BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO
TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC DÂN LẬP HẢI PHÒNG
——————————
ISO 9001:2015
KHÓA LUẬN TỐT NGHIỆP
NGÀNH: TIẾNG ANH
Sinh viên : Hoàng Gia Duy
Giảng viên hướng dẫn : ThS. Trần Thị Ngọc Liên
HẢI PHÒNG – 2020
BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO
TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC DÂN LẬP HẢI PHÒNG
———————————–
FACTORS AFFECTING SPEAKING SKILLS IN ENGLISH OF
CHILDREN
KHÓA LUẬN TỐT NGHIỆP ĐẠI HỌC HỆ CHÍNH QUY
NGÀNH: TIẾNG ANH
Sinh viên : Hoàng Gia Duy
Giảng viên hướng dẫn : ThS. Trần Thị Ngọc Liên
HẢI PHÒNG – 2020
BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO
TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC DÂN LẬP HẢI PHÒNG
————————————–
NHIỆM VỤ ĐỀ TÀI TỐT NGHIỆP
Sinh viên: Hoàng Gia Duy
Mã SV: 1512751018
Lớp: NA1901A
Ngành: Tiếng Anh
Tên đề tài: Comparision between Vietnamese and American wedding
customs
NHIỆM VỤ ĐỀ TÀI
1. Nội dung và các yêu cầu cần giải quyết trong nhiệm vụ đề tài tốt nghiệp
( về lý luận, thực tiễn, các số liệu cần tính toán và các bản vẽ).
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
2. Các số liệu cần thiết để thiết kế, tính toán.
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
3. Địa điểm thực tập tốt nghiệp.
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
CÁN BỘ HƯỚNG DẪN ĐỀ TÀI TỐT NGHIỆP
Người hướng dẫn thứ nhất:
Họ và tên:…………………………………………………………………………………
Học hàm, học vị:………………………………………………………………………..
Cơ quan công tác:………………………………………………………………………
Nội dung hướng dẫn:………………………………………………………………….
Người hướng dẫn thứ hai:
Họ và tên:…………………………………………………………………………………
Học hàm, học vị:………………………………………………………………………..
Cơ quan công tác:………………………………………………………………………
Nội dung hướng dẫn:………………………………………………………………….
Đề tài tốt nghiệp được giao ngày … tháng ….. năm …..
Yêu cầu phải hoàn thành xong trước ngày …. tháng ….. năm ……
Đã nhận nhiệm vụ ĐTTN Đã giao nhiệm vụ ĐTTN
Sinh viên
Người hướng dẫn
Hải Phòng, ngày …… tháng……..năm 20..
Hiệu trưởng
GS.TS.NGƯT Trần Hữu Nghị
CỘNG HÒA XÃ HỘI CHỦ NGHĨA VIỆT NAM
Độc lập – Tự do – Hạnh phúc
PHIẾU NHẬN XÉT CỦA GIẢNG VIÊN HƯỚNG DẪN TỐT NGHIỆP
Họ và tên giảng viên: ………………………………………………………………………………………
Đơn vị công tác:
……………………………………………………………… ……………………..
Họ và tên sinh viên:
…………………………………… Chuyên ngành: ………………………….
Nội dung hướng dẫn: …………………………………………………. ………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Tinh thần thái độ của sinh viên trong quá trình làm đề tài tốt nghiệp
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
1. Đánh giá chất lượng của đồ án/khóa luận (so với nội dung yêu cầu đã đề ra trong nhiệm vụ
Đ.T. T.N trên các mặt lý luận, thực tiễn, tính toán số liệu…)
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Ý kiến của giảng viên hướng dẫn tốt nghiệp
Được bảo vệ
Không được bảo vệ
Điểm hướng dẫn
Hải Phòng, ngày … tháng … năm ……
Giảng viên hướng dẫn
(Ký và ghi rõ họ tên)
QC20-B18
CỘNG HÒA XÃ HỘI CHỦ NGHĨA VIỆT NAM
Độc lập – Tự do – Hạnh phúc
PHIẾU NHẬN XÉT CỦA GIẢNG VIÊN CHẤM PHẢN BIỆN
Họ và tên giảng viên: ………………………………………………………………………………….
