Based on the speech act theory, 105 expressions containing illocutionary acts from the speeches in English and Vietnamese are investigated.. Then, the syntactic features and functions of
INTRODUCTION
Rationale of the study
Effective communication is essential in our lives, with language serving as a primary tool for conveying messages When speaking, it's crucial for the speaker to consider not just the content but also the clarity of expression to ensure listener comprehension Additionally, speakers often make speculative statements that require listeners to interpret both the explicit and implicit meanings Therefore, understanding the connection between the external expression and the underlying intent of a message is vital for successful communication.
Speech acts, as defined by Austin (1962) and further elucidated by Searle (1979) and Yule (1996), are actions performed by a speaker through their utterances, which can be analyzed on three levels: locution, illocution, and perlocution The locutionary act refers to the meaningful utterance itself, focusing on the speaker's use of language in terms of lexis, grammar, and pronunciation In contrast, the illocutionary act encompasses the speaker's intended meaning, which can vary even with the same utterance Finally, the perlocutionary act pertains to the effects of the utterance on the listener, including their reactions These three levels are interconnected, as highlighted by Bach & Harnish (1979), emphasizing that what is said (locution) influences what is done (illocution) and the impact on the hearer (perlocution) Clyne (1996) succinctly summarizes this relationship, noting that locution represents the form, illocution the communicative force, and perlocution the effect of the utterance Yule (1996) underscores the significance of the illocutionary act, as it is crucial for understanding the varied implications of a single utterance.
The Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021 posed a significant threat to billions globally, prompting citizens to urgently seek assistance and guidance from their governments During this crisis, the communication from national authorities was crucial, as people relied on these messages for information, instructions on necessary precautions, and reassurance regarding their safety.
Investigating the language used in speeches by top leaders through the lens of speech act theory is crucial for understanding how they communicated messages, requests, and directives during the pandemic This study will focus on the illocutionary strategies employed by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in their Covid-19 pandemic addresses, highlighting their approaches to guiding citizens through challenging times.
Aims and Objectives of the study
This research aims to analyze the syntactic and functional characteristics of illocutionary acts found in the speeches delivered by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chính during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In order to achieve the aim of the research, there are two objectives as follows:
- To identify the syntactic features of illocutionary acts in the speeches by the two Prime Ministers
- To identify the functional features of illocutionary acts in the speeches by the two Prime Ministers.
Research Questions
The thesis is made to answer two following questions:
1 What are the syntactic features of illocutionary acts in the speeches by the two Prime Ministers?
2 What are the functional features of illocutionary acts in the speeches by the two Prime Ministers?
Scope of the study
Due to constraints in time and research resources, conducting a comprehensive investigation of illocutionary acts in the speeches of the two Prime Ministers is challenging Therefore, this thesis will primarily examine the syntax and functions of illocutionary acts derived from their speeches regarding Covid-19 during the 2020-2021 period.
The significance of the study
This study aims to enhance the field of pragmatic studies by focusing on illocutionary act research, an area that has been largely overlooked by scholars It contributes to the theoretical understanding of illocutionary acts by providing in-depth analysis and interpretation, thereby clarifying the existing illocutionary act theory through a detailed examination of its application in speeches.
Oganization of the study
This study is organized into five chapters, each addressing a specific aspect of the research The Introduction outlines the study's rationale, aims, objectives, research questions, scope, significance, and organization The Literature Review and Theoretical Background chapter provides an overview of relevant prior studies and key theoretical concepts that facilitate understanding of the subsequent sections The Research Methodology chapter details the methods employed in the study, including data collection and analysis procedures, as well as discussions on validity and reliability The Findings and Discussion chapter presents the study's results based on collected data and offers an in-depth analysis of illocutionary acts in speeches, supported by the theoretical frameworks introduced earlier Finally, the Conclusion summarizes the research findings regarding the structures and functions of illocutionary acts, while also addressing implications, study limitations, and suggestions for future research.
Summary
The first chapter offers a comprehensive overview of the research, detailing its justification, goals, objectives, research questions, and scope It also outlines the thesis framework and highlights the significance of the study, aiding readers in grasping the core concepts and historical context of the research.
LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL
Literature review
The theory of speech acts in pragmatics captivates numerous researchers, yet opinions on the subject remain divided Consequently, the complexities of pragmatics, especially concerning illocutionary acts, continue to represent an uncharted area in the field.
A great number of research works on pragmatics in general and speech acts in particular have been done, such as Austin (1962), Searle (1969), Yule
(1996) and so on Firstly, the theory of speech acts is associated with John Austin (1962), a British language philosopher whose book "How to Do
"Things with Words" marks a transformative approach to language study, challenging the notion that language solely states facts Austin introduces new perspectives on semantic analysis and identifies three types of linguistic acts: locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts Among these, the illocutionary act is highlighted as the most crucial for understanding speech acts Following Austin's work, Searle further clarifies these foundational concepts in his influential 1969 book, enhancing the discourse on speech actions.
