Power distance in the correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam = khoảng cách quyền lực trong trao đổi thư từ giữa giảng viên và sinh viên tại Úc và Việt Nam. M.A. Thesis Linguistics: 60220201

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES NGUYỄN THÀNH TRUNG POWER DISTANCE IN THE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN LECTURERS AND STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA AND VIETNAM (KHOẢNG CÁCH QUYỀN LỰC TRONG TRAO ĐỔI THƯ TỪ GIỮA GIẢNG VIÊN VÀ SINH VIÊN TẠI ÚC VÀ VIỆT NAM) MINOR THESIS Field: English Language Code: 60220201 Hanoi, 2017 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES NGUYỄN THÀNH TRUNG POWER DISTANCE IN THE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN LECTURERS AND STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA AND VIETNAM (KHOẢNG CÁCH QUYỀN LỰC TRONG TRAO ĐỔI THƯ TỪ GIỮA GIẢNG VIÊN VÀ SINH VIÊN TẠI ÚC VÀ VIỆT NAM) MINOR THESIS Field: English Language Code: 60220201 Supervisor: Dr Huỳnh Anh Tuấn Hanoi, 2017 CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I, the undersigned, hereby certify my authority of the study project report entitled POWER DISTANCE IN THE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN LECTURERS AND STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA AND VIETNAM submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of MA in English Linguistics Except where the reference is indicated, no other person‟s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the text of the thesis Hanoi, July, 2017 Nguyễn Thành Trung Approved by SUPERVISOR Dr Huỳnh Anh Tuấn Date: i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis could not have been completed without the help and support from a number of people First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Huỳnh Anh Tuấn, my supervisor, who has patiently and constantly supported me through the stages of the study, and whose stimulating ideas, expertise, and suggestions have inspired me greatly through my growth as an academic researcher A special word of thanks goes to teaching staffs from Faculty of PostGraduate Studies of ULIS, Hanoi National University, to my colleagues at Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy and my friends at Sydney University of Technology, Australia, without whose support and encouragement it would never have been possible for me to have this thesis accomplished This thesis cannot avoid limitation, so I wish to receive comments and opinions to make it better ii ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate the manifestation of power distance in the email correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam in terms of speech acts, politeness strategies and opening and closing features The analysis was based on 120 emails written by Australian and Vietnamese lecturers and students from two universities: Sydney University of Technology, Australia and Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam Two research approaches of quantitative and qualitative are employed in this study After the data are collected and processed, the features of an email in terms speech acts, politeness strategies and opening and closing features are quantitatively described by means of statistic tables and figures to show their distribution and percentage The results are then discussed and interpreted qualitatively to determine the manifestation of power distance Next, contrastive analysis is used to discover the similarities and differences in the manifestation of power distance in email communication between the two groups The findings indicated that students in Vietnam, which is a high power distance culture, are more likely to opt for formal alternatives while lecturers tend to use informal alternatives In addition, Vietnamese lecturers prefer direct request strategies and imperatives without please In contrast, students and lecturers in Australia, which is a low power distance culture, are more likely to opt for informal alternatives Australian lecturers also show a preference for direct request strategies but all the imperatives made by both Australian lecturers and students utilize please Additionally, while most of the Vietnamese students use formal address terms to address their lecturers, nearly two thirds of the Australian students address their lecturers by their first names without any address terms iii LIST OF TABLES Table Classification of illocutionary acts 13 Table Analytical framework for emails written by Australian students and by Vietnamese students 29 Table Analytical framework for emails written by Australian lecturers and by Vietnamese lecturers 30 Table Analytical framework showing power distance in emails written by lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam 33 Table Types of speech act in emails written by lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam according to power distance relationships 36 Table The use of request strategies in the emails written by Australian students and by Vietnamese students 38 Table The use of request strategies in the emails written by Australian lecturers and by Vietnamese lecturers 38 Table The use of request strategies in emails written by lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam according to power distance relationships 39 Table The use of imperative strategies in emails written by lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam according to power distance relationships 43 Table 10 The level of formality of greetings in emails written by lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam according to power distance relationships 45 Table 11 The use of opening features in emails written by Australian students and by Vietnamese students 46 Table 12 The level of formality of closings in emails written by lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam according to power distance relationships 49 Table 13 The use of closing features in emails written by Australian students and by Vietnamese students 50 Table 14 The use of closing features in emails written by Australian lecturers and by Vietnamese lecturers 51 Table 15 The use of closing features in emails written by lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam according to power distance relationships 52 Table 16 Email features showing power distance in correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam 61 iv LIST OF FIGURES Figure A comparison of cultural dimension index between Vietnam and Australia8 Figure Greetings: formal - informal expressions 21 Figure Complimentary close: formal / conventional - informal / personal expressions 22 Figure Types of speech act in emails written by Australian students and by Vietnamese students 34 Figure Types of speech act in emails written by Australian lecturers and by Vietnamese lecturers 35 Figure The use of request perspectives in the emails written by Australian students and by Vietnamese students 40 Figure The use of imperative strategies in the emails written by Australian students and by Vietnamese students 41 Figure The use of imperative strategies in the emails written by Australian lecturers and by Vietnamese lecturers 42 Figure The level of formality of greetings in the emails written by Australian students and by Vietnamese students 44 Figure 10 The level of formality of greetings in the emails written by Australian lecturers and by Vietnamese lecturers 44 Figure 11 The level of formality of closings in the emails written by Australian students and by Vietnamese students 48 Figure 12 The level of formality of closings in the emails written by Australian lecturers and by Vietnamese lecturers 49 v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS PD Power distance HPD High power distance LPD Low power distance NSs Native speakers NNSs Non-native speakers ESL English as a second language CCSARP Cross-Cultural Speech Act Realization Project vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii ABSTRACT iii LIST OF TABLES iv LIST OF FIGURES v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS vi TABLE OF CONTENTS vii PART I INTRODUCTION 1 Rationale for the study Aims and objectives of the study Significance of the study Scope of the study Research questions Structure of the study PART II DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER REVIEW OF LITERATURE 1.1 Definition of terms 1.1.1 Hofstede‟s cultural dimensions 1.1.2 Cross-cultural and intercultural communication 1.1.3 Correspondence 10 1.1.4 Speech act theory 12 1.1.5 Politeness theory 14 1.1.6 Opening and closing features of emails 20 1.2 Related studies on email communication 23 CHAPTER METHODOLOGY 25 2.1 Research questions 25 2.2 Research approach 25 2.3 Research method 25 2.3.1 Research data 25 vii 2.3.2 Data collection method 26 2.3.3 Data analysis method 26 2.4 Analytical framework 27 CHAPTER FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 34 3.1 The manifestation of power distance in email correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam in terms of speech acts, politeness strategies and opening and closing features 34 3.1.1 The manifestation of power distance in email correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam in terms of speech acts 34 3.1.2 The manifestation of power distance in email correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam in terms of politeness strategies in requests and imperatives 37 3.1.2.1 The manifestation of power distance in email correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam in terms of request strategies 37 3.1.2.2 The manifestation of power distance in email correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam in terms of request perspectives 39 3.1.2.3 The manifestation of power distance in email correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam in terms of imperative strategies 41 3.1.3 The manifestation of power distance in email correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam in terms of opening and closing features 43 3.1.3.1 The manifestation of power distance in email correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam in terms of opening features 43 3.1.3.2 The manifestation of power distance in email correspondence between lecturers and students in Australia and Vietnam in terms of closing features 48 viii Best wishes [full name] Email 20 Hi [first name] I shall that soon Cheers [full name] Email 21 Hello [first name] I‟m happy to meet you but I can‟t meet you at either of those times I have a couple of free slots tomorrow (Wednesday) - you have any free windows tomorrow? [full name] Email 22 Hello [first name] I‟m not entirely sure what you‟re trying to say here Can you please try and submit your report the correct way now and email your teaching associate to explain the situation? [full name] Email 23 Report marks shouldn‟t be available until tomorrow Where is everyone else seeing their marks? No one should have them yet Email 24 I will talk to you about all this in lectures Email 25 Hi [first name], I will be happy to send you your marks, unfortunately I am working out of office for a week on a „writing retreat‟ I know you have 1/1 for prework and 2/2 for the spectroscopy lab work I can