A Comparative Study on 'Death' Terms in Chinese and Vietnamese

摘要

"Death" is an unavoidable part of life, and sometimes a must topic. For its inauspicious implication, "death" itself is usually euphemized with other terms or phrases in a variety of living languages, including Chinese and Vietnamese. A comparative study is conducted on the various ways of expressing "death" in these two languages. Similarities and differences are revealed in these terms, which serve to unveil the subtle cultural backgrounds in the two nations. The findings are also of assistance to teaching Chinese in Vietnam.