Do students learn proverbs more similarly from an English

definition or Japanese translation?

Graduation Thesis

Presented to

the Faculty of the Department of

English Language and Literature

Notre Dame Seishin University

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirement for the Degree

Bachelor of Arts

by

Saya Sawatani

2016

Contents

Abstract ⅲ

Chapter One: What are proverbs?

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Definition of Proverbs 1

1.3 Vocabulary in foreign language learning 2

1.4 Memorizing vocabulary 6

1.5 The uses of proverbs 9

1.6 Research questions 9

1.7 Conclusion 10

Chapter Two: Research

2.1 Introduction to the chapter 11

2.2 The experiment and questionnaire 11

2.2.1 Introduction to the experiment 11

2.2.2 Method 12

2.2.3 Results 15

2.3 Summary 26

Chapter Three:

3.1 Introduction 27

3.2 Summary of the results 27

ⅰ

3.3 Research questions 28

3.4 Implications 29

3.5 Limitations of the Experiments 30

3.6 Conclusion 30

References 31

Appendices 34

ⅰ

Abstract

When we study and communicate in Japanese, we sometime use

proverbs because they are easy to say what we think and they come across

well. Many Japanese people know English proverbs with Japanese translations

and use them but maybe they don’t know English proverbs and how to translate

English proverbs with Japanese translations into English.

We learn many patterns and there are many types of proverbs that we

recognize. So we want to learn proverbs easily and use them in English

communication, so in this thesis we found which method is effective to learn

proverbs Japanese or English and to learn proverbs easily.

Thus, in this thesis, an experiment was concluded to find out which is

easier to learn, English proverbs with Japanese translations or English proverbs

and which is effective to learn these proverbs, Japanese translation or English

explanation. Four kinds of tests were prepared with 10 proverbs (5 English

proverbs with Japanese translations and 5 English proverbs). One test had

these proverbs and Japanese translation and another had these proverbs and

English explanations to see if there is a difference in learning rate between

these two modes. In addition, a questionnaire was concluded to find out

subjects thinking about learn proverbs.

The results suggested which patterns are easier to learn and whether

it is effective to learn proverbs for Japanese people, with the Japanese

translation being a little easier than the English explanation.

ⅲ

Chapter 1 What are proverbs?

1.1 Introduction

Many Japanese people know many English proverbs with Japanese translations,

but they don’t know many English proverbs. Proverbs may take the form of a short

saying, an idiomatic phrase or a four-character idiom. Taylor (1931) said “The

definition of a proverb is too difficult to repay the undertaking... An incommunicable

quality tells us this sentence is proverbial and that one is not. Hence no definition

will enable us to identify positively a sentence as proverbial” and in another

definition, Lord John Russel(2015) said “A proverb is the wit of one, and the wisdom

of many.”

1.2. Definitions of Proverbs

What are proverbs?

The definition of a proverb is a short saying that is widely used to express an

obvious truth. A proverb (from Latin: proverbium) is a simple and concrete saying,

popularly known and repeated, that expresses a truth based on common sense or

the practical experience of humanity. They are often metaphorical. A proverb that

describes a basic rule of conduct may also be known as a maxim. Proverbs are

often borrowed from similar languages and cultures, and sometimes come down to

1

the present through more than one language. Both the Bible and Medieval Latin

have played a considerable role in distributing proverbs across Europe. Mieder

(1990) has concluded that cultures that treat the Bible as their "major spiritual book

contain between three hundred and five hundred proverbs that stem from the Bible."

However, almost every culture has examples of its own unique proverbs.

1.3 Vocabulary in foreign language learning

1.3.1 Types

When we consider multi-part words or phrases like proverbs, we should

recognize that there are phrases and clauses in English. Phrases and Clauses are

what more than one word is are gathered and this words hove some similar function

as one part of speech. Let’s look at each.

1.3.1.1 Phrases

There are many kinds of phrases. In section 1.2 we looked at proverbs,

in this section we will look at other phrase types.

・Noun Phrases

The predicate has the same function as the noun. The phrase is the

main part of the noun.

E.g.) It is exciting to play soccer with my friends.

2

・verb phrases

The phrase is the main part of the verb and has an object or

complement or adverb.

E.g.) Tom gave Shelly a book

・Adjective Phrases

The phrase is the main part of the noun or pronoun (head-) or phrases

that are equivalent to the noun. They are syntactic, especially in X bar theory,

noun-pronoun alone without modifiers also, they also form the noun clause in one

word. The adjective clause is a major part to modify the noun phrase

E.g.) John is taller than Tom.