The article discusses "Speech Acts," highlighting the concepts, characteristics, and methods for producing indirect speech acts, also referred to as "A Classification of Illocutionary Acts." It outlines fundamental categories of illocutionary activities, including commissives, expressives, declarations, directives, and representatives Yule (1996), known for his work in "Pragmatics," further advanced the study of speech acts from a pragmatic perspective, illustrating that each utterance consists of three interconnected acts He also identified five general functions of speech acts in his book Overall, these theorists emphasize the close relationship between speech acts and language functions.
In her 2017 work at Quy Nhon University, Ton Nu My Nhat offers a comprehensive overview of conversation analysis methods, highlighting key perspectives on language purposes from scholars like Halliday, Brown, and Yule Additionally, she references speech act theory, enhancing the understanding of communication within this academic context.
Numerous studies have explored speech acts as a requirement for earning a Master's Degree in English, including Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Dung's 2014 research This study aimed to investigate the linguistic characteristics of speech acts—such as types, structures, and indirect forms—within conversations from the New Interchange 1, 2, and 3 textbooks The goal was to improve comprehension, instruction, and learning outcomes for users of this textbook series However, the study faced significant limitations, notably the inability to analyze linguistic elements related to prosodic qualities, politeness strategies, and similar factors.
In her 2015 thesis, Đoàn Thị Hương Hiền explores the linguistic features of indirect speech acts in contemporary English and Vietnamese short stories The study aims to uncover the structures and functions of these speech acts, highlighting key similarities and differences between the two languages However, the thesis faces notable limitations, including challenges in comprehending and articulating the examples, as well as a lack of thorough examination of politeness strategies and adjacency pairs.
The other previous study is Cao Văn Huong (2017) The conversational implicatures in the two films "12 Years a Slave" and
The study on "Spotlight" utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze its syntactic characteristics Findings revealed that sentential level structures ranked first, followed by upper sentential level structures, in their role in realizing implicature However, the researcher acknowledges a limitation in Cao Văn Hương's (2017) study, specifically the inability to merge data from the two films as a unified source.
Bùi Thị Trinh (2018) conducted a study focused on the linguistic characteristics of indirect speech acts in short comedy films, analyzing both structural and functional aspects The research highlights the similarities observed within a four-year period from 2014 to 2018.
Since 2017, these films have gained significant popularity and continue to attract a large audience today However, this study faces inherent limitations, including time constraints, insufficient reference materials, a narrow research scope, and the researcher’s limited linguistic knowledge and research skills.
This research builds upon existing theories by exploring the similarities and differences with previous studies Both past and present research analyze speech acts using diverse data sources, including films, novels, and newspapers My study focuses on contemporary political speeches, aiming to investigate illocutionary acts within this new genre, which is the foundation for selecting my thesis topic.
Theoretical background
Pragmatics is defined as the study of meaning in communication, focusing on how speakers (or writers) convey meaning and how listeners (or readers) interpret it According to Yule (1996), pragmatics emphasizes the intended meaning behind utterances rather than just the literal meanings of words or phrases Thus, pragmatics primarily examines speaker meaning in context.
Pragmatics is the study of contextual meaning, focusing on how the interpretation of what people mean is influenced by the context in which it is said It examines how listeners make inferences to understand the speaker's intended meaning, highlighting that much of communication involves unsaid elements Ultimately, pragmatics reveals that more is communicated than what is explicitly stated.
Pragmatics examines how the expression of relative distance influences communication It is fundamentally linked to the concept of distance, as speakers adjust their message based on their perception of how close or distant the listener is Consequently, pragmatics focuses on four key areas related to this dynamic.
Pragmatics, as defined by Levinson (1983), examines the relationship between language and context, which is crucial for understanding language Essentially, it focuses on how meaning is conveyed by the speaker and interpreted by the listener.
Pragmatics, as defined by Crystal (1992), examines language through the lens of its users, focusing on their choices, the limitations they face in social interactions, and the impact their language use has on other communicators.
Language competency, also known as communication competence, encompasses pragmatic competence as defined by Rasekh (2005) This includes both organizational competence, which refers to grammatical and textual knowledge of language units and their connections, and pragmatic competence The latter involves illocutionary competence, or sociolinguistic competence, which is the ability to use language effectively in context This means selecting appropriate communicative acts and strategies based on the specific circumstances of a situation.
Geoffrey Finch (2000, p.143) highlights that pragmatics focuses on the implicit meanings and contextual interpretation of utterances It emphasizes the significance of the delivery and style of communication over the literal meaning of the words spoken.
Pragmatics is the study of how the meaning of language or utterances is influenced by context, highlighting the relationship between language meaning and its situational context.
