SEMANTIC FEATURES OF INFANTRY TERMS IN

ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE

Ho Ngoc Trung*
Le Xuan Huy†

Date received the article: 02/7/2021

Date received the review results: 03/01/2022
Date published the article: 27/01/2022

Abstract: Based on a corpus of 405 English terms and 409 Vietnamese terms,
the article is aimed at (i) investigating the semantic features of Infantry terms in English
and Vietnamese, and (ii) examining the similarities and differences between English and
Vietnamese Infantry terms in terms of semantic features. The article employs descriptive and
comparative methods to describe, to compare and contrast the semantic features between
English and Vietnamese Infantry terms. The findings of the study can be used as a useful
reference for cadets of army schools.
Keywords: Infantry terms; army schools; semantic features.
I. Introduction II. Theoretical background
In the 75th issue of Hanoi Open 2.1. The concept of Infantry terms
University Journal of Science, releasedin The Infantry term is the class of words
January 2021 we examined and compared divided by the scope of use. Compared to
structural features of English and the whole common vocabulary, Infantry
Vietnamese infantry terms. With an terms have a narrower scope of activities.
attempt to have a more comprehensive However, they still have the common
insight into the linguistic features of the characteristics of the vocabulary system of
terms, within the scope of this article, the a language, and their own characteristics
study is aimed at fulfilling the following reflect the intrinsic nature according tothe
objectives: (i) investigating the semantic rule of the general term system and their
features of Infantry terms in English and field of special activities. In terms of
Vietnamese; and (ii) examining the linguistic form, Infantry terms are words
similarities and differences between or phrases. In terms of syllables that make
English and Vietnamese Infantry terms in up words, Vietnamese words are divided
terms of semantic features. into two categories, single words and

