TRANSLATING TIME-RELATED EXPRESSIONS

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Human beings refer to time as past, present and future. Despite
this, time indicators vary from language to language. Take English
and Vietnamese as examples. In Vietnamese, the three timelines
of past, present and future are rigorously indicated by the
adverbs of time da, dang and se, respectively. In English,
however, the three timelines are expressed in 12 major verb
tenses. Therefore, while learning to use these tenses is difficult
for Vietnamese learners of English, translating these verb tenses
into Vietnamese is even more difficult. In addition to the
differences in expressions of tenses, a wide range of time
expressions in the forms of adverbs, verb patterns and
collocations also create challenges to Vietnamese learners of
English.
This chapter presents ways of translating time – related
expressions in English into Vietnamese. Nonetheless, the
application of what is discussed in this chapter is not limited to
English – Vietnamese translation. Rather, it can be a reference for
Vietnamese – English translation.
1.2 Translating time – related expressions
1.2.1 Verb tenses
Compared to a variety of expressions with different uses,
Vietnamese, as mentioned, only has three adverbs of time da,
dang and se indicating past, present and future, respectively. In
English – Vietnamese translation, we often use da if the verb in
the source sentence is in either past simple or present perfect.
However, the word da is sometimes omitted in Vietnamese,
especially when the sentence contains adverbial of time. For
example, the target sentence in [1.1] can be Họ chuyển den
can ho nay cach day 3 nam.
There might not be any difficulty translating form English to
Vietnamese this way, but what tense should we use if we do
Vietnamese – English translation of a sentence containing the
word da? The tip is that we will use past simple if the sentence
has an expression of a particular time, for example, cach day (+
an amount of time), vao (+ a point in time).
In translation of a source sentence containing a verb in the
present time, we do not need any time indicator for verbs in the
present simple. However, we use dang
To indicate an action in progress (e.g, the verb is in the present
continuous).
Some of the hints for the use of dang in the target sentence
include the expressions of a specific time (e.g…, at the moment)
and temporariness (e.g..., this week).
In case we describe gradual development or improvement, we
can use dang (+verb) dan as in [1.7] or only dan as in [1.8].
It should be noted that the present continuous is also used to
refer to a future action. In this case, se will be used instead of
dang.
For future verb tenses, se is used in the target sentence.
Interestingly, although English and Vietnamese greatly differ in
the structure of language and use, there is a correlation between
the English present perfect and the Vietnamese expression da va
dang, used in describing an action or a plan that lasts a period of
time until present. This is worth noting for translation either way.
In addition, English verb tenses may be accompanied by time –
related expressions which may mostly affect the way the target
sentence should be like.
1.2.2 Expressions of habits and normality
1.2.2.1 Expressions with -ING forms or nouns
We use the pattern be used to + -ing form/noun to talk about
situations which are familiar to or normal for someone and which
they therefore do not find strange or difficult.
According to the explanation for usage, the expression be used to
+ -ing form/noun can be expressed in Vietnamese as quen voi/
than thuoc voi. However, the sense of language slightly changes
with the expression get used to + -ing form/noun. We use the
pattern get used to + -ing form/noun to talk about situations
becoming familiar or normal after at first being strange or
difficult. There is an emphasis on the gradual change in the habit.
Therefore, the Vietnamese equivalent to this expression should
have an indicator of this gradual change. In this situation, it
should be translated as dan quen voi.
Similarly, be/get accustomed to + -ing form/noun are used with
the same meanings as be/get used to + -ing form/noun, but in a
more formal context. We can certainly translate them as we do
with the above two expressions. Nonetheless, if we consider the
formality of language, we use the phrases thich nghi voi and
dan thich nghi voi, respectively.
There are also expressions of habits and normality that imply a
speaker’s disapproval. For example, we use the expression have
a habit of + -ing form to talk about things are considered bad.