Speech acts represent a key area of study within pragmatic linguistics, focusing on the intention behind utterances that lead to actions Introduced by John Austin in 1962, the concept asserts that every spoken interaction is an action performed by the speaker Austin emphasized that when individuals articulate well-formed statements, they do so with specific intentions and functions in mind, aiming to execute certain actions through their words For example, when someone says, "I'm sorry for breaking your vase," they convey a meaningful message while simultaneously performing the act of apologizing Common types of speech acts include apologizing, inviting, promising, and requesting, highlighting the multifaceted nature of communication.
In other words, the actions such as an apologizing, inviting, promising, requesting, and so on are called speech acts According to Searle (1969, p7),
The theory of speech acts posits that the fundamental unit of human communication is not merely a sentence, but the performance of specific activities such as asking questions, giving commands, or expressing emotions A speech act is deemed successful when the identities of the audience align with the speaker's intent, reflecting that these acts are real-world events that alter existing circumstances Each utterance influences others' behaviors, emphasizing the significance of understanding the three categories of speech acts defined by Austin (1962): locutionary acts, which involve the act of saying; illocutionary acts, which convey the speaker's intended meaning such as requests or commands; and perlocutionary acts, which describe the effect of the illocutionary act on the listener Analyzing these three levels provides insight into human communication dynamics.
According to Peccei (1999:47), echoing Austin's (1962) perspective, speech acts can be analyzed on three distinct levels: locution, illocution, and perlocution The locution refers to the actual words spoken and their semantic meaning In contrast, the illocution pertains to the intention behind the utterance, essentially what the speaker aims to accomplish by saying those words Lastly, the perlocution considers the impact of the spoken words on the listener For instance, when someone says, "Give me some cash," the locution is the literal meaning of the phrase, the illocution involves making a request for cash, and the perlocution reflects whether the listener agrees to fulfill that request.
Searle (1965) proposed that a speech act comprises two essential components: the proposition and the illocutionary force The proposition refers to the literal meaning or semantic content of an utterance, while the illocutionary force denotes the communicative function that the utterance serves.
Utterances serve as essential tools for speakers to execute speech acts, highlighting that they cannot be viewed as isolated components of communication Additionally, it's important to recognize that identical words may be employed to carry out various speech acts, while diverse words can achieve the same communicative intent.
(Thomas, 1995, p.51) He gave some utterances illustrating different ways of presenting the speech act of requesting someone to close the door as the following
Could you shut the door?
Did you forget the door?
Put the wood in the hole
Were you born in a barn?
What do big boys do when they come into a room, Johnny?
Yule (1996) defines speech acts as actions performed through utterances, categorized into specific types such as apologies, complaints, and promises For instance, when a speaker states, "I’ll be there at six," they are not just making a statement but also executing the act of promising Speech act theory explores how utterances influence the dynamics between the speaker and listener in communication, emphasizing that words convey both meaning and action beyond mere grammatical structure.
Speech acts are fundamental communication acts that convey specific attitudes, with each type corresponding to the attitude expressed—such as statements for beliefs, requests for desires, and apologies for regrets The effectiveness of a speech act relies on the audience's ability to recognize the speaker's intended attitude These acts can serve various purposes, including making promises, asking questions, giving advice, and issuing directives However, executing speech acts correctly is challenging due to the need for adherence to conventional procedures and word usage Additionally, certain conditions must be fulfilled for speech acts to be performed accurately, encompassing three interconnected components: locutions, illocutions, and perlocutions.
Summary
This chapter reviews previous studies on speech act theories, highlighting syntactic features such as declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamative forms It emphasizes functional features, including declarations, representatives, expressives, directives, and commissives The theoretical framework for categorizing illocutionary acts is based on the work of Quirk and Greenbaum (1973) and Searle (1979) These speech act types, prevalent in spoken discourse, are the focus of this research.
METHODOLOGY
Research design
This thesis employs a mixed-method approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative techniques to systematically collect and analyze data from speeches about Covid-19 The quantitative analysis focuses on calculating the frequency percentages of various syntactic and functional features of illocutionary acts present in the speeches In contrast, the qualitative analysis delves into specific demonstrative examples from these speeches, which are incorporated into the main discussion to enhance the study's validity and reliability.
The descriptive method is employed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the key characteristics of illocutionary acts, focusing on their syntactic features and functions within speeches related to Covid-19.
Finally, discussions and comments on how illocutionary acts are analyzed through the syntactic and the functional aspects will be presented from which conclusions can be reached.
Data collection
The data of this study are collected from 07 speeches Mr Boris Johnson, the British prime minister, gave four of the seven speeches listed above The
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered three significant addresses centered on the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to a total of seven speeches that span 30 pages and 18,059 words These speeches were compiled during the critical periods of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 The study focuses on analyzing the illocutionary acts present in the speeches, examining both their syntactic and functional characteristics.