・Adverbial Phrases

The adverb clause is a major part to modify the verb phrase

E.g.) He stopped in front of the door

・Prepositional phrases

3

The phrase is the main part with a preposition. In Japanese, this phrase

become postpositional phrase, that is the Japanese language has particles.

E.g.) A bird is singing on the tree

1.3.1.2 Clauses

・Noun Clauses

This clause is often headed by an interrogative（who, what, why,

where）and Relationship lyrics（what, why, when, how）, Subordinate

conjunctions（that, if, and whether ）play a role that makes it the subject or

complement, object in sentence.

E.g.) I know that he is good person

・Adjective Clauses

This clause is often headed by an interrogative（who, which, that, why,

when, where, as, but, than）and a qualified noun and pronoun that become

antecedent and they play a role to explain or limit these meanings

E.g.) She was the only one who doubted me.

・Adverbial Clauses

4

This clause is headed by subordinate conjunctions（such as if, in case,

whether, because, since, as, so that, as far as, as long as, though, although, even

if, when, before, after, till, until, as soon as, in order that, so that, for fear(that), as

if, as though, where, that）and complex relationship adverbs（whatever,

whenever, wherever, however）and this clause expresses condition, cause and

reason, extent, concessions, time, purpose, manner and qualify the whole main

clause in a sentence.

E.g.) Even if it rains tomorrow, I must go out.

1.3.1.3 Compound words

More than two originally separate words connect each other and made

new one word.

E.g.) Bus-driver, Summer vacation…

1.3.1.4 Morphological derivation

Originally one word connects the affix to make another word.

E.g.) kindness (kind+ness) , disagree (dis+agree)

5

1.3.1.5 Summary

In this section we looked at the different types of English words and

their structure. There are five types of phrases in English and three types of clauses

in English clauses and some another structures or words. We speak in English to

use their clause or phrases and combine them.

1.4 Memorizing vocabulary

How can we learn foreign language? We can get some input such as

from listening or watching, and this input goes to the next stage when we are

interested. It goes into working memory and the temporal lobe.

↓

But information gradually disappears when they don’t touch information.

(Forgetting curve)

There are two types of working memory: auditory memory and visual-

spatial memory as well as the executive decision-making function. You can think of

these processes in terms of making a video. Auditory memory records what you’re

hearing while visual-spatial memory captures what you’re seeing. But that is where

working memory’s similarity with making a video ends.

6

Lamparielo (2012) concluded that the brain tends to select the

information that it receives, discarding what it considers unnecessary. Imagine

remembering every single detail that enters your brain: you would remember

thousands of words effortlessly, but would also be paying a terrible price: your

brain would be constantly fighting against a permanent, unwanted and annoying

interference of useless information. Fortunately, our brain works on its own rhythm

and it “self-regulates” when it comes to organizing information. So, forgetting

information is actually a good thing. The goal is to help the brain to remember the

information that we consider important. Language learners want to remember as

many words as possible and they often cannot. They come to the conclusion that

they simply do not have a good memory and thus language learning is not for

them. This is another myth that must be dispelled. Whatever its limitations, the

7

brain possesses an extraordinary ability to learn and retain information. The secret

is to how to really use it.

1.4.1 Is it better to learn productively (J > E) or receptively (E> J)?

Receptive vs productive vocabulary. We are in receptive control of the

words that you understand when you hear them or read them and we are in

productive control of the words that you use to express yourself, in speech or in

writing. Receptive vocabulary is “words that the student recognizes and

understands when they occur in a context, but which he cannot produce correctly”

and Productive vocabulary is “words which the student understands, can produce

correctly and use constructively in speaking and writing” Haycraft (1978:44).

The website Visualthesaurus (2012) says “we have enough information

to be in receptive control of these two "words". If we give you the actual words, you

are able to tap into the fully specified information that you possess as a native

speaker and use them correctly in sentences. In other words, you are now in

productive control of these words. As we stated earlier, acquiring productive control

over words is normally a gradual process. Bits and pieces are added to your body of

knowledge about a new word as you are exposed to it in a variety of contexts and

situations.” Thus we can’t say which is better to learn productively or receptively.

8

1.5 The uses of proverbs

According to an article in smartlanguagelearner.com, it's good to know

the English proverbs when learning of language because we will hear them come

up in conversation all the time. Sometimes people say the proverb to give advice to

a friend. Learning proverbs can also help you to understand the way that people in

English-speaking cultures think about the world. Proverbs can also give you good

example sentences fromwhich you can memorize and use as models for building

your own sentences. There are purpose of the proverbs that are to know wisdom

and instruction and perceive words of understanding and receive instruction of

wisdom, justice, judgement and equity, so that we know what is right and give to the

simple and knowledge and discretion to the young person and deeply understand

the words of the wise.

