Understanding Idioms: Is It As Easy As Abc to English-majored Seniors at Cantho University?

Abstract

Although idioms play an important role in understanding languages, they are not paid more attention from the learners than other features such as grammar, pronunciation. Recognizing the importance of idioms, the researcher conducted a research to answer two research questions: (1) Which challenges do English-majored seniors at Can Tho University encounter when they use English idioms? (2)Why are idioms difficult to understand? In the methodology, 57 questionnaires are completed with enthusiastic help from 57 seniors at Can Tho University. The results presentes that cultures, in particular cultural symbols, strongly affect the difficulties of idioms since idioms are closest to cultures. The seniors may not be knowledgeable about cultural symbols and they lack useful techniques to translate idioms. Furthermore, the disparity of English and Vietnamese cultural symbols makes idioms hard to translate and understand. In terms of explanation of idioms of difficulties, the grammar complexity is also a factor to make idioms hard. In addition, context may be a useful evidence for learners to translate idioms but seniors use literal meanings if they are not knowledgeable about cultures. Last but not least, idioms are used in different situations such as formal and informal conversations, reports, and studies.