Data Analysis
The researcher employs a systematic approach to analyze data in order to address the research questions Initially, the linguistic features of expressive illocutionary acts are collected, examined, and categorized Utilizing the theoretical framework established by Greenbaum and Quirk (1973), the researcher analyzes these data through the lens of syntactic features related to illocutionary acts Following the identification of various syntactic features, the researcher further investigates the illocutionary functions, drawing on Searle's framework for comprehensive analysis.
The theoretical framework for analyzing the syntactic features of illocutionary acts, as discussed by Greenbaum & Quirk (1973), provides clarity on the structures found in speeches about Covid-19 Understanding these illocutionary acts can be complex, as each utterance conveys varying emotions depending on the context Additionally, Searle's functional model (1979) aids researchers in identifying the predominant illocutionary acts present in these speeches.
Research procedures
This article begins by reviewing relevant literature and theoretical frameworks to identify existing gaps Subsequently, seven speeches on Covid-19 are collected and saved as Word documents for further analysis.
The selection of theoretical frameworks for data analysis is crucial, followed by the evaluation and categorization of the syntactic and functional properties of utterances involved in illocutionary acts within the discourse The results are presented through various tables and figures Ultimately, the findings are discussed, highlighting their implications for future research.
Validity and reliability
This thesis establishes validity and reliability through systematic data collection and analysis, leading to credible research outcomes The study adheres closely to the established research design, methodology, and procedures, ensuring that each step is executed in a logical and organized manner.
Regarding the reliability, the sources of data are reliable at the present time More precisely, the researcher finds the 7 speeches about Covid-19 with
105 expressions of illocutionary acts In addition, in order to investigate the modern languages, all the speeches under study were released in the 2020-
The data from 2021 is deemed reliable and authentic, as it is supported by established analytical frameworks grounded in well-known theories Consequently, the findings are considered consistent and trustworthy.
Summary
The third section of the study outlines the data collection, analytical methodology, and framework, detailing the methods used for gathering and analyzing data Employing both quantitative and qualitative research techniques, the study prepares for a comprehensive examination of the findings The subsequent chapter focuses on the results, providing a detailed analysis of illocutionary acts, specifically their syntactic and functional characteristics, in speeches delivered by the British and Vietnamese Prime Ministers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
The syntactic features of illocutionary acts in the English speeches
As mentioned in Chapter 3, illocutionary acts in this study are analyzed in terms of syntactic features based on Greenbaum & Quirk‟s theoretical framework
The statistics in the following table provide us the finding of the syntactic features of illocutionary acts in the speeches about Covid-19
Table 4.1.1 The syntactic features of illocutionary acts in the English speeches
Code Syntactic features Number Percentage
Figure 4.1.1 The syntactic features of illocutionary acts in the English speeches
Figure 4.1.1 illustrates the frequency and percentage of syntactic features in illocutionary acts within Covid-19 speeches The analysis shows the usage of declaratives, interrogatives, imperatives, and exclamatives to convey these acts Notably, declaratives dominate the data, occurring more frequently than the other syntactic forms.
27 occurrences, amounting to 57% Less frequently employed groups consist of exclamatives with 0, comprising 0%, interrogatives with 0 times of appearance, contributing 0% and imperatives with 20 cases, reaching at 43%
The syntactic features of illocutionary acts used in the collected data can be illustrated by some following examples elicited from the data
Declarative sentences are structured with the subject preceding the verb and serve to make statements that conclude with a period They can convey facts, express opinions, present arguments, or provide information In this study, the researcher identified 27 declarative sentences, representing 57% of the structural features of illocutionary acts.
[Sentence 07] The Prime Minister Boris Johnson says: “In England, we must therefore go into a national lockdown.”
In a waiting room at the Prime Minister's office, Mr Boris Johnson addresses the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of safety with his declarative statement, "we must." This highlights his intention to urge the public to exercise caution during lockdowns Additionally, the use of declarative sentences reflects a polite communication style, allowing the speaker to convey opinions clearly while encouraging responsible behavior among the audience.
[Sentence 22] The Prime Minister Boris Johnson says: “And I want to begin by reminding you why the UK has been taking the approach that we have.”
In the context of Mr Boris Johnson's reflections on the Covid-19 pandemic, the researcher identifies his use of declarative sentences These sentences serve as illocutionary acts, structured to convey clear statements regarding the situation.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson emphasized the importance of adhering to government regulations, stating that police are authorized to enforce compliance through fines and dispersing gatherings To ensure public safety, all non-essential retail outlets, including clothing and electronics stores, as well as libraries, playgrounds, outdoor gyms, and places of worship, will be closed immediately.
In a meeting room focused on addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Boris Johnson observes the ongoing efforts against the virus and shares his sentiments regarding the situation He emphasizes his perspective through the declarative statement, "If you don't like it, we'll get something else," which underscores the necessity of taking decisive actions to protect public health The speaker's intent is to convey a commitment to the audience, highlighting the urgency and importance of collaborative efforts in combating the pandemic.