1.6 Research questions

The research questions for this thesis are as follows:

1. Do the subjects learn proverbs faster or better with English definitions or

Japanese translations?

2. Which proverbs are easier to learn English proverbs or English proverbs

with Japanese translations?

3. What are their reactions to learning proverbs?

4. Are there differences to learn proverbs?

9

1.7 Conclusion

In Chapter One, we found that there are many types of words and we

use these words and combine them when we talk. We found about memorizing in

working memory and long term memory. Working memory is the capacity for

holding a small amount of information in mind in an active, readily available state for

a short period of time. Working memories are easy to forget, so we have to continue

to learn some times. This pattern follows the forgetting curve and long term memory

is the final stage of the dual memory model that stores for long periods of time. In

Chapter Two, we researched about memorizing about proverbs to use experiment

and questionnaire.

10

Chapter 2: The Experiment

2.1 Introduction to the chapter

In Chapter One, we introduced some words patterns and we found that

how to learns words or phrases and structure of recognize.

The experiment reported in this chapter examined and tried find out the

effectiveness of learning proverbs in two modes. The experiment will find out which

is easy to learn English proverbs or English proverbs with Japanese translations

and which is effective to learn proverbs, using Japanese translation or English

explanation.

2.2 The experiment and questionnaire

2.2.1 Introduction to the experiment

The experiment consists of two tasks. One is measuring the acquisition

of proverbs. The other is the subjects’ consciousness of learning words or proverbs.

I tried to find and research how to learn proverbs and are there difference from

learning proverbs to learning words or phrases.

11

2.2.2 Method

1) Subjects

Eighteen female Japanese leaners of English took part in the

experiment. They were third or fourth year students (their ages were 20 to 22) at

Notre Dame Seishin University to gather data from subjects who learn language in

English.

2) Test design

The aim of this questionnaire and experiment was to find how well the

subjects learn proverbs and about subject’s thinking to learn proverbs. Two lists

were made (A list and B list) each with 10 proverbs, totaling 20 proverbs in four

modes in a crossed design.

A list’s English proverbs and Japanese definition.

B list’s English proverbs and English proverbs with Japanese

translations.

A list’s English proverbs English explanation

B list’s English proverbs Japanese explanation.

Group A memorized question A list of English proverbs and Japanese

definition and A list’s English proverbs English explanation and group B

memorized question B list’s English proverbs and English proverbs with Japanese

translations and B list’s English proverbs Japanese explanation. After that, the

subjects fill in blanks for testing.

12

These were all English proverbs lists.

Pattern A

Five only English proverbs

Beauty is only skin-deep

Truth is stranger than fiction

Honesty is the best policy

Curiosity killed the cat.

Blood will have blood

Five English proverbs with Japanese translations

A white lie

Years know more than books

When in Rome, do as the Romans do

To fall between two stools

Pennies from heaven

Pattern B

5 only English proverbs

13

It is no use crying over spilt milk

A wonder lasts but nine days

Carrot and stick.

As different as night and day

To become wealthy at a single bound

5 also English proverbs with Japanese translations.

A bad workman blames his tools

A word to the wise is enough

All is fair in love and war

Diamond cuts diamond.

Age and experience teach wisdom

3) Procedure

The questionnaires were distributed to see whether there is difference

in an English proverb and a Japanese proverb in language acquisition. To gather

those data we made a questionnaire. A data collection sheet of the experiment

was also made to find out how much the subjects can remember the proverbs and

differences about language acquisition between English proverbs and English

proverbs with Japanese translations or explanation and translation.

14

2.2.3 Results

In this section, the result of the experiment will be reported.

2.2.3.1 Overall results - experiment

We will now look at the results of the experiment. First we will look at

the data for

Table 1: Overall results

Japanese

translation

English

explanation

Average

Set 1 9.625 9.142 9.383

Set 2 8.286 8.625 8.455

Average 8.955 8.883

These data suggest there is a slight difference between Sets 1 and 2

(9.383 and 8.455) but there is no difference between learning these proverbs in

English (8.883) and Japanese (8.955). The scores are also showing ceiling-effects

suggesting the subjects were given too much time to learn these words.

