Abstract
Considering <i>modality</i> as whatever that lies out of <i>the lexis</i> (also called <i>the dictum</i>) of the proposition of a declarative sentence, I have considered the meanings conveyed by the modal verb “ <i>can</i>” as well as its English alternative modal expressions, in comparison with those conveyed by its so-called Vietnamese counterpart “ <i>có thể</i>”, if possible. If not, other translated versions into Vietnamese are suggested. The English modal verb <i>can</i> is translated into Vietnamese in a number of different ways, and <i>có thể</i> is one of these ways, however frequent and thus prominent it is; in other words, besides <i>có thể</i>, among other Vietnamese counterparts of “ <i>can</i> are “ <i>được</i>”, “ <i>mới</i> …<i>được</i>”, “ <i>có thể</i> …<i>được</i>”, “ <i>có thể sẽ</i>”, “ <i>biết</i>”, and “ <i>thường</i>”. The alternative modal expressions of “ <i>can</i>” as shown in the English declaratives in this paper have plenty of Vietnamese equivalents, as identified in their suggested translated versions. Although these inevitable differences cause both Vietnamese learners of English and native speakers of English who do a course in Vietnamese a lot of trouble, their potential similarities are the objective bases for successful practice in translating or interpreting. There is no doubt that the interesting and fruitful research on modal expressions in Vietnamese and English declarative sentences is of undeniably practical significance in the current time of world-wide explosion of information and cross-cultural communication.
Highlights
In the current time of world-wide explosion of information and cross-cultural communication, there is an urgent need for the Vietnamese peoples to learn and use the English language efficiently as an international means of communication
It is a challenge for the students to acquire modality in general and the meanings conveyed by the modal verb can as well as its English alternative modal expressions, in comparison with those conveyed by its socalled equivalent Vietnamese có thể, in particular
The English modal verb can is translated into Vietnamese in a number of different ways, and có thể is one of these ways, frequent and prominent it is; in other words, besides có thể, among other Vietnamese counterparts of can are có thể ... được, as in (1); được, as in (3); mới ... được, as in (4); biết, as in (5); có thể sẽ, as in (8); and thường, as in (60b)
Summary
In the current time of world-wide explosion of information and cross-cultural communication, there is an urgent need for the Vietnamese peoples to learn and use the English language efficiently as an international means of communication. To fulfil such a need, the theory and practice of translation and interpretation from English to Vietnamese and vice versa is constantly under some change, closely related to the gradually increased number of Vietnamese students who have been studying for a Bachelor of Arts in English and whose concentration is Translating and Interpreting, at least in and around Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Speaking, it is a challenge for the students to acquire modality in general and the meanings conveyed by the modal verb can as well as its English alternative modal expressions, in comparison with those conveyed by its socalled equivalent Vietnamese có thể, in particular. Playing the role of the nurture of their attempt to overcome such a challenge is the focus of this paper This hopefully “reinforces the conclusion that the basic facts about meaning in all languages are, by and large, parallel. This is not to deny, that there are interesting differences between languages” [Hurford, Heasley & Smith, 2007: 10]
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