Interrogative illocutionary acts primarily serve the function of seeking information through questions These sentences can also express suggestions, instructions, or requests for confirmation However, this research reveals a complete absence of interrogative data, indicating 0% representation of this syntactic feature in illocutionary acts.
Imperative forms of illocutionary acts typically lack a grammatical subject and utilize base-form verbs These sentences serve to issue commands, provide instructions, or make requests This research identifies 20 examples of imperatives, accounting for 43% of the structural features of illocutionary acts.
In this data, the researcher discovers that he uses the imperative sentence for an illocutionary act
Prime Minister Boris Johnson advises against meeting friends and family members who do not reside in your household He emphasizes that shopping should be limited to essential items such as food and medicine, and encourages the use of food delivery services to minimize outings.
In the article, the speaker encounters British individuals and employs imperative sentences to convey requests This use of imperative language emphasizes the speaker's desires and underscores the necessity for the listener to acknowledge and comply with the request for people to stay home.
Exclamatives are sentences that begin with "what" or "how," conveying the speaker's strong emotions and impressions about a situation These expressions highlight the intensity of feelings and reactions, showcasing the depth of the speaker's admiration or surprise.
In this research, the researcher finds no data of exclamatives, amounting to 0% of all the syntactic features of an illocutionary act.
The syntactic features of illocutionary act in the Vietnamese speeches
Chapter 3 discusses the analysis of illocutionary acts through syntactic features, following the theoretical framework established by Greenbaum and Quirk The accompanying statistics reveal the syntactic characteristics of illocutionary acts present in speeches regarding Covid-19.
Table 4.1.2 The syntactic features of illocutionary acts in the Vietnames speeches
Code Syntactic features Number Percentage
Figure 4.1.2 The syntactic features of illocutionary acts in the Vietnames speeches
Figure 4.1.2 illustrates the frequency and percentage of syntactic features in illocutionary acts present in Covid-19 speeches The analysis highlights the use of declaratives, interrogatives, imperatives, and exclamatives in expressing these acts Notably, declarative sentences are predominant, significantly outnumbering the other syntactic forms.
33 occurrences, amounting to 57% Less frequently employed groups consist of exclamatives with 4, comprising 7%, interrogatives with no occurrences, contributing 0% and imperatives with 21 cases, reaching at 36%
The syntactic features of illocutionary acts used in the collected speeches about Covid-19 can be illustrated by the examples elicited from the data
Illocutionary acts in declarative forms consist of sentences where the subject precedes the verb, making statements that conclude with a period These sentences serve to describe facts, express opinions, present arguments, or provide information In this study, the researcher identified 37 instances of declarative sentences, which represent 64% of the total structural features analyzed.
Declaratives Interrogatives Imperatives Exclamatives illocutionary acts
Thủ tướng Phạm Minh Chính phát động phong trào thi đua đặc biệt với tinh thần "chống dịch như chống giặc", kêu gọi toàn dân đoàn kết, chung sức, đồng lòng trong công tác phòng, chống và chiến thắng đại dịch COVID-19.
Mr Pham Minh Chinh addresses the risks associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of collective action in his declaration, "we have made the declaration." This statement reflects his intention to encourage public cooperation in overcoming the crisis By using declarative sentences, he demonstrates a polite and effective communication style that fosters understanding and collaboration among the people.
Thủ tướng Phạm Minh Chính cho biết: “Đến nay, dịch bệnh đang từng bước được kiểm soát, ngay cả ở những khu vực chịu ảnh hưởng nặng nề như thành phố Hồ Chí Minh và các tỉnh lân cận, nhưng vẫn còn nhiều khó khăn và thách thức phía trước.”
During a conference, Mr Pham Minh Chinh addresses attendees regarding the current situation of Covid-19 The researcher notes that he employs declarative sentences to convey his message, effectively performing an illocutionary act.
Quê hương là mái ấm, nơi chứa đựng tình người và khát vọng, là nguồn cội để mỗi người hướng về, suy ngẫm và yêu thương Tình đoàn kết, nhất trí và lòng nhân ái của người Việt Nam trên khắp thế giới sẽ lan tỏa mạnh mẽ, đặc biệt trong những thời khắc khó khăn của đất nước Đây chính là liều thuốc và động lực quan trọng giúp chúng ta vượt qua mọi nghịch cảnh, đặc biệt là trong cuộc chiến chống đại dịch COVID-19.
Mr Pham Minh Chinh observes the public's efforts in combating Covid-19 and shares his sentiments regarding the situation Through his declarative statements, he emphasizes the importance of collective action in saving the nation from the pandemic His message conveys a strong request for unity and resilience among the people, highlighting that the nation's strength is crucial to achieving victory over Covid-19.
Interrogative illocutionary acts primarily serve the discourse function of seeking information, encompassing questions, suggestions, and confirmations This study reveals a complete absence of interrogative forms, with 0% representation among the syntactic features of illocutionary acts.
