A STUDY ON ANTONYMY IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE

Abstract

This research presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of antonymy in English and Vietnamese, examining the linguistic and cultural dimensions that shape opposite relationships in both languages. The study employs a systematic approach to investigate how antonyms function within these distinct linguistic systems, focusing on their semantic properties, structural patterns, and contextual applications. Through extensive analysis of data collected from authoritative dictionaries, literary works, and contemporary texts, this research explores various categories of antonyms and their distribution across different semantic fields. The findings reveal both universal patterns and language-specific characteristics in antonymic relationships. While both languages demonstrate conventional binary oppositions, Vietnamese exhibits unique patterns influenced by cultural conceptualization and social contexts, particularly in areas related to social relationships and abstract concepts. The research highlights how cultural perspectives significantly influence the formation and interpretation of antonymic pairs in Vietnamese, creating subtle variations that differ from English counterparts. These distinctions reflect deeper cultural-linguistic relationships that impact communication and translation practices. The study contributes to theoretical understanding of cross-linguistic antonymy and offers practical insights for language teaching, translation studies, and intercultural communication. Furthermore, the findings enhance our comprehension of how cultural frameworks shape linguistic structures, particularly in the expression of opposing concepts across different language systems.