a study of linguistic features of expressions on traffic signs in english and vietnamese

THE UNIVERSITY OF DA NANG UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES RESEARCH PROPOSAL Title: A STUDY OF LINGUISTIC FEATURES OF EXPRESSIONS ON TRAFFIC SIGNS IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE Su

THE UNIVERSITY OF DA NANG

UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES

RESEARCH PROPOSAL Title:

A STUDY OF LINGUISTIC FEATURES OF EXPRESSIONS ON TRAFFIC SIGNS

IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE

Supervisor:Assoc Prof Dr LƯU QUÝ KHƯƠNG Student: TR N TH HOA LANẦ Ị

Course:

Da Nang, 2017

1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In our daily life, human beings can communicate with one another by using languages We are able to exchange knowledge, beliefs, opinions, wishes, threats, commands, thanks, promises, declarations or feelings… thanks to languages Language is, therefore, an exclusively human property and it is used in many areas for various purposes

Communication is a process by which information is exchange between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior The instruments used in communication are one of the three components in communication process (i.e message sender and receiver, information being communicated and instruments used in communication) Based on the instruments used, communication is distinguished into two kinds: verbal and non-verbal communication Non-verbal communication does not use language as the means of communication It uses signs to notify messages The more the society develops, the more different means of communication are created to communicate In the traffic system, signs are used to send the messages to the people who are involved in traffic

Together with the development in economy, the traffic system is also more and more developed in every country And the development of traffic system makes the number of traffic signs increase more and more

Saussure (1916) examined the relationship between speech and the evolution of language, and investigated language as a structured system of signs To him, sign is a mentalistic entity and sign-image is a psychological imprint of the sound

It is important to note that Saussure perceived a linguistic unit to be a ‘double entity,’ meaning that it is composed of two parts He viewed the linguistic unit as a combination of “a concept or meaning” and “a sound-image” The concept

is what is signified, and the sound-image is the signifier

Traffic signs in English and Vietnamese, therefore, consist of two parts: signified and signifier Let us take a look the following examples: at

In Vietnamese: SIGNIFIED SIGNIFIER

Cấm đổ xe ngày lẽ

Đường dành cho người đi bộ

In English: SIGNIFIED SIGNIFIER

Workers ahead

Stop

No pedestrians

No left turn Understanding the basic concepts of traffic signs is not only essential for people who participate in traffic, but also for linguistic students and for people who are responsible for designing traffic signs Saussure defined linguistics as the study of language, and as the study of the manifestations of human speech Researching linguistics includes such fields of study as: phonology (the study of the sound patterns of language), phonetics (the study of the production and perception of the sounds of speech), morphology (the study of word formation and structure), syntax (the study of grammar and sentence structure), semantics (the study of meaning), pragmatics (the study of the purposes and effects of uses of language), and language acquisition Hence, it is necessary for researchers to study the semantic, syntactic and pragmatic features of expressions of traffic signs to have academic knowledge of linguistic features of the traffic signs for different purposes For instance, let us examine the following examples: “Cấm đi ngược chiều”, “Nơi đỗ xe đạp, xe máy, môtô có thu phí” It can be seen that these examples have different syntactic features While the first example “Cấm đi ngược chiều” begins with a verb, a noun is used to begin an expression in the the second one “Nơi đỗ xe đạp, xe máy, môtô có thu phí” Thus, the syntactic features of the two expressions are quite different Or in “Stop” and “4-way”, the expression “Stop” is created by only one verb whereas there is a combination of a number and a noun in the second one “4-way” In terms of semantics, the expression “Cấm đi ngược chiều” means the roads having this expression are one-way streets and drivers or motorists are not allowed to travel on the opposite way But in “Nơi đỗ xe đạp, xe máy, môtô có thu

phí”, this expression means that place for parking bicycles, motorcycles and ismotorbikes and the drivers of these bicycles, motorcycles and motorbikes have to pay for their parking And these meanings are all denotative meanings In terms of pragmatics, the “Cấm đi ngược chiều” is a prohibition It implies that the drivers or motorists will be fined if they travel on the opposite way And the expression “Nơi đỗ xe đạp, xe máy, môtô có thu phí” is not a prohibition, it is an expression of offering services The drivers or motorists may park their bicycles, motorcycles and motorbikes if they need the service

