Based on the family relationships in both Vietnamese and British societies, we can tentatively classify family-related proverbs into six main types:
+ Attitudes towards women in the family and society
+ Love and marriage
+ Choosing mates and marital relationship
+ Parentage (Parents-offspring relationship)
+ Brotherhood and sisterhood
+ The relationship between the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law
In terms of attitudes towards women, the author focuses on women’s characters, behaviours, the quality of women’s souls, their role in the society and family. Through English and Vietnamese proverbs, we can understand more about women in the previous days and in modern times. Moreover, we can see clearly the similarities and differences between the two cultures.
British people regard financial security as an important factor in love and marriage. Vietnamese young people are too timid to talk about finance when they are in love. Faithfulness is regarded as a very important factor for Vietnamese people whereas it is not for British people. Hence, English and Vietnamese proverbs are expressed in different ways.
Vietnamese people consider choosing mates to be a very important job. Besides the criteria of race and genes, appearance, voice and age are also the three criteria men take into account. British women’s criteria to choose husbands are not the same. The most important criterion is courage. Such opinions are also expressed in English and Vietnamese proverbs.
The parents-offspring relationship in British families expressed in English proverbs shows that the father’s role of educating his children is really important. The British mother doesn’t have as much free time as the father. In Vietnam, the mother’s role is more highly appreciated than the father’s. Vietnamese children are concerned about filial piety whereas British children are not.
In terms of brotherhood and sisterhood, the relationship among brothers and sisters in British families is not so close whereas this relationship in Vietnam is so deep. Brothers and sisters are more responsible for one another in Vietnamese society.
The relationship between the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law is a big problem in Vietnam. Meanwhile, it is not so hectic in Britain. In fact, the relationship between them in British society is not as serious as that in Vietnamese society. Proverbs denoting this relationship are not plentiful but sound really interesting.
The six types of family-related proverbs show six main features which are necessary for not only adults but also children. In addition, there are other types which are not mentioned or little mentioned in this minor thesis.FAMOUS ENGLISH PROVERBS
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