It is acceptable to translate the expression into Vietnamese as co
thoi quen (lam gi) if we do not want to include the disapproving
attitude in the Vietnamese version, but if we want to bring the
attitudinal sense into the translated version, the expression co
(cai) tat (lam gi) will work.
Another expression, be always + -ing form, connected with the
use of verb tense in the continuous form is as an emphatic
exclamation to describe habits causing annoyance. For this
expression, the expression cu…hoai will help convey the
meaning of annoyance.
1.2.2.2 Expressions with Infinitive forms
We use tend + full infinitive to talk about things that people
usually do or that usually happen or are true. In Vietnamese,
there is an equivalent expression co khuynh huong/xu huong.
Nonetheless, when we use have a tendency + full infinitive, in
addition to expressing the same meaning as tend, this pattern
often implies the speaker’s disapproval or dislike.
In this way, the attitudinal aspect of meaning is not conveyed.
This way of translation is often found in the written language in
which the polite form of language is required. However, in spoken
language, we can use the phrases cu hay… and co (cai) tat
hay… as equivalents to this pattern:
For the habits and normality in the past, English speakers often
use would + bare infinitive (=used to + bare infinitive) to
talk about things that happened repeatedly in the past. For this
pattern, we use the Vietnamese expressions (da) tung and van
thuong as an equivalent.
Note that would + bare infinitive can be only used with verbs
indicating activities, while used to + bare infinitive can be used
with both activity verbs and stative verbs.
1.2.3 Adverbs of time
Learners of English often observe that certain words can go with
particular tense. For example, words like already, yet, just, lately,
recently, etc. are mostly seen in sentences with verbs in the
present perfect. In this section, ways of translating words
connected with particular tenses and meanings are presented.
Already
This adverb is used to say that something has happened before
now, or before the moment you are referring to. It is equivalent to
Vietnamese words roi, xong, or xong roi.
It is sometimes used to show surprise in questions. In this case,
the Vietnamese equivalent should be roi u?
Yet
This word, which is used to say that something has not happened,
but it is expected that it will happen, is the equivalent to chua in
Vietnamese.
Still
The adverb still is often found in sentences describing a situation
or action that continues and has not changed or ended. The usual
rendering of this word is van, con or van con.
Anymore/any longer
These expressions are used with negative verbs to say that
something was true or happened in the past doesn’t continue to
be true or to happen. The Vietnamese equivalent is khong…nua.
Hardly
The word hardly has many different equivalents in Vietnamese,
depending on its use in context. Regarding tense, hardly is
commonly used in the pattern hardly + past perfect to mean
“only a short time before” – that is, vua moi in Vietnamese.
Lately/ recently
Lately and recently can be used with the same meaning. We often
find them in the pattern lately/recently + present perfect
continuous to talk about a period of time beginning not long ago
and continuing until now. These words are equivalent to moi day
or dao gan day in Vietnamese.
Note that recently can also be used with the past simple to mean
“at a point in time not long ago” but lately cannot,
So far
So far is an expression that means “until now” (but the situation
might change). This expression must be used with the present
perfect tense. This expression is rendered in Vietnamese as cho
đến nay or tính cho đến nay.
Currently
Currently is used to talk about something that is happening now
but which may not continue. It implies the meaning of a period of
time, and thus it is different from now and at the moment,
which indicate a point in time. In Vietnamese, we should say it as
trong lúc này or trong thời gian này.
In the last/past +period
This pattern is used to talk about a period of time before and until
now. It should be translated into Vietnamese as trong …(vừa)
qua. The verb in the sentence containing this pattern must be in
the present perfect.
Then
While the adverb now in English means ‘at the present time’
(bây giờ/lúc này in Vietnamese) and clearly relates to the
present tense, the adverb then is more complicated. Then means
‘at the time (in the past or in the future)’. It is translated into
Vietnamese as (vào) thời đó/ (vào) lúc đó if it indicates the
past, and as (đến) khi đó/(đến) lúc đó if it is about the future
event/action.
