INTRODUCTION
Rationale
English is the most widely used language for communication across nations and cultures, driven by the need for global economic integration and cultural exchange As a result, the demand for learning English is increasingly urgent for both Vietnamese and foreigners However, many face challenges that hinder effective communication, particularly due to the varied interpretations of exclamations In our culture, the use of exclamation points is prevalent, contributing to these misunderstandings.
Both English and Vietnamese people share common thoughts and emotions, yet they express these feelings differently While some may use gestures—specific body movements that convey meaning—others rely on facial expressions to communicate their emotions For example, our eyes can soften or appear thoughtful to indicate interest, while pupils may constrict when angry or dilate when excited This highlights the idea that "the eyes are the window to the soul."
Language serves as a fundamental tool for expressing emotions and understanding the feelings of others While we can perceive emotions through eye contact, it is through spoken language that we most easily recognize others' feelings and attitudes People articulate their shock, surprise, fear, anger, and admiration through specific utterances known as exclamations, which play a crucial role in communication.
10 sentence types and it attracts much attention from researchers in English as well as in Vietnamese
In English, there are many authors studying sentences including exclamations such as Quirk, R et al (1972 & 1985), Bolinger, D.L (1998), Crystal, D (1995), Radford, A
Moving on Vietnamese linguistists, we cannot but mention Nguyễn Kim Thản
(1963), Nguyễn Thiện Giáp (1997 & 2008), Cao Xuân Hạo (1998), Diệp Quang Ban
This thesis references several valuable books, yet there is a notable lack of detailed research on the syntax of exclamations in both English and Vietnamese Learners frequently confuse exclamations with statements or questions due to their similar syntactic forms, despite their distinct usages Therefore, we have chosen to focus on the topic of "Exclamation expressions in the novel If Tomorrow Comes by Sydney."
Sheldom and its Vietnamese translation equivalents ” to find out the similarities and differences of exclamations in terms of syntax and meanings between two languages.
Aims and objectives of the research
This study aims to highlight the similarities and differences between exclamations in English and their Vietnamese translations in the novel "If Tomorrow Comes." By examining their syntactic features and expressions, the research seeks to assist English learners in effectively mastering this type of sentence during their language acquisition process.
There are two objectives for this study:
- To describe the syntactic features and expressions of English exclamations in the novel "If tomorrow comes" and their Vietnamese translation versions
-To compare exclamations in English and their Vietnamese translation versions in the novel “If tomorrow comes” in terms of their syntatic features and their expressions
1 What are exclamations in English and their Vietnamese translation versions in terms of syntactic and semantic features?
2.What are the similarities and differences between exclamations in the novel “If tomorrow comes” and their Vietnamese translation versions in term of syntactic features and their expressions?
This article analyzes 248 exclamations from Sidney Sheldon's novel "If Tomorrow Comes," providing both English and Vietnamese translations It focuses on comparing and contrasting the syntactic and semantic features of these exclamations in both languages.
The study employs two primary methods: the descriptive method to analyze syntactic features and the comparative method to highlight the similarities and differences between English exclamations and their Vietnamese counterparts in the novel "If Tomorrow Comes."
This study employs collective analysis and methods, emphasizing the critical role of data collection in research The process involves three key stages: initially, a substantial number of exclamations in both English and Vietnamese were gathered from the novel to form the thesis corpus Subsequently, grammatical books and relevant literature were collected to support the chapter.
II Books on grammar, syntax, semantics, and stylistic means are used for the need to set the theoretical basic for this thesis to be carried out
This study analyzes 248 exclamations from the novel "If Tomorrow Comes," selecting the most interesting examples to illustrate key syntactic and semantic points The exclamations are examined in the context of English and Vietnamese syntax and semantics, allowing for a comparison of similarities and differences This analysis aims to provide insights and implications for the learning and teaching of English exclamations.
Theoretically, the thesis will contribute the theoretical background of studying English exclamations Practically, this study could help learners have a deeper
Understanding the syntactic and semantic features of exclamations in English and Vietnamese is crucial for enhancing the teaching and learning methods of English exclamations This knowledge aids in grasping both the structure and meanings of exclamations, ultimately improving language proficiency.
This thesis comprises four chapters, starting with an introduction that outlines the study's background, objectives, methodologies, and conclusions The second chapter, titled Literature Review, presents the theoretical framework and critically analyzes previous research relevant to the thesis The third chapter examines the syntax and expressions of exclamations in the novel, highlighting their similarities and differences Finally, the fourth chapter reviews the results and offers recommendations, culminating in the conclusions drawn from the research.