* Faculty of English - Hanoi Open University

† Nguyen Hue University
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complex words, again complex words are as other types of linguistic signals which
divided into reduplicative words and present expression (words and phrases
compound words (Nguyễn Thiện Giáp, calling the names of Infantry phenomena)
1985). Infantry terms are also divided into are linguistic and facial forms expressed
single words, such as ‘bom, mìn, tăng, as conceptual content. These aspectsare
đạn, pháo, cối, súng, mũ, hướng, tầm…’ closely related to creating the inner nature
(bomb, mine, tank, bullet, artillery,mortar, of Infantry jargon. Specifically, words and
gun, hat, direction, range etc.) andcomplex phrases called for things and Infantry
words such as ‘binh chủng, đội hình, chiến phenomena. Infantry things and
dịch, bom bi, mìn chống tăng, bom ba phenomena are reflected by the Infantry
càng’ (arm, formation, campaign, concept. The most ideal case for an
fragmentation bombs, anti-tank mines, Infantry term is that the linguistic
cluster bombs), but there is a special point - conceptual - object aspects have a
in Vietnamese Infantry terms, that is, they corresponding relationship and often only
are not reduplicative terms, but single indicate an Infantry concept. In fact, there
words, compound words and phrases... an are also cases where a word or phrase
Infantry term is a phrase - a combination names many Infantry objects, that is the
of many words, for example: công tác case of homonymous Infantry terms, such
quân sự địa phương, công tác tham mưu as: tăng, địa bàn, ý định, nhiệm vụ...(tank,
hậu cần, ba mũi giáp công phòng ngự, area, intention, mission...). There are also
chính sách hậu phương quân đội… (local cases that a concept is represented by
military work, logistics advisory work, many Infantry terms, which is the case
three-front defenses, military rear with a synonymous Infantry term. For
policy...). example, a ‘terrain’ which is structured
In terms of content (what is and designed in accordance with technical
expressed), the Infantry terms represent and tactical requirements in Infantry
the Infantry concept and name Infantry training, which is denoted by two names:
objects. The concept of Infantry is a total thao trường - bãi tập (training grounds
characteristic of Infantry objects reflected - the field). There is also a case where a
in human perception. Infantry concept is term expresses different concepts, that is
the symbolic face of Infantry terms, for the case with multi-meaning terms (Sager,
example, the term weapon reflects the J.C.,1990): bắn (shooting), which is the
characteristics of many Infantry objects: process of creating a shot, including the
Infantry technical means which is used operation of ‘nạp đạn - ngắm - bóp cò’
to destroy enemy forces, enemy material (reloading - aiming - pulling the trigger);
and technical means, that is, instruments is a command to order the shooter to
to harm the enemy and protect ourselves. perform the movements: bóp cò - đạp cò
That characteristic is the common feature - giật cò - bấm nút... (apply the trigger -
of many Infantry objects in the army. step the trigger - pull the trigger - press
From the above-mentioned things, it can the button…). Based on the structural and
be seen that the Infantry terms as well semantic characteristics, we can see that
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Infantry term is a specialized lexical part, also called the same names of phenomena
including all units qualified as term, used and things. However, there are differences
stably in the field of Infantry specialization, in terms of connotation, if they are
in order to accurately represent concepts common words, like “plain” (đồng bằng)
or things and phenomena belonging tothe for example, it means a low, flat land,
field of Infantry activities or Infantry usually in the basin of a large river; if
specialization. it is a military term, the word “plain”
2.2. Distinguishing Infantry terms expresses the concept that it is an empty
from common words terrain, with certain tactical attributes
such as camouflage, squad deployment,
Differences between Infantry terms
use of forces and means, accompanied by
and common words are expressed in the
combat forms and tactics to suit terrain
content and language form. In terms of
features. The word “counterattack” (phản
content, Infantry terms are distinguished
công), when used as a common word,
from common words in the denotativeand
expresses the meaning of the action against
connotative aspects. This distinction
the attacker; when it is a military term, it
manifests itself in many respects. Firstly,
has the conceptual connotation, i.e., it is a
they are distinguished in both denotative
special type of combat in attack which is
and connotative sides. If common words
conducted at campaign and strategic scale.
are used in many fields, according to the
However, the concept of military and the
common perception of people in society,
concept of common words are closely
Infantry terms are the words used to refer
related because the meaning of common
to things, phenomena in the field of
words is always supplemented by the
Infantry and only be aware from an
concept of technical terms, enriching
Infantry perspective. It can be said that
meaning nuances (Cabré, M.T.,1999).
these are pure Infantry terms, not in
Furthermore, military concepts are always
common words, such as: Infantry rifle,
developed based on the initial meaning
attack in progress, individual mortar,
of common words (Mellor-Clark &
meeting engagement, fight hand-to-
Altamirano, 2004). For example, the
hand, tactical tricks, firing in progress,
etc. (súng bộ binh, tiến công trong hành concept of “weapons, war and army” more
tiến, cối cá nhân, chiến đấu tao ngộ, đánh or less bears some meaning of common
giáp lá cà, thủ đoạn tác chiến, bắn trong words. Weapons (vũ khí) reflected in the
hành tiến…). Secondly, Infantry terms are perception of most people are all the
different from the common words in terms means and tools used to destroy, damage
of connotative aspect but identical in enemies and keep our advantages; Army
denotative aspect. For example: sea, (quân đội) is perceived to be the armed
puddle, bay, pond, lake, plain, mountain, force of a class or a particular state, tasked
war, etc. (biển, vũng, vịnh, ao, hồ, đồng with armed struggle for the interests of its
bằng, miền núi, chiến tranh,…). In terms class or state.
of denotation, these words are common In addition, the difference between
words and when they are terms, they are common words and terms is reflected in
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the way they are used. Common words are The following findings result from a
used in many different styles and thorough examination of the meanings of
expressions such as intimacy, courtesy, 405 English infantry terms.
love, anger... Meanwhile, Infantry terms 4.1.1. Terms related to orders
are used only in the field of military, and
do not carry that aspect of sense. A military order is an authoritative
command, direction, or instruction usually
In terms of language structure, given by a superior to an inferior in a
Infantry terms are distinguished from military context. It can be given directly or
common words basically on parts of indirectly depending on situations. A
speech. Most infantry terms are nouns, general order is a published directive by an
noun phrases whereas common words are officer in a command post, which is
copious and variable. binding on all ranks under his command.
III. Methods of the study There are 22 English terms referring to
A mixed research approach is adopted, orders in the field of Infantry (approximately
