topic speech acts title making invitations in vietnamese and english informal contexts

Comparison between invitations of informal Vietnamese and English situations:...65... Moreover, Vietnamese invites frequently include the giving of food or drink to the invitee.Much rese

Course title: Pragmatics GROUP: 1

TOPIC: SPEECH ACTS Title: Making invitations in Vietnamese and English

informal contexts

Nguyễn Ngọc Thành Lưu Thị Nhật Minh Tăng Yến Nhi

Võ Kim Ngân

TABLE OF CONTENT

1 Abstract 3

2 Literature review 3

3 Research methodology 3

4 Analysis 4

4.1 Definition: 4

4.2 Making invitation in English: 4

4.3 Making invitation in Vietnamese: 5

4.4 Comparison between invitations of informal Vietnamese and English situations: 6

5 Conclusion 12

6 References 12

1 Abstract.

This study is an attempt to describe and analyze the realization patterns of the speech act of informal inviting The study attempts to detect causes for potential differences of the speech act realization strategies during conversations such as Linguistic or pragmatic aspects or even cultural values In addition, the study aims to highlight some cultural values underlying informal invitations In this study, throughout real contexts aim to easily compare the diversity in speech acts

of invitations culturally in terms of informal Furthermore, this study attempts to analyze some classification of informal invitations similar to both countries that show the differences in daily speech acts Finally, divergence in politeness features and social parameters leads to divergent speech act strategies across the relevant cultures and languages

2 Literature review.

The invitation to take action is an important part of communication as it invites someone to do something The form and function of the act of saying an invitation changes at some point in English and Vietnamese

An invitation is frequently conveyed in English as a courteous request

Vietnamese invites, on the other hand, are clearer Moreover, Vietnamese invites frequently include the giving of food or drink to the invitee

Much research has been conducted to discover the expression of invitation in both languages, as well as the similarities and differences between the act of invitation

in English and Vietnamese According to some studies, while there are

differences in language in the form and purpose of invites, there are also numerous similarities Both English and Vietnamese invitations, for example, frequently include the usage of polite signals to express respect to the invitee Overall, recognizing the variations and similarities between the act of invitation

in English and Vietnamese may help strengthen cross-cultural communication and minimize social misconceptions

3 Research methodology.

An explanatory qualitative research approach is used to conduct this study The Qualitative Method focuses on collecting and analyzing words or images more

than numbers The Qualitative Method is used in this study because it gives a profound insight into a problem and generates new ideas for the study Besides, this method addresses the problem logically and indicates the possible results of the study We use descriptive data in this research to make people understand how the researchers obtained the data and assess the validity of the research Besides, this research is based on the comparison between English and

Vietnamese’s use in making invitations Therefore, this research helps people distinguish between making invitations in Vietnamese and making invitations in English examples used in different contexts

4 Analysis

4.1 Definition: 1

In order to understand what “making invitation” means, let us look at the meaning

of the verb “invite” As for the Cambridge Dictionary, “invite” means to ask or request someone to go to an event and or do something, or the act of inviting someone

4.2 Making invitation in English:

English invitation trends to lead the listeners to the direct content of the speakers When the invitation is spoken out, the listeners can understand the meaning and what they have to do with the speakers In general, English invitation is in the form of many basic kinds of sentences: performative sentence, directive sentence, directive sentence with “let’s”, yes/no question, WH- question, and tag question

- Performative sentence: This is the same point in Vietnamese meaning “mời” that expresses the related action as soon as uttered by the narrator It usually has formed with: Would you like to invite…” or “ want to invite…” For example,

“I would like to invite you to come to my wedding.”

- Directive sentence: These invitations seem like requests and orders that are often used in a close relationship Some instances for making invitation by directive sentences are:

+ “Do join me for a coffee.”

1 Cambridge dictionary, accessed March 31, 2023

+ “Come and meet me at Dalat”

- Directive sentence with “let’s”: This type often appears in friendly

relationships People use it to invite each other in a close way In addition, These invitations are suitable for people of the same age or social status For example,

“ Let’s go out to have a couple date”

- Yes/No question: This kind of invitation shows politeness and respect to the listeners in a conversation For example, “ Shall we have a drink at 6 p.m at Toulejour restaurants?”

