Rationale of the study
Textual pattern analysis offers valuable insights into discourse structure, serving as a crucial navigational tool for readers and learners (Coulthard, 2000) Despite posing challenges for researchers and students, it remains a focal point of interest in linguistic studies Renowned linguists like Winter (1977) and Hoey have contributed significantly to this field, highlighting its importance and complexity.
Research by McCarthy (1994) and others has paved the way for in-depth analysis of textual patterns in language education This study focuses on examining textual patterns in English and Vietnamese, specifically in the context of online news about disease outbreaks.
The choice to explore online news stems from its unique linguistic features and discourse structure, which have not been thoroughly examined in existing research Online news serves as a vital source of rapidly updated information, making it essential for users to understand its textual patterns and signaling devices This understanding is particularly crucial in the health care sector, where timely news reports on disease outbreaks play a significant role in informing the public about recent incidents By disseminating this information, readers can better protect themselves and raise awareness within their communities about potential health threats.
The question that how to help popular readers to get in the content effectively encourages the researcher to perform “A Contrastive Study of Some Common Textual
The article "Patterns of Disease Outbreak Online News in English and Vietnamese" aims to serve as a valuable resource for general readers seeking effective information access, while also assisting language learners in enhancing their reading and writing skills.
Aims of the study
- Investigate some common textual patterns and their signaling devices in Disease outbreak online news (DONs) in English and Vietnamese
- Find out the similarities and differences between the textual patterns and signaling devices in DONs in English and Vietnamese.
Scope of the study
This study focuses on five textual patterns identified by Hoey (1994, 2001) and McCarthy and Carter (1994), namely Problem-Solution, General-Particular, Question-Answer, Hypothetical-Real, and Goal-Achievement Data will be gathered from reputable news sources, including the World Health Organization (WHO), BBC, CNN, and various Vietnamese media outlets such as the Ministry of Health in Vietnam (MOH), dantri, Vnexpress, thanhnien, and nhandan The research will specifically examine the outbreak of infectious diseases like Ebola, Hand-foot-mouth disease, and Measles from 2013 to August 2016.
Significance of the study
The study is expected to bring about some benefits in terms of theory and practice
This article provides a comprehensive overview of English textual patterns, focusing on key aspects such as discourse, text analysis, and discourse analysis It also reviews essential concepts related to online news discourse and highlights their distinctive features.
This article highlights an effective method for processing online news discourse, aiding readers in understanding and utilizing information effectively The study's findings on lexical signals can be beneficial in language teaching, particularly for enhancing reading and writing skills By recognizing textual patterns and their signaling devices, learners can better predict the flow of reading passages and apply this knowledge to create successful writing pieces.
5 Research questions and research methods 5.1 Research questions
1 What kinds of textual pattern are commonly used in disease outbreak online news in English and Vietnamese?
2 What are the signaling devices that help to identify textual patterns in disease outbreak online news in English and Vietnamese?
3 What are the similarities and differences between textual patterns and signaling devices in disease outbreak online news in English and Vietnamese?
This study utilizes a combination of qualitative, quantitative, descriptive, and contrastive methods to analyze textual patterns in English and Vietnamese online news The quantitative approach focuses on measuring the frequency and percentage of various textual patterns, while the qualitative method is used to develop a framework based on Hoey's theoretical principles Together, these methods provide an in-depth examination of text structures and highlight the similarities and differences in textual patterns between the two languages.
The study is organized in three main parts
This part consists of rationale, aims, scope, significance, research methodology and design of the study
This part includes four chapters
Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive theoretical background and literature review, addressing key issues in discourse and text It explores the nuances of discourse analysis and text analysis, highlighting textual patterns and the distinctive features of news discourse, with a particular focus on online news discourse.
- Chapter 2 presents the research methodology in which the subject of the study, research approach, research methods, data collection and data analysis procedure are clarified
Chapter 3 presents a comprehensive analysis of data, focusing on the common textual patterns and signaling devices utilized in Discourse Organizing Notions (DONs) in both English and Vietnamese The chapter highlights the similarities and differences between the two languages, providing valuable insights into their respective discourse structures.