Table A: 1.2.7.8.9 are English proverbs with Japanese translations and 3.4.5.6.10 are English proverbs

Set 1 Japanese translation verA B C D E F G H

set 1 j 1 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 j 2 × × ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 j 3 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

15

set 1 j 4 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 j 5 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 j 6 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 j 7 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 j 8 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 j 9 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 j 10 × ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Total 8 9 10 10 10 10 10 10average

9.63English proverbs with Japanese

translations4/5

4/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

average4.75

English proverbs 4/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

average4.88

Table B: 3.5.7.8.10 are English proverbs with Japanese translations and 1.2.4.6.9 are English proverbs.

Set 1 English explanation verI J K L M N O

set 1 e 1 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 e 2 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 e 3 × ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 e 4 × ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 e 5 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 e 6 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ×set 1 e 7 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 e 8 × ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 1 e 9 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ×set 1 e 10 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ×

Total 7 10 10 10 10 10 7average

9.14English proverbs with Japanese

translations3/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 4/5

average4.63

English proverbs 4/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 3/5average

4.63

16

These data show that the average of the Japanese translation version is 9.63

and average of English explanation version is 9.14 so the Japanese translation

version is little easier to learn proverbs than English explanation version.

And English proverbs average (4.88) is larger than English proverbs with

Japanese translations (4.75) in table A but it’s not a big difference and English

proverbs with Japanese translations (4.63) and English proverbs (4.63) average is

same in Table C.

Table C: 1.2.3.4.5 are English proverbs with Japanese translations and 6.7.8.9.10

are English proverbs.

Set 2 Japanese translation verI J K L M N O

set 2 j 1 ○ × ○ ○ ○ ○ ×set 2 j 2 × × ○ ○ ○ × ×set 2 j 3 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 2 j 4 ○ × ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 2 j 5 ○ × ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 2 j 6 ○ × ○ ○ ○ × ×set 2 j 7 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 2 j 8 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 2 j 9 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 2 j 10 ○ × ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Total 9 4 10 10 10 8 7average

8.29English proverbs with Japanese

translations4/5 1/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 4/5 3/5

average4.00

English proverbs 5/5 3/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 4/5 4/5average

4.50

17

Table D: 1.2.3.4.10 are English proverbs with Japanese translations and 5.6.7.8.9 are English proverbs.

Set 2 English explanation verA B C D E F G H

set 2 e 1 ○ × ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 2 e 2 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 2 e 3 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ × ○set 2 e 4 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 2 e 5 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 2 e 6 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ × ○set 2 e 7 ○ ○ × ○ ○ ○ × ○set 2 e 8 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○set 2 e 9 ○ × × ○ ○ ○ × ○set 2 e 10 ○ × × ○ ○ ○ × ○

Total 10 7 7 10 10 10 5 10average

8.63English proverbs with Japanese

translations5/5

3/5

4/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

3/5

5/5

average4.38

English proverbs 5/5

4/5

3/5

5/5

5/5

5/5

2/5

5/5

average4.25

These data show that average of Japanese translation version is 8.29

and average of English explanation version is 8.63 so the English translation

version is little easier to learn proverbs than Japanese explanation version.

And English proverbs average (4.50) is larger than English proverbs

with Japanese translations (4.00) in Table C so there is little difference , and

18

English proverbs with Japanese translations average (4.38) is bigger than English

proverbs (4.25) in Table D, but it’s not a big difference.

Questionnaire data

In this section we will present all the questionnaire data.

Figure A: Can you recognize these cards in 15 minutes

Only Japanese translation

33%

Only explanation11%

Both can44%

Both can't11%

Figure A shows that 45% of the subjects can recognize Japanese

translation and explanation. This rate is highest in this data.

Figure B: Date for ‘In how minutes can you recognize these cards that have

Japanese translation?’

19

Under 5 minutes11%

5-10minutes44%

10-20minutes44%

Figure B shows that 45% of the subjects can recognize these cards that

have Japanese translation in 5-10 minutes. This rate is highest in this data and

there are no people who takes over 20 minutes.

Figure C: Date for ‘In how minutes can you recognize these cards that have

explanation?’

Under 5 minutes 11%

5-10minutes22%

10-20minuets67%

20

Figure C shows that 67% of the subjects can recognize these cards

that have explanation in 5-10 minutes. This rate is highest in this data and there

are no people who takes over 20 minutes.

Figure D: Data for ‘Is the amount of these cards that have Japanese translation

was higher?’

High33%

Proper quan-tity

67%

Figure D shows that 67% of the subjects said that this test is proper

quantity. This data is highest in this rate is highest in this data and these are no

people who said that this test is low.