- WH-question: WH-question is used in making invitations with the highest frequency In a close friendship, people use this kind of questions to invite each other with a view to increase friendliness It makes the listeners feel comfortable and free For example: Why don’t you take a picnic with us on the weekend? The WH-question often started with “Would you like to?” often appear in making invitations It is familiar to foreigners and the native speakers

- Tag question: Tag question is rarely used in making invitations The speaker uses this kind of question to remind or repeat their invitation to the invited people For example: You will take part in a BBQ party with us tonight, won’t you?

4.3 Making invitation in Vietnamese:

In our everyday social lives, we perform a number of linguistic actions, including inviting, making invites, and denying invitations An invitation is regarded a polite request from a pragmatic and linguistic action standpoint In Vietnamese, invitation denotes the invitee’s respectful, cordial, polite, and hospitable The invitation demonstrates the speaker's favorable attitude toward maintaining a good connection with the listener (the invitee), and it is also an act to honor the invitee's face

- Performative sentence: In general, the inviter will describe his or her invitation with saying the word “mời” In performative divided into 2 types:

+ Performative sentence without subject: “ Mời ông ngồi xuống đây nghỉ mệt ạ”

+ Performative sentence with subject: “ Nay sinh nhật thằng Hiếu, tôi xin mời cả nhà sang chung vui”

- Declarative sentence: In this sentence form, the inviter makes his invitation in the form of a narrative sentence For exampple, thấy bố đi làm về, cu Tí bưng nước chạy ra đưa cho bố: “Bố uống cho đỡ mệt”

- Imperative sentence: In this sentence form, the invitation follows the form of an imperative, especially in Vietnamese, often used with the word “đi” For example,

“Mọi người ăn đi”

- Interrogative sentence: In this sentence form, the inviter will use interrogative sentences or indirectly make an invitation by inviting words showing a friendly and hospitable attitude, wanting to welcome the invitee For example, “Cu tí, sao dạo này không ghé bác chơi? Nay nhà bác nấu cỗ đấy”

4.4 Comparison between invitations of informal Vietnamese and English situations:

Making invitations between Vietnamese and English context has both similarities and differences In terms of similarities, there are several points

The first point of similarity between these two languages is that invitation maintains the performative verb “invite” in English and “mời" in Vietnamese if it

is under the form of a performative sentence Generally, people often use it to give their invitation directly

English: 2

Jane: I’m having a barbecue to celebrate moving into my new place and I’d love

it if you could come

Sarah: Sounds great, when is it?

Jane: Sunday the 3rd at 1pm

Sarah: Awesome, I’ll look forward to it

Vietnamese:

2 A (2019, February 19) 2 Simple, Friendly Ways to Invite Someone in English Speak Confident English.

Anh: Chào em, cuối tuần này anh có dự định tổ chức một buổi tiệc BBQ tại nhà,

em có muốn đến tham gia không?

Bảo: Wow, nghe thật thú vị Thời gian nào anh?

Anh: Tối thứ 7 này, từ 6 giờ đến khoảng 9 giờ tối, em có thể tham gia được không?

Bảo: Dạ, được ạ

In the second similarity, both languages use friendly and informal language to make the invitation sound casual and approachable

English: 3

Jenna: Hello, Kojo How are you doing?

Kojo: I’m doing well How are you?

Jenna: Great! By the way, my husband and I are going to the theater tonight Would you like to join me for a movie this weekend?

Kojo: Thank you, but I have other plans tonight Maybe another time

Vietnamese:

Linh: Lâu ngày quá, dạo này khỏe không bạn?

An: Vẫn ổn Bạn dạo này thế nào?

Linh: Vẫn thế thôi À, có lẽ vào cuối tuần này, gia đình tôi sẽ đi xem bộ phim mới Bạn muốn tham gia cùng chúng tôi không?