Imperative sentences, characterized by their lack of a grammatical subject and use of base-form verbs, serve to issue commands, provide instructions, or make requests In this study, the researcher identified 21 instances of imperatives, which account for 36% of the total structural features of illocutionary acts.
Thủ tướng Phạm Minh Chính nhấn mạnh rằng cần tổ chức thực hiện các biện pháp chống dịch một cách hiệu quả, đồng thời rà soát và điều chỉnh để khắc phục tình trạng xét nghiệm chậm hơn tốc độ lây lan ở một số địa phương Mặc dù công tác hỗ trợ an sinh xã hội đã đạt được những kết quả cơ bản tốt, nhưng vẫn còn những khu vực chưa bao quát hết tất cả các đối tượng cần được hỗ trợ.
Thủ tướng Phạm Minh Chính nhấn mạnh tầm quan trọng của việc đảm bảo an toàn khoa học và hiệu quả trong việc hoàn thiện hướng dẫn tiêm vắc xin cho trẻ em một cách khẩn trương.
During his address to the public regarding the Covid-19 situation, Mr Pham Minh Chinh employs imperative sentences as illocutionary acts, utilizing phrases like "Cần tổ chức," "cần tiếp tục," and "khẩn trương" to issue commands and make requests to his audience.
Exclamative sentences, introduced by "what" or "how," serve as illocutionary acts that convey the speaker's strong emotions and impressions This study identifies four instances of exclamatives, representing 7% of the total syntactic features analyzed in illocutionary acts.
[Sentence 75] “Chúc các quí vị sức khỏe và bình an và hạnh phúc.”
Through the exclamations Mr Pham Minh Chinh shows the extent of his feeling as to how he is impressed by something and expresses sudden or strong emotions and feelings.
The functional features of illocutionary act in English speeches 36 4.2.2 The functional features of illocutionary acts in the Vietnamese
The statistics in the following figure provide us the finding of the functional features of illocutionary acts in the English speeches
Table 4.2.1 The functional features of illocutionary acts in the English speeches
Code Functional features Number Percentage (%)
Figure 4.2.1 The functional features of illocutionary acts in the English speeches
Figure 4.2.1 illustrates the frequency and percentage of functional features of illocutionary acts in English speeches The data reveals that Assertive acts are the most prevalent, comprising 27% with 13 occurrences, followed closely by Declaration at 26% with 12 instances Directive acts account for 21% with 10 occurrences, while Commisive acts represent 17% with 8 instances Expressive acts are the least frequent, appearing only 4 times, which is 9% of the total Both Representative and Declaration rank at an average rate Detailed explanations and data can be found in the appendices.
The functional features of an illocutionary act collected from the English data can be illustrated by some following examples elicited from the data
Speech acts that convey the speaker's beliefs include statements of fact, assertions, conclusions, and descriptions Through these representative acts, the speaker aligns their words with their beliefs about the world Examples of such speech acts are affirming, believing, concluding, and reporting This research focuses on understanding these representative speech acts and their implications.
RepresentativeDirectiveCommisiveExpressiveDeclaration researcher finds 13 instances of Representative, accounting for 27% of all the functional features of an illocutionary act
Approximately 44 million individuals, representing three-quarters of England's population, are currently facing stringent restrictions as the country deals with one of the highest coronavirus mortality rates globally.
The setting of this representative is in a hospital where Mr.Borish Johnson addresses to the public
The measures received approval with a vote of 291 to 78, as the main opposition Labour Party chose to abstain rather than oppose the government, avoiding a potential defeat that could have lifted all restrictions.
Here Mr.Borish Johnson clearly announces and reports to the world the biggest threat from Covid-19, which exists not only in one country but also over the world
The study identifies 10 instances of directives, accounting for 21% of the total analyzed requests These directives reflect the speaker's intent to communicate a request, independent of the listener's awareness of any negative circumstances.
People are permitted to leave their homes only for essential reasons, including infrequent shopping for basic necessities, engaging in one form of exercise daily—such as running, walking, or cycling alone or with household members—addressing medical needs, providing care for vulnerable individuals, and commuting to work only when absolutely necessary and not feasible from home.
During a meeting, Mr Boris Johnson expresses concern about the impact of Covid-19 and emphasizes the need to reduce its risks His statement serves as an illocutionary act, clearly conveying his request to his colleagues to take action against the pandemic.
To prioritize safety, it's crucial to avoid meeting friends or family members who do not reside with you Limit outings to essential activities, such as grocery shopping for food and medicine, and minimize these trips by utilizing food delivery services whenever possible.
A commissive is a type of speech act in which speakers commit to future actions, encompassing promises, threats, refusals, and pledges These acts can be performed individually or collectively by a group member When employing a commissive, the speaker is responsible for aligning reality with their words Common examples include bet, guarantee, pledge, promise, and swear In this study, eight instances of commissives as illocutionary acts were identified, accounting for 17% of the total occurrences.
