A Study on the Repetitive Meaning of the Chinese Adverb You (又) and its Equivalent Expressions in Vietnamese: An Analysis of Mo Yan’ S Big Breasts and Wide Hips”

Abstract

This study analyzes the distinct semantic layers of repetition expressed by the Chinese adverb “you” (又). Using Mo Yan's novel Big Breasts and Wide Hips (丰乳肥臀) and its Vietnamese translation Báu vật của đờii by Truong Dinh Hien as the research corpus. The findings indicate that the adverb “you” (又) can convey four semantic layers of repetition: recurrence, iteration, continuation, and supplementation. Regarding equivalent expressions in Vietnamese, apart from the use of the adverb lai, the repetitive meaning of the adverb “you” is rendered through various other strategies. This research also opens avenues for a comparative analysis of how the category of repetition is expressed in Chinese and Vietnamese, with applications for teaching Chinese repetitive adverbs to Vietnamese students.