VIETNAM NATIONAL UNVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES MAI THANH HANH LEXICAL COHESION IN THE READING TEXTS OF “INFOTECH”
Significance of the study 3 4, Scope of the study 3 5 Methods of the stuủy,
Analyzing the texts in the Infotech course book provides valuable insights into the use of lexical cohesion in IT content This understanding helps identify key discourse features in IT texts, enabling SP teachers and learners to better comprehend the material Additionally, it aids in memorizing new vocabulary more easily, enhancing overall language proficiency in the context of Information Technology.
This study analyzes the frequency of lexical cohesive devices in six texts from the Jnfotech course book, highlighting their role in enhancing text comprehension and vocabulary learning By examining how often these devices appear, the research sheds light on their impact on students’ understanding of IT-related content The findings offer valuable implications for teachers and IT students, emphasizing the importance of lexical cohesion in improving reading skills and vocabulary acquisition in technical contexts.
To altain the aims of the study, the following activities were conducted:
- Reviewing the theories on lexical cohesive devices in discourse analysis and ESP teaching
This study analyzes six medium-length texts from the Infotech course book to assess the use of lexical cohesive devices, focusing on reiteration and collocations Reiteration, including synonyms and paraphrases, is frequently employed to maintain coherence and reinforce key concepts throughout the chapters Collocations are used consistently to ensure lexical cohesion, highlighting the natural pairing of words within the technical context of the texts The analysis reveals that these devices significantly contribute to the overall clarity and fluency of the material, with certain collocations recurring more often to establish connections between related ideas Overall, the strategic use of reiteration and collocations enhances the comprehensibility and cohesiveness of the texts, supporting effective communication in technical education.
- Making recommendations and conclusions on the basis of data analysis
‘The approach to the study is both inductive and deductive, based on the collection and analysis of sample texts
Design of the shuđy
This nrinor thesis consists of three following main parks:
There are three chapters in part B
Chapter I presents the theory about discourse, cohesion and ESP
Chapter I analyzes the lexical cohesive devices that appear in the sample texts of Lufotech course book,
Chapter III shares some implications for teaching vocabulary and reading comprehension in
This part sums up the issues addressed in the study, pomnts out the limitations as well as makes some suggestions for further development
Originally, the word “discourse” comes ftom the Latin word “discursus” which means
“conversation, speech” In this sense, discourse refers to a wide area of human life, However, in this discussion, only discourse from the point of linguistics is explained
According to Numan (1993), understanding both the grammar and vocabulary is essential to interpreting text effectively However, he emphasizes that grammatical sentences alone do not guarantee that the message makes sense; we must also grasp how sentences relate to each other within a larger context Discourse is therefore defined as a continuous stretch of language comprising multiple sentences perceived as interconnected in some way Widdowson (1979) supports this view by highlighting the importance of understanding these relationships to make sense of extended texts.
Discourse involves using sentences to perform acts of communication that come together to form larger, coherent communicative units It ultimately establishes a rhetorical pattern that characterizes the entire body of language as a form of effective communication.
Halliday and Hassan (1989) define text as language that is functional within a specific context, emphasizing that language's primary purpose is to serve particular communicative functions rather than just presenting isolated words or sentences They describe a text as any instance of living language actively engaged in a situational context, whether spoken, written, or through other means of expression This perspective highlights that language becomes a text when it performs specific roles in real-life communication, making it a meaningful and purposeful use of language rather than mere words on a page.
Other definitions of discourse will be presented as follows when discourse is compared or distinguished with text
Understanding the difference between "discourse" and "text" is essential, as some people consider them interchangeable, while others emphasize that discourse refers to language in action, whereas text is the written record of that interaction Recognizing this distinction enhances our comprehension of language analysis and communication, making it a crucial concept in linguistic studies and effective content creation.
According to Brown and Yule (1983), text is the representation of discourse and the verbatim record of a communicative act, emphasizing its role in capturing actual communication Nunan (1993) agrees, defining a text as any written record of a communicative event, whether spoken or written The concept of discourse involves interpreting these communicative events within their specific context, highlighting the importance of understanding language in real-life situations Understanding the relationship between text and discourse is essential for effective communication analysis and language teaching.
