HANOI OPEN UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGLISH AND MODERN LANGUAGES

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ASSIGNMENT ON TRANSLATION THEORY

SUBJECT IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE
APPLICATION
 Hanoi-March, 2011

CONTENTS
I. INTRUCTION

1.1. Rationale

1.2. Aims and scope of the study

II. DEVELOPMENT

2.1. Definition of subject

2.2. Overview of Subject

2.2.1. Realization of subject

2.2.2. Position of subject

2.2.3. Function of subject

2.3. Some notes on English and Vietnamese application

2.3.1. Impersonal pronouns as subjects

2.3.1.1. It

2.3.1.2. There

2.3.1.3. One

2.3.1.4. You

2.3.2. Some notes on positions of sentence subject

2.3.3. Skewing in English-Vietnamese translation

III. CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

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 I. INTRUCTION
1.1. Rationale

When Immanuel Kant said in 1785 that “a person is a subject whose actions
can be imputed to him/her” he meant a subject in the sense of the do-er of a
verb, an active entity which was the source of its own actions and was
morally responsible for those actions. The sense of “subject” I take to mean
the type of answer to the subject-question: “who does?”

The subject has the grammatical function in a sentence of relating its

constituent (a noun phrase) by means of the verb to any other elements
present in the sentence, i.e. objects, complements and adverbials.

1.2. Aims and scope of the study

The primary aim of the study is to give students of English, who would be
translators, an overview of frequently seen applications of English and
Vietnamese subject. The study also aims at giving some notes of those-
which can deal with confusing of using proper vocabulary in translation. The
targeted subjects of this study are mainly students; nevertheless, all people
who are interested in translation work can consider it a useful data helping
improve their translation skill. In addition, the study touches upon a field of
study that is sill rather insufficient in Vietnam for further discussion by other
researchers.

Because of space and time limitation, the study can not cover the whole
aspects of subject sentence in English as well as in Vietnamese equivalents.
Thus, we only focus on researching some aspects mentions in the Contents.

The study was carried out by collecting data from books, e-book and
information from previous researcher and from internet.

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 II. DEVELOPMENT
2.1. Definition of subject

The subject of a sentence is part of a sentence or clause that commonly

indicates what it is about, or who or what performs the action (that is, the
agent).

"The traditional definition of subject as referring to the “doer” of an action

(or agent), though it is adequate for central or typical cases, will not work for
all cases”.

2.2. Overview of Subject

2.2.1. Realization of subject

Although nouns and noun phrases most frequently function as the subject of
sentences, other grammatical forms can perform the grammatical function of
subject in the English language such as: verb phrases, preposition phrases,
adjectives, clauses, idioms, quotations, etc.,

 Noun phrases as subjects: Noun phrases are the most frequent

grammatical forms that function as the subject.
Lan, my daughter, is in grade 6.
She was waving an American flag.
My son is waiting for me over there
The police interviewed all the
witnesses.
This is my husband
Who asked the question?
Mine is durable
Two are absent today
Some of the students are here.
Con bé Lan nhà tôi đang học lớp 6.
Cô ta đang vẫy cờ Mỹ đấy.
Con tôi đang đợi ở kia rồi
Cảnh sát đang thẩm vấn các nhân
chứng.
Đây là chồng tôi.
Ai hỏi câu đấy thế?
Túi này của tôi còn bền chán.
Hôm nay, có 2 học sinh không đi học
Một số học sinh ở đây

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Neither John nor I trust him. Cả tôi và John đều không tin anh ta
 Verb phrases as subjects
To read is easier than to write. Đọc thì dễ hơn viết
Walking makes me feel better. Tản bộ làm tôi thấy thoải mái
Questioned a lot makes her confused Bị hỏi quá nhiều làm cô ta thấy bối rối
Whom to hire is a difficult question.
My drinking milk pleases my mother.
 Preposition phrases as subjects

Sometimes a prepositional phrase appears to be either the subject itself or

part of the subject. Read the example that follows:

After nine is a good time to ring. Gần sáng là lúc mọi người ngủ say
In March is good to marry. Sang tháng 3 là bước vào mùa cưới
In the cave is dark Trong hang rất tối.
Behind the garage is a muddy mess Đằng sau gara toàn sình lầy
Under the bed needs cleaning Dưới gậm giường rất bẩn
Above the freezer needs dusted Từ Hà Nội tới Hải Phòng là 105km
Between seven and nine is when Khoảng từ 7-9h là lúc công nhân
employees must arrive. phải có mặt

 Adjectives as subjects

In English, alone adjective can not be the subject in sentence. However, in

Vietnamese, the subject can be an adjective:

Cần cù, chịu khó là đức tính tốt đẹp của nhân dân việt nam.