Figure E: Data for ‘Is the amount of these cards that have explanation was

higher?’

21

High33%

proper quan-tity

67%

Figure E shows that 67% of the subjects said that this test is proper

quantity. This rate is highest in this data and this is these are no people who said

that this test is low

Figure F: Data for ‘How do you usually recognize words or phrases?’

writing22%

speaking11%

writing&reading11%reading&speaking

22%

writing&speaking11%

writing&reading&speaking

22%

Figure F shows that 23% of the subjects recognize words and phrases with

only writing. This rate is highest in this data.

22

Figure G: Data for ‘How did you recognize these cards that have Japanese

translation?’

writing22%

reading33%

speaking11%

writing&reading11%

reading&speaking11%

writing&reading&speaking11%

Figure G shows that 34% of the subjects recognize these cards that

have Japanese translation. This rate is highest in this data.

Figure H: Data for ‘How did you recognize these cards that have English

explanation?’

reading44%

speaking33%

writing&reading&speaking

22%

23

Figure H shows that 45% of the subjects is reading when they

recognize these cards that have explanation. This rate is the highest of this data.

Table A (from Figure F G H)

%Words or

Phrases

Japanese

translation

English

explanation

Writing 23 22 45

Reading 0 34 33

Speaking 11 11 0

Writing and Reading 11 11 0

Reading and Speaking 22 11 0

Writing and Speaking 11 0 22

Writing and Reading

and Speaking22 11 0

Figure I: Data for ‘Which is easier to learn? Japanese translation or English

explanation?’

24

Japanese transla-tion 78%

Explanation11%

Same11%

Figure I shows that 78% of the subjects said that it’s easy to learn

proverbs with using Japanese translation. This rate is highest in this data.

Figure J: Is there difference to learn proverbs in compared to learning words or

phrases?

Yes33%

No67%

Figure J shows that 67% of the subjects said that there is little

difference learning proverbs and learning words or phrases.

25

Figure K: Data for Please answer the question if you said “yes” over the question.

What difference do you have?

The subjects responded with;

・These sentence is long, so I wrote or read or spoke to remain in storage.

・I made a sentence to learn words and proverbs so it’s easy to learn in compared

to only words.

・I recognized with understanding meaning.

2.3 Summary

We looked at an experiment in Chapter Two. In the experiment, at first,

we saw that Set 1 is easier than Set 2 because if we add the average of Set 1

(Japanese translation version) to explanation version and divide half is about 9.39

and the average of set 2 in the same way is 8.46. Second, the average of

Japanese translation of both Set 1 and Set 2 is about 8.95 and English explanation

average Set 1 and Set 2 is about 8.88 so the Japanese translation version is little

larger than the English explanation version but there is no significant difference

between the Japanese translation version and the English explanation version.

In the questionnaire, many of the subjects said that there was no

difference to learn proverbs and words or phrases and 78% of the subjects said it’s

easier to learn with Japanese translation than English explanation but as result,

there is no significant difference between Japanese translation and English

explanation.

26

The way of recognize words or phrases was said to be through writing

at 23%. This was the highest percentage in this section but reading and speaking

were near at 22% and reading and speaking and writing is 22%. The way of

learning proverbs was to use Japanese translation by reading was 34%. This was

the highest percentage in this section and way of learn proverbs to use English

explanation through writing was said to be 45%. This shows that the learning style

is different, and then the way to remember also changes.

27

Chapter 3 Results and Discussion

3.1 Introduction

In Chapter One, we researched working memory and the forgetting

curve and how we recognize words and we discussed different types of proverbs. In

Chapter Two, we looked at whether subjects can learn proverbs effectively. The

method of the experiment and its result were shown in Chapter Two. In this chapter,

we will focus on analyzing the results of the experiment and discuss the tests in

more detail.

3.2 Summary of the results

In Chapter Two, we found that there are no big differences in learning

English proverbs and proverbs used in this experiment. In Table 1, we saw that

there is not a big difference between Japanese translation and English

explanation. Set 1 was a little easier than Set 2 but, when subjects took a test to

use Japanese translation, subjects could get 8.955. When subjects took a test with

an English explanation, subjects could get 8.883. These scores are not so different

so we conclude that there is no big difference between using Japanese translation

to learn proverbs or English explanation.

28

3.3 Research questions

In Chapter Two, we looked at the result of each point briefly. This

section will discuss the answers to the research questions

3.3.1 Research question 1

1. Do the subjects learn proverbs faster with English explanation or Japanese

translations?