including both quantitative and qualitative. 5.43 %). Some examples are about turn, at
Quantitative approach is used to measure easy march, attention, etc.
the percentage of semantic categories of 4.1.2. Terms related to tactics
the infantry terms in each language, while
According to Wikipedia, military
qualitative approach is utilized to display
tactics are the collective name for methods
the semantic features of the terms. The used by units up to a division in strength
article employs descriptive and comparative in engaging and defeating an enemyin
methods, with the aid of statistical combat. Changes in philosophy and
instruments. The comparative method helps technology over time have been reflected
to compare and contrast results and gain in changes to military tactics. Tactics
much deeper insights. In this study English should be distinguished from military
serves as the target language and Vietnamese strategy, which is concerned with the
as the source language. overall means and plans for achieving a
The data for research are 814 long-term outcome, and operational art,
Infantry terms including 405 English terms an intermediate level in which the aim is
and 409 Vietnamese terms. These data to convert the strategy into tactics.
were collected from different and reliable There are 37 terms denoting infantry
sources such as textbooks, articles, official tactics (nearly 9.14 %): advance to contact,
internet websites, magazines, newspapers, aggressive, all-round defense…
English-Vietnamese and Vietnamese-
4.1.3. Terms related to weapons and
English dictionaries relating to Infantry
equipment
terms.
According to the free encyclopedia,
IV. Findings and discussion ‘A weapon, arm or armament is any
4.1. Semantic features of English implement or device that can be used with
Infantry terms intent to inflict damage or harm.
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Weapons are used to increase the efficacy and endurance along with being a team
and efficiency of activities such as player are critical to getting the job done.
hunting, crime, law enforcement, self- Falling short of the mark can result in the
defense, and warfare. In broader context, loss of life and failure to complete the
weapons may be construed to include mission. Besides simple tasks, you have
anything used to gain a tactical, strategic, to deal with very important missions that
material or mental advantage over an can be extremely dangerous and risky.
adversary or enemy target.’ In terms of Infantry missions and
In the corpus of the research, tasks, English terms consist of 120 words
English Infantry terms which are related to occupying 29.62 %. Some examples are
weapons and equipment include 185 absorb an order, attack, advance, take the
words (45.67 %), taking the majority of the target, etc.
total number of terms: rifle, submachine 4.1.6. Terms related to military
gun, anti-tank weapons… places
4.1.4. Terms related to Infantry units Places usually refer to militarybases
Infantry plays an important role and where Infantry forces land, deploy,
is the main force in the army. It is the force operate, station at, or engage the enemy…
to occupy positions and the presence of There are 18 terms referring to places (4.4
infantry will ensure the retaining of that %), such as: bridgehead, front line, killing
territory. While the tactics of using forces fields...
on the battlefield may change, the basic 4.2. Semantic features of
mission of infantry remains unchanged. Vietnamese Infantry terms
Offensive operations play the most After carefully studying the
important role of the infantry, along with meanings of 409 Vietnamese infantry
defense that makes up the main method terms, we identify the following semantic
of combat on the battlefield. An infantry categories:
unit is a collective of soldiers with the
4.2.1. Terms related to orders
same service in the military organization
system. Depending on the number of An order is a command which is
soldiers, units can be as small as sections used with intonation to command, ask,
or as large as corps. suggest or advise listeners to do or not
to do something. Some orders can be
English has 23 terms making up 5.67
given freely depending on situations but
% of the English Infantry terms that are
some systems of orders belong to military
identified by this field: Infantry brigade,
regulations. Reported orders are one form
division, battalion, squad…
of reported speech.
4.1.5. Terms related to Infantry
Within 409 Vietnamese Infantry
missions and tasks terms there are 17 terms of orders,
If you served in the infantry, you occupying 4.15 % of the corpus: đi đều,
know that physical and mental strength đứng lại, tiến công…
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4.2.2. Terms related to tactics and the helmet have also been regarded as
Infantry tactics is the set of military weapons.
concepts and methods of infantry to 130 Vietnamese infantry terms
achieve tactical objectives during combat. (31.78 %) have this semantic category,
Infantry is an important force and mainly such as: đạn, lựu đạn, súng máy, etc.
participates in fighting on mainland. The 4.2.4. Terms related to Infantry units
basic roles are to directly engage the
enemy, destroy their soldiers, their The Army is a military service in the
weapons, means and fortifications; hold or military operating mainly on the ground,
occupy territory during war. Infantry in often the largest number, with a variety of
ground battles directly engages the enemy equipment and combat methods. It is the
and also suffers direct military losses. The main force that determines the ultimate
mission of infantry tactics is set out to result of the war.
use optimal methods for military units in Infantry is a unit under the Army
the process of fighting, achieve favorable service in which the soldiers often fight
combat effectiveness and minimize the with small infantry weapons although they
possibility of fatalities and physical can be sent to the battlefield by horse,
damage. ship, car, plane or other vehicles. Their
86 Vietnamese terms fall into this weapons are rifles, pistols, and grenades...
category, accounting for 21.02 %. Some Infantry is responsible for the main
examples of tactics terms are: bắn chặn, function of destroying the enemy, taking
bắn chế áp, vu hồi… their battlefield and holding firm their own
battlefield. It is the oldest servicein history
4.2.3. Terms related to weapons and and is often the first to be built in the
equipment military. From the middle of the twentieth
A weapon is an instrument of attack century, most industrial countries tend to
or defense in combat, such as a gun, develop Infantry into mechanized
missile, or sword. A weapon canbe as Infantry. Motorized infantry is an infantry
simple as a knife when used for a fight or force that is supported and protected by
as complex as a self-propelled bullet. motorized means, thus they are capable of
Weapons may also be classified as maneuvering quickly. When fighting, this
conventional, destroying by kinetic force moves on foot, when operating they
energy such as bullets or by chemical use motorized vehicles. The infantry is
energy such as bombs and grenades. The equipped with an armored combat vehicle
nonconventional category comprises for moving and fighting, which can be
nuclear weapons, such as the atomic bomb carried out either right on the vehicle or
and thermonuclear bomb, as well as with a walking formation. Compared to
weapons of chemical warfare and the infantry, motorized infantry is equipped
biological warfare. All the above- with stronger firepower and has a higher
mentioned are offensive weapons, but maneuverability. Vietnamese Infantry
such defensive measures as fort, armor, terms related to units consist of 44 terms,
Nghiên cứu trao đổi ● Research-Exchange of opinion 7