This part is in charge of recapitulation of main findings, implications, limitations and suggestions for further studies
Following this part is references and appendixes
PART B: DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER I: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND & LITERATURE REVIEW
1.1 The concept of discourse and text 1.1.1 Discourse
The concept of "discourse" varies among writers, with Crystal (1992) defining it as a continuous stretch of language that forms coherent units like sermons, arguments, jokes, or narratives, primarily in spoken contexts Similarly, Cook (1989) views discourse as a significant element in communication.
“stretches of language perceived to be meaningful, unified, and purposive” He makes no distinction between spoken and written language in the definition
Nunan (1993) defines discourse as the interpretation of communicative events within their context, emphasizing its presence in spoken language This perspective aligns with Crystal's views on discourse, highlighting the importance of context in understanding communication.
The term "text" has garnered significant interest among scholars, with definitions varying across different researchers Cook (1989) describes text as a stretch of language analyzed in isolation from context, while Crystal (1992) elaborates that text refers to naturally occurring spoken, written, or signed discourse identified for analysis, often serving a communicative function, such as a conversation or a poster Brown and Yule (1983) view text as the verbal record of a communicative act, whereas Nunan (1993) defines it as any written record of a communicative event Despite these differences, all definitions converge on the notion of a communicative event, highlighting the debate over whether text pertains to written or verbal forms.
1.2 Discourse analysis and Text analysis
The difference between discourse and text establishes a clear separation between discourse analysis (DA) and text analysis (TA) Discourse analysis focuses on understanding how language, within its complete textual, social, and psychological context, gains meaning and coherence for its users In contrast, text analysis emphasizes the structural characteristics of language, often independent of its communicative purposes, as noted by Nunan (1993).
1.3 Textual patterns and signaling devices 1.3.1 Definition of textual patterns
Textual patterns, as defined by McCarthy (1991), represent the logical structure formed when functional textual segments combine, illustrating how text is organized According to Winter (1977, 1978), Hoey (1983, 2001), McCarthy (1991), and McCarthy & Carter (1994), there are nine recognized textual patterns: Problem-Solution, Hypothetical-Real, General-Particular, Question-Answer, Goal-Achievement, Narrative, Opportunity-taking, Desire arousal-fulfillment, and Gap in knowledge filling This study will focus on five specific patterns—Problem-Solution, General-Particular, Question-Answer, Goal-Achievement, and Hypothetical-Real—to analyze the functioning of outbreak news discourse.
1.3.2 Signaling devices of textual patterns
Signaling devices play a crucial role in identifying patterns within texts, encompassing both lexical and structural signals According to Hoey (2001), lexical signals serve as direct linguistic indicators of these patterns, making their identification essential for effective analysis The frequency of these signals varies by genre, with popular science reports exhibiting more signals than academic scientific writing Additionally, Hoey (1994) notes that changes in verb forms often predict structural changes, particularly in Problem-Solution frameworks, where responses are frequently initiated by specific verbs.
1.4 Kinds of textual pattern 1.4.1 Problem – Solution pattern 1.4.1.1 The concept of Problem-Solution pattern
The Problem – Solution pattern, widely recognized as the most prevalent structure in writing (Hoey, 2001), typically encompasses several key elements: Situation (What was the situation?), Problem (What problem arose?), and Solution (What solutions were proposed?) Importantly, McCarthy and Carter (1994) emphasized that a crucial aspect of this pattern is the positive evaluation of at least one proposed solution.
A text that concludes without presenting a positive solution can create a sense of unease in readers According to Coulthard (1994), this pattern can become complex, especially when the proposed solution is evaluated negatively, leading to further issues In such cases, an alternative solution may be suggested, followed by its evaluation.
1.4.1.2 Signals of Problem-Solution pattern
The Problem-Solution structure, as described by Hoey (2001), is distinctly marked by lexical signals that can be categorized into inscribed and evoked signals Inscribed signals are explicit terms like "unfortunately," "solution," and "too noisy," while evoked signals involve word choices that prompt readers to form evaluations.
Illiteracy, while a factual term, carries a negative connotation that highlights a significant issue Similarly, terms like "disease," "poverty," and "burglary" are considered evoked signals that denote problematic situations Additionally, the phrase "do something about x" is emphasized as a fundamental and common signal within this context.