Crystal (1992) defines discourse as “a continuous stretch of language larger than a sentence, often constituting a coherent unit, such as a sermon, argument, joke or narrative” And, text is
“a piece of naturally occuring spoken, written, or signed language identified for purposes of analysis, It is often a language unit with a definable communicative function, such as a conversation, a poster.”
Cook (1989: 158) asserts that discourse is “stretches of language perceived to be meaningful, unified and purposive” while text is “a stretch of language interpreted formally, without conlcxi”
Some linguists use "text" and "discourse" interchangeably, while others argue these terms refer to different concepts According to Van (2000), it is important to distinguish between discourse and text because a "text or discourse is an instance of language in use," which requires context for proper understanding Van emphasizes that "no text occurs without context," and analyzing a text in isolation is like viewing it in a vacuum Therefore, efforts to separate the two terms can lead to unnecessary complexity in linguistic analysis.
This study adopts Halliday and Hassan’s definition of discourse as its foundational framework The author explicitly clarifies that the terms "discourse" and "text" will be used interchangeably throughout the research, emphasizing their conceptual similarity Understanding discourse as a meaningful social act allows for a comprehensive analysis of language in context, aligning with the theoretical perspective established in the thesis.
Theoretical background .c0ceeessneensetsmnnsneninetisnnvteneanee 5 1.1 Discourse 5 1.1.1 Definitions of discourse 5 1.1.2 Text and điscotrse
Written and spoken discourse 7 1.1.4 Discourse analysis § 1.1.5 Discourse context
‘There is no doubt that spoken and written discourse has many differences Brown and Yule
Spoken discourse often consists of incomplete sentences and sequences of phrases, as speakers produce current utterances and monitor their speech without the chance to edit prior statements (1983) However, speakers can enhance clarity by clarifying when listeners seem confused and can use voice modulation, body language, pauses, and intonation to better express themselves (Nenyen Hoa, 2000: 16) In contrast, written discourse is composed of complete, polished sentences that the writer can revise and improve, but this lack of immediate feedback makes it difficult to ensure the reader fully understands the intended meaning.
Alicr reviewing the theory of Brown & Yule (1983: 4-18), Nguyon Hoa (2000: 18-20) and Mc Carthy (1991: 12-18, 25-20), the dissimilarities between the two could be systematized as follows: subordinale clauses, fewer
+ Grammatical featwes: Spoken discawse has fewa sequences of prepositional phrases, attributwve adjectives but more active verbs
- Lexical characteristics: Spoken discourse has more repetitions and the percentage of different words is low
Spoken discourse is characterized by fragmentation, featuring simple sentences and coordination words like "and," "but," "so," and "because," which make it more informal and conversational In contrast, written texts utilize a variety of complex structural forms, including chapters, sections, headings, subheadings, quotations, and other organizational elements, making them more structured and cohesive These differences highlight the distinct nature of spoken and written language, emphasizing the importance of understanding their structural features for effective communication.
Spoken discourse primarily functions to establish and maintain human relationships through interaction, emphasizing social connection In contrast, written language serves the purpose of transferring and working through information, focusing on the effective transmission of knowledge and data These functional features highlight the distinct roles of spoken and written communication in language use.
This study focuses on cohesion in written texts within the IL area, emphasizing key features of written discourse While spoken and written discourse exhibit many distinct characteristics, this research specifically examines how cohesion operates in written communication Understanding cohesion in written texts is essential for enhancing clarity and coherence, making it a vital aspect of effective written discourse analysis.
Discourse analysis is a term with diverse interpretations since its inception, with Cook (1989) distinguishing between two types of language: one used for teaching language or literacy and understanding language rules, and another used for communication, referred to as discourse Brown and Yule (1983) emphasize that discourse analysis involves investigating what gives discourse its coherence, highlighting its focus on the underlying structures and patterns that make spoken or written communication meaningful This distinction underscores the importance of discourse analysis in understanding both language functions and communicative contexts, making it a vital tool in linguistic and social research.