1.2.4 Collocations expressing periods of time
There are three common verbs in English that form different
collocations expressing actions done within periods of time,
namely, take, spend and waste. These verbs are particularly
used in patterns as follows.
Take
This verb is used to talk about the amount of time an action
requires. It comes in three collocations.
Subject + take + period
The verb take in this pattern can be translated as mât (+ period
of time).
It + take + period +for + someone to do something
This pattern is English – specific, and the translation of it should
be literal: phải mất (bao lâu) để (ai làm gì).
As ‘it’ in this pattern is a preparatory subject, there is an
alternative for the translation of this sentence. We can begin the
target sentence with the person who does the action: (Ai) mất
(bao lâu) để (làm gì).
It + take + someone +period + to do something
Translating this pattern is more complicated compared with the
other patterns. ‘It’ in this pattern is also a preparatory subject, so
the arrangement of information in the target sentence is quite
different from the source sentence. Normally, the action is put in
the position of subject in a Vietnamese sentence: (làm việc gì)
khiến (ai) mất (bao lâu).
Spend
The verb spend is used to talk about the amount of time
someone uses for a particular activity. Spend comes in the
pattern: Someone + spend + period + -ing form. Therefore,
we render it as dùng/ dành, bỏ ra in Vietnamese: (Ai) danh/bo
ra (bao lau) (lam viec gi).
Waste
The verb waste comes in the pattern (Someone) + waste +
(period) + -ing form. It is used to talk about the amount of time
someone uses doing something unnecessary or useless, so we
translate it into Vietnamese as (Ai) bo phi (bao lau) de (lam
gi).
1.2.5 Other expressions of time
In English, there are expressions of time without any time
indicators. The following are some common expressions of this
kind.
a. Be about to do something
This pattern is used to talk about plan or an intention of doing
something in a very short time. It is equivalent to sap sua/chuan
bi (lam gi) or (lam gi) ngay day.
b. Be on the point of doing something: Định (làm gì)
c. Be due to do something: Sắp phải (làm gì), đến hạn (làm gì) or
có lịch (làm gì)
Chương 2: Từ nối
1. Từ nối trái nghĩa
Although/ though: mặc dù

1.3 Practice Exercises

1.3.1 English-Vietnamese translation
11. His story may mean nothing to some people but it reminds me
about my childhood back then.
12. They don’t actually need the parcel on Friday, but if it arrives by
then, so much the better.
13. I’m not quite interested in the concert at the Grand Theatre as
finding a parking spot at that time takes ages.
14. For the time being, I’m working for a small company, but I hope to
have a better job with a higher salary soon.
15. I had hardly started to play video games when my mother came
home with an angry face.
16. In the last few years, the Japanese government has been trying to
increase the share of women in the workforce, in general, and in
leadership positions, in particular.
17. She got the doctor’s permission to get around recently.
18. I’m waiting for the train which is due to arrive at 10:15 am.
19. It is certainly true that in recent times money has become so
important in sports.
20. My father has worked for this company for almost 30 years. He’s
going to retire next month.
Exercise 2. Translate the following short story into Vietnamese. Pay
attention to the expressions of time.
One day last summer I was walking through the local park. It was a hot
day and I was eating an ice cream. As I was walking past the boating
lake, I saw my friends, Carol and Jim. They were taking their dog for a
walk. When we met, we stopped for a chat. While we were talking, the
dog suddenly jumped up and tried to get my ice cream. I pulled my
hand away and unfortunately the ice cream came out of the cone. Now
there was a bald man behind me. The poor man wasn’t doing anything
harm. He was just sitting on a bench and reading a newspaper.When I
pulled my hand away, the ice cream flew through the air and landed on
the man’s head. I didn’t know what to do then. I was terribly
embarrassed!
1.3.2 Vietnamese-English translation
Exercise 3. Translate the following sentences into English
1. Tôi vừa mới mua chiếc váy đó thì bố tôi lại mua cho tôi một chiếc
tương tự.
