MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HANOI OPEN UNIVERSITY M. THESIS AN ANALYSIS OF LEXICAL AND CONTEXTUAL MEANINGS IN THE LYRICS OF EMINEM’S SONGS (PHÂN TÍCH NGHĨA TỪ VỰNG VÀ NGHĨA VĂN CẢNH TRONG BÀI HÁT EMINEM) NGÔ THỊ THANH VÂN Field: English Language Code: 8.01 Hanoi - 2023 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HANOI OPEN UNIVERSITY M. THESIS AN ANALYSIS OF LEXICAL AND CONTEXTUAL MEANINGS IN THE LYRICS OF EMINEM’S SONGS (PHÂN TÍCH NGHĨA TỪ VỰNG VÀ NGHĨA VĂN CẢNH TRONG BÀI HÁT EMINEM) NGÔ THỊ THANH VÂN Field: English Language Code: 8.01 Supervisor: Tran Thi Le Dung. PhD Hanoi - 2023 CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I, the undersigned, hereby certify my authority of the study project report entitled “AN ANALYSIS OF LEXICAL AND CONTEXTUAL MEANINGS IN THE LYRICS OF EMINEM’S SONGS” submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master in English Language.
Except where the reference is indicated, no other person’s work has been used without due acknowledgment in the text of the thesis. Hanoi, 2023 Ngo Thi Thanh Van Approved by SUPERVISOR (Signature and full name) Date:…………………… i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A completed thesis would not be done without any assistance. Therefore, the author who conducted this research gratefully gives acknowledgment to their support and motivation during the time of doing this research. First of all, I would like to express my endless thanks and gratefulness to my supervisor, Tran Thi Le Dung, Ph.
Her kind support and continuous advice went through the process of completing my thesis. Her encouragement and comments significantly enriched and improved my work. Without her motivation and instructions, the thesis would have been impossible to be done effectively. My deep thanks come to all the lecturers of the Faculty of English who gave me a chance to carry out this thesis.
As last, I am deeply grateful to my colleagues for their support and encouragement. ii ABSTRACT This study examines the lexical and contextual meanings the Eminem’s song lyrics. It is carried out to give readers a deep understanding of lexical and contextual meanings found in the lyrics of Eminem’s songs. The study aims to examine the different types of lexical meanings in the lyrics of Eminem's songs and explain the different types of contextual meanings in his song lyrics.
To achieve the aims stated, qualitative and quantitative methods are mainly applied in the study to analyze the meanings of the song lyrics lexically and contextually. The quantitative method is used to collect data from different important sources such as songs, lyrics, etc. The qualitative method is applied to describe and interpret the main features of lexical and contextual meaning in Eminem’s song lyrics. The analytical method that supports the major method is used to analyze the data collected.
The data collected for the study are three songs from the album Encore which was published in 2004, namely: The Mockingbird, Love you more, Mosh. After collecting the data, the author describes, analyzes, and gives conclusions about lexical and contextual meanings found in Eminnem’s song lyrics. Theoretically, the research looks into the semantic aspects of Eminem's music. It provides a thorough explanation of the lexical and contextual meanings included in the lyrics of his popular songs.
The results of this study would be beneficial information for those who conduct a semantic research. Practically, for those who are interested in Eminem’s songs, this study will give them the correct interpretation of lexical and contextual meanings in his songs. iii LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Types of context.
53 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Certificate of Originality .ii Table of contents. iv List of tables and figures. Aims and Objectives of the Study. Aims of the study.
Objectives of the study. Methodology of the study. Scope of the study. Significance of the study.
Structure of the study .4 Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW. Review of previous studies. Studies in Viernam. Kinds of meaning.
The Biography of Eminem .22 Chapter 3: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS. Discussion of the data. Love you more. Limitations of the research.
Recommendations for further research .70 vi Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Rationale Language, a system consisting of spoken and written symbols, has a crucial part in our society. It is an important means of communication that allows us to share our thoughts, ideas, experiences, desires, emotions, feelings, etc. It also helps preserve cultures, build relationships, and exchange information with others…. The role of language in our lives is undeniable.
Language is what makes us human. The primary function of language is to create meanings. Semantics, known as a sub-division of linguistics, investigates the connection between language and meaning. Giving a theoretical account and explanation of meaning in linguistics is its primary purpose.
Different researchers have dealt with various aspects of meaning. According to Bloomfield (1930), language presents a sense, a concept, or an idea through the use of sound. Jackendoff (1983) defined semantics as the study of how language organizes and conveys meanings. The "dimensions of meaning," according to Kreidler (1984, p.41) "include denotation, connotation, sense relations, lexical and grammatical meaning, morphemes, homonymy, polysemy, lexical ambiguity, sentence, and meaning." Frawley (1992) added that in addition to lexical and grammatical elements, meaning may also consist of contextual, referential and non-referential, denotative and connotative, conceptual, associative, and lexemic aspects.
Goddard (2011) stated the major function of language is to express meaning and lexical and contextual meaning are the two types of meaning that can be studied in linguistics, however, Kearns (2000) claimed that the focus of semantics is the research of meaning. Lexical meaning is the relationship between the meaning of the word and the sentence where it is used. It focuses on the connection between words and meanings. Contextual meaning partly or wholly relates to or depends on the context.
In other words, a word may have different meanings in different circumstances. Humans use language in various ways. Some popular forms of language are songs, poems, novels, etc. Every song, a combination of words and music to be sung, is an art form of language that conveys meanings.
Songs and music have a significant place in our lives. Songs are a wonderful compilation of music and lyrics. Music makes lyrics more attractive and lyrics make music more meaningful 1 and interesting. Musicians want to express their emotions, feelings, and send messages to listeners through their songs.
Songs and music have been an indispensable part of human life. A song, a combination of music and lyrics…, usually exposes the musician’s emotions, thoughts, and feelings in life. In their lyrics, composers typically express the meaning either lexically or contextually. As every song includes a message to help readers grasp its content, lyrics can be a means of interpersonal communication.
Eminem is one of the American musicians who leave a deep impression on the author. The author focuses on the lexical and contextual meaning of the lyrics in Eminem's songs to have a thorough understanding of the songs and his emotions and thoughts… as well. The study only looks at lexical and contextual meanings in his song lyrics. Aims and Objectives of the Study 1.
Aims of the study The analysis is carried out to give readers a deep understanding of lexical and contextual meanings found in the lyrics of Eminem’s songs and to be a useful reference in semantic teaching and learning. Objectives of the study The study has two objectives: - To examine the different types of lexical meanings in the lyrics of Eminem's songs - To examine the different types of contextual meanings in Eminem's song lyrics 1. Research questions The thesis must clarify the following questions so as to achieve the aims of the study: - What are the lexical meanings in the lyrics of Eminem's songs? - What are the contextual meanings in the lyrics of Eminem's songs? 1. Methodology of the study The methods used in this study include: Research Method The main aim of the study examine the lexical and contextual meanings of Eminem’s song lyrics.
To achieve the aims stated, qualitative and quantitative methods are mainly applied in the study to analyze the meanings of the song lyrics lexically and contextually. 2 Major methods and supporting methods The main method used in this study is the descriptive method with qualitative and quantitative approaches. The quantitative method is used to collect data from different important sources such as songs, lyrics, etc. The qualitative method is applied to describe and interpret the main features of lexical and contextual meaning in Eminem’s song lyrics.
The analytical method that supports the major method is used to analyze the data collected. Data collection techniques Two techniques are employed to collect the data necessary for the study. Collecting materials and selecting words and phrases with lexical and contextual meaning in song lyrics chosen are both used to achieve the aims of the study. Additionally, Google search is also used to gather information about Eminem and his songs.
It is an effective way to find useful and diverse data that can not be taken from books. Three steps are used in collecting the data for the research. First: Browse Eminem’s album named Encore Second: Choose the right songs for the study Last: Choose three songs to analyze Data analysis techniques The data collected for the study are three songs from the album Encore which was published in 2004, namely: The Mockingbird, Love you more, Mosh. After collecting the data, the author describes, analyzes, and gives conclusions about lexical and contextual meanings found in Eminnem’s song lyrics.
The procedure of data analysis includes the following steps: First: Analyze three selected songs by Eminem Second: Read and listen to the lyrics and the songs to find how his intonation influences the meaning Third: Identify and categorize the aspects of contextual and lexical meanings in the lyrics Last: Give a conclusion based on the data analysis and make suggestions 1. Scope of the study Only three songs from Eminem’s famous album named Encore are selected. They are The Mockingbird, Love You More, and Mosh, respectively. The analysis of his song lyrics is limited to their lexical and contextual meanings.
Significance of the study Theoretically, the research looks into the semantic aspects of Eminem's music. It provides a thorough explanation of the lexical and contextual meanings included in the lyrics of his popular songs. The results of this study would be beneficial information for those who conduct a semantic research. Practically, for those who are interested in Eminem’s songs, this study will give them the correct interpretation of lexical and contextual meanings in his songs.
Structure of the study The Declaration by the Author, Acknowledgements, Abstract, and Table of Contents are included at the beginning of the thesis. The main part of the study includes four chapters as follows: Chapter 1 is the Introduction of the study that explains why the topic is chosen. It also presents the aim, scope, significance, structure as well as the methods applied in the study. Chapter 2 presents an overview of previous studies overseas and in Vietnam related to the research.
This chapter gives a brief theoretical background and theoretical framework of the study. Chapter 3 is the Findings and Discussions. The chapter presents and analyzes the data collected from Eminem’s three songs in the Encore album. It describes the lexical and contextual meanings found in his song lyrics.
Chapter 4 is the conclusions that presents the recapitulation, the limitations of the study and gives some suggestions for further studies. 4 Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2. Review of previous studies 2. Studies overseas Some studies in semantics have been carried out.
"Lexical Semantics" by Cruse (1986) is one of the most outstanding books that looks into semantics. According to Cruse (1986, p.159), "The semantic relationship between a lexical item denoting a part and that denoting the corresponding whole" was taken into consideration in this work.