Rationale
Football, known as soccer in some regions, stands as the most popular sport globally, captivating billions across diverse demographics It creates a unique societal framework where elements like economy, politics, and culture intersect, vividly expressing a spectrum of emotions—from passionate love to intense rivalry, and from joy to deep sorrow The founders of the sport likely never envisioned its evolution into such a beloved pastime.
Football's global popularity can be attributed to its simple rules, health benefits, and promotion of team spirit, but a significant factor often overlooked is the mass media's influential role Live broadcasts and passionate newspaper commentaries have fostered a deep-rooted love for the sport across generations The media shapes fans' emotions and thoughts, invoking national pride and unity before matches However, this influence can also lead to biased perceptions of social issues, driven by emotionally charged commentary To explore the subjectivity in contemporary football commentary and its impact on audiences, I am conducting a thesis titled “A Critical Discourse Analysis of Verbal Expressions Showing Emotions in Football Commentaries in English and Vietnamese E-Newspapers.”
Aims of the study
This research analyzes football commentaries in English and Vietnamese newspapers to explore the verbal expressions employed by sportswriters in both languages, with the goal of identifying potential social inequalities in their perspectives The study is guided by two specific objectives that focus on these linguistic differences.
- Clarifying and contrasting the way that social inequalities like sexism, nationalism are legitimized in discourse of showing emotions in English and Vietnamese football commentaries
This article aims to enhance readers' comprehension of the ideologies presented in football commentaries, fostering an objective and tolerant perspective on social issues like sexism and nationalism in both English and Vietnamese contexts.
Scope of the study
This research examines how sportswriters express their emotions in football commentaries within English and Vietnamese e-newspapers, emphasizing the emergence of social inequalities, specifically sexism and nationalism, through these emotional displays It intentionally excludes other forms of social inequality, such as political, cultural, and class disparities, to maintain a focused analysis Detailed data sources will be outlined in the Methodology chapter.
Methods of the study
This research utilizes Critical Discourse Analysis as its primary approach, employing qualitative data analysis methods Data is gathered from English and Vietnamese football commentaries in e-newspapers, and the analysis is conducted using Fairclough’s three-dimensional framework, which encompasses Description, Interpretation, and Explanation.
Systemic Functional Grammar at the level of word and clause by Halliday The analysis procedure is specified more in the Methodology chapter.
Design of the study
The study consists of three parts:
The introduction of this research outlines its background by presenting a concise overview of the rationale, aims, scope, significance, methodology, and design This chapter serves to establish the foundational context necessary for understanding the study's objectives and approach.
Part B, DEVELOPMENT, includes four chapters:
Chapter 1, THEORETICAL BACKGROUND and LITERATURE REVIEW, outlines the essential theoretical framework that underpins the research, highlighting its necessity Additionally, it provides a brief overview of previous studies related to the same topic, establishing a context for the current investigation.
Chapter 2, METHODOLOGY, refers to the sources of data as well as the method to collect and analyze the data to facilitate the research process
Chapter 3, DATA ANALYSIS, analyzes the data collected
Chapter 4, FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION, discusses the findings of the data analysis
Part C, CONCLUSION, draws important conclusions and makes suggestions for further researches
Theoretical Background&Literature Review
Overview of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA)
Before the 1970s, linguistic research primarily focused on the formal aspects of language, emphasizing the linguistic competence of speakers while largely isolating it from actual language use (Chomsky, 1957) Although pragmatics considered the relationship between language and context, it still treated sentences as fundamental units Much of the socio-linguistic research of that era aimed to describe language variation and change, often overlooking issues of social hierarchy and power The 1970s marked a shift with the emergence of discourse and text analysis that acknowledged language's role in shaping power dynamics within society This shift attracted the interest of linguists such as Kress, Hodge, Fowler, Van Dijk, Fairclough, and Wodak, whose works laid the foundation for what became known as Critical Linguistics (CL).