An: Nghe có vẻ thú vị đấy, tôi đồng ý Bộ phim nào sẽ chiếu hôm đó vậy? Next, in both languages, the speaker usually expresses their intention to do something together and invites the listener to join them

English: 4

Smith: Hi, do you have a minute?

John: Sure What’s up?

Smith: I just wanted to invite you to a meeting that I’m having next week John: What’s the meeting about?

Smith: It’s about the new project that we’re working on

3 Dialogue 15 - Formal greetings and invitations - Learn English Free (2020, June 3) Learn ENGLISH.

4 A (2022, August 29) 5 Contoh Dialog Tentang Invitation 2 Orang Dalam Bahasa Inggris Superonlline.

John: I’m sorry, but I can’t make it I have other plans

Smith: That’s too bad Well, I will rearrange the meeting

Vietnamese:

An: Tớ sắp có một buổi diễn thuyết và tớ muốn mời cậu đến tham gia

Bích: Diễn thuyết à? Về gì vậy?

An: Thật ra đề tài của buổi diễn thuyết khá nhàm chán, nhưng mà nó có thể là tiền

đề giúp tớ được nâng lương

Bích: À, thế là vì tăng lương à? Haha, tớ vẫn sẵn sàng đến tham gia nhé An: Cảm ơn cậu nhiều nhé Buổi diễn thuyết diễn ra vào ngày thứ Sáu tuần sau lúc 7 giờ tối Địa điểm là tại phòng hội nghị tầng 2 của khách sạn ABC

Bích: Được, cậu cứ dành chỗ cho tớ nhé Tối đó tớ sẽ không đi chơi cùng bạn bè

mà sẽ đến tham gia buổi diễn thuyết của cậu

Finally, both languages often suggest a specific time and place to meet up and make plans together In both Vietnamese and English, the speaker often asks for the listener's availability or preference before making a plan together

English: 5

Jame: Hey, are you free after work today?

Hanna: Yeah, I don't have any plans Why do you ask?

Jame: I was thinking of grabbing drinks with some coworkers at The Local later

Do you want to come along?

Hanna: Sure, that sounds like fun What time were you thinking?

Jame: I was thinking we could leave the office around 8p.m and head over there Hanna: Okay, that works for me

Vietnamese:

Anh: Tùng, có rảnh vào tối mai không?

Tùng: Ừ, sao vậy?

Anh: Tớ nghĩ rằng mình có thể đi uống một ly rượu với nhau sau khi làm việc Tùng: Tất nhiên, ở đâu?

Anh: Tại quán pub gần văn phòng chúng ta Chúng ta có thể đến đó vào khoảng 6 giờ chiều sau khi tan làm việc được không?

5 Beare, K (2019, November 4) Making Invitations ThoughtCo.

Tùng: Được, nhớ đến đúng giờ.

On the contrary, there are some contrastive views between VietNam and English-speaking countries in making invitations

First, Vietnamese tend to use more direct language when inviting someone informally For example, a typical Vietnamese invitation might be "Mình đi ăn cùng nhau nhé?" (Let's go eat together, okay?), while an English invitation might

be "Do you want to grab some food together?" The English invitation is more indirect and implies a greater concern for the listener's feelings

English: 6

Jack: Let's go out shopping tonight

Tim: Yes, let's do it

Jack: Should we get some dinner too?

Tim: That sounds like fun!

Vietnamese:

Ly: Mình đi mua đồ đi chơi vào chiều mai, bạn có đi không?

Thúy: Được, mình rảnh chiều mai Đi đâu mua đồ vậy?

Ly: Mình định đi Vincom, còn bạn thì sao?

Thúy: Cũng được, thế chúng ta gặp nhau lúc 2 giờ chiều tại cửa hàng Zara được không?

Ly: Shopping xong thì ăn tối ở đó luôn nhé

Thúy: Được thôi

Second, Vietnamese also tend to use more polite language in their invitations than English speakers do This is because Vietnamese culture places a great emphasis

on social hierarchy and shows respect for others For example, a Vietnamese invitation might begin with "Xin mời anh/chị đến dự" (Please come and join us), while an English invitation might simply say "Come join us!"