organise for Scott to locate your quiz in my office and send through the quiz mark if you would like it this week? I hope you had a nice Easter and wish you luck in mid sem preparation! XIV Kind regards, Email 26 Hi [first name], I was just about to email Scott to ask him to send through your mark when I realised that technically we can‟t give you your mark back yet Because of the Easter break, prac classes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday have sat the quiz but classes on Thursday and Friday are yet to attempt the quiz I‟m sure you can understand that until every class has run the quiz we can‟t really release marks The content of this quiz will not be assessed in the Mid-Sem (apart from dilutions) Hopefully you can use your previous marks as a bench mark‟ of where you sit when you enter the exam I know you like to keep your plan updated but unfortunately we can‟t much about public holidays! Please feel free to send any questions you have when studying for the exam Kind regards, Email 27 You are currently in Lab 4.431 at pm If you wish to change rooms, let me know but no guarantee can be given that it is possible Depends on the number of persons wishing to shift across the three pm labs If you can arrange for a two-person move, that might also be possible, but again far from certain Email 28 Dear Student, This is the final call for adjustments to lab rooms and times I have the latest changes from yesterday and will make the adjustments in the latest version (v3) of the class lists, which will be posted in UTS Online „Course Information‟ by Monday morning If you have any doubts or if your change request was not made, let me know by Tuesday pm I will be printing, subdividing and distributing class lists to demonstrators from Wednesday morning Lecture file is now available in „Course Documents‟ Email 29 XV Hi [first name], I can‟t see any request that you only use one significant figure APPENDIX - Emails written by Vietnamese students Email Dear my teacher, I have came my homeland since last week and I have missed the only bus which can take me to the school today So I‟m very sorry to say that I will probably miss our class today I promise I will catch up with my classmate Your student, [full name] Email Dear my teacher, I‟ve receive my score for my test and I saw that it is a very bad score However, I had studied very careful for this test and I could answer all the question in my test so I think my score should be better Could you recheck my test? I think you probably have a mistake with my score Your student, [full name] Email Dear my teacher, You are not only a good teacher but also a very enthusiastic man My friends and I admire you very much So could you spare the time to have a conversation with us? We really want you to share some of your experiences If you could, please reply this email and we will decide the time Your student, [full name] Email Dear my teacher, I have studied English for a long time but I am still bad at speaking When I am in front of the another person, I can‟t speak fluently like I speak to myself Did XVI you have the same feeling with me when you start learning English? Please give me some advice Your student, [full name] Email Dear Mr [first name], I am really sorry because I cannot come to class today My grandmother has just had a heart attack Now, she is in hospital and my family must be there with her I hope you would accept my suggest Your student, Email Dear Mr [first name], I have received a wrong score for my test I feel sad because I not try to best I know you are also disappointed with me who you believed Can you tell me what I need to now? Your student, Email Dear Mr [first name], Today I write email to tell you about my exam which you paid me yesterday I have some questions about it so I want to talk to you to hear the answers What time can I meet you? Please call me soon Your student, Email Dear Mr [first name], During the last semester, I realize my English is not good especially my pronunciation It is so difficult to pronounce a correct word although I try my best Can you tell me how to correct it and to improve my English? Your student, Email Dear Mr [first name] XVII I‟m [full name] - student in class B1 Please excuse for my absence from class today because I‟m having flu and i don‟t want to transmit it to everyone else in class Thank you for your consideration [full name] Email 10 Dear Mr [first name] I‟m [full name] - student in class B1 I have a question about my score in the latest test My friend and I had the same answer in the 20th question but she had the maximum score but i don‟t Could you check it again for us please? I look forward to receiving your reply [full name] Email 11 Dear Mr [first name] I‟m [full name] - student in class B1 The English Speaking Test‟s coming next week but I haven‟t been ready for it I‟m lacking of pronuncial skills so I really need your advice Could you give me some? I look forward to receiving your reply [full name] Email 12 Dear Mr [first name] I‟m [full name] - student in class B1 Could you give me some minutes to talk to you after class tomorrow? I‟m having some questions about The Big Project and really need you to explain for me I look forward to receiving your reply [full name] Email 13 Dear Mr [first name], I‟ve received a wrong score for my histological test this morning It‟s quite bad I‟m very disappointed about me and i think it‟s my fault I was lazy before and I XVIII didn‟t concentrate on revising In addition, I‟m always anxious, tremble and i can‟t calm down Can you give me some advices? Thanks Email 14 Dear Mr [first name] I