Discourse analysis has evolved to encompass a wide range of meanings across numerous disciplines, including sociolinguistics, philosophical linguistics, and computational linguistics According to Nguyen Hoa (2000, p 11), discourse analysis is defined as the study of how and why language is used within specific situational contexts and the linguistic strategies employed to achieve particular purposes This interdisciplinary approach highlights the importance of understanding language use in real-life communication.
‘This thesis takes Cook’s viewpoint of discourse as a guideline That is because the author tries to analyze haw lexical cohesive dev: are used to maks discourse cohercnt
Understanding discourse requires considering its context, as different contexts influence the form and meaning of communication Key concepts like context, register, and genre play vital roles in shaping how discourse is understood and interpreted By examining these elements, we can better grasp the nuances and variations in various types of discourse across different situations.
Context is an important concept in discourse analysis David Nunan (1993: 7) defines:
Context is the surrounding situation that gives rise to and influences discourse, comprising two main types: linguistic and non-linguistic Linguistic context refers to the language that accompanies or surrounds a particular piece of discourse, helping to clarify its meaning Non-linguistic, or experiential context, encompasses factors such as the communication setting, topic, participants, and overall environment in which the discourse occurs Understanding both types of context is essential for interpreting and analyzing communication effectively.
Ialliday and Llassan (1976: 23) define register as the set of meanings and the configuration of semantic patterns that are typically used in specific contexts They emphasize that register involves the words and structures employed to realize these meanings under particular conditions Understanding register is crucial for analyzing how language varies according to situation, function, and social context.
Register refers to the linguistic features associated with specific values of field, mode, and tenor Field describes the context or subject matter of the text, including the speaker's or writer's purpose, with subject-imagery being a key element Mode pertains to the function of the text within a particular event, encompassing the communication channel—spoken or written—and the genre, such as narrative or persuasive Tenor involves the social roles and relationships among participants, reflecting the interaction patterns and social dynamics Overall, register influences the level of formality in a text by employing lexical and grammatical features tailored to its context, purpose, and participants, making it a crucial aspect of effective communication.
Couture (1986, as cited in Swales, 1990) highlights that registers impose constraints at the linguistic levels of vocabulary and syntax, shaping how language is used in specific contexts He further explains that genre operates across the discourse structure, guiding the organization and flow of a text According to Couture, genre not only determines the types of codes used within related texts but also establishes the conditions for initiating, maintaining, and concluding a text, thereby ensuring coherence and purpose.
Couture explains that genres, such as research reports and business reports, are fully structured texts, whereas registers—like scientific reporting, newspaper language, and bureaucratic language—are more flexible stylistic options As a result, a single genre can encompass various registers, allowing for stylistic variation within a given type of text Understanding these distinctions is essential for developing effective writing strategies across different communication contexts.
Moreover, according to Paltridge (2001), different genres are also closely related to each other For example, academic essays may cite many other genres such as academic lectures,
3 For example, a story can be a myth, a legend, or a tale specialist academic texts and journal articles.
In summary, the sample texts we are going to analyze in this study are specialist academic texts, The language used is very formal in a technically linguistic context
Cohesion is a vital concept closely linked to the structure and meaning of a text Halliday and Hassan (1976) define cohesion as the relations of meaning within the text that help to define it as a coherent whole Similarly, Nguyen Hoa (2000) emphasizes that cohesion refers to the formal relationships that enable texts to stick together and maintain unity Understanding cohesion is essential for creating clear, cohesive, and well-connected written content.
However, the two concepts of cohesion and coherence are often mistaken Thompson (1996:
147) provides such a clear distinction as the following:
Cohesion is a key linguistic device that enables speakers to signal both experimental and interpersonal coherence within a text, making it a vital aspect of textual cohesion It involves specific features and devices within the text that serve cohesive functions, ensuring the overall unity and clarity of the message Understanding cohesion helps in analyzing how texts maintain logical flow and connectivity, enhancing their effectiveness and comprehensibility for readers.
Coherence is a mental phenomenon felt by both the writer and the reader, making it inherently subjective and difficult to quantify Unlike cohesion, which involves tangible linguistic elements, coherence relates to the overall understanding and logical flow of a text Ensuring coherence enhances reader engagement and comprehension, highlighting its importance in effective writing.
Tn Gael, cohesion is the network of different kinds of formal relations that provide links among