McCarthy (1991: 58) lists the following terms as lexical signal of Problem - Solution pattern: “problem”, “drawback”, “approach”, “response”, “result”,
1.4.2 General – Particular pattern 1.4.2.1 The concept of General-Particular pattern
Design of the study
The study is organized in three main parts
This part consists of rationale, aims, scope, significance, research methodology and design of the study
This part includes four chapters
Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive theoretical background and literature review, addressing key issues in discourse and text, including discourse analysis and text analysis It explores various textual patterns and features of news discourse, with a particular focus on online news discourse.
- Chapter 2 presents the research methodology in which the subject of the study, research approach, research methods, data collection and data analysis procedure are clarified
Chapter 3 presents a comprehensive analysis of data, focusing on the common textual patterns and signaling devices utilized in Discourse Organizing Notions (DONs) in both English and Vietnamese The chapter highlights the similarities and differences between the two languages, providing valuable insights into their distinct communication styles.
This part is in charge of recapitulation of main findings, implications, limitations and suggestions for further studies
Following this part is references and appendixes.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND & LITERATURE REVIEW
The concept of discourse and text
Discourse is defined in various ways by different scholars Crystal (1992) describes it as a continuous stretch of language that forms coherent units like sermons, arguments, jokes, or narratives, emphasizing its application primarily in spoken language Similarly, Cook (1989) also explores the concept of discourse, highlighting its significance in communication.
“stretches of language perceived to be meaningful, unified, and purposive” He makes no distinction between spoken and written language in the definition
Nunan (1993) defines discourse as the interpretation of communicative events within their context, emphasizing its relevance in spoken language, a perspective also supported by Crystal.
The concept of "text" has garnered significant interest among scholars, with various definitions highlighting its role in communication Cook (1989) defines text as a stretch of language analyzed formally, devoid of context Crystal (1992) elaborates, describing text as a naturally occurring piece of discourse—spoken, written, or signed—identified for analysis, often serving a specific communicative function In contrast, Brown and Yule (1983) view text as the verbal record of a communicative act, while Nunan (1993) broadens the term to encompass any written record of a communicative event Despite their differing perspectives, these definitions converge on the essential idea of text as a representation of communication, whether verbal or written.
Discourse analysis and Text analysis
The difference between discourse and text establishes a clear separation between discourse analysis (DA) and text analysis (TA) Discourse analysis focuses on how language is used within its full textual, social, and psychological context, creating meaning for its users In contrast, text analysis examines the structural properties of language independently from their communicative functions, as noted by Nunan (1993).
Textual patterns and signaling devices
Textual patterns, as defined by McCarthy (1991), refer to the logical structure formed when functional textual segments combine, representing the organization of a text Winter (1977, 1978), Hoey (1983, 2001), McCarthy (1991), and McCarthy & Carter (1994) identify nine distinct patterns: Problem-Solution, Hypothetical-Real, General-Particular, Question-Answer, Goal-Achievement, Narrative, Opportunity-taking, Desire arousal-fulfillment, and Gap in knowledge filling This study will focus on five of these patterns—Problem-Solution, General-Particular, Question-Answer, Goal-Achievement, and Hypothetical-Real—to analyze the dynamics of outbreak news discourse.
1.3.2 Signaling devices of textual patterns
Signaling devices play a crucial role in identifying patterns within texts, comprising both lexical and structural signals According to Hoey (2001), lexical signals serve as direct linguistic reflections of these patterns, making their identification essential for effective analysis The frequency of these signals varies by genre, with popular science reports exhibiting more signals than academic scientific writing Additionally, Hoey (1994) notes that structural changes are often indicated by shifts in verb forms, particularly in Problem-Solution structures, where responses are frequently triggered by verbs.
Kinds of textual pattern
The Problem – Solution pattern, recognized as the most prevalent structure in writing (Hoey, 2001), typically encompasses several key elements: Situation (What was the situation?), Problem (What problem arose?), and Solution (What are the proposed solutions?) Importantly, McCarthy and Carter (1994) highlight that a critical aspect of this pattern is the positive evaluation of at least one of the proposed solutions.