Đơn vị công tác:
……………………………………………………………… …………………
Họ và tên sinh viên:
……………………………….. Chuyên ngành: …………………………
Đề tài tốt nghiệp:
………………………………………………………………. ………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
1. Phần nhận xét của giáo viên chấm phản biện
………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Những mặt còn hạn chế
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Ý kiến của giảng viênchấm phản biện
Được bảo vệ
Không được bảo vệ
Điểm phản biện
Hải Phòng, ngày … tháng … năm ……
Giảng viênchấm phản biện
(Ký và ghi rõ họ tên)
QC20-B19
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
……………………………………………………………. 2
1.1. Rationale for the study ……………………………………………………………………….. 2
1.2. Aim and objectives of the study
…………………………………………………………… 3
1.3. Research questions …………………………………………………………………………….. 3
1.4. Scope of study …………………………………………………………………………………… 4
1.5. Significance of the study …………………………………………………………………….. 4
1.6. Design of the study
…………………………………………………………………………….. 4
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
…………………………………………………. 5
2.1. Custom……………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
2.1.1. Definition ………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
2.1.2. Importance of culture in daily life
……………………………………………………… 5
2.2. Typical Vietnamese customs
……………………………………………………………….. 5
2.3. Typical American customs
………………………………………………………………….. 6
2.5. Overview of wedding customs
…………………………………………………………… 11
2.6. Common wedding customs associated with various religions and cultures 13
2.7. Concluding remarks …………………………………………………………………………. 15
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
…………………………………………………………. 16
3.1. Data collection and analysis
………………………………………………………………. 16
3.1.1. Preparing data
……………………………………………………………………………….. 16
3.1.2. Setting criteria for data collection ……………………………………………………. 16
3.1.3. Analyzing and interpreting data ………………………………………………………. 16
3.2. Research methods
…………………………………………………………………………….. 17
3.3. Concluding remarks …………………………………………………………………………. 17
CHAPTER 4: FINDING AND DISCUSSIONS ……………………………………… 18
4.1.Similarities between English and Vietnamese wedding customs
…………….. 18
4.1.1. In terms of pre-wedding ceremonies
………………………………………………… 18
4.1.2. In terms of wedding ceremonies ……………………………………………………… 18
4.1.3. In term of post – wedding ceremonies ……………………………………………… 19
4.2. Differences on American and Vietnamese wedding customs. ……………….. 19
4.2.1. In terms of pre-wedding ceremonies
………………………………………………… 19
4.2.1.1. In Vietnam
…………………………………………………………………………………. 19
4.2.2. In terms of wedding ceremonies ……………………………………………………… 35
4.2.2.1. In Vietnam
…………………………………………………………………………………. 35
4.2.3. In terms of post – wedding ceremonies …………………………………………….. 40
4.3. Concluding remarks …………………………………………………………………………. 43
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION
………………………………………………………………. 44
5.1. Recapitulaion
…………………………………………………………………………………… 44
5.2. Implications for further research.
……………………………………………………….. 44
5.2.1. Implications for American-Vietnamese cross-cutural communication and
understading. …………………………………………………………………………………………. 44
5.2.2. Implications for language teaching and culture teaching. …………………… 47
5.3. Recommendations ……………………………………………………………………………. 49
REFERENCES …………………………………………………………………………………….. 51
1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A completed thesis would not be done without any assistance. Therefore,
the author who conducted this research gratefully gives the acknowledgement to
their support and motivation during the time of doing this research.
First of all, I would like to express my endless thanks and gratefulness to
my supervisor, Mrs. Tran Thi Ngoc Lien, PhD. Her kindly support and
continuous advice went through the process of completion of my thesis. Her
encouragement and comments had significantly enriched and improved my
work. Without her motivation and instructions, the thesis would have been
impossible to be done effectively.
