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This bachelor thesis deals with the use of Present Perfect in British and American news. The aim of the investigations is to find out which type(s) of Present Perfect uses is/are the most preferable in English news reports and the possible differences in the use of Present perfect in relation to Past Simple between British and American English. To begin with, a theoretical part summarized various opinions from different linguists toward Present Perfect, and earlier researches by various authors before the main part of the thesis is presented. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied in order to answer the two research questions. First, the researcher counted the uses of Present Perfect and classified them into four main uses; then analyzed the frequency of these uses. Specific cases were consulted to illustrate the other issues related to Present Perfect usage including time expressions, verb voice, and the difference in choosing Present Perfect and Past simple for indefinite past actions. Looking at data collected, it is striking that Present Perfect was mostly used for indefinite past actions in event reports, followed by the use for resultative actions. Also, active voice of verbs was also more preferable than the passive voice. Meanwhile, there was a difference in the way British and American English referred to actions started in unspecific time in the past. British reporters tended to use Present Perfect while American preferred Past Simple to indicate indefinite past actions in event reports. Considering the result from research, teachers and students should pay more attention to the most frequent use of Present Perfect when teaching and learning, especially for news report activity.
VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER EDUCATION GRADUATION PAPER A STUDY OF PRESENT PERFECT USAGE IN AMERICAN AND BRITISH ELECTRONIC NEWSPAPERS Supervisor: Nguyễn Thị Thùy Linh, M.A Student: Đỗ Thị Vân Anh Course: QH2010.F1.E9 HÀ NỘI - 2014 ĐẠI HỌC QUỐC GIA HÀ NỘI TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC NGOẠI NGỮ KHOA SƯ PHẠM TIẾNG ANH KHÓA LUẬN TỐT NGHIỆP CÁCH SỬ DỤNG THÌ HIỆN TẠI HOÀN THÀNH TRONG BÁO ANH VÀ BÁO MỸ Giáoviênhướngdẫn:Nguyễn Thị Thùy Linh, M.A Sinhviên:Đỗ Thị Vân Anh Khóa: QH2010.F1.E9 HÀ NỘI - 2014 Acceptance I hereby state that I: Do Thi Van Anh, class 10E9, being a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts (TEFL) accepts the requirements of the College relating to the retention and