[Sentence 10] “A decision on whether to hold annual national exams for 16- and 18-year-olds will be made after consultations between the education secretary and qualifications bodies.”
In this setting, Mr.Borish Johnson is talking with his British people, affirming that the Park will remain open for exercise, thus sending a commitment to the hearers
Starting Wednesday, over 40% of individuals in England will face the strictest level of restrictions on their daily activities as the government transitions to a new strategy following a month-long national lockdown, with only 1% of the population remaining in the least restrictive category.
In this context, Mr Boris Johnson addresses the public, assuring them that the coronavirus will be overcome and emphasizing that future circumstances will improve compared to the past This declaration exemplifies a commissive illocutionary act, as it reflects the speaker's strong commitment to a positive outcome.
An expressive is a linguistic expression that communicates the speaker's wish for a particular reality or event to manifest Wishing embodies a deep desire or hope for something that seems difficult to achieve, reflecting the longing for outcomes that may appear unlikely or impossible In a recent study, the researcher identified 10 instances of expressives functioning as illocutionary acts, which represent 9.5% of the overall findings.
[Sentence 27] “I thank you all, the time has now come for us all to do more.”
The speaker uses the verb “thank you” to express his emotion So this utterance is called expressive illocutionary act
[Sentence 37] “I want to thank everyone who is working flatout to beat the virus.”
In a hospital setting, Mr Borish conveys his emotions through expressions of gratitude, reflecting on the memories tied to this location His heartfelt thanks are categorized as an expressive illocutionary act, as he explicitly articulates his feelings and the reasons behind his appreciation.
A declaration is a speech act that transforms reality through spoken words By making a declaration, the speaker effectively alters the world with their utterance The research identified 12 instances of declarations as illocutionary acts, representing 26% of the total occurrences analyzed.
The path forward is challenging, and unfortunately, lives will be lost; however, we are making daily progress in strengthening our remarkable NHS, with 7,500 former clinicians returning to support the service.
Here the speaker – Mr.Borish Johnson - is declaring that the government is strengthening NHS The statement is a commissive illocutionary act
CONCLUSION
SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS
This study highlights two key findings regarding illocutionary acts in English and Vietnamese speeches: first, it examines the syntactic features that characterize these acts in both languages; second, it explores the functional features of illocutionary acts as expressed in English and Vietnamese speeches.
5.1.1 Summary the syntactic features of illocutionary acts in the English and Vietnamese speeches
The researcher identifies four types of syntactic features in illocutionary acts expressed by characters in English and Vietnamese speeches: declaratives, interrogatives, imperatives, and exclamatives Declarative sentences convey facts, opinions, arguments, or information to the listener Interrogative sentences serve to pose questions, offer recommendations, or affirm statements Imperative sentences issue commands, instructions, or requests to the audience Lastly, exclamatory sentences express strong emotions or sensations, impacting the listener with sudden intensity.
The analysis of illocutionary acts in English and Vietnamese speeches reveals a total of 105 instances, with declarative sentences being the most prevalent at 60 occurrences (57.14%) Imperative sentences follow with 41 instances (39.04%), while exclamative sentences account for 4 instances (3.82%) Notably, there are no instances of interrogative sentences These syntactic features primarily serve to convey the speaker's intentions and emotions, highlighting the effectiveness of different sentence structures in communication In conclusion, the declarative form stands out as the most significant syntactic feature used to express illocutionary acts.
5.1.2 Summary the functional features of illocutionary acts in the English and Vietnamese speeches
Illocutionary acts in English and Vietnamese speeches are analyzed based on their functional features, categorized into five groups according to Searle's theory (1979): representative, directive, commissive, expressive, and declaration These acts serve as responses to positive actions taken by the hearer.
The majority of functional feature is the representative with 30 out of
In the analyzed data, the dominant category is the informative declaration, appearing 105 times and representing 28.57% of the total Following closely is the declarative statement, which occurs 27 times, making up 25.73% The directive and expressive categories rank next, with directives appearing 20 times at 19.04% and expressives 15 times at 14.28% Lastly, commissive statements are noted 13 times, accounting for 12.38% of the data.
The most common act utilized in the English and Vietnamese speeches is the representative.
IMPLICATIONS
The study findings offer valuable insights into the illocutionary acts executed by speakers, highlighting key implications that enhance our understanding of communication dynamics.
Exploring English and Vietnamese speeches enhances learners' understanding of the pragmatic functions of language By examining the syntactic and functional characteristics of illocutionary acts in speeches related to Covid-19, readers can deepen their comprehension and gain insights into the perspectives and intentions behind these expressions.
