Learning The Semantic Change Of The Word “三three” In Chinese Linguistic Expressions In The View Of Vietnamese Learner

• Main Author: Hồ Thị Trinh Anh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE 2012-10-01
• Series: Tạp chí Khoa học Đại học Mở Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh - Khoa học Xã hội
• Online Access: https://journalofscience.ou.edu.vn/index.php/soci-vi/article/view/1183

Based on the theory of lexicology, this paper analyzes and describes the process of semantic change of the numerical word “三three” in Chinese. Although lexical meaning change is a popular language phenomenon, the consequences of meaning change of the word “three” have a special importance for reading comprehension, and justify a part of linguistic expressions at academic level of Chinese. By seeking the reasons for the semantic change of the word “three”, this paper proves the relation between language and philosophy, and religion in the development of Chinese history. Besides, the writer uses context analysis approach to explain why “three” in Chinese can have opposite meanings – “a lot” and “a little”. The paper contributes its findings to the body of literature useful for teachers and Chinese translators, bridging the gap in eplaining and teaching Chinese culture and language, especially in the lexicological studies for Chinese majors in Vietnam at the present time.