English: 7

6 Beare, K (2019, November 4) Making Invitations ThoughtCo.

7 Listening: Making an Invitation Dialog | Sederet.com (n.d.).

James: John, I have an invitation for you.

John: Oh, from whom?

James: From me My wife would love it if you come to our house next Sunday John: To your house? But this isn’t your address

James: We’ve moved to a new house since last week

John: Oh, congratulations! Why didn’t you say so? Has anything settled? If you need anything, I would love to help

James: Almost We’re still moving some stuff You only have to come on Sunday We’re having a simple buffet to show our gratitude for the new house John: All right, I’ll see you Sunday!

Vietnamese:

Nhi: Chào em, chị mới mua một căn nhà mới chị muốn tổ chức một buổi tiệc tân gia Em có muốn đến tham gia không?

Ngọc: Wow, nghe có vẻ thú vị ạ Em rất vui khi nghe tin về căn nhà mới của chị

ạ Khi nào chị dự định tổ chức tiệc vậy ạ?

Nhi: Chị dự định sẽ tổ chức vào cuối tuần sau, vào buổi tối Em có rảnh vào ngày

đó không?

Ngọc: Ừm, em phải xem lịch của mình đã nhưng em sẽ cố gắng sắp xếp để đến ạ Nhi: Ok Thời gian tiệc là từ 6 giờ tối đến 9 giờ tối Địa chỉ căn nhà mới của chị

là số 25, đường XYZ Em đến được không?

Ngọc: Chắc chắn, em sẽ đến đúng giờ ạ Cảm ơn chị đã mời em ạ

Third, in Vietnamese culture, it is common to invite someone to join a group of friends or family members, rather than inviting them individually For example, a typical Vietnamese invitation might be "Mình đi chơi với nhóm bạn vào cuối tuần này nhé?" (Let's go out with a group of friends this weekend, okay?), while an English invitation might be more individualistic, such as "Do you want to hang out with me this weekend?"

English: 8

Iris: Hi, Jane It has been a long time How are you doing?

Jane: I am doing great, thank you And you?

8 A (2022d, August 29) 5 Contoh Dialog Tentang Invitation 2 Orang Dalam Bahasa Inggris Superonlline.

Iris: I am good, too Hey, I am getting married next month and I wanted to invite you to my wedding

Jane: Really? I’m happy to hear that And yes, I would love to come

Iris: The wedding will be held on Saturday, October 10th at 3pm

Jane: Perfect! I’ll be there Iris: Great! I am looking forward to seeing you

Vietnamese:

Quý: Anh biết không, em và bạn gái sắp kết hôn rồi đấy

Tâm: Thật à, chúc mừng em nha Khi nào tổ chức đám cưới?

Quý: Sắp tới rồi, đám cưới sẽ tổ chức vào ngày 10/10 tại nhà hàng Hương Sen Hôm đó anh và gia đình nhớ đến chung vui với bọn em nhé

Tâm: Ngày 10/10 hả Ngày hôm đó anh rảnh nên chắc chắn anh sẽ đến tham dự đám cưới của em

A: Vậy là tốt rồi, em cám ơn anh nhiều nhé

Fourth, in Vietnamese, there are different pronouns used to address people of different ages or social status This means that the pronoun used to invite someone may vary depending on the relationship between the two people In English, however, there is generally only one form of address used for everyone, regardless of age or social status

English: 8

A: Hey, have you heard about the live music event happening next week? B: No, what's it about?

A: It's a jazz concert, and I was thinking of going Would you like to join me? B: Oh, that sounds interesting When is it?

A: It's on Saturday night, starting at 8 p.m

B: Alright, count me in! Where can we buy tickets?

A: We can buy them online or at the venue itself I can send you the link to buy the tickets online if you'd like

B: That would be great I'm looking forward to it!

Vietnamese:

8