want to tell you I can‟t come to your English class tomorrow because I‟m having an exam at the same time with it I‟ll borrow my friend‟s book to check my exercises Thank you, [first name] Email 15 Dear Mr [first name] I want to talk to you about my score for the recent test I have compared my exam with the answer key many times and I believe it should be higher Tell me when I can see you to talk about it Thank you, [first name] Email 16 Dear Mr [first name] I want to talk about the learning materials in listening lesson I feel the exercises were too difficult to listen clearly Can you give us some easier exercises first? Please send me some materials to listen at home Thank you so much! [first name] Email 17 Dear Mr [first name] I‟m worry about my English very much Although I have studied English for years, I can‟t speak and listen well Do you have any advice for me? Thank you so much! [first name] XIX Email 18 Dear English teacher ! I need some advice about how to improve my English skill I like English and want to listen and talk English fluently But i can‟t learn grammar because it‟s too long and hard to remember My listen skill is not relly good although i often watch English program and music on TV Some English form i have learnt, but one week later i forgot So i want you talk to me how you learn English? Can you show me Entertainment Tv show to improve English? Please tell me what is the most necessary grammar i need to improve my English grammar Hope to hear from you soon! [full name] Email 19 Dear teacher I want to prepare the IELTS exam Can you recommend some good English centers in Hai Phong for me? Thank you Email 20 Hello teacher My name is [full name] I have speaking test next week and I‟m worried please tell me how to improve my speaking skill T.T Email 21 Dear Mr [first name] This Friday I am busy so can I delay the midterm for the next week? Thank you very much Email 22 Dear teacher I‟m [full name] in K37C May I ask you a question? Which units I have to study for the final test? Thanks Email 23 Dear Mr [first name] XX My name is [first name] I would like to make a request from you to allow me to have days leave Because my health is in bad condition, I fell very tired So I may not be able to come back to school until I get better I will borrow my friend‟s books and recopy them completely I also promise to all exercises Thank you and regards, [first name] Email 24 Dear Mr [first name] My name‟s [first name] I am emailing to talk to you about the score of my English test which I have received from you yesterday It seem to be a wrong score because I tried my best and I think I did it nearly right Please check it again for me Thank you very much [first name] Email 25 Dear Mrs [first name] I would like to talk to you about our English lesson I think it‟s a bit bored if we only study grammar So can we learn reading, speaking, listening and writing lesson together instead? I look forward to hearing from you Your student [first name] Email 26 Dear Mrs [first name] I am writing a letter to ask your advice on how to improve my English Although I have learn English for about 10 years, I can‟t speak English fluently and listen clearly I‟m very worried about B1 test next year So I really need your help Please give me some advice Thank you so much Regards [first name] XXI Email 27 Dear Mr [first name], I‟m writing to let you know that I can‟t come to class tomorrow I‟m really sorry about this but I have go to the dentist, because of my toothache Would you mind keeping photocopies about the lesson for me and sending me my homework that I need to do? If possible, please give the photocopies to [first name] for me Once again, I‟m very sorry to miss the class and hope you understand [first name] Email 28 Dear Mr [first name], I‟m emailing to ask you about how to improve my English I have some problem with English I don‟t feel confident and can‟t fully express when I talk to someone I also make mistakes when pronuncing some words I find difficult to understand what the other person is saying Please give me some tips I looking forward to hearing from you [first name] Email 29 Dear teacher!! I can‟t come to class because sometimes I want to spend my time with my parents, but I will try to arrange time to come to class Sorry for my unreasonable reason Email 30 Dear Mr [first name], I received my test score this morning I got but I think it is a wrong score for my test I know you are going on a business trip so could I talk to you when you come back? This test is very important to me I am looking forward to hearing from you soon Your faithfully, [first name] Email 31 XXII Dear teacher, During the learning process, I have some absenteeisms Almost because of being busy or sick But then, I have copied and repaired all I am sorry for not asking your permission My english is not good, especially speaking and listening So I have received bad mark I am so sad and ashamed I think I not have good way of learning english I hope that you will help me improve my english Email 32 Dear [first name], Nowsday, English has become a main language So I think learning English is very important to everyone There are many ways to learn English but how to learn English well is difficult question To me, I‟m also many things to improve my English However, my skills is quiet bad especially listening and speaking skills You know, I‟m very disappointed and wanted to give up So can you give me some advices? Thanks [first name] Email 33 Dear Mrs [first name], My name is [full name] I‟m a student in your English class As usual, we‟ll have a lesson tomorrow But I also have some