2. Sang xuân thời tiết ấm áp hơn, tinh thần của ông ấy cũng phấn chấn
hơn.
3. Tuần này tôi phải hoàn thành phần việc được giao.
4. Mấy ngày gần đây tôi cảm thấy không được khỏe. Có lẽ tôi nên đi
kiểm tra sức khỏe.
5. Chúng tôi đã dành 2 tuần để hoàn tất bài tập nhóm nhưng tiếc là
vẫn không thể hoàn thành đúng hạn.
6. Theo lịch thì máy bay sẽ đáp vào lúc 9 giờ tối.
7. Tôi sẽ đến cuộc họp trong 5 phút nữa vì vậy hãy đảm bảo mọi thứ
được chuẩn bị sẵn sàng trước khi tôi đến.
8.Tuần vừa rồi là một tuần tồi tệ đối với cô bé khi nó chỉ đạt 5 điểm cho
môn Toán.
9. Chính phủ sẽ tăng cường lực lượng cứu hộ đến các khu vực bị ảnh
hưởng bởi cơn bão số 8 trong tuần tới.
10. Khu vực miền Bắc đang hứng chịu một đợt nắng nóng khác được dự
báo kéo dài đến hết tháng.
11. Trong những năm gần đây, nhiều tỉnh và thành phố đã rất quan
tâm đến phát triển và hiện đại hóa hạ tầng đô thị.
12. Lúc trước, thành phố vẫn còn rất ít người dân sinh sống. Từ khi có
nhiều đường sá hơn, nó mới trở nên đông đúc như bây giờ.
13. Tại sao chúng ta cứ có cái tật chờ đến tối muộn rồi mới bắt đầu làm
bài tập? Mỗi bài mất ít nhất 2 tiếng mà chúng ta có tới tận 3 bài. Sắp
thức đến sáng rồi đây!
14. Bạn ăn gì chưa? Tôi mới ăn một ít salad cho buổi trưa thôi vì tôi
không quen ăn nhiều vào giờ này.
15. Tôi sắp bỏ việc rồi đây. Mấy đồng nghiệp của tôi cứ ngồi tán gẫu
hoài trong khi việc còn rất nhiều.
16. Những người giàu có thường có thói quen dậy sớm và đọc sách mỗi
ngày. Tôi cũng đọc sách, nhưng dậy sớm thì chưa.
17. Công ty của anh ta đang làm ăn được lắm. Tính tới nay, anh ta đã
thuê tới 3000 nhân viên.
18. Cần tới 4 năm để đào tạo được một cử nhân, 5 năm cho kỹ sư,
nhưng phải mất ít nhất 6 năm để đào tạo ra được một bác sĩ.
19. Các trường học ngày nay có xu hướng cân bằng giữa việc học lý
thuyết và thực hành hơn so với trước đây khi thầy cô giáo thường chỉ
đọc bài giảng cho sinh viên chép.
20. Trong tương lai gần, tiếng Anh vẫn sẽ là phương tiện giao tiếp phổ
biến toàn cầu.
Exercise 4. Translate the following short story into English. Pay
attention to the expressions of time.
Ngày Thứ Bảy
Thuở bé, tôi luôn luôn chờ đợi ngày thứ bảy. Vì đó là ngày ba tôi thường
đưa cả nhà đi ăn tối, đi xem phim. Đến tuổi dậy thì, ngày thứ bảy càng
đáng yêu hơn, vì đó là ngày tôi đến nơi hẹn với người yêu. Khi lập gia
đình,tôI cũng mong ngày thứ bảy để được nghỉ việc, được giặt ủi quần
áo, dọn dẹp nhà cửa.
Và bây giờ, tôi sợ ngày thứ bảy! Đó là ngày chồng tôi họp bạn nhậu,
con tôi hẹn với người yêu, tôi hoàn toàn cô đơn.