LATS on fixed language expressions

“Fixed linguistic expressions in English scientific and technical texts and their equivalents in Vietnamese” is the topic of the doctoral thesis of PhD student Hoang Thi Minh Phuc, defended at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities on August 19, 2010.The thesis studies fixed language expressions (BTNNCĐ) commonly used in English scientific and technical texts on linguistic levels, thereby finding out the structural - grammatical - semantic characteristics of BTNNCĐ, identifying and distinguishing BTNNCĐ and finding ways to translate them into Vietnamese. The thesis has analyzed and highlighted the characteristics of BTNNCĐ on the levels of formal structure, grammatical function and semantics. In addition, the thesis has pointed out the common difficulties that Vietnamese people encounter when translating BTNNCĐ into English, which are: lack of general knowledge about BTNNCĐ, limited language ability (including both translation sources and translation), not clearly identifying the context in using BTNNCĐ. The thesis has also proposed techniques for translating BTNNCĐ from English to Vietnamese such as: literal translation, literal translation with modification or blending, and idiomatic translation. Dr. Pham Tat Thang assessed the research object of the thesis on BTNNCĐ as very complicated, with many different viewpoints, Vietnamese people learning English often make mistakes in translation and learning. However, this study was successful because it identified BTNNCĐ, presented the structural units of BTNNCĐ, described the structure of BTNNCĐ, presented equivalent concepts and compared English to Vietnamese. Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Van (reviewer 1) also assessed that the thesis presented the correct concept of BTNNCĐ, with rich and updated illustrative examples. However, Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Van commented: The thesis needs to pay attention to some words and terms that are not translated accurately. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Thi (reviewer 3) said: One of the highlights of the thesis is to point out the difficulties in translating BTNN English into Vietnamese, the researcher focused on surveying, describing BTNNCĐ and proposing translation solutions. In addition, some other comments from members inside and outside the council suggested: The thesis would be more profound if more investment was made in the translation of BTNNCĐ from English to Vietnamese. The summary of comments shows that the thesis has provided a more general, specific and detailed view of BTNNCĐ in English, helping to handle BTNNCĐ, overcoming the difficulties caused by BTNNCĐ when translating English - Vietnamese. As a result, 7/7 members of the council recognized the state-level doctoral thesis, of which 5/7 voted to classify it as excellent. The thesis contributes to making the theoretical bases, identification criteria, structural features, semantic and grammatical forms of BTNNCĐ reflected more fully and comprehensively. Thereby, making BTNNNC more accessible to Vietnamese people, helping to further improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning English for Vietnamese people.