By the late 1980s, Critical Linguistics (CL) had clearly defined its objectives, research interests, perspective, and analytical methods Wodak (1989) outlines and exemplifies the key characteristics of critical linguistic research that had been solidified through ongoing studies.
In the 1990s, the term Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) became widely adopted to characterize a unique approach to linguistic analysis, establishing itself as a distinct theory of language that diverges significantly from traditional linguistics (Kress, 1990, p.94).
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), as defined by Fairclough (1995), systematically examines the complex relationships between discursive practices, events, texts, and broader social and cultural structures It investigates how these elements are influenced by power dynamics and ideological forces, while also exploring how the obscurity of these relationships contributes to the maintenance of power and hegemony in society.
According to Van Leeuwen (1993, p.193), critical discourse analysis focuses on discourse as a tool for power and control, as well as its role in shaping social reality.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) focuses on examining how social power, dominance, and inequality are manifested and challenged through language in social and political contexts (Van Dijk, 2001) CDA researchers adopt a clear stance, aiming to understand, reveal, and combat social inequalities through their analytical work.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) emphasizes the linguistic and discursive aspects of power relations in modern societies, as noted by Wodak (1996, p.16) It explores how these power dynamics are enacted and negotiated through discourse, making it essential to examine both "power in discourse" and its broader implications.
"power of discourse" and "power over discourse" in these dynamic terms
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) focuses on examining both overt and subtle power dynamics, discrimination, and control as expressed through language As Habermas (1988) notes, language functions as a medium of domination and social power, legitimizing organized force and embodying ideological constructs Consequently, CDA is particularly concerned with how language perpetuates discrimination and inequalities, including issues like sexism and nationalism, highlighting its role in legitimizing these societal disparities.
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) explores how access and control over language, contexts, and genres shape societal discourse and reflect inequalities It investigates the ways in which discourse functions within society, particularly how issues like sexism and racism are subtly woven into everyday communication CDA aims to uncover these hidden biases and their influence on audiences, while also challenging powerful groups that exploit their authority By identifying and opposing discursive dominance, CDA supports marginalized communities and promotes their empowerment through a deeper understanding of language's role in societal structures.
1.1.4 Differences between CDA and the other approaches to Discourse Analysis (DA)
According to Rebecca Rogers (2004, p.2), Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) differentiates itself from other discourse analysis methods by not only describing and interpreting discourse within its context but also providing a comprehensive explanation of the mechanisms behind how and why these discourses function.
Adam Jaworski and Nikolas Coupland (1999, p.33) highlight that Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) differs significantly from other discourse approaches, which often focus on descriptive aims and structural models of discourse organization In contrast, CDA prioritizes social constructionism and the examination of ideology, positioning itself as a critical framework that moves beyond mere descriptivism.
Ruth Wodak and Michael Meyer (2009, p.2) highlight that the key distinction between traditional discourse analysis (DA) and critical discourse analysis (CDA) is CDA's problem-oriented, interdisciplinary nature Unlike other DA methods, CDA focuses on understanding complex social phenomena rather than isolating linguistic units, necessitating a multidisciplinary and multi-methodological approach.
For proper understanding of CDA as a new linguistic approach, it is important that some key CDA notions should be considered
The term "critical" in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) originates from Marxist influences and the Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School It signifies a refusal to accept assumptions without scrutiny and emphasizes self-reflection in the research process Importantly, "critical" should not be confused with mere criticism or negativity; rather, it represents a methodical approach to questioning established arguments and prevailing ideas, which has become more prevalent in everyday language.
Power is a fundamental concept in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), as defined by Max Weber (1947) as the likelihood that one actor can impose their will in a social relationship, despite resistance In CDA, language itself is not inherently powerful; its power emerges through the actions of influential individuals This perspective drives CDA researchers to examine how discourse reproduces social domination, highlighting the power imbalances between groups and the ways in which marginalized groups can resist such oppression Consequently, it prompts an exploration of how CDA scholars conceptualize power and the moral frameworks they employ to distinguish between legitimate power use and its abuse.
Ideology is a complex and contentious academic concept, described by Simpson (1993) as a combination of cultural assumptions, political beliefs, and institutional practices Language plays a crucial role in expressing ideology, making it essential for studying the concept In Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), ideology is pivotal in understanding and sustaining unequal power dynamics Fairclough (2003) emphasizes that ideologies shape perceptions of the world, reinforcing power relations, domination, and exploitation, and are manifested through interactions and identities Thus, analyzing texts is vital for ideological critique and understanding these power structures.
Regarding the relationships of language, power and ideology ,
Review of literature
Numerous studies have explored the intersection of sexism and nationalism in football globally, yet critical discourse analysis (CDA) research on these topics remains limited One notable CDA study is Jacqueline's work titled “Football, it’s a man’s game: Insult and gendered discourse in The Gender Bowl,” which examines the gendered language and insults prevalent in the sport.
McDowell and Spencer Schaffner analyze gender discourses in the reality TV program Gender Bowl, which centers on football Additionally, Mariza Georgalou's critical discourse analysis, "Scoring a Hat Trick: Nation, Football, and Critical Discourse Analysis," examines Greek commentary on the national team's performance during Euro 2004 While these studies provide valuable insights, they face limitations due to restricted data sources and a lack of linguistic diversity My critical discourse analysis aims to address these limitations for a more comprehensive understanding.
Methodology
Research approach
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) effectively illustrates how language shapes social inequalities in the media, especially in soccer commentaries.
Research method
This research focuses on a contrastive analysis of football commentaries in English and Vietnamese newspapers, aiming to uncover the differences in how sportswriters express emotions related to social inequality in both languages This comparative approach adds depth and interest to the study.
Research questions
On the basis of the two objectives mentioned in the Introduction, two research questions of the study are raised as follows:
- How are social inequalities in term of sexism and nationalism produced in English and Vietnamese football commentaries?
In order to answer this question, the research would investigate the words, phrases and clauses used to legitimize these social inequalities
- How are readers affected by these commentaries?
For this question, the research would show readers‟ responses to these commentaries It is the best way to measure positive or negative effects on readers
Of course, all of my research is structured around these questions to find out the reasonable answers at last.
Data collection
The data for the analysis in my research are the articles during the period of 2001-2014 collected from some English e-newspapers such as The
Popular and reliable sources such as BBC Sports, The Channel 4 News, The Daily Record, The Daily Mail, The Huffington Post, The Guardian, The Bleacher Report, and Vietnamese e-newspapers like Bóng đá, Thể thao & văn hóa, VnExpress, and Vietnamnet significantly influence readers' perceptions of social inequalities, particularly sexism and nationalism The portrayal of sexism is evident through the underestimation and insult directed at women, alongside the overestimation and worship of men Nationalism is reflected in the emotional responses to national team performances, where joy follows victories and sadness accompanies defeats This research specifically analyzes verbal expressions of emotion in sports commentaries, focusing on the sentiments expressed by sportswriters.
Method of data analysis
Qualitative method is chosen for the data analysis After gathered, the sources of information are processed in the analytical framework of the research
This research utilizes Fairclough's three-dimensional framework to analyze discourse, focusing on sexism and nationalism through a three-stage process: description, interpretation, and explanation In the description stage, the grammatical features that convey sportswriters' emotions and legitimize social inequalities are highlighted The interpretation stage examines how these emotional verbal expressions reflect specific social inequalities within the broader context of the article Finally, the explanation stage addresses the socio-cultural conditions, including situational and institutional factors, that influence how sportswriters express their emotions and the impact these commentaries have on readers' perceptions.
In my research, the description stage is crucial for accurately interpreting the text, utilizing Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar to analyze grammatical features at the word and clause levels Key elements include various types of clauses—such as exclamations, imperatives, rhetorical questions, and clauses with modal particles—that express the sportswriter's emotions Additionally, I incorporate eight insightful questions regarding vocabulary and grammar proposed by Fairclough to enhance the analysis.
Data analysis
Nationalism
Loving one's national football team is a powerful expression of nationalism, evident in sports commentary across both English and Vietnamese newspapers This sentiment is showcased through the joy experienced after victories and the sorrow felt after defeats, highlighting the deep emotional connection fans have with their teams.
In Vietnamese football commentaries, it is very popular for sportswriters to use the exclamation to show their happiness after win The following example is such a typical kind:
“Tuyệt vời các cô gái Việt Nam!”
On December 2, 2003, following Vietnam's impressive 6-0 victory over Indonesia in the 22nd SEA Games held in Vietnam, sportswriter Minh Tho published a commentary in VietNamNet, praising the remarkable performance of the Vietnamese women's team.
The exclamation "Việt Nam!" encapsulated a deep sense of joy and pride, reflecting the speaker's admiration for the Vietnamese women's football team's remarkable performance The emphasis on "tuyệt vời" highlighted the significance of their victory, which the speaker viewed as a triumph not just for the team but for all Vietnamese women This expression of pride was unique, as such fervent declarations had not been previously used for any other nation's achievements in Vietnamese commentary.
During the 22nd SEA Games, held in Vietnam, the women's football team was expected to continue their dominance following their victory in the 21st SEA Games Sportswriter Minh Tho recognized the significance of this moment for Vietnamese nationalism and the need to support women's football His comment resonated with readers, igniting a sense of pride reflected in statements like, “The girls are the pride of the Vietnamese people Always support them.” This sentiment was evident in the strong backing from fans and the remarkable achievements of the athletes during the event.
Exclamations in English football commentaries reflect the sportswriter's joy and enthusiasm To emphasize their excitement, sportswriters often combine exclamations with other words or clauses, enhancing the emotional impact of their commentary.
“That's it! Who said Roy Hodgson's England don't do excitement?”
On June 15, 2012, following England's thrilling 3-2 victory over Sweden in Euro 2012, the Guardian featured a commentary by sportswriter Jacob Steinberg, who exclaimed, “That's it!”
Steinberg's joy was evident in his exclamation, “That’s it!”, reflecting both his astonishment and pride in England's victory His rhetorical question, “Who said Roy Hodgson's England don't do excitement?”, not only expressed happiness but also highlighted his pride, especially considering the criticism from Swedish newspapers regarding England's performances under Hodgson prior to the England-Sweden match This rhetorical question served as a powerful affirmation of England's capabilities.
During Euro 2012, Steinberg expressed his emotions while commenting on the crucial England-Sweden match in Group D, which determined the teams advancing to the Quarter-finals His remarks resonated with readers, fostering a sense of nationalism and pride, as reflected in sentiments like, "Well done!" and "I’m really proud of you, guys."
The analysis of data reveals that sportswriters express happiness following victories in both English and Vietnamese football commentaries, as illustrated in Table 3 with specific words, phrases, and clauses.
- vùi dập/ hủy diệt (thể thao&văn hó a)
- hoành tráng (thể thao&văn ho ́ a)
- cơn đi ̣a chấn (bóng đá)
- để đời (thể thao&văn hó a)
- “la ̀ m gỏi” (bóng đá)
- sát nút (bóng đá)
- chật vật/vất vả (bóng đá)
- giành thắng lợi /đa ́ nh bại
- thắng ca ́ ch biê ̣t/ đậm (bóng đá)
- cơn mưa ba ̀ n thắng (bóng đá)
- gây sốc (thể thao&văn ho ́ a) Others
- Who said England don't do excitement? (The guardian)
- tuyê ̣t vời các cô gái Viê ̣t Nam!
- Tại sao không là U19 Việt Nam dự SEA Games 27? (thể thao&văn ho ́ a)
- U19 Viê ̣t Nam đánh bại được Australia 5-1 (bóng đá)
- Thái Lan đánh bại Trung Quốc 5-1 (thể thao&văn hó a)
TIEU LUAN MOI download : skknchat@gmail.com
Table 3 illustrates that sportswriters express their emotions, particularly happiness after a victory, through not only words and phrases but also clauses Both English and Vietnamese sportswriters tend to favor emotionally charged language, such as "awesome," "torn apart," and "legendary win," while utilizing pronouns like "we" and "they" to emphasize their connection to the national team's success.
“magnificent performance”, “wondrous deeds”, “shockwave”, “destroy”,
The term "maul" in English, which translates to various vivid expressions in Vietnamese such as "vùi dập," "hủy diệt," and "tưng bừng," conveys a sense of excitement and intensity in sports victories In contrast, similar wins by other national teams are often described with more neutral terms like "thrash," "beat," or "deserved," lacking the emotional weight found in the Vietnamese descriptions This disparity highlights the cultural differences in how sports achievements are celebrated and communicated.
“stylish victory” in English or “sát nút” , “giành thắng lợi” , “đánh bại” ,
Vietnamese sportswriters often use phrases like "đại thắng," "thắng cách biệt," and "cơn mưa bàn thắng" to convey excitement about their national team's victories Their writing is characterized by the frequent use of exclamations, imperatives, and rhetorical questions, showcasing a direct emotional expression that contrasts with the style of English sportswriters This distinctive approach highlights the unexpected and shocking nature of their wins, emphasizing the joy and pride felt in these moments.
In Vietnamese football commentaries, the unique use of modal particles effectively conveys the sadness experienced after a loss, a linguistic feature that is not present in English.
“U19 Việt Nam để đối phương vượt lên dẫn trước”
On April 2, 2014, after U19 Vietnam‟s 2-1 defeat by JMG Belgium- Ghana in a friendly match in Belgium, the Vnexpress published the article
In the article titled “U19 Vietnam loses to the JMG Belgium-Ghana team,” sportswriter Duc Dong highlights the moment when U19 Vietnam allowed their opponents to take the lead The use of the modal particle “để” in his commentary draws attention, as it conveys a sense of regret typically absent in similar contexts involving other teams, such as “Thailand takes the lead over Myanmar” or “Thailand is overtaken by Laos.” This choice of language reflects the writer's emotional response to Vietnam's loss, despite their commendable performance.
Sportswriter Duc Dong highlighted the immense faith Vietnamese fans have in the U19 Vietnam team, praising their impressive performances that have rejuvenated both Vietnamese football and the passion of its supporters However, like many others, Dong expressed a sense of regret as expectations for the team grew, a sentiment that resonated deeply with readers and reflected the emotional investment in the team's journey.
“quá đáng tiếc cho U 19” or “tương lai bóng đá Viê ̣t Nam có thể đặt vào lứa cầu thủ này”.
Findings and discussion
Findings
Chapter 3, Data Analysis, reveals a clear presence of sexism in English football commentaries, where female footballers often face underestimation and insult, while their male counterparts receive undue praise and admiration from sportswriters The emotional language used in these commentaries, as outlined in the accompanying tables, significantly influences readers' perceptions and responses, regardless of whether the sentiments expressed are negative or positive.
Vietnamese football commentaries demonstrate a commendable absence of sexism, showcasing fairness in the language used by sportswriters The terminology reflects an equitable assessment of both women and men in the sport, with no signs of underestimation or insults directed towards women.
Nationalism is prominently reflected in football commentaries across both English and Vietnamese newspapers, showcasing a spectrum of emotions from happiness in victory to sadness in defeat Sportswriters from both cultures express joy with strong emotional language for their national teams, employing diverse techniques such as exclamations and rhetorical questions However, their approaches to expressing sadness differ significantly; English sportswriters often adopt a critical tone following losses, while Vietnamese writers maintain a more tolerant stance, using uncritical language Notably, Vietnamese commentators employ exclamations and rhetorical questions to uplift their team's spirit, a strategy rarely utilized by their English counterparts Ultimately, both English and Vietnamese sportswriters evoke deep nationalism, resonating with readers' profound love and support for their national teams.