References come at the end of the study
This chapter examines the theoretical issues related to exclamations, specifically focusing on English exclamations in comparison to Vietnamese It aims to establish a theoretical basis for understanding Vietnamese references to English exclamations in both speech and writing Key topics include a review of previous studies, the theoretical foundation, and the theoretical framework The author emphasizes the history of word classes and sentences, with a particular focus on exclamations, providing a concise overview of the subject.
Exclamations are a phrase that gets linguistics' attention a lot Many authors have written works that are typically related to them However, there are several areas in which their strategies diverge
Exclamation, as defined by Quirk et al (1972 & 1985), is a grammatical category that, despite recognizing various forms, maintains a distinct type comparable to declaratives, interrogatives, and imperatives Their work has become a standard reference in grammar David Crystal (1995) enriches this complex topic by exploring the diverse features of the English language, offering a well-researched examination of sentence functions, which include statements, questions, demands, and exclamations Exclamations are primarily analyzed through their syntactic structure, categorized as either minor or major sentences.
Andrew Radford (1997) offers a clear and accessible overview of contemporary syntactic theory He defines exclamatives as structures used to express emotions such as surprise, delight, or annoyance In the context of English syntax, exclamatives primarily refer to clauses that start with Wh- exclamatory phrases.
14 as "what!" or "how!" He appears to view the exclamative as a syntactic phenomena based on his usage of the word "structure."
In his 1995 book, David Crystal delves into the complexities of the English language, highlighting its various layers and subgenres This well-researched work has garnered widespread acclaim for its accuracy and depth Crystal identifies four primary sentence functions: statements, questions, demands, and exclamations, with a particular focus on the syntactic forms of exclamations, which can be classified as either minor or major sentences.
Current syntactic theory is introduced in a condensed, understandable, and approachable manner by Andrew Radford (1997) In English syntax, the term
Exclamatives are primarily characterized by sentences that start with wh-exclamative words such as "what!" or "how!" Radford defines exclamatives as constructions used to convey emotions like surprise, happiness, or annoyance This perspective indicates that he considers exclamatives to be a syntactic phenomenon.
Nguyen Thin Giáp, Đoàn Thiện Thuật, and Nguyễn Minh Thuyết (1998) highlight the significant evolution of exclamative theory during the 18th and 20th centuries Scholars such as Humbon, Stundan, and Russo suggest that human language originated from the emotional sounds of rage, joy, sadness, and anguish Interjections often reflect our feelings and thoughts, indicating a deep connection between the sounds of words and human emotions This relationship suggests that the combination of sounds can leave a profound impression on our souls, akin to the impact of tangible experiences.
The thesis by Hà Thị Hải Yến (2000) provides a detailed analysis of Vietnamese exclamations, focusing on their role in conversational exchanges While exclamations are considered illocutionary acts in speech, the study primarily emphasizes the exclamative function of these actions.
In addition to existing literature on sentence types, there have been notable publications addressing exclamatory sentences, including "Câu trong tiếng Việt" by Cao Xuân Hạo (1998), "Ngữ pháp Việt Nam – phần câu" by Diệp Quang Ban (2004), and "Giáo trình ngôn ngữ học" by Nguyễn Thiện.
Giáp, 2008); Nghiên cứu ngữ pháp tiếng Việt (Nguyễn Kim Thản, 1963); Câu trong tiếng Việt (Nguyễn Thị Lương, 2005); etc
Scope of the research
This article analyzes 248 exclamations from Sidney Sheldon's novel "If Tomorrow Comes," providing both English and Vietnamese translations It focuses on comparing and contrasting the syntactic and semantic features of these exclamations in both languages.
Methods of the study
The study employs two primary methods: the descriptive method to analyze syntactic features and the comparative method to highlight the similarities and differences between English exclamations and their Vietnamese counterparts in the novel "If Tomorrow Comes."
This study employs collective analysis and methods, emphasizing the critical role of data collection in research The process involves three key stages: initially, a substantial number of exclamations in both English and Vietnamese were gathered from the novel to form the thesis corpus Subsequently, grammatical books and relevant literature were collected to support the chapter.
II Books on grammar, syntax, semantics, and stylistic means are used for the need to set the theoretical basic for this thesis to be carried out
This study analyzes 248 exclamations from the novel "If Tomorrow Comes," selecting the most interesting examples to illustrate key syntactic and semantic points The exclamations are examined in the context of English and Vietnamese, allowing for a comparison that highlights both similarities and differences This analysis aims to provide valuable insights and implications for the teaching and learning of English exclamations.
Significance of the research
Theoretically, the thesis will contribute the theoretical background of studying English exclamations Practically, this study could help learners have a deeper
Understanding the syntactic and semantic features of exclamations in English and Vietnamese is essential for enhancing the teaching and learning methods of English exclamations This knowledge focuses on the syntax and meanings of exclamations, ultimately improving language comprehension and communication skills.