HUE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES -------------------------- DOAN TRIEU KHANH TRAM A STUDY OF LEXICAL COHESION ON JEFF KINNEY’S DIARY OF A WIMPY KID MA THESIS ENGLISH LANGUAGE In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, University of Foreign Languages and International Studies, Hue University THUA THIEN HUE, 2023 HUE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES -------------------------- DOAN TRIEU KHANH TRAM A STUDY OF LEXICAL COHESION ON JEFF KINNEY’S DIARY OF A WIMPY KID MA THESIS ENGLISH LANGUAGE CODE: 8220201 SUPERVISOR: DR. PHAM THI NGUYEN AI THUA THIEN HUE, 2023 ĐẠI HỌC HUẾ TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC NGOẠI NGỮ -------------------------- ĐOÀN TRIỆU KHÁNH TRÂM NGHIÊN CỨU VỀ LIÊN KẾT TỪ VỰNG TRONG NHẬT KÝ CHÚ BÉ NHÚT NHÁT CỦA JEFF KINNEY LUẬN VĂN THẠC SĨ NGÔN NGỮ ANH MÃ SỐ: 8220201 NGƯỜI HƯỚNG DẪN KHOA HỌC: TS. PHẠM THỊ NGUYÊN ÁI THỪA THIÊN HUẾ, 2023 i STATEMENT OF ORIGINAL AUTHORSHIP The work contained in this thesis has not been previously submitted for a degree in any university. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, my thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the thesis itself.
ii ABSTRACT In the current era of globalization, there is a gradual increase in the prevalence of early English instruction. Children can acquire English proficiency not only through academic settings like schools or English centers, but also by engaging with various media formats including animation, music, and works of fiction. The following materials facilitate children's English learning in a more informal and comfortable manner. Particularly, children's storybooks are regarded as an exceptionally effective resource for enhancing their vocabulary acquisition.
In contrast to adult novels, children's fiction employs relatable and appealing themes to introduce a more vibrant vocabulary. Furthermore, Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a well-liked children's fiction series in which events revolve around an elementary school student. This research aims to examine the forms of lexical cohesion present in Book 1 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, and determine the frequency of various categories of lexical cohesion. In order to finalize this investigation, the researcher furnished statistical data derived from the data source, which is an authentic copy of the work of fiction hosted on a reputable platform.
Following this, the researcher performed a qualitative analysis of lexical cohesion, which identified the forms of lexical cohesion that were utilized most frequently. The study's key findings include the following: 1) the examined works of fiction employ six distinct forms of lexical cohesion: repetition, collocation, synonymy, antonymy, meronymy, and hyponymy; 2) the form utilized most frequently is synonymy, whereas meronymy appears to be the least prevalent among the fiction under investigation. From the results, implications and suggestions for a number of disciplines in respect of lexical cohesion would be discussed. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This thesis signifies a significant turning point in my personal educational journey.
As this represents my inaugural experience with scientific research, I would have likely encountered obstacles throughout the thesis process that could not have been surmounted without the assistance and support of those in my vicinity. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to Dr. Pham Thi Nguyen Ai, my supervisor. By virtue of your tolerance and dedication, I have surmounted challenges that seemed to make me give up.
Subsequently, I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the extraordinarily dedicated instructors who have imparted a wealth of practical knowledge to me, not only in the realm of English language studies but also across my professional trajectory. Furthermore, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to my beloved family for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout my academic trajectory spanning from adolescence to adulthood. Particular appreciation is extended to my best friend, Quynh Thi, who not only supports me during the most trying circumstances but also comprehends me. Her constant reminders of obligations resemble an alarm clock in my life.
Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to my Master's class companions and my close acquaintances: Hieu Thuan, Nha Ky, and Trieu Nhan, who consistently provided me with encouragement and invaluable counsel. iv List of Tables Table 3. Illustration of Lexical Item. Illustration of the frequency of presence of lexical cohesive devices.
The result of Lexical Cohesion in Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid. 28 List of Figures Figure 4. The result of Lexical Cohesion in Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid. 48 v List of Abbreviations R: repetition S: synonymy A: antonymy H: hyponymy M: meronymy p: Page s: Sentence EBS: English for Business Studies BE: Business English vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Statement of Original Authorship.
iii List of Tables. iv List of Figures. iv List of Abbreviations. v Table of Contents.
vi Chapter 1: Introduction. Rationale of the Study. Aim of the Study. Scope of the Study.
Significance of the Study. Organization of the Study. 6 Chapter 2: Literature review. Cohesion and coherence.
Data collection procedure.4 Instruments of the Research. Data analysis procedure. 25 Step one: Reviewing and Exploring the Data. 25 Step two: Coding Data into Categories.
26 Step three: Analyzing and Tabulating. 26 Step four: Drawing conclusion. 28 Chapter 4: Findings and Discussions. The lexical cohesion applied in Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
The most prevalent type of lexical cohesion in Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Limitations of the study. Recommendations for further studies. 59 Chapter 1: Introduction This introductory chapter presents the rationale underlying the study.
It provides the background for the study and describes the context that raises the research issue. In addition, the chapter centers on the research aims, research questions, the scope and significance of the study, followed by the description of the organisation of the study. Rationale of the Study Language is a communication system in different situations (Yule, 2014). It can be said that language exists unconsciously everywhere humans set foot.
Without language, there would be no story. Without language, thoughts, feelings, desires, and creativity cannot be conveyed and comprehended. Therefore, language plays a crucial role in the context of human existence. In linguistics, the significance of effective communication has been highlighted.
To be more specific, communication refers to the process of exchanging information. The utilization of a common language and a collective understanding of essential concepts is imperative for the achievement of effective communication. Communication can be defined as the systematic exchange of ideas, emotions, and information between separate entities. Various modes of interpersonal communication exist, encompassing written, spoken, nonverbal, and visual means.
Among the various modes of communication, written communication, also known as text, is widely acknowledged to be extensively employed for the purpose of transmitting information. This is accomplished through various mediums, such as books, newspapers, pamphlets, blogs, letters, emails, and memos. In this day and age, communication and discourse analysis are closely intertwined disciplines, with communication providing the context and subject matter for discourse analysis. Discourse analysis, provides valuable tools and insights for comprehending how 1 language functions in communication, whether in commonplace conversations, media communication, interpersonal interactions, or academic research in the field of communication studies.
Discourse analysis is a method for investigating language within its social context. It plays an essential function in a variety of disciplines, including linguistics, sociology, anthropology, communication studies, and political science. In other words, discourse analysis' importance in linguistics is growing for a variety of reasons (Van Dijik, 1985). Firstly, discourse analysis initially assists us in comprehending how communication functions in various contexts.
Secondly, discourse analysis demonstrates how language mirrors social reality. Thirdly, this discipline investigates the values and beliefs that can influence the thoughts and actions of individuals. Lastly, discourse analysis aids researchers in cultural studies in understanding the communication of cultural norms and values. Thus, discourse analysis can be viewed as a valuable instrument in various academic disciplines and real- world applications.
Particularly, discourse analysis is gaining significance in linguistics and the English language. Cohesion plays an essential function in discourse analysis in enhancing communication and comprehension. Cohesion ensures that the discourse sections are logically linked together and that the overall message is clear and coherent. It enables the reader or listener to follow the progression of the discourse and avoid confusion and misunderstanding.
Cohesion in discourse is essential for ensuring effective, clear, and understandable communication in ordinary conversations, professional writing, and specialized presentations. Carron and Brawley (2000) supposed that cohesion, which refers to writers' linguistic devices and strategies to create a sense of unity and connection within a text, plays an essential role in writing. To be more specific, cohesion ensures that a text is plain and easily 2 understood by the reader. When a text lacks cohesion, it can be difficult for readers to follow the flow of ideas and connections between different sections.
In addition, cohesion assists writers in organizing ideas, guiding readers through the text, and enhancing the clarity and persuasiveness of their writing. Effective written communication requires the use of linking devices skillfully. The acquisition of writing abilities is a significant challenge for foreign language learners, with English being no exception. In addition to the disparity in writing styles observed between the source language and the target language, learners may encounter vocabulary as a significant obstacle in their quest to master the language.
In greater depth, the absence of a diverse range of terminology may result in a tedious reading experience for the audience. The utilization of lexical cohesion techniques, such as repetition, synonyms, antonyms, or lexical fields, by the writer enhances the specificity and appeal of the piece to its readers. As a consequence, doing a study of lexical cohesion within an English literary composition will facilitate the analysis of how proficient speakers of the language employ lexical cohesion, as well as identify prevalent instances of lexical cohesion. Subsequently, this aids language users in recognizing the significance of lexical connections inside their written works and acquiring the ability to employ them proficiently and judiciously.
Given the significance mentioned above of cohesion, the researcher exhibits a distinct inclination towards investigating children's books due to many factors. Since antiquity, books have played a crucial role in human civilization and are indispensable in many aspects of society. It is believed that books are a means of disseminating knowledge. They are essential to education and the preservation of culture.
It is said that reading literature inspires and promotes critical thinking. Consequently, the fundamental function of books in enhancing human experiences is of great significance to humans. Another rationale for employing children's books as a data source is the author's curiosity over the lexicon commonly 3 employed in literature targeting young readers. The author seeks to ascertain the efficacy of this lexicon in effectively conveying messages and eliciting responses upon being heard by the intended audience.
Limiting the analysis and its data is crucial for obtaining a clear result. As a consequence, this study focuses exclusively on one component of discourse, lexical cohesion, one of two categories of Cohesion devices, which are lexical cohesion and grammatical cohesion, as defined by Halliday and Hasan (1976). The popular and extremely successful children's book series Diary of a Wimpy Kid is written and illustrated by the American author Jeff Kinney. The series is renowned for its comical and relatable depiction of middle school life through Greg Heffley's diary entries.
Greg Heffley, a young child navigating the challenges and adventures of middle school, is the protagonist of this series. His diary entries reveal his thoughts, experiences, and humorous observations about the world. The genres of Diary of a Wimpy Kid are children's fiction and humor. The books are predominantly intended for middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12), but their humor and dependability have attracted a wide audience, including adults.