In Chapter Two Figure A shows 45% of the subjects answered that both

the Japanese translation and English explanation proverbs could be learned in 15

minutes but Figure B shows 45% of the subjects answered that they could learn

Japanese translation version in 5-10 minutes and 44% of the subjects answered 10-

20 minutes. Figure C shows 22% of the subjects answered that they could learn

English explanation in 5-10 minutes and 67% of the subjects answered 10-20

minutes. The number of people who answered in 5-10 minutes in Japanese

translation group was larger than the English explanation group so the Japanese

translation is little faster to learn than English explanation. But it’s not a big

difference.

2. Which is easier to learn English proverbs with Japanese translations or English

proverbs?

29

Figure I shows 78% of the subjects answered Japanese translation is

easier to learn, but we found in Table 1 that the Japanese translation’ average was

almost the same average as the English explanation, so we cannot say which is

better to learn easily.

3. What are their reactions to learning proverbs?

Figures F, G and H, showed many of the subjects were writing to learn

proverbs and words or phrases. Figure J shows 33% of the subjects differ in how

they to learn proverbs compared to learning words or phrases and comments on

these differences include “these sentence is long, so I wrote or read or spoke to

remain in storage and we made a sentence to learn words” and “proverbs so it’s

easy to learn in compared to only words” and “we recognized with understanding

meaning.”

3.4 Implications

According to the interview in Chapter Two, There are no big differences

between Japanese translation and English explanation/English proverbs with

Japanese translations and English proverbs. People who took the test thought that

Japanese translation is easy but there was no big difference and there was no

difference how to learn words or phrases and proverbs.

30

3.5. Limitations of the Experiments

There were some problems when testing in this experiment. First, the

number of the subjects who took the tests was not enough and they were all

females. Furthermore, they were all from the same university. Therefore, if I were to

do the experiment again, I would like to test 100 subjects and a lot of kinds learners

who go to different universities from different sexes.

Tables B and C’s subject J could get 10 points in Table B but most

subjects could get only 4 points. Subjects G was the same. In Table A and D,

subject G could get only 5 points in Table D but got 10 points in Table A, so I would

like to research why these subjects’ scores changed so much. I would like to make

another level’s proverbs tests and I want to research why these subjects have big

differences in their scores.

3.6. Conclusion

In this thesis, first we focused on the learning of proverbs. Learning

proverbs is similar to words or phrase learning. It seems there is no big difference

between learning proverbs with English definitions or Japanese translations.

Considering these results, we cannot clearly say which method of

learning proverbs is easy to learn and which learning way is better, because there

are no big differences in experiment of this thesis.

31

References

Brain connection, How the Brain Learns a Second Language　

http://brainconnection.brainhq.com/2001/01/27/how-the-brain-learns-a-second-

language/.Accessed 11 October, 2015

英語学習　English Learning. 句と節

http://eigogakusyu-web.com/grammar/005/. Accessed 10 July, 2015

Love To Know, your dictionary

http://www.yourdictionary.com/prover b Accessed 20 June 2015

Pimentel, R. Learn English proverbs

http://teachingblogproverbs.blogspot.jp/2014/07/learn-english-proverbs.html . 20

June 201 5

Saiken.j, 脳卒中を生きる、能と記憶について

32

http://www.saiken.jp/pg217.html. Accessed 11 October, 2015

Spaced repetition, Support on Patreon

http://www.gwern.net/Spaced%20repetition. Accessed 20 August, 2015

Phrase mix, How your brain learns English (and how it doesn't)

http://www.phrasemix.com/blog/how-your-brain-learns-english-and-how-it-doesnt.

Accessed 20 August, 2015

PhraseMix LLC. The 50 most important English proverbs

http://www.phrasemix.com/collections/the-50-most-important-english-proverbs.

Accessed 15 November, 2015

Visualthesaurus, Receptive vs. Productive Vocabulary

https://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/booknook/receptive-vs-productive-vocabulary/

Accessed 30 November, 2015

Wiki how to do anything. How to Memorize Vocabulary

33

http://www.wikihow.com/Memorize-Vocabulary. Accessed 15 November, 2015

Wikipedia, Compound

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compound_(linguistics) . Accessed 25 June, 2015

Wikipedia, English language

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language. Accessed 10 July, 2015

Wikipedia, Morphological derivation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphological_derivation. Accessed 25 June, 2015

34

AppendicesⅠ

Saya’s Questionnaire　A(Japanese translation)

Please recognize this proverb at 10 minutes.