Coulthard (1994) highlights that texts lacking a positive resolution can create discomfort for readers This complexity arises when a proposed solution is evaluated negatively, presenting an additional challenge Moreover, the introduction of an alternative solution followed by its assessment can further complicate the narrative.
1.4.1.2 Signals of Problem-Solution pattern
According to Hoey (2001), the Problem-Solution structure is clearly indicated through lexical signals, which can be categorized into inscribed and evoked signals Inscribed signals are explicit terms like "unfortunately," "solution," or "too noisy," while evoked signals involve word choices that prompt readers to form their own evaluations.
Illiteracy is a factual term that often carries a negative connotation, highlighting it as a significant issue Similar non-evaluative terms, like "disease," "poverty," and "burglary," are categorized as evoked signals, indicating underlying problems Additionally, the phrase "do something about x" is emphasized as one of the most fundamental and common signals in this context.
McCarthy (1991: 58) lists the following terms as lexical signal of Problem - Solution pattern: “problem”, “drawback”, “approach”, “response”, “result”,
1.4.2 General – Particular pattern 1.4.2.1 The concept of General-Particular pattern
The fundamental structure of this pattern consists of an initial general statement, succeeded by progressively specific statements, and concluding with another generalization (Holland and Johnson 2000: 21) Typically, a passage begins with a general statement, followed by additional content that elaborates on the generalization through examples, explanations, or justifications.
According to Hoey (1983), definitions serve as a prime example of the preview-detail relationship, highlighting the significance of detail in writing There are three primary types of detail to consider: composition, structure, and function.
1.4.2.2 Signals of General – Particular pattern
The General – Particular pattern in discourse includes two key signals: enumerables and matching relations Enumerables, as defined by Tadros (1985), consist of undefined sub-technical nouns like "advantages," "functions," and "aspects," which typically lead to specific examples, along with discourse self-reference nouns such as "definitions," "examples," and "illustrations." Matching relations, described by Winter (1977) and Hoey (1983), involve the realization of hyponyms through partial text repetition, where a blend of repeated elements and new variables prompts readers to recognize connections among items that may not be explicitly linked This relationship highlights the importance of both repetition and difference in conveying meaning.
1.4.3 Question – Answer pattern 1.4.3.1 The concept of Question – Answer pattern
The Question-Answer pattern resembles the Problem-Solution structure but is characterized by a clearly stated question followed by a satisfactory answer Its key components include the question, the answer, and an evaluation, which is mandatory when the answer is attributed to someone else, while it remains optional if the author provides the answer Unlike other patterns, the Question-Answer format lacks an intermediate stage between the question and the answer, and there is no logical sequence connecting them (Hoey, 2001) Additionally, this pattern is less common in short texts, as posing an explicit question can feel overly direct if the question is not relevant throughout a significant portion of the text.
1.4.3.2 Signals of Question – Answer pattern
This pattern is characterized by identifiable signals such as interrogative structures, question marks, and repetition between questions and answers Cohesive links between questions and answers often emerge through the repetition or restatement of the initial question.
Q: What, then, is the advantage which we may hope to derive from a study of the political writers of the past?
A: If this is what political theory is there is no difficulty in determining what advantage may be expected from the study of great political works
1.4.4 Goal - Achievement pattern 1.4.4.1 The concept of Goal-Achievement pattern
The Goal-Achievement pattern, as outlined by Hoey (2001), consists of four key components: Situation, Goal, Method of Achievement, and Evaluation/Result This pattern can incorporate elements of the Problem-Solution framework, yet it distinctly defines the Goal as an intended change in situation Essential questions that encapsulate this pattern include: What was the initial situation? What goal did the individual aim to achieve? What methods were employed to reach this goal? How successful was the outcome according to various perspectives? What were the results for the individual involved?
Here x, y, z may be the same person(s) and one or more may be the writer
Hoey (2003) lists some of the lexical signals that trigger the script such as “How to”, “method”, “want to”, “would like to”, “aim”, “objective”, “means”, “way”,
“strategy”, “by V-ing” and so on In general, such kinds of signals indicate desire, wishes and hope and the method carried out to reach the goal
1.4.5 Hypothetical – Real pattern 1.4.5.1 The concept of Hypothetical – Real pattern
The hypothetical-real pattern consists of two key elements: the hypothetical, which conveys statements made by others with uncertain truth-value, and the real, which expresses the writer's affirmation or denial of the hypothetical Unlike the Problem-Solution pattern, where the problem may be implied, the hypothetical must be explicitly identified as such Winter (1977) emphasizes the importance of this clear distinction in the hypothetical-real structure.