Lười biếng là một tính xấu

 Clauses as subjects: In these cases, clauses can also perform almost all
the other functions as noun phrases.
Cách mạng tháng 8 / thành công

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 đem lại độc lập, tự do cho dân tộc.
What he said is valuable Những gì ông nói đều rất có giá trị
The man I met last night was Cái gã tớ gặp tối qua cực kỳ thú vị
interesting
All books you need are in the Những sách em cần đều có trong thư
library viện cả.
 Idioms, quotations, slogans, mottos… as subjects

Today, “Do you... Yahoo!?” becomes Slogan “Hãy nói theo cách của bạn”
popular to younger generations dần trở nên phổ biến với người sử
dụng mạng điện thoại di động ở VN.
I love you is often heard these days. “Biết rồi, khổ lắm, nói mãi” đã trở
thành câu nói bất hủ của cụ cố Hồng
In that situation, to have a good head on Chỉ tay năm ngón chẳng bao giờ
one’s shoulders became her weak side. được việc cả.
“No smoking” is seen in everywhere Biển báo “Cấm dẫm lên cỏ” dường
như vô hình với đại đa số người dân
khu vực quanh đây.

2.2.2. Position of subject

Most statements begin with the subject. However, many questions begin
with a word that is part of the complete predicate.

The subject of a sentence may be at the beginning, in the middle, or at the

end.

The predicate also precedes the subject in statements beginning with There
is, There are, Here is, or Here are.

In commands the subject is usually not stated. It is understood.

Position of the subject: Sentence

The children were complaining about the amount of
at the beginning
homework.

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 Although learning is valued, the children
in the middle
complained about the amount of homework.
at the end There are the children.
not stated Do your homework. (You)

When you are identifying the subject in an interrogative sentence (a

question) it may help to put the question in the form of a statement:

Do the children understand the homework?

The children understand the homework.

You may also simplify the task of identifying subjects by identifying any
prepositional phrases.

2.2.3. Function of subject

The most familiar grammatical function is the subject. In notional terms, we

can think of the Subject as the element which performs the "action" denoted
by the verb.

The subject has the grammatical function in a sentence of relating its

constituent (a noun phrase) by means of the verb to any other elements
present in the sentence, i.e. objects, complements and adverbials.

2.3. Some notes on English and Vietnamese application

2.3.1. Impersonal pronouns as subjects

Impersonal pronouns, such as: it, there, you, one do not refer to particular
things or replacement of previous one

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With the role of impersonal subject in the sentence, they have no exactly
equivalent meanings in Vietnamese. Thus, they will be translated into
Vietnamese differently in each case.

2.3.1.1. It

Time, It’s nearly one o’clock. Bây giờ là gần 1 giờ

date It’s my birthday. Hôm nay là sinh nhất tớ
weather It’s raining. Trời đang mưa
It was getting cold. Thời tiết đang lạnh dần
It’s nice to meet you. Rất vui được gặp anh
It was interesting to meet your Rât vui là cuối cùng thì
To
-inf brother at last. cũng gặp được anh trai
Non- Give
bạn
people opinion
It’s great living in Spain Sống ở TBN thích lắm
-ing It can be hard work looking Trông trẻ con vất vả lắm
after young children đấy
+adj It’s wonderful! Thật tuyệt!
Tuyệt quá/ Tuyệt thật
It’s noisy! Thật ồn ào!
Ồn quá/ Ồn thật đấy
Hello! It’s George. Xin chào! Là Georger
People đây.
(Mary knocks on door) It’s me. Là tôi đây. Mary đây
It’s Mary

2.3.1.2. There: After “there” you use a form of “be” and a noun group.

Generally, “there” is translated “có” into Vietnamese. The subject in English

sentence may be subject in Vietnamese translation version or not.

There are two people Có hai người biết rõ

The existence who might know what chuyện gì đã xảy ra.
or presence happened
of someone or There is plenty of Có/còn nhiều bánh mỳ

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 something: bread. lắm
Something There's a meeting every Hàng tuần, có một buổi
that happens week gặp họp
There are forty of us, I Tôi cho là chúng tôi có
think 40 người
A number There is a great deal of Có rất nhiều người tức
anger about his giận vì quyết định của
or amount
decision. anh ta.

2.3.1.3. One

As a determiner, the word one is sometimes used before a proper noun to

designate. But we also use one as a pronoun, and this is where one becomes
surprisingly complex.

As a pronoun, one can also function in an impersonal, objective manner,

standing for the writer or for all people who are like the writer or for the
average person or for all people who belong to a class. In the United States,
one sometimes has a literary or highfalutin feel to it; the more it is used, the
more pretentious it feels. In British English, the use of the impersonal or
generic one is more commonplace and has no such stigma. In the U.S., one
is often replaced by you. In this paper, we deal with “one” as subject. In each
case or context, “one” can be translated into Vietnamese in different ways.
Followings are examples of “one” replaced by “you”:

• One would think the airlines would have to close down.

• One would [You'd] think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.
• The young comedian was awful; one felt embarrassed for him.
• If one fails, then one must try harder next time.

When the pronoun one is used in the numerical sense, a different pronoun
can be used in a subsequent reference.

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 • We watched as one [of the ospreys] dried its feathers in the sun.
• One [driver] pulled her car over to the side.

However, it is generally regarded as a bad idea to mix the impersonal or

generic pronoun one with another pronoun, especially in the same sentence,
as in "If one fails, then he/you must simply try harder."