　 　English Japanese　 　　 　

A white lie 嘘も方便　 　　 　

After rain comes fair weather 雨が降って地固まる　 　　 　

Years know more than books 亀の甲より年の功　 　　 　

It makes no odds 五十歩百歩　 　　 　

When in Rome, do as the Romans do 郷に入りては、郷に従え　 　　 　

To fall between two stools 二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず　 　

34

　 　Pennies from heaven 棚から牡丹餅

　 　　 　

Seeing is believing 百聞は一見に如かず　 　　 　

Beauty is only skin-deep 　美しさは皮一重に過ぎない　 　　 　

April showers bring forth May flowers　 4月のにわか雨は５月の花を運んでくる。　 　　 　

Truth is stranger than fiction 真実は小説よりも奇なり　 　　 　

Honesty is the best policy 正直は最善の策　 　　 　

Nothing ventured, nothing have 冒険をしなければ何も得られない　 　　 　

Hope is good breakfast but a bad supper 遅くてもしないよりはまし　 　　 　

Care killed the cat. 苦労すれば猫でも死ぬ　 　　 　

Blood will have blood 血は血を求める　 　

36

AppendicesⅡ

Saya’s Questionnaire　A(Japanese translation)

Please recognize this proverb at 10 minutes

　 　English Japanese　 　　 　

A white lie 嘘も方便　 　　 　

After rain comes fair weather 雨が降って地固まる　 　　 　

Years know more than books 亀の甲より年の功　 　　 　

It makes no odds 五十歩百歩　 　　 　

When in Rome, do as the Romans do 郷に入りては、郷に従え　 　　 　

To fall between two stools 二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず　 　

37

　 　Pennies from heaven 棚から牡丹餅

　 　　 　

Seeing is believing 百聞は一見に如かず　 　　 　

Beauty is only skin-deep 　美しさは皮一重に過ぎない　 　　 　

April showers bring forth May flowers　 4月のにわか雨は５月の花を運んでくる。　 　　 　

Truth is stranger than fiction 真実は小説よりも奇なり　 　　 　

Honesty is the best policy 正直は最善の策　 　　 　

Nothing ventured, nothing have 冒険をしなければ何も得られない　 　　 　

Hope is good breakfast but a bad supper 遅くてもしないよりはまし　 　　 　

Care killed the cat. 苦労すれば猫でも死ぬ　 　　 　

Blood will have blood 血は血を求める　 　

38

AppendicesⅢ

Saya’s Questionnaire　A(Japanese translation)

Please recognize this proverb at 10 minutes

　　　　　　　　　　 　English Japanese　 　　 　

It is no use crying over spilt(☆１) milk 覆水盆に返らず　 　　 　

Two heads are betters than one 三人寄れば文殊の知恵　 　　 　

A wonder lasts but nine days 人の噂も七十五日　 　　 　

Like will to like 類は友を呼ぶ　 　　 　

Use makes mastery 習うより慣れよ　 　　 　

carrot and stick. 飴と鞭　 　

39

40

　 　As different as night and day 月とすっぽん

　 　　 　

To become wealthy at a single bound. 一攫千金　 　　 　

A chain is no stronger than its weakest link 鎖はもっとも弱い輪の部分以上は強くない。　 　　 　

A bad workman blames his tools 下手な職人は道具のせいにする　 　　 　

A word to the wise is enough 賢者には一言で十分　 　　 　

All is fair in love and war 恋と戦は手段を選ばず　 　　 　

Diamond cuts diamond. ダイアモンドがダイアモンドを切る　 　　 　

The child is the father of the man 子供は大人の父である　 　　 　

Truth is time’s daughter 真実は時の娘　 　　 　

Age and experience teach wisdom 年齢と経験が英知を授ける　 　

41

AppendicesⅣ

Saya’s Questionnaire　A(Japanese translation)

Please recognize this proverb at 10 minutes

　 　English Japanese　 　　 The meaning is that if water is spilt from the cap can’t return,

①The couple who get divorce at once can’t form a connection. ②The thing is broken at once, it can’t be fixed.

It is no use crying over spilt(☆１) milk　　

Two people working together have a better chance of solving a problem than one person working alone.Two heads are betters than one

　　 If everyone spreads rumors, they won’t continue for a long time

and they will forget them soon so you don’t need to think deeply. (75 days is one season and everyone forget rumors after the

season passes.)

A wonder lasts but nine days

　

　Similar people tend to associate with each otherLike will to like

　　 It is better to practice or experience something by ourselves than

we learn from other people or books, because we can remember it well.