Hoey (2001) introduces the Claim – Respond pattern, highlighting that a claim can be either affirmed or denied Furthermore, he notes that these claims, denials, or corrections may be accompanied by reasons or presented without justification.
1.4.5.2 Signals of Hypothetical – Real pattern
In argumentative discourse, certain lexical items signal the distinction between hypothetical and real situations According to Winter (1977), writers must "signal explicitly" when a situation is hypothetical, using terms such as "assumption," "claim," "hypothesis," and "hypothesize." Conversely, words like "demonstrate," "prove," "contradict," "confirm," and "evidence" indicate real elements within the discourse.
Disease Outbreak Online News
News, as defined by the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, refers to new information regarding recent events Danuta (2002:4), in "The Language of Newspapers," notes that the term "news" originates from late Middle English, highlighting its historical significance in the context of information dissemination.
News is defined as the dissemination of new information regarding recent events, particularly those that impact a significant number of people Its importance lies in the ability to influence and inform large groups, highlighting the relevance of current events in shaping public awareness and societal dynamics.
In "News as Discourse," Van Dijk (1988) defines media news in everyday contexts through several key concepts: new information pertains to events, individuals, or objects; it encompasses program types on TV or radio that present news items; and it includes news reports—texts or discourses delivered via radio, TV, or newspapers that provide updates on recent events This comprehensive definition by Van Dijk encapsulates all elements associated with news, facilitating a deeper understanding of the news concept.
The internet serves as an essential resource for information and knowledge, with online news being a prominent category derived from it Key features of online news include multimedia elements, interactivity, and real-time updates, enhancing the overall user experience and engagement.
Online news offers a unique advantage over traditional media by integrating various modalities such as text, images, sound, slideshows, links, graphics, and video, enhancing the information delivery process According to Sunder and Limperos (2010), the inclusion of these diverse elements can positively influence audience perceptions and significantly attract readers with their vibrant and engaging visuals.
Sunder (2008) highlights that online news has shifted from passive consumption to active engagement, allowing users to interact with content personally Readers can comment, provide feedback, and respond directly to articles, enhancing their involvement Additionally, users have the ability to rate and review news stories, offering valuable insights into the pros and cons of the topics that interest them.
According to Nelson (1999), hypertext serves as a delivery system for distinct, closed units, enabling only outward-pointing embedded links This structure allows users to access background and related information effortlessly, enhancing the convenience and ease of the information retrieval process.
1.5.3 Disease Outbreak Online News (DONs) 1.5.3.1 Previous studies on news
Numerous studies have explored various aspects of news related to advertising, information technology, and discourse structure Notably, N.Hoa's 1998 PhD dissertation examines the discourse analysis of news covering political, economic, and social issues This is complemented by T.H.Nam's 2008 MA thesis, which compares discourse structures and linguistic features in information communication technology news in English and Vietnamese, and T.N.H.Trang's 2012 analysis of stock market news in both languages While these studies have contributed significantly to understanding discourse structures and linguistic features across different fields, there remains a gap in research specifically addressing the textual patterns of disease outbreak news.
1.5.3.2 Notions of Diseases outbreak online news (DONs)
A disease outbreak, as defined by the WHO, refers to the occurrence of cases that exceed the expected levels in a specific community, geographical area, or season Outbreaks can vary in duration, lasting from a few days to several years, and may be confined to a limited area or spread across multiple countries.
A disease outbreak, defined as the occurrence of a disease exceeding the expected number of cases, is crucial for understanding public health alerts The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies several common infectious diseases, including Ebola, Measles, Hand-foot-mouth disease, Dengue fever, and Zika virus, as examples of Disease Outbreak Notifications (DONs) To keep the global audience informed, updates on outbreaks are reported hourly, enabling swift access to critical health information.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This study examines the textual patterns utilized in Disease Outbreak Notifications (DONs) in both English and Vietnamese, focusing on five key patterns: Problem-Solution, General-Particular, Question-Answer, Goal-Achievement, and Hypothetical-Real The research aims to identify the most frequently used patterns in DONs across these languages, alongside the lexical devices that activate these patterns The data is sourced from various reputable news websites, primarily the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, as well as popular outlets like BBC, CNN, Vnexpress, and Dantri.