Discussion
Sexism in football remains a significant issue globally, with even FIFA's president, Sepp Blatter, facing backlash for sexist comments in 2004 In English football commentaries, while overt sexism has decreased, it now manifests in more subtle ways through carefully chosen language by sportswriters These writers skillfully use their linguistic abilities to convey sexist messages to readers without detection.
The lack of sexism in Vietnamese football commentaries can be attributed to the achievements of the women's national football team, which first gained attention in 2001 by winning the SEA Games, a feat that the men's team has yet to accomplish Since then, women's football has become a source of pride for Vietnam in both regional and continental competitions Vietnamese women in football have successfully challenged social prejudices and overcome occupational obstacles, earning them widespread respect and admiration in the realm of sports.
Sportswriters worldwide often employ vibrant language, exclamations, and rhetorical questions to express their joy following their national team's victories This choice of words not only captivates readers but also ignites a sense of nationalism, making the celebration of sports triumphs resonate deeply and immediately.
The emotional responses of sportswriters to their national football teams' losses vary significantly between English and Vietnamese contexts English sportswriters express a mix of anger and sadness, reflecting their deep love and high expectations for the national team, which has not won a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup This prolonged period of disappointment fuels frustration among fans, yet their nationalism persists, allowing them to maintain hope for future successes In contrast, Vietnamese sportswriters display a sense of regret and tolerance, as the national team's lower performance level means fans have tempered expectations For Vietnamese supporters, each victory is celebrated, while losses are more easily accepted, highlighting a different relationship with their national team.
Conclusions
Football commentaries in newspapers play a crucial role in the lives of fans, significantly influencing their passion for the sport and their perceptions of social issues The personal opinions of sportswriters regarding social inequalities reflected in these commentaries warrant attention due to their substantial impact on readers Sportswriters, being human, often express emotions such as love and hate, which can unintentionally shape readers' perspectives This research, grounded in Fairclough's three-dimensional framework and Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar, reveals the presence of social inequalities, including sexism and nationalism, within the emotional expressions of sportswriters Additionally, two key research questions have been effectively addressed.
Football commentaries in English and Vietnamese newspapers reflect sexism and nationalism through the strategic use of language, including words, phrases, exclamations, imperatives, and rhetorical questions While there are notable differences in how these features are employed across the two languages, sportswriters in both contexts leverage their linguistic choices as a powerful tool to express personal views on social inequalities, such as sexism and nationalism, ultimately aiming to influence their readers' perceptions.
The subjective expression of emotions by sportswriters significantly influences readers, as evidenced by the feedback and comments they receive Regardless of whether these expressions are negative or positive, their effects on readers are profound and lasting Sportswriters wield the power of language to convey messages that can be sexist or nationalistic, highlighting the need for careful consideration in their word choices It is essential for sportswriters to recognize the impact their commentaries have on their audience and to be mindful of the implications of their language.
This research explores the underlying causes of sexism and nationalism, highlighting how these issues manifest in the verbal expressions found in football commentaries in both English and Vietnamese contexts.
Limitations of the research
Every research endeavor encounters limitations, and mine is no different Unfortunately, I was unable to address all social inequalities present in football or include comprehensive data from TV commentaries.
This research aims to contribute significantly to both theoretical and practical aspects of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), particularly in the context of football discourse, which remains an underexplored area, especially in Vietnam While many studies have focused on political discourse, this unique approach encourages critical thinking about social issues through the lens of football It is anticipated that those interested in CDA and football will find this research to be a valuable resource Additionally, the findings pave the way for further exploration of social inequalities in football, such as racism, as well as a comparative analysis of English and Vietnamese football commentary on television and radio.
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