This paper, to some extent, makes benefit for English language teachers and learners in using hedges in argument. Moreover, the thesis suggests possible problems that may appear in argument among intercultural communicators.
It is suggested that further study of hedging in arguments should be carry out for a longer span of time and in a wider scope of the participants. Moreover, it is better to carry out on the survey on participants randomly. Further studies should involve suggestions of activities as well as solutions to help Vietnamese students avoid problems in hedging to argue with English native speakers. Studying hedges in different situations of communication is interesting ideas for the next study.
Finally, the author would be grateful for any reflecting ideas, comments, supports and criticisms from readers.
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APPENDIX
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
This survey questionnaire is designed for the study entitled “A Vietnamese- American Cross-Cutural Study on the Use of Hedging(*) in Argument”. Your co- operation of giving responses to the following items is greatly appreciated. All information will be used only for the purpose of this research.
Personal Information Please tick () where appropriate
Age below 20 25 - 30
20 - 25 above 30
Gender Male Female
Survey Questionnaire
Below are some argumentative situations. Would you please write down exactly what you would say in the normal conversation.
Situation 1: You want to travel alone in your summer holiday, but one person prevents you:
- I am not sure if this makes sense, but travelling alone is so boring.
What would you say to argue with him/her?
If that person is your father/mother
………
………
If that person is your best friend
………
………
If that person is your classmate
………
………
(*) Hedging is a way of speaking in which you use words or phrases like: I mean, I guess, I think,
Situation 2: You know for sure that a person‟s friend is a cheater but he/she does not believe you. He/she says that
- I may be mistaken, but he is kind.
What would you say to argue with him/her?
If that person is your father/mother
………
………
If that person is your best friend
………
………
If that person is your classmate
………
………
Situation 3: A person accuses you of breaking a vase because there was only you in the room:
- I guess you broke the vase
What would you say to argue with him/her?
If that person is your father/mother
………
………
If that person is your close friend
………
………
If that person is your classmate
………
………
Thank you for your co-operation!
CÂU HỎI ĐIỀU TRA
Bảng câu hỏi điều tra này nhằm thu thập dữ liệu cho nghiên cứu với đề tài: “Nghiên cứu giao văn hóa Việt-Mỹ về cách rào đón(*) khi tranh luận”. Xin các bạn vui lòng dành thời gian trả lời câu hỏi trong bảng điều tra.
THÔNG TIN CÁ NHÂN
Hãy đánh dấu()vào chỗ thích hợp.
Tuổi dưới 20 25 - 30
20 - 25 trên 30
Giới tính Nam Nữ
CÂU HỎI KHẢO SÁT
Dưới đây là một số tình huống gây tranh cãi. Bạn hãy cho biết bạn sẽ nói gì trong những tình huống sau?
Tình huống 1: Bạn muốn đi du lịch một mình trong kỳ nghỉ hè nhưng một ngườiđã ngăn cản bạn:
- (Tôi) không chắc là điều này có ý nghĩa gì không nhưng đi du lịch một mình rất nhàm chán.
Bạn sẽ nói gì để tranh luận?
Nếu người đó là bố/mẹ của bạn
………
………
Nếu người đó là bạn thân của bạn
………
………
Nếu người đó là bạn cùng lớp
………
………
(*)Dấu hiệu rào đón là những từ hoặc cụm từ như: tôi cho rằng, tôi đoán/nghĩ rằng, bằng cách này hay cách khác, đại loại là, kiểu như, có thể nhầm lẫn nhưng, tới một mức độ nào đó… đựợc sử