private business which must be done tomorrow I cannot come to class I hope you can understand for me I promise I‟d finish all your homework and take notes anything important on lesson Thank you for reading [full name] XXIII APPENDIX - Emails written by Vietnamese lecturers Email Dear [first name] The final will focus on Units 1G - 1M only Good luck! Email Dear [first name] If you want to get a high mark for your speaking test, try to present your ideas as clearly as possible Also, pronunciation is very important so that examiners understand what you‟re saying Hope that helps you Email Dear [first name], The final exam for Cambridge B1 certificate of this year takes place on December 10 The closing date for registration is October 21 but I think it‟s okay to register a few days later than that Email Dear [first name] The highest mark for Part of the Writing paper is points only So you shouldn‟t spend too much time on it as you won‟t be able to get any higher marks however good your writing is Email Dear [first name] If you want to quit the class, you need to speak to the dean first and then fill out a form I really hope you consider it carefully before you make the final decision Best wishes Email Dear students, The speaking lesson this afternoon at room A404 is cancelled XXIV Have a good time with your family and friends Email Dear students, We‟re planning to give a mock test for B1 exam on January Time: a.mp and 1.30 p.m Location: TEG Center Fee: 50.000 VND If you want to take this test, fill out the attached form and send it to me by January at the latest The results will be available by the end of January Regards, Email Dear all, Those who got 48 points or higher at the final test might attend both Class TD and TD Class TD is scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons every week at room A503 Note: Inform the teacher in charge of Class TD at the beginning of the lesson If you cannot keep up with students in Class TD 1, you may return to Class TD at will Email Dear all students, Class TD3‟s new term will begin at 4.30 p.m on August 15 The detailed schedule will be posted on the bulletin Please pass on this information to your classmates Regards, Email 10 Dear all, When doing the reading part, try to guess the meaning of new words from the context or the images If you have to look up a word, use an English - English dictionary Remember to After You Read at the end of your handouts Happy reading! Email 11 XXV Dear all, As suggested by the majority, Class TD3 will be rescheduled on Monday and Thursday every week until the summer vacation The room on Thursday will be posted on the bulletin The new schedule begins next week Have a nice weekend! Email 12 Dear my students, Here are the answers for the listening homework I gave you Compare it with your answers and see the changes you can to make your listening become better With lots of love, Email 13 Hi, I‟m sending you some supplementary materials for the Basic IT module Let me know if you need help or advice Best, Email 14 Dear all students, I am sending you the mark list for the test on April If there is any errors with your mark, contact Mr [first name] Regards, Email 15 Hello, Please check the information in the attached file and phone me if there is any errors You need to register and pay the fee by October See Mrs [fist name] at room 101, A1 building Email 16 Dear monitors, Please make a list including name, date of birth, phone number and class of students who want to join the extra class for the graduation exam The extra class XXVI is supposed to begin at the beginning of next month, on Saturday and Sunday evenings Email 17 Dear students, I‟m sending you the latest mark list from Mr [fist name] Give me feedback if your mark isn‟t correct Thank you Email 18 Dear [first name] My phone number is [phone number] in case you need to contact me Good luck with your final Email 19 I‟m sorry I not reply to your email earlier I don‟t have the handout you asked for in my computer but I‟ll bring you a hard copy tomorrow Email 20 Dear [first name] I am available all day tomorrow at the office Phone me before you come My phone number [phone number] Regards, Email 21 Dear all, Please check your email about the plan for the graduation exam Email 22 Dear students For homework, exercise on page 30 You have to write your sentences right in class‟s Facebook group For each sentence must include one of your friends (10 sentences = 10 friends) and don‟t forget to response to your friends‟ comments! Deadline: 12.am this Sunday I am looking forward to reading your sentences Thank you and Wish you all a happy weekend! XXVII Email 23 Schedule for this week: Monday: 16.30 - 18.00 room 408 Friday: 17.00 - 18.30 room 504 (with foreign teacher) [first name], meet me before the lesson to get the handouts for the class Many thanks Email 24 Remember to the reading assignment in 45 minutes only! Do not use a dictionary Try to answer all the questions even ones you are not sure about Hand in the assignment on Monday See you Email 25 You‟re having a speaking lesson with foreign teacher this afternoon The topic is Home/Habit/Hobby Prepare some ideas at home If you not understand what the teacher is saying, ask him to repeat, slow down or explain it Don‟t keep silence Try to speak as much as possible Email 26 IMPORTANT There‟s a storm coming so all the classes are cancelled Everyone stays home and waits for further notice Email 27 Dear all Do the writing test on pages 21-23 For part 3, choose only ONE question to answer (question or question 8) The deadline is 12 p.m Saturday night Have a good weekend XXVIII