occupying 10.75 %, for example: cơ quan Infantry places are locations where
đầu não, cơ quan tình báo, đại đội bộ binh… military-based structures and items are
found in the military. They usually contain
4.2.5. Terms related to Infantry
the highest grade of items available in the
missions and tasks
military (Items such as military-grade
Despite the hardships, the difficulties, weapons, attachments, and traps), and are
the feet of the infantry soldiers are the the most used places to Infantrymen.
bravest ones, able to go through the jungle,
Vietnamese Infantry terms related
cross the mountains, step into difficult and
to this field consist of 22 terms occupying
difficult places. The infantry is the main
5.37 %: cao nguyên, chiến tuyến, giải
force and plays an important role in the
phòng ngự…
Vietnam People’s Army. This is the force
used to occupy positions, the presence of 4.3. Similarities and differences
infantry will retain that territory. between English and Vietnamese Infantry
terms in terms of semantic features
In terms of Infantry tactical missions
and tasks, Vietnamese terms consist of Considered to have a particularly
110 words occupying 26.89 %. Some important role in the military activities, the
examples are: chiếm đóng, dàn trận, đánh Infantry has its own term system full of
đuổi, etc. specific characteristics and categories.
Within the framework of the article,
4.2.6. Terms related to military English and Vietnamese infantry termsare
places grouped into 6 semantic categories with
Besides functioning as the number of terms specified in each
aforementioned military operations, category as follows:

Table 1. The number of terms specified in English and Vietnamese

Semantic features English Vietnamese
1 Terms related to orders 22 17
2 Terms related to tactics 37 86
3 Terms related to weapons and equipment 185 130
4 Terms related to Infantry units 23 44
5 Terms related to Infantry missions and tasks 120 110
6 Terms related to military places 18 22
Sum 405 409
4.3.1. Similarities between English and places. The survey results show the
and Vietnamese infantry terms in terms of following similar features:
semantic features
First of all, both English and
In terms of semantic features, both
Vietnamese Infantry terms are used in all
English and Vietnamese Infantry terms
are used for 6 semantic fields such as 6 chosen semantic fields above. They are
orders, tactics, weapons and equipment, frequently used terms when talking about
units, missions and tasks the area of Infantry.
8 Nghiên cứu trao đổi ● Research-Exchange of opinion

Secondly, with some polysemous are much higher than Vietnamese Infantry
terms, the way to identify characteristics in terms related to this semantic category,
order to distinguish meanings of the terms 45.67 % and 31.78 % respectively. On
is more or less dependent on classification the contrary, terms referring to Infantry
criteria, context and communication tactics in English occupy a considerably
purpose. smaller percentage compared with those in
Thirdly, among the six categories of Vietnamese, 9.14 % and 21.02 %
semantics of both languages, the Infantry respectively. Besides, terms related to
terms related to missions and tasks are units in English are not as many as those
relatively high and equal in quantity in in Vietnamese with 5.67 % and 10.75 %
English and Vietnamese, accounting for respectively.
29.62 % and 26.89 % respectively. The survey shows that thereis
In short, from the aforementioned a shortage of uniformity in the explanation
points, we can see that English and of the Vietnamese Infantry terms
Vietnamese Infantry terms share quite a expressed in the phenomenon ofsynonyms
lot of similar semantic characteristics. and polysemy. In many cases, an English
Infantry term when translated into
4.3.2. Differences between English Vietnamese has different meanings. This
and Vietnamese infantry terms in terms of leads to the fact that there are twoor even
semantic features more Vietnamese terms with the same
It is noticeable that English Infantry concept of an Infantry term in English, for
terms related to weapons and equipment example:

English Vietnamese
armour vỏ sắt (xe bọc thép); áo giáp; binh chủng thiết giáp
company nhóm trung đội; đại đội; công ty
machine gun súng máy; súng đại liên, súng liên thanh
magazine hộp tiếp đạn; ổ đạn; kho vũ khí quân sự; tạp chí
round phát (súng); viên đạn
Looking at the example we see that in particular, occupy a large amount in the
one English term is equivalent to some system of the Vietnamese terms.
forms of Vietnamese terms. Therefore,if On the contrary, the English term
these words are synonymous, we must system has some terms that do not appear in
research and choose one of the most the Vietnamese term system, for example:
commonly used terms, ensuring the aggressive weapons, smart weapons,
requirements of the term in Vietnamese Special Forces…Their meanings cannot
for comparison. be identified by looking at the words or
expressions but only by having a thorough
Regarding cultural factors, the grasp of basic concepts.
multiform feature of terms can be partly
recognized by Vietnamese terms which V. Conclusion
were borrowed from Indo-European and The article has described and
Sino-Vietnamese. Sino-Vietnamese terms, analyzed English and Vietnamese Infantry
Nghiên cứu trao đổi ● Research-Exchange of opinion 9

terms based on six semantic fields: orders, References:

tactics, weapons and equipment, units, English sources
missions and tasks and places. Despite
[1]. Cabré, M.T. (1999) Theories of
quite numerous differences in terms
terminology: their description, prescription
of semantic features, there are some and explanation, Terminology 9 (2): 163-199.
similarities in the systems of English and
[2]. Dubuc, R. (1997). Terminology: A
Vietnamese infantry terms. Especially, for
practical Approach. Quebec: Linguatech.
terms that are made up of two elements,
the central element can precede or follow [3]. Feber, H. (1984). Terminology manual.
subordinate element and functions as Paris: Unesco and Infoterm.
classifying the concept of the term, while [4]. Richard Bowyer (1999) Dictionary of
the subordinate element has the role of Military Terms. (Third Edition) London: Peter
clarifying the meaning of term. From the Collin [5]. Publishing.
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and Vietnamese Infantry term systems Campaign English for the Military. Oxford:
share some similarities in the general Macmillan.
identifying characteristics. Moreover, Vietnamese sources
among the six semantic fields, the English
[1]. Đỗ Hữu Châu (1981). Từ vựng ngữ nghĩa
and Vietnamese infantry terms related to
Tiếng Việt. Hà Nội. Nxb Giáo dục.
weapons and equipment as well as
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Tiếng Việt. Hà Nội. Nxb Giáo dục.
of the two systems. Besides sharing some
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Vietnamese infantry term system have thuật ngữ khoa học. Nxb Giáo dục, Hà Nội.
their own semantic features. The most [4]. Balekhov L. Iu (1976), Những vấn đề tiêu
striking difference lies in the number of chuẩn hóa Nhà nước về thuật ngữ, Tài liệu
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the Vietnamese equivalent terms) can be Author address: Faculty of English - Hanoi
partly attributed to cultural factors. Open University
Email: hongoctrung74@[Link]
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