My special thanks approve to my parents for their endless love, care and
and motivations for the whole of my life. I also would like to explain my thanks
to my siblings, brothers, sisters for their support and care all the time.
As last, my deep thanks come to all the teachers of Foreign Language
Department who gave me a chance to carry out this thesis.
2
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1.
Rationale for the study
America and Vietnam are two distinctive countries with many differences.
The two countries are on different continents, and there is a wide range of
differences between them. The culture, beliefs and practices of the people are
also different. However, as the world becomes more global, and as people
become more exposed to different cultures, the differences between them seem
to be narrower. This is due to the willingness of people to adopt different
cultures, while at the same time maintain some of the elements of their own
culture. There are several similarities and differences between Vietnamese and
American culture, especially in wedding ceremonies. “Wedding customs” is an
interesting topic, which attracts much care of young people. Wedding is very
important to one’s life, not only to the couple involved but also for both
families. Therefore, it usually includes quite a few formal ritual observances.
The process of wedding in Vietnam (an Asian country) and America (a Western
country) is different from each other. This research will bring the readers
common knowledge about wedding customs in those two mentioned countries.
In addition, students of Foreign Language Department have many core
subjects related to culture such as: British culture, American Culture, Cross-
Cultural Comunication and so one. Many students including the author have
difficulties in these subjects, so the author decided to conduct a culture-related
research in order to fulfill author’s gap of knowledge in this field as well as to
provide indiscriminate information for those who share the same concern.
“Wedding custom” is one which most impresses the author due to its various
cultural aspects and informative massages hidden in every single feature.
The above reasons are the motivation and driving force for the occurrence
of this research.
3
1.2.
Aim and objectives of the study
This study is aimed at comparing wedding customs in Vietnamese and
American cultures. Therefore, the following objectives are set to fulful the
overall aim:
Identify typical features and stages of wedding customs in Vietnamese
culture
Identify typical features and stages of wedding customs in American
culture
Figure out the similarities and differences between wedding customs in
Vietnamese and American culture.
1.3.
Research questions
To gain the objectives which are mentioned above, the following research
questions were raised:
Question 1: What are typical features and stages of wedding customs in
Vietnam?
Question 2: What are typical features and stages of wedding customs in
America?
Questions 3: What are the similiraties and differences between Vietnamese
and American wedding customs?
4
1.4. Scope of study
Because of the limitation of time and ability, in this thesis I just study the
wedding customs in Vietnamese and American culture starting from Feudalism
age to nowadays. I will concentrate about wedding custom with three main
stages: pre-wedding ceremonies, main wedding ceremonies and post wedding
ceremonies.
1.5. Significance of the study
Understanding the wedding ceremony between the two countries of Vietnam
and the US is very important. Through this it is possible to contribute more
research materials on the wedding ceremony. At the same time the research
finding ideas offer to help preserve and promote good cultural values at the
wedding of both Vietnamese and Americans. From there, it can be applied in
practice, contributing to building an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with
national identity.
1.6. Design of the study
This thesis consists of three main parts as follow:
Part 1: “Introduction” presents thereotical and practical background of the
study, the aims, the research questions, scope, significance and the design of the
study.
Part 2: “Development” consists of two chapters
– Chapter one provides some basic definitions and classification of
“culture” and “marriage” in Vietnam and America.
– Chapter two analyzes typical features and stages of American and
Vietnamses wedding customs. Based on that foundation, a comparison was
conducted to find out the similarities and differences between wedding customs
of those two countries.
Part 3: “Conclusion” summarizes all the main points presented
throughout the study. It also presents the limitations of the study in which the
author states the reasons for the study’s limitations, and suggestions for further
research.