2.3.1.4. You

“You” is often used in general statements when we are talking about anyone,
at any time. “You” is directed to the listener. It does not include the speaker.
“You” as an impersonal pronoun is informal.

• In ancient times, you believed in dog-spirits.

(Use people. This is in a time before the speaker or listener.)

• Insteading for a number of people:

(In the class, teacher tells to her students) You should try your best if you
want to gain the scholarship

2.3.2. Some notes on positions of sentence subjects

Generally, but always, the subject comes before the verb, as in the entire
examples above. There are, however, exceptions, like these in following
cases:

2.3.2.1. In questions

Questions are typically formed by inversion– putting an auxiliary verb or

modal verb at the front for yes/no questions, or an interrogative word
followed by an auxiliary or modal verb.

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"Have you eaten breakfast yet?" Are you ready?"

“What is the difference between a king penguin and an emperor

penguin?”

2.3.2.2. In expletive constructions: involve a couple of the stylistic errors

outlined in this article .They are wordy and employ weak verbs. Many
sentences that begin with "it is," "it was," "there is" or "there are" have
expletive constructions.

There were four basic cause of the Civil War

Here is the book.

It was the final goal of the game that determined the state championship

It is Saturday when I get to spend time at the animal shelter

2.3.2.3. In attributing speech

Striking students who miss exams will be given fail marks” said the
vice-chancellor Ms Anna

2.3.2.4. To give prominence or focus to a particular word or phrase by

putting the predicate in the initial position:

Even more important is the chapter dealing with ordnance

2.3.2.5. When a sentence begins with an adverb or an adverbial phrase

or clause

Seldom has so much been owed by so many to so few.

Only then did I understand the problem

Only after understanding the situation does the teacher make a comment.

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2.3.2.6. In negative constructions: Everybody knows "not". Other negative
constructions are possible. Because English does not allow double or triple
negatives, it is important to avoid using "not" with other negative
constructions. When "not" is included, use the affirmative forms of other
adverbs:

I don't believe a word she says, nor does my brother.

Come to think of it, neither does her father .
2.3.2.8. After “so”

“I believe her; so does my brother”

“I like oranges; so does my sister”

2.3.2.9. Version with conditional sentences.

“Had I remembered Tomomi's birthday, she wouldn’t be mad at me now.”

“Had I remembered = If I had remembered”

“Should you need a hand, I will be more than happy to help you.”

“Should you need a hand = If you should need a hand”

2.3.3. Skewing in translating subject from English into Vietnamese or

vice versa:

 In English, alone adjective can not be the subject in sentence. However,

in Vietnamese, the subject can be an adjective. An adjective must be and
may be converted to a noun phrase in Vietnamese – English translation
and vice versa:

Laziness is one of bad characteristics Lười biếng là một tính xâu

N Adj

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 Single form may be converted to plural one or vice versa:

His advice is always helpful Những lời khuyên của anh luôn rất bổ ích
Sl. Pl

 A noun Phrase can be converted to a clause:

The success of the August Revolution brings back independence and

NP
freedom to our nation.
Cách mạng tháng Tám thành công đem lại độc lập tự do cho dân tộc.
S V

 Pronoun is converted to adverb phrase in order to express the distance:

It is 105km form Hanoi to Hai Phong

Từ Hà Nội đến Hải Phòng là 105km

III. CONCLUSION

All in all, this study is carried out so as to give the learners an overview
about subject in English and Vietnamese application, help them find the way
of translation it effectively. By dealing mainly the overview of subject and
some notes on English and Vietnamese application, we want to show that to
translate is not difficult if we master its realization, position function of

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subject. Hopefully, our work will be helpful for the learners in studying
academic translation.

REFERENCES

1. Dao Minh Thu. Dao Thi Minh Ngoc, Nguyen Mai Van, Le Kim Ngan, Le
Thanh Huong, Nguyen Phuong Tai, Do Ba Lam (2010) “Tap quy tac cu
phap Tieng Viet”, SP8.5 –Đề tài KC.01.01.05/06-10

2. Wlodarczyk André & Hélène (2006) “Subject in the Meta-informative

Centering Theory” in Études cognitives / Studia kognitywne 7, SOW, PAN,
Warsaw

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3. http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/subject.htm

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subject_(grammar)

5. http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/agr_pronouns.html

6. http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/one.htm

7. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/function/position.htm

8. http://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=193816

9. http://home.mira.net/~andy/works/subject.htm

10. http://www.english4dummies.com/grammar/typesofsubject.html

11.http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?
hl=vi&q=cache:sshlwtBuMzwJ:http://www.english-for-
students.com/Subject-Verb-
Inversion.html+subject+verb+inversion+In+questions+(routinely)&ct=clnk

Members of Group

1. Nguyễn Thị Lệ (K14C)

2. Nguyễn Thị Lợi
3. Hoàng Thị Mai (K14C)
4. Nguyễn Thị Thu (K14C)

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5. Trần Thị Thu (K14C)
Class: K14C

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