Online news has seen significant growth, with thousands of press releases published daily This research aims to analyze a limited selection of news articles from 2013 to August 2016, a period marked by notable outbreaks of infectious diseases, including Ebola, influenza, Hand-foot-and-mouth disease, measles, MERS-CoV, and the Zika virus.
An integration of different research methods is used to carry out the study
- Quantitative: This method is used to find out the percentage of each textual pattern and signaling devices in English and Vietnamese DONs
Based on Hoey's framework, the researcher develops a unique approach to analyze the textual patterns of Discourse of News (DONs) This analysis is guided by two key criteria that facilitate the identification of textual patterns within news articles.
The components of a pattern (eg: Situation, Problem, Response, Evaluation in Problem-Solution pattern)
Signaling devices of a pattern including lexical signals and structural signals
More details of the analysis are illustrated in chapter 3
This method utilizes descriptive analysis to thoroughly examine the structure of texts, aiming to identify prevalent textual patterns and signaling devices in English and Vietnamese DONs.
- Contrastive: this study is conducted to find out the similarities and differences between the textual patterns and signaling devices in DONs in English and Vietnamese
2.3 Data collection method and data analysis procedure
Data on disease outbreaks is gathered from reputable sources online, primarily through English news outlets like the WHO, CNN, BBC, and CDC A simple search for "WHO Disease Outbreak News" quickly directs users to the relevant section of the WHO website, where news is organized chronologically, prioritizing the most recent updates Similarly, Vietnamese news is sourced from platforms such as the Ministry of Health (MOH), dantri, Vnexpress, Vietnamnet, thanhnien, and nguoilaodong The MOH's official site features a dedicated section titled "Tin phòng chống dịch bệnh," which displays a list of current disease outbreak news, also arranged with the latest information first.
This thesis analyzes a diverse selection of 100 news articles sourced from the internet, equally divided between English and Vietnamese news outlets, to serve as a representative sample of the broader news population.
In an era of overwhelming online news, this study focuses on a carefully selected sample of data from 2014 to August 2016 The analysis is conducted in three systematic steps to ensure clarity and relevance.
- Step 1: analyzing textual patterns and their signaling devices in DONs in English
- Step 2: analyzing textual patterns and their signaling devices in DONs in Vietnamese in comparison with that in English
The below diagram is to illustrate how the thesis will be developed:
Common textual patterns Signaling devices
General statement Specific statements Specific statements
Situation Goal Method of achievement Evaluation/
Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Cardinal number Ordinal number
A change in verb form -past simple to present perfect -past simple to present continuous
DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
A survey of 50 DONs in English reveals that the predominant textual pattern is the Problem-Solution structure, comprising 78% of the texts, while the General-Particular pattern makes up 22% These patterns serve as the primary frameworks within which minor structures are incorporated Notably, one-third of the 39 texts organized in the Problem-Solution pattern also contain the General-Particular pattern as a secondary structure Conversely, 11 texts exhibit the General-Particular structure with the Problem-Solution embedded as a minor component Importantly, no texts were identified with alternative patterns The data is summarized in the accompanying table.
Table 1: Common textual patterns of DONs in English
The nature of DONs as typical news reporting on current medical disasters makes it inappropriate to frame such reports in terms of Goal – achievement or Opportunity taking Instead, utilizing the Problem – Solution and General – Particular structures proves to be the most effective approach These frameworks allow for a clear presentation of the outbreak's current situation, potential solutions, and a summary of recent cases, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of global events.
Following parts are examples and analysis of pieces of news
Examples of the Problem-Solution pattern
News 1: Thailand confirms MERS CoV in traveler, WHO cautions against continued risk of importation
New Delhi, 24 January 2016: (1) (a) Thailand today confirmed Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
A traveler has been diagnosed with MERS CoV disease, marking the second case in the country within the past seven months The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised member states in the South-East Asia Region to stay alert due to the ongoing risks associated with this virus.