5
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Custom
2.1.1. Definition
Customs are all human activities formed in the course of history and
settled in order, recognized by the community, passed down from generation to
generation. Customs are not fixed and compulsory like rituals and ceremonies,
but they are not as arbitrary as daily activities. It becomes a relatively
sustainable and relatively unified social practice. Customs can be in a people,
locality, social class or even a family, clan. Etiquette is a part of culture and can
be divided into many categories. Customary systems related to human life
cycles, such as customs of birth, maturity, marriage, longevity and aging …
Customary systems related to human activities in periodic cycles secretion of the
year, the customary system related to the human labor cycle …
2.1.2. Importance of culture in daily life
Culture is the physical and mental value system of the creators, which is
confirmed by the community, creating the individual identity of the human race,
each society. Culture plays an important role in everyday life. Culture is belief,
is lifestyle, is the spiritual place encouraging human encouragement constantly
exists and develops. Thanks to the culture people have the purpose of living and
working. The more people and human societies grow, the need for spiritual
culture requires increasing. To meet the cultural needs of the spirit that is to
ensure the increasingly growing of material wealth for people and society.
Culture is the motivation of development, because every development is
determined by man. Culture arouse and multiply all of the creative potential of
human beings, mobilizing enormous endogenous strength in humans to
contribute to social development. Thanks to the culture that people are becoming
increasingly perfected.
2.2. Typical Vietnamese customs
Customs in Vietnam has a long tradition of thousands of years. It has
become a customary law, deeply embedded in people more powerful than laws.
According to the ups and downs of the history of the nation, the customs of
6
Vietnamese people are also constantly changing according to the trend of social
and cultural change. However, there are some customs which have lost their
own but the customs affirmed the correctness, beauty, and beauty of it through
the customs which still exist in the life of Vietnamese today.
The earliest mentioned in the history is betel chewing tradition dating
back to Hung King’s thousands of years. Vietnamese and some other ethnic
groups still keep this practice in their lives today. betel nut and then become a
symbol for the brotherhood and spouses of the Vietnamese people, over time the
significance of betel chewing tradition has been expanded to the hospitality and
friendship of Vietnamese people.
Being born from the old time with the custom of eating betel nut is a
custom to welcome the new year, also known as Tet, Tet is both a tradition and
also a belief and a festival of Vietnamese people and some other ethnic groups. .
Some other ethnic groups welcome the New Year in other times and their
typical names such as Chol Chnam Thmay (around April) of the Khmer, Katie
(around October) of the Cham Balamom people, … From the Lunar New Year
To welcome the new year, from time to time with influences from China,
Vietnamese people add to other Tet customs such as Tet Nguyen Tieu, Tet Han
Thuc, Tet Doan Ngo, Mid Autumn Festival,…
Not mentioning early mention in the history books, the customs of
marriage, childbirth and funeral have been associated with Vietnamese people
since time immemorial and until today are still customs associated with
Vietnamese life.
2.3. Typical American customs
When meeting someone for the first time, Americans often have the habit
of shaking hands, including men and women. They often only embrace each
other dearly for close friends or long-time friends. Kissing is not common, and
men often do not kiss other men.Americans often introduce themselves by first
and last name (Hello, I am …) or if not formal and friendly, they only introduce
the name (Hi, I am…). Your usual answer when someone introduced you is
Pleased to meet you.Unless that person introduces his / her first and last name
(Mr / Ms), you should call them by their first names. Usually important to work
7
and society, Americans often call each other by their first names.However, you
should always call professors in universities by title and surname (for example,
Professor Smith), unless they allow or ask you to call them by name.
In the America, shaking hands is a common greeting. You can shake
hands with both men and women at the first meeting or later.Americans have a
habit of shaking hands with both hands rather than fingers (not to squeeze to
hurt other people’s hands) to show friendliness and enthusiasm. Loose
handshakes can be seen as uncertain, lacking in confidence, and even indifferent
in relationships. It is rare for Americans to use both hands to shake hands.
Americans often respond by phone by saying “Hello”. If you call for
work, the person answering the phone usually starts with the company name and
their name after that. If you meet the person you need right away, just say Hello
and your name. If not, you should ask the person who answered the phone
politely. Most Americans usually have an answering machine at home. At the
same time, most companies often have voice messages for their employees so
you can leave a message. Give your first name clearly and leave your phone
number so they can call you back. The messages should be short and to the
point.
