention. Nowadays, these issues
have been given under the light of new theories coping with the command of
the widen of linguistic, culture logy and other socio - human sciences. Most of
theorists asserts about the sophisticated relation of culture and language.
When a person wants to learn another culture, he/she has to learn its language
because language is a bridge to connect him/her to the culture and understand
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The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
it. In turn, culture gets rich its language and make the dominant characteristic
of the country which owns the language. The language and the culture
combine so tightly that learning one obviously relates learning another. To
sum up, the relation between language and culture is interrelated and
inseparable. They are two parts of a whole which is never separated.
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from English into Vietnamese.
2.2. Data analysis
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The influences of Vietnamese and English culture
On English - Vietnamese translation by the third-year of English at Hanoi
Open University
After collecting back 60 sheets distributed, I have analyzed the
data.Participants were asked to complete the survey individually in forty - five
minute without using dictionary.The final result from effect of cultural
differences still exist.
Here is the final result:
Part A:Choose the best translation with great attemtion to the underlined
words or phrases.
1. I have been loving him from the bottom of my heart.
Version
Number of
approval
Percentage
Tôi yêu anh ta bằng cả trái tim mình. 34 56.6%
Tôi yêu anh ta bằng cả tấm lòng. 26 43.3%
2. If you want to be a successive businessman, you must be aggressive
and not worry about people feeling.
Version
Number of
approval
Percentage
Nếu bạn muốn là một thơng nhân giỏi, bạn
cần xông xáo và không nghĩ tới cảm xúc ngời
khác.

Những biện pháp cứng nhắc đã đợc đa ra để
giải quyết vấn đề.
19 31.6%
Những biện pháp không khoan nhợng đã đợc
đa ra để giải quyết vấn đề.
43 71.6%
6. He is very clever.
Version
Number of
approval
Percentage
Anh ta rất khôn ranh. 7 11.6%
Anh ta rất khéo léo. 31 51.6%
Anh ta rất nhanh nhẹn. 22% 36.6%
7. She is as flat as pancake .
Version
Number of
approval
Percentage
Cô ấy gầy nh một cái bánh kếp. 45 75%
Cô ấy gầy nh cá mắm. 15 25%
8. We staged strikes not on political but on bread and butter issue.
Version
Number of
approval
Percentage
Chúng tôi đình công không phải là vì vấn đề
chính trị mà là vì vấn đề lơng thực.
46 76.6%
Chúng tôi đình công không phải là vì vấn đề 14 23,3%