Use makes mastery　　

Rewards and punishments influence someone's behaviorcarrot and stick.　

42

　 These two things are not similar at all so they can’t be compare. In many case, we use this phrase what we compared excellent

things and inferior things.As different as night and day

　　

We can get much money easily at a time without some hardshipTo become wealthy at a single bound.　　 The strength of the chain is decided by the weakest link. If we

have some weak points, whole is incomplete, so one of the drawbacks make bad in the whole.

A chain is no stronger than its weakest link　　

A bad workman will never find a good tool. If something is well-made or a poorly-made is decided by skill not tools.A bad workman blames his tools

　　 A word is enough for a wise man. When we explain anything or

advise foolish people, we have to say many things, but we need only to say a few things when we explain or give advice.

A word to the wise is enough　　 In war, it’s okay to win even if we use any weapons. In the love,

it’s okay to do anything to get our partner even if we use cowardly ways to win to rival.

All is fair in love and war　　

Close game or good game between persons have same skill of fights.Diamond cuts diamond.

　　

Memories of childhood is our origin of feeling and thinking and character.The child is the father of the man

　　

Time’s daughter means truth. Truth may be hidden today, but it becomes clear in time.Truth is time’s daughter

　　

We experience many things in our life. We become experienced and clever, and the more so, the longer one lives.Age and experience teach wisdom

　

43

AppendicesⅤ

Name 3rd grade / 4th grade

Question→　Please write English proverbs.

① “This strange,- but true; for truth is always strange: Strange than fiction” (George Gordon Noel Byron). There are more strange or interest things in our real lives than fiction.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

② Cats are said to have nine lives, and so if they jump from　a tree they will survive. But if they have stress or worries (care), they may become sick or die.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

③ If they want two things, people can’t get both.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】④ If we injure or kill someone, then one day we will certainly have the same problem..【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑤ We have to respect wisdom and skill that elderly people get from their long life.　

Experience is more valuable than academic education. It’s important to become hones. The best life style is to take action faithfully【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

⑥ Lies are bad but sometimes we need to lie and it’s ok to do so. This is a Buddhist phrase.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑦ People can get unexpected good luck.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑧ Ugliness sometimes hides under the beauty. It is not always true that beautiful people

have a good character, so we have to choose character not looks.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑨ We have to obey local customs in new place, because customs and habits differ in each

place.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

42

AppendicesⅥName 3rd grade / 4th grade

Question→　Please write English proverbs.

① 二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず　【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

② 棚から牡丹餅　【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

③ 正直は最善の策　【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

④ 真実は小説よりも奇なり　【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

⑤ 血は血を求める　【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

⑥ 苦労すれば猫でも死ぬ　【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

⑦ 郷に入りては、郷に従え　【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

⑧ 亀の甲より年の功　【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

⑨ 嘘も方便　【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

⑩ 美しさは皮一重に過ぎない　【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

45

AppendicesⅦName 3rd grade / 4th grade

Question→　Please write English proverbs.

① A bad workman will never find a good tool. If something is well-made or a poorly-made is decided by skill not tools.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

② In war, it’s okay to win even if we use any weapons. In the love, it’s okay to do anything to get our partner even if we use cowardly ways to win to rival.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

③ A word is enough for a wise man. When we explain anything or advise foolish people, we have to say many things, but we need only to say a few things when we explain or give advice.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

④ Close game or good game between persons have same skill of fights.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑤ Rewards and punishments influence someone's behavior　【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑥ The meaning is that if water is spilt from the cap can’t return, ①The couple who get

divorce at once can’t form a connection. ②The thing is broken at once, it can’t be fixed.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑦ If everyone spreads rumors, they won’t continue for a long time and they will forget

them soon so you don’t need to think deeply. (75 days is one season and everyone forget rumors after the season passes.)【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

⑧ These two things are not similar at all so they can’t be compare. In many case, we use this phrase what we compared excellent things and inferior things.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

⑨ We can get much money easily at a time without some hardship【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑩ We experience many things in our life. We become experienced and clever, and the

more so, the longer one lives.【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

46

AppendicesⅧName 3rd grade / 4th grade

Question→　Please write English proverbs.

① 覆水盆に返らず【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】② 人の噂も七十五日【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】③ 飴と鞭【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】④ 月とすっぽん【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑤ 一攫千金【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑥ 下手な職人は道具のせいにする【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑦ 賢者には一言で十分【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑧ 恋と戦は手段を選ばず【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑨ ダイアモンドがダイアモンドを切る【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】⑩ 年齢と経験が英知を授ける【　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　】

47