To comprehend illocutionary acts effectively, it is essential to analyze them through their syntactic and functional characteristics within specific contexts, supported by authentic examples Additionally, language learners must possess not only pragmatic insights but also cultural and social knowledge to enhance their understanding of speech acts.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
Despite significant efforts in completing the thesis, inherent weaknesses arise from time constraints, limited access to reference materials, and the researcher's restricted linguistic and research skills Additionally, the analysis relies solely on data gathered from the internet, with only 105 illocutionary acts derived from 7 speeches in English and Vietnamese, which may be insufficient for comprehensive findings Furthermore, the researcher is unable to explore the specific syntactic or functional characteristics of the illocutionary acts in greater depth.
SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
This research serves as a valuable reference for individuals seeking to understand illocutionary acts as a means of expressing emotions and sentiments Additionally, it provides a foundation for other researchers interested in exploring illocutionary acts in various contexts, including films, novels, and literature.
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Some example of speeches of Covid-19 made by two Priminsters
Johnson announces third national lock down” 2020
1 Nearly 56 million people in England will return to a full coronavirus lockdown, possibly until mid-February, to try to cut spiralling infection rates,
2 The closure of primary and secondary schools, will come into effect Wednesday,
3 Some 44 million people or three-quarters of the population of England are already living under the toughest restrictions, as Britain grapples with one of the worst mortality rates from coronavirus in the world
4 Almost 27,000 people with Covid were in hospital 40% more than at the peak of first wave of the outbreak on April last year
5 Last Tuesday, more than 80,000 people tested positive in just 24 hours
6 With most of the country already under extreme measures, it's clear that we need to do more, together, to bring this new variant under control while our vaccines are rolled out
7 In England, we must therefore go into a national lockdown
8 The new measures are similar to those during the first, three-month lockdown from late March to June last year
9 They include the closure of schools, working from home wherever possible, limits on leaving home, except for exercise, essential shopping and for medical supplies, and no household mixing
10 A decision on whether to hold annual national exams for 16- and 18-year-olds will be made after consultations between the education secretary and qualifications bodies
11 The country had moved to the highest coronavirus level five
12 That means the State-run National Health Service is at risk of being overwhelmed within
21 days if no action is taken
13 I hoped the restrictions could start to be lifted after the next school holidays in mid-February, and acknowledged the weeks ahead "will be the hardest yet"
14 I was encouraged by the roll-out of two COVID-19 vaccines, including one developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, which could see the four most vulnerable groups inoculated in the next six weeks
15 With every jab that goes into our arms, we are tilting the odds against COVID-19 and in favour of the British people
16 More than 40% of people in England will be subject to the toughest tier of restrictions on their daily life from Wednesday, when the government shifts to its new approach after a month of national lockdown, with just 1% in the lowest band
17 With the spread of the epidemic varying across the country, there remains a compelling case for regional tiers in England
18 The tiered system has ignited a rebellion in Johnson‟s party, with dozens of the 364 elected Conservatives criticizing the plan as draconian, badly implemented or based on insufficient evidence
The measures received approval with a vote of 291 to 78, overcoming opposition due to the Labour Party's decision to abstain rather than oppose the government, which could have led to a significant defeat and the potential lifting of all restrictions.
20 Good evening, the Coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades and this country is not alone
21 All over the world, we're seeing the devastating impactof this invisible killer and so tonight I want to update you on the latest steps we're taking to fight the disease and what you can do to help
22 And I want to begin by reminding you why the
UK has been taking the approach that we have
23 Without a huge national effort to halt the growth of this virus, there will come a moment when no health service in the world could possibly cope because there won't be enough ventilators, enough intensive care beds, enough doctors and nurses and as we've seen elsewhere in other countries
24 To put it simply, if too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it, meaning more people are likely to die not just from Coronavirus, but from other illnesses as well
25 So it's vital to slow the spread of the disease because that is the way we reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment at any one time
26 So we can protect the NHS's ability to cope and save more lives and that's why we've been asking people to stay at home during this pandemic and though huge numbers are complying
27 I thank you all, the time has now come for us all to do more
Johnson updates nation on Covid-
28 From this evening, I must give the British people a very simple instruction, you must stay at home because the critical thing we must do to stop the disease spreading between
29 That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes: shopping for basic necessities as infrequently as possible, one form of exercise a day, for example, a run, walk or cycle alone or with members of your household, any medical need to provide care or to help a vulnerable person and traveling to and from work but only whether this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home
30 You should not be meeting friends If your friends ask you to meet you, should say no You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine and you should do this as little as you can and use food delivery services where you can
31 If you don't follow the rules,the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings, to ensure compliance with the government's instruction to stay at home, we will immediately close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms and places of worship
32 We'll stop all gatherings of more than two people in public, excluding people you live with, and will stop all social events including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals
33 Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed No Prime Minister wants to enact measures like this I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people's lives to their businesses and to their jobs and that's why we've produced a huge and unprecedented program of support, both for workers and for business