There are some situations where people always have to prepare a tip. The
most frequent situation is going to a restaurant. Restaurants in America do not
charge for service, so customers must leave a tip to the waiter. It is common for
people to leave a tip of about 15% of the total bill, or 20% if the service is good.
If the service there is unusually bad, they can pay 10% for the service.Other
situations where people also have to pay a tip are haircuts, taxis, tips for luggage
carriers, parking seekers or bar waiters. Usually the law is 15% of the total
payment on the bill. In the absence of an invoice, customers can tip them up, but
at least $ 1 to $ 5.
2.4. Mariage
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations
adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In article
16 – right to marriage and family, the right declares that
8
“(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race,
nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They
are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its
dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of
the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is
entitled to protection by society and the State.”
According to the United States Supreme Court, there are at least 14 cases
since 1888 rules that marrige is a fundamental right, for example:
Marriage is “the most important relation in life” and “the foundation of
the family and society, without which there would be neither civilization nor
progress.” (Maynard v. Hill, volume 125.U.S. 190,1888)
The right “to marry, establish a home and bring up children” is a central
part of liberty protected by the Due Process Clause. (Meyer v.Nebraske, volume
262.U.S. 390, 1923)
Marriage is “one of the basic civil rights of man” and “fundamental to the
very existence and survival of the race.” (Skinner.v. Oklahoma ex
rel.Wiliamson, volume 316.U.S. 535, 1942)
The concept of marriage as stipulated in Law on Marriage and Family
2016 are as follows: “Marrige is relationship between husband and wife after
marriage registration.”
In brief, marriage, in generic terms can be defined as an arrangement of
each society to correct physiological relationship between man and woman.
Marriage is a combination of individuals emotionally, socially and legally.
Marriage often is the result of love. Marriage is a fundamental relationship in the
family in most societies. In social terms, the wedding event usually marks the
official marriage. Legally, it is the marriage registration.
Marriage is usually a combination of a man called husband and a woman called
wife. Marriage under polygamy is a type of marriage in which a man has
multiple wives. In some countries, same-sex marriages are recognized. In some
other countries, the struggle to legalize same-sex marriage is taking place.
Currently in Vietnam, marriage and family laws do not prohibit marriage
between persons of the same sex, but also does not recognize this kind of
marriage.
9
Cultural background has a great influence on the marriage custom.
Culture, in a wide sense, is sum total of material and spiritual products created
by man in the historical process of a social practise. In a narrow sense, it refers
to a ideology and the political system and constitutional organization
corresponding to the ideolody. From cultural perspective, Vietnamese and
American attitudes towards marriage and religion are the two main causes of
these differences between the marriage customs in two culture. Previously,
Americans and Asians have very different ideas about love and marriage.
Firstly, Western people believe in “romantic” marriage – a boy and a girl
are attracted to each other, fall in love, and decide to marry each other. Eastern
people, on the other hand, believe in “contractual” marriage – the parents of the
bride and the groom have great influence in the decision of the young couple’s
marriage and love – if it ever develops – is supposed to follow marriage, not
precede it. In Vietnam, marriage needs the permission of two families, if parents
don’t agree with that marriage, young couple are hard to come together. To
show the differences, a survey (cited The 12th grade English book written by
Hoang Van Van) conducted among American, Chinese and Indian students
to determine their attitudes toward love and marriage. Below is a summary of
each group’s responses to the four key values.
In terms of physical attractiveness, the Americans are much more
concerned about appearance than the Indians and the Chinese when choosing a
wife or a husband. They also agree that a wife should maintain her beauty and
appearance after marriage.
The second key factor is confiding. Few Asian students agree with the
American students’ view that wives and husbands share all thoughts. In
constrast, a majority of Indians and Chinese think it is better and wiser for a
couple not to share certain thoughts. A large number of Indian men agree that it
is unwise to confide in their wives.
Another core value in marriage is the partnership of equals. The majority
of Asian students reject the American view that marriage is a partnership of
equals. Many Indian students agree that a woman has to sacrifice more in a
marriage than a man.
The final value which is considered in the study is the trust built on love.
Significantly, more Asian students than American students agree that a husband
10
is obliged to tell his wife where he has been if he comes home late. The Asian
wife can demand a record of her husband’s activities. The American wife,
however, trusts her husband to do the right thing because he loves her not
because he has to.
The comparison of the four values suggests that young Asians and
American counterparts’view in love are not similar.
Moreover, in some special cases, Eastern people do not get married just
for love. Those people more concern about the educational, social and economic
background of their marriage partner than Western people. The attitude of
pragmatism is more concerned than the romantic feelings in a marriage. In
contrast, Western people rarely get married before they make sure if they are in
love with each other. Perhaps we can say that romantic love is part of Western
people’s live and they can not live without it. A Western woman can get married
to a poor man but still feel satisfied and happy.Though it is not that Eastern
people do not have this kind of example, it happens less often because even if
they want to get married with someone poor, their parents would not agree. We
can see another apparent example that how Eastern and Western parents are
showing their love toward their children. Parents in Eastern countries think that
they have the obligations to decide what is the best for their children; however,
parents in the West believe that it is best for their children to make their own
decisions.
Western and Eastern people also have different views of divorce. Divorce
is relatively simple and socially accepted in Western countries. Recently, the
divorce rate in Western countries such as the U.S. has rocketed. Nevertheless,
with the Eastern people, divorce is a serious problem. In some cases, divorce
situation embarrasses parents and relatives. In Vietnam, it is not easy for a
divorced woman to start a new relationship and family life. They are under
pressure of public opinions. This difference is in light of some reasons.
Westerners focus more on the physical aspect of relationship, and are thus
obsessed with love, sex, beauty and so on. As a result, people get married based
on these factors and then get disenchanted with one another very easy. However,
Eastern culture that practise arranged marriages places far more emphasis on
practical things, such as intergrity,diligence, ambition,humility,generosity and so
on. People get married based on practical reasons, and work on building
11
afffection later. Strong characteristics like the ones described above are very
conducive to build love and affection in Eastern marriages. Therefore, these
marriages seem to be much longer lasting than many Western marriages. It is
because the primary emphasis is not on sex, and physical beauty. Arranged
marriages are usually successful because the spouses get to know one another on
a practical level before, looking beyond issues such as beauty or something like
that.
Finally, in Western countries, having children is not a prerequisite of each
marriage. Many couples decide not to have children, they receive adopted
children instead because they want to have time for each other. In addition,
having children before marriage are very common in Western society. Child
Trends channel reported that: “After years of growth, the proportion of births
that are to unmarried women has leveled off, and since 2009 has been at just
over 40 percent”. In contrast, having children is a very important thing of each
couple after marriage in Eastern countries. Having children brings about
happiness and wealth for family. Besides, Eastern countries are under feudal
thinking’s influence, so they don’t accept the children born to unmarried
women.
2.5. Overview of wedding customs
A wedding is a ceremony where two or more people are united
in marriage. Wedding
traditions and
customs
vary
greatly
between
cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Most wedding
ceremonies involve an exchange of marriage vows by a couple, presentation of a
gift (offering, rings, symbolic item, flowers, money, dress), and a public
proclamation of marriage by an authority figure or celebrant. Special wedding
garments are often worn, and the ceremony is sometimes followed by a wedding
reception. Music, poetry, prayers or readings from religious texts or literature
are also commonly incorporated into the ceremony, as well as superstitious
customs originating in Ancient Rome.
Some cultures have adopted the traditional Western custom of the white
wedding, in which a bride wears a white wedding dress and veil. This tradition
was popularized through the marriage of Queen Victoria. Some say Victoria’s
choice of a white gown may have simply been a sign of extravagance, but may
have also been influenced by the values she held which emphasized sexual
12
purity. Within the modern ‘white wedding’ tradition, a white dress and veil are
unusual choices for a woman’s second or subsequent wedding.
The use of a wedding ring has long been part of religious weddings in
Europe and America, but the origin of the tradition is unclear. One possibility is
the Roman belief in the Vena amoris, which was believed to be a blood vessel
that ran from the fourth finger (ring finger) directly to the heart. Thus, when a
couple wore rings on this finger, their hearts were connected. Historian Vicki
Howard points out that the belief in the “ancient” quality of the practice is most
likely a modern invention. “Double ring” ceremonies are also a modern practice,
a groom’s wedding band not appearing in the United States until the early 20th
century.
The exit from the wedding ceremony is also called the “send off”, and
often includes traditional practices, such as the newlyweds and the wedding
party bowing and kissing the knees of the elders in Ethiopian weddings. The
send off often includes throwing rice (a symbol of prosperity and fertility) or
other seeds at the newlyweds in most of the Western world, as well as for
example India and Malaysia. Despite fears of the opposite, the use of uncooked
rice for this purpose is not harmful to birds.
The wedding ceremony is often followed by wedding reception or
a wedding breakfast, in which the rituals may include speeches from the groom,
best man, father of the bride and possibly the bride, the newlyweds’ first
dance as a couple, and the cutting of an elegant wedding cake. In recent years
traditions has changed to include a father-daughter dance for the bride and her
father, and sometimes also a mother-son dance for the groom and his mother.
13
2.6. Common wedding customs associated with various religions and
cultures
Christian customs
Most Christian churches give some form of blessing to a marriage, which
is seen as a sacred institution in some sense, although terminology and
associated theological meanings vary widely from one denomination to another:
e.g., “holy matrimony,” “sacrament of marriage,” “holy ordinance of marriage,”
“holy union,” and so forth.
In some Western countries, a separate and secular civil wedding
ceremony is required for recognition by the state, while in other Western
countries, couples must merely obtain a marriage license from a local
government authority and can be married by Christian or other clergy authorized
by law to do so.
Hindu customs
Hindu ceremonies are usually conducted totally or at least partially
in Sanskrit, the language of the Hindu scriptures. The wedding celebrations may
last for several days and they can be extremely diverse, depending upon the
region, denomination and caste. Mehendi ceremony is a traditional ritual in
Hindu weddings, where Henna application takes place on bride’s hands and legs,
before the wedding. On the wedding day, the bride and the bridegroom garland
each other in front of the guests. Most guests witness only this short ceremony
and then socialize, have food and leave. The religious part (if applicable) comes
hours later, witnessed by close friends and relatives. In cases where a religious
ceremony is present, a Brahmin (Hindu priest) arranges a sacred yajna (fire-
sacrifice), and the sacred fire (Agni) is considered the prime witness (sākshī) of
the marriage. He chants mantras from the Vedas and subsidiary texts while the
couple are seated before the fire. The most important step is saptapadi or saat
phere, wherein the bride and the groom, hand-in-hand, encircle the sacred fire
seven times, each circle representing a matrimonial vow. Then the groom marks
the bride’s hair parting with vermilion (sindoor) and puts a gold necklace
(mangalsutra) around her neck. Several other rituals may precede or follow
these afore-mentioned rites. Then the bride formally departs from her blood-
relatives to join the groom’s family.
14
Jewish customs
In a traditional Jewish wedding, before the ceremony, the couple
formalize a written ketubah (marriage contract), specifying the obligations of
husband to the wife and contingencies in case of divorce. The ketubah is signed
by two witnesses and later read under the chuppah (wedding canopy).
There are many things done in the wedding customs. First, the couple is
married under the chuppah signifying their new home together. The chuppah can
be made from a piece of cloth or other material attached to four poles, or a
giant tallit (prayer shawl) held over the couple by four family members or
friends. The wedding couple is accompanied by both sets of parents and they
join the wedding couple under the chuppah. Seven blessings are recited, blessing
the bride and groom and their new home. The couple sip a glass of wine from a
Kiddush cup . The groom will smash a wine glass with his right foot, ostensibly
in remembrance of the destruction of the Second Temple. At some weddings,
the couple may declare that each is sanctified to the other, repeat other vows and
exchange rings. The ceremony ends with the groom breaking a glass underfoot.
Islamic customs
A wedding is typically a happy time for families to celebrate. In
the Muslim world, there are colorful, cultural variations from place to place.
Two male witnesses who are the members of family in most cases, are
required for Nikah. According to the Quran, a married Muslim couple, both
husband and wife act as each other’s protector and comforter and therefore only
meant “for each other”.
All Muslim marriages have to be declared publicly and are never to be
undertaken in secret. For many Muslims, it is the ceremony that counts as the
actual wedding alongside a confirmation of that wedding in a registry office
according to fiqh, in Islam a wedding is also viewed as a legal
contract particularly in Islamic jurisprudences. However, most Muslim cultures
separate both the institutions of the mosque and marriage, no religious official is
necessary, but very often an Imam presides and performs the ceremony, he may
deliver a short sermon. Celebrations may differ from country to country
depending on their culture but the main ceremony is followed by a Walima (the
marriage banquet).
15
Chinese custom
In traditional Chinese wedding ceremonies, brigde arrives in a jiao
At traditional Chinese weddings, the tea ceremony is the equivalent of an
exchange of vows at a Western wedding ceremony. This ritual is still practiced
widely among rural Chinese; however, young people in larger cities, as well as
in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, tend to practice a combination
of Western style of marriage together with the tea ceremony.
When the bride leaves her home with the groom to his house, a “Good
Luck Woman” will hold a red umbrella over her head, meaning, “Raise the bark,
spread the leaves.” This “Good Luck Woman” should be someone who is
blessed with a good marriage, healthy children and husband and living parents.
Other relatives will scatter rice, red beans and green beans in front of her. The
red umbrella protects the bride from evil spirits, and the rice and beans are to
attract the attention of the gold chicken.
The newlyweds kneel in front of parents presenting tea. A Good Luck
Woman making the tea says auspicious phrases to bless the newlyweds and their
families. The newlyweds also present tea to each other, raising the tea cups high
to show respect before presenting the tea to each other.
The attendants receiving the tea usually give the bride gifts such as
jewelry or a red envelope.
The tea ceremony is an official ritual to introduce the newlyweds to each
other’s family, and a way for newlyweds to show respect and appreciation to
their parents. The newlyweds kneel in front of their parents, serving tea to both
sides of parents, as well as elder close relatives. Parents give their words of
blessing and gifts to the newlyweds.
2.7. Concluding remarks
This chapter has delineated issues relevant to the weddings and wedding
customs in Vietnamese and American culture. A review of the wedding customs
associated with religions and cultures support the researcher to analyse typical
wedding customs in Vietnamese and American culture.
16
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
3.1. Data collection and analysis
3.1.1. Preparing data
Data can be defined as the quantitative or qualitative values of a variable.
Data is thought to be the lowest unit of information from which other
measurements and analysis can be done. It plays the most important and vital
role in any research studies as it helps to bring about the quantitative evidence
for a hypothesis or supports the justification for a qualitative study. Within this
study, data is collected from a number of articles, books, and materials about
Vietnamese and American cultures. The author first collected data according to
different periods of time in two different cultures so that he can figure out the
similarities and differences of wedding customs based on time. In addition, data
is collected based on geographical locations. In fact, different places have
different customs.
3.1.2. Setting criteria for data collection
To get data for analysis, some criteria are set up.
First, the books, articles, and materials collected for the study must be
reliable. They are published books, not the ones posted on the internet.
Second, the sample size is large enough to guarantee that each main
category of data should include at least thirty cases as recommended in Cohen
(2000) to guarantee the validity of statistical findings. To satisfy this
requirement, the researcher has collected more than 30 different sources of
materials so that it helps to guarantee the reliability and validity of the statistics
borne out.
3.1.3. Analyzing and interpreting data
Once data are collected, we start to analyze them from two approaches.
The quantitative approach guarantees the completion of a statistical analysis
which helps to provide necessary statistical evidences for the generalization of
common features and stages of wedding customs in Vietnamese and American
cultures.