The recent emergence of a new MERS CoV case highlights the ongoing risk of disease importation from regions where it remains prevalent Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of the WHO South-East Asia Region, emphasized the necessity for all countries to strengthen surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections, prioritize early diagnosis, and enhance infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities to swiftly identify imported cases and prevent their transmission.
A 71-year-old Omani national tested positive for MERS CoV after arriving in Bangkok, Thailand for treatment on January 22 He has been transferred to the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute, where health officials are implementing measures to trace all individuals who may have come into contact with him during his travels to Thailand and while in Bangkok.
Thailand has reported its second case of MERS CoV, marking a significant development in the WHO South-East Asia Region The previous case involved an Omani national who tested positive for the virus upon arriving in Bangkok for medical treatment on June 18, 2015.
(8) In the recent past, countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region have been reviewing and strengthening preparedness to respond to MERS CoV
(9) WHO has been strongly advocating for strengthening health systems and ensuring strict infection control measures are in place in countries to respond to infectious diseases such as MERS CoV
The World Health Organization (WHO) is assisting Ministries of Health in the Region to enhance their capabilities and improve preparedness in line with the International Health Regulations (2005), ensuring effective detection and response to outbreaks and various health hazards.
MERS CoV, caused by a virus, presents typical symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath While pneumonia is frequently observed, it is not universally present, and gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea have also been reported.
A 71-year-old traveler from Oman to Thailand
He was confirmed to acquire
Health care workers are taking measures to response to MERS CoV
WHO‟s actions is strongly and effectively
Example of General-Particular pattern
News 21: Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus – update
9 January 2014 – (1) The National Health and Family Planning Commission of China has notified WHO of seven additional laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus
On January 4, 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) was informed about an 86-year-old man from Shanghai who fell ill on December 26 and was hospitalized on December 30 He is currently in critical condition and has a history of exposure to live poultry.
On January 5, 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) was informed about a 34-year-old woman from Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, who fell ill on December 29 and was hospitalized on January 2 She is currently in critical condition.
(7) On 6 January 2014, WHO was notified of two additional cases:
A 47-year-old man from Foshan City, Guangdong Province, fell ill on December 25 and was hospitalized on January 3 He is currently in critical condition and has a history of exposure to a live poultry market.
(7b) A 71 year old farmer from Yangjiang City, Guangdong Province became ill on 1 January and was admitted to hospital on 4 January He is currently in critical condition
(8)On 8 January 2014, WHO was notified of three additional cases:
A 54-year-old woman from Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, fell ill on December 20 and was hospitalized on December 27 She is currently in critical condition and has a history of exposure to live poultry.
(8b) A 31 year-old man from Shenzhen City in Guangdong Province who became ill on 30 December and was admitted to hospital on 3 January He is currently in stable condition
A 51-year-old woman from Foshan City, Guangdong Province, fell ill on December 31 and was hospitalized on January 3 She is currently in critical condition and has a history of exposure to live poultry.
(9) The source of infection is still under investigation So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to- human transmission http://www.who.int/csr/don/2014_01_09_h7n9/en/
Seven additional laboratory- confirmed cases of H7N9
Specific statement (2) an 86-year-old man from Shanghai City
34 year old woman from Shaoxing City
A 47 year old man from Foshan City in Guangdong
71 year old farmer from Yangjiang City
A 54 year-old woman from Nanjing City
A 31 year-old man from Shenzhen City
The source of infection is still under investigation
More examples can be found in appendix 1 In the following parts, the researcher will look into Problem-Solution and General-Particular in DONs in English
The research identifies that the most prominent signals in the pattern of Situation, Problem, Response, and Evaluation are found in the Problem and Response components While the Evaluation signals are occasionally present, they are less frequent compared to those of Problem and Response Notably, the Situation component shows minimal signaling in the analyzed text Consequently, the subsequent section will focus on exploring the signals related to Problem, Response, and Evaluation.
According to Hoey (1994), a problem is a key aspect of situations requiring a response, distinguishing the Problem-Solution pattern from other patterns He identifies two types of signals that trigger this pattern: inscribed signals and evoking signals An analysis of 50 news articles reveals that the majority of lexical signals are classified as evoking signals.