For the above facts, it is desirable to carry out the thesis entitled “A Study on Linguistic Features of Expressions of Traffic Signs in English and Vietnamese” with the purpose of helping persons who participate in traffic and persons passing traffic laws understand how to use these signs correctly, avoid mistakes as well as

misunderstanding and reach their communicative target better

1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES1.2.1 Aims

The study aims to 1 Study expressions of traffic signs in English in terms of their syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic features

2 Show the similarities and differences between these signs in the two

languages in terms of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics in English and Vietnamese

3 Help the people participating in traffic and people designing traffic signs be more aware of English and Vietnamese traffic signs and understand these signs

to obey and design them correctly and effectively

1.2.2 Objectives

This study is intended to - Study some syntactic, semantic and pragmatic features of traffic signs in English and Vietnamese

- Find out the similarities and differences between two languages in using traffic signs in terms of syntax, semantics and pragmatics

- Put forward some implications for applying the research results to teaching and learning English

1.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

There is a variety of traffic signs in English and Vietnamese Among them, a number of traffic signs are the symbols only, the others are symbols with expressions and the only expression traffic signs For instance, in the following signs:

Xe trên 25 chỗ ngồi(1) (2) (3) The first sign (1) is traffic signs with only symbol, the second (2) consists of a symbol and an expression and the third (3) is only expression traffic sign This thesis will study the syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic features of the expressions of traffic signs with only expressions in English and Vietnamese to find out the similarities and differences between them

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study will find the answers to the following questions: 1 What are the syntactic, semantic and pragmatic features of expressions of traffic signs in English?

2 What are the syntactic, semantic and pragmatic features of expressions of traffic signs in Vietnamese?

3 What are the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese expressions of traffic signs in terms of syntax, semantics and pragmatics?

1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS 1.5.1 Sign

There are several definitions of sign:

In Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (1995), sign is defined as “a piece

of paper, wood or metal that has writing or a picture on it that gives you information, instruction, a warning, etc.”

According to Asher (1994), “sign is a perceptible object or event known to be caused by another, non-perceptible object or event, which it is considered to signify, e.g., a smile may indicate recognition, friendship, etc.”

A definition from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sign (retrieved August

28, 2016) is that “sign is a displayed structure bearing lettering or symbols, used to identify advertise a place of business: a motel with a flashing neon sign outside A posted notice bearing a designation, direction, or command: an EXIT sign above a door; a traffic sign ”

http://www.letslearnenglish.co.uk/default.asp?page_url=dictionary (retrieved

August 20, 2016) is “sign means a notice giving information, directions, a warning, etc.”

Or in http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/sign_1 (retrieved August 20,

2016), “sign as a piece of paper, metal, or wood with words or a picture that gives people information, warnings, or instructions; an event, fact, etc.”

1.5.2 Traffic sign

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (2014) defines: “traffic signs control the flow of traffic, warn you of hazards ahead, guide you to your destination, and inform you of roadway services.” As indicated below, traffic signs are intentionally color coded to assist the operator

RED - stop GREEN - direction YELLOW - general warning BLACK/WHITE - regulation BLUE - motorist service (e.g., gas, food, hotels)BROWN - recreational, historic, or scenic siteORANGE - construction or maintenance warning”

According to http://www.1stnevadalicense.com/course_sample.html

(retrieved August 28, 2016), traffic signs are defined that: Traffic signs communicate the information you need to travel on the roadway This is done mainly through colors and shapes so you don't have to stop and read each one that you see Different colors and shapes are reserved for different purposes, which helps make the task of identifying them much easier and faster, especially on the road Traffic signs also have legends, which are words or symbols that communicate specific information They may require a little more time to decipher but are just as important as a sign's color and shape In Merriam-Webster Dictionary (1828), traffic sign is a sign usually on the side of a street or highway bearing symbols or words of warning or direction to motorists or pedestrians and often having a characteristic shape

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study of expression of traffic signs in English and Vietnamese on the syntactic, semantic and pragmatic features will make an integral and vital contribution to understanding and following traffic signs in English and Vietnamese Analyzing the similarities and differences of expression of traffic signs in terms of syntax, semantics and pragmatics between two languages helps people in charge make great benefit and advantage in designing traffic signs both in English and Vietnamese

2 LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 2.1.1 Concepts of Expressions of Traffic Signs

mathematical or logical symbol or a meaningful combination of symbols; the detectable effect of a gene

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/expression (retrieved August

30, 2016) is that expression is a word or phrase, especially an idiomatic one, used to convey an idea

Or in this website http://www.thefreedictionary.com/expression (retrieved

August 30, 2016), expression means a particular word or phrase And there is one definition more from

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/e/expression.htm is that expression is a combination of letters, numbers, or symbols used to represent a value of a variable Expressions are found and used in various programming languages, databases, and spreadsheets

From these above definitions of expression, we can conclude that Expression is a group of letters, numbers, or symbols combined together

2.1.1.2 Expressions of Traffic Signs

Traffic Signs should be understood as billboards in which information on warning, advising, banning, directing, instructing drivers, motorists or pedestrians is written in the text under the form of groups of words Only some words are employed in the Expressions of Traffic Signs, but the information they convey is a lot

2.1.2 Syntax

2.1.2.1 Definition

According to Yule (1997: 4), “Syntax is the study of the relationships between linguistic forms, how they are arranged in sequence, and which sentences are well-formed This type of study generally takes place without considering any world of reference or any user of the forms.”

2.1.2.2 Phrases

a Definition

“A phrase is a group of word which can be part of the sentence A phrase may take the form of a noun phrase, a prepositional phrase/ adverbial phrase, a verb phrase, a question-word + infinitive” (Alexander, 1998, 12).

b Types of phrases b Noun phrases1.

According to Quirk et al (1985), “noun phrase consist of a head, which is

typical a noun and of elements which (either obligatorily or optionally) determine the head and (optionally) modify the head, or complement another element in the phrase” In Vietnamese, this view is also shared by Đoàn Thin Thuật, Nguyn Khánh Hà & Phạm Như Qunh (2006)

Pre-modifier(s) + Head + post-modifier(s)

b Verb phrases 2.

Quirk et al (1985) showed that “verb phrase are headed to the extent that

they are composed of two kinds of element, auxiliaries and main verbs, such that every unreduced verb phrase contains a main verb, but not necessarily an auxiliary”

Auxiliaries + main verb

Unlike an English verb phrase, “a Vietnamese verb phrase is a group of words comprising a nucleus (a verb) and several subordinate elements A verb phrase consists of three parts: the nucleus, the front and the end” (Đoàn Thin Thuật, Nguy n Kh nh H á à & Phạm Như Qunh, 2006 )

(Front)+ Nucleus + (End)

b 3 Adjective phrases

In English, according to Delahunty, Gerald & Garvey (1994), an adjective phrase should contain at least a head adjective andoptionally intensifier and complement The basic structure of an adjective phrase include:

(Intensifier) + Head + (Complement)

In Vietnamese, An adjective phrase is a phrase where an adjective plays the “part of the nucleus Compared with verb phrase, it is similar except the end part ”(Đoàn Thi n Thu t, Nguy n Kh nh H & Ph ậ  á à ạm Như Qunh, 2006, p 117)

(Front)+ Nucleus + (End)

Obligatory Free elements elements

b 4 Adverb phrases

According to Delahunty, Gerald & Garvey (1994), an adverb phrase is one that must at least contain a head adverb like reluctantly, which may be modified by an intensifier like quite as in quite reluctantly, or by a degree adverb like extremely as in extremely reluctantly An adverb phrase can be formed by an adverb alone, or by the combination of a modifier preceding and the head adverb

(Intensifier) + Head

In some cases, prepositional phrases, each of which is made up by the combination of a head preposition and a noun phrase, or noun phrases may function as adverbials

2.1.2.3 Sentences

a Definition

As Alexander (1998:12) defines, “A sentence is a complete unit of meaning When we speak, our sentences may be extremely involved or even unfinished, yet we can still convey our meaning through intonation, gesture, facial expression, etc.”

b Types of sentences

- Based on the form of the sentences According to Alexander (1998), sentences may be simple, compound, complex, andcompoundcomplex

b 1 Simple sentences

According to Alexander (1998: 14), “The smallest sentence-unit is the simple sentence A simple sentence normally has one finite verb It has a subject and a predicate.”

b 2 Compound sentences

Alexander (1998: 14) also concludes, “Compound sentences are formed by linking simple sentences In a compound sentence, there is no single main clause with subordinate clauses depending on it: all the clauses are of equal importance and can stand on their own, though of course they follow a logical order as required by the context We often refer to clauses in a compound sentence as co-ordinate main clause.”

b 3 Complex sentences

“Many sentences, especially in written language, are complex They can be formed by linking simple sentences together, but the elements in a complex sentence (unlike those of a compound sentence) are not of equal importance There is always one independent (or main) clause and one or more dependent (subordinate) elements If removed from a sentence, a main clause can often stand on its own” (Alexander, 1998, p 14)

b.4 Compound-complex sentences

According to Alexander (1998), a compound- complex sentence contains two main clauses and one or more subordinate clauses The subordinate clause must be a finite clause and can be the noun phrase, the adjective phrase or the adverb phrase

In Vietnamese, there is no compound-complex sentences.

- Based on the communicative fiunctions of the sentences

As Yule (1997) claims, according to communicative functions, English sentences are classified into three categories: Statement, Question, Command/ Request

According to the purpose of communication, Vietnamese sentences are classified into four categories: Statements, Interrogative sentences, Requests and Demands, Exclamatory sentences (Đoàn Thi n Thu t, Nguy n Kh nh H &  ậ  á à Phạm Như Qunh, 2006)

2.1.3 Semantics

2.1.3.1 Definition

“Semantics is the study of the relationships between linguistic forms and entities in the world; that is, how words literally connect to things Semantics analysis also attempts to establish the relationships between verbal descriptions and states of affairs in the world as (true) or not, regardless of who produces that description.” (Yule, 1997, p 4)

2.1.3.2 Components of the word- meaning

The following is Nguy n Hò a’s classification of the word-meaning as a criterion to analyse in this study

a Grammatical meaning

a 1 Categorical meaning

Categorical meaning is, in fact, one part of grammatical meaning which words derive from being a member of one category rather than another Words fall into such categories as nouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, etc

a 2 Structural meaning

Structural meaning is the relation between words with the others in the system of vocabulary The relation of a word with another is shown in two axes: paradigmatic axis and syntagmatic axis The relation on paradigmatic axis helps determine the value of words, separated the word from the other, whereas the

relation on syntagmatic axis helps determine the valence- the ability of word combination

According to Nguyn Hòa (2001: 19), structural meaning includes reflected, collocative, associative, and thematic meaning

2.1.3.3 Semantic fields

“A semantic field denotes a segment of reality symbolized by a set of related words.” (Brinton, 2000, p 112) “A semantic field is a set of interrelated senses based on a conceptual field or spectrum (Nguyen Hoa, 2001, p 78) .”

2.1.4 Pragmatics

2.1.4.1 Definition

As Yule (1997: 4) defines, “Pragmatics is the study of the relationships between linguistic forms and the users of those forms The advantage of studying language via pragmatics is that one can talk about people’s intended meanings, their assumptions, their purposes or goals, and the kinds of actions that they are performing when they talk ”

2.1.4.2 Speech Act Theory

Yule (1997: 47) concludes, “Actions performed via utterances are generally

called Speech acts and in English, are commonly given more specific labels, such

as apology, complaint, compliment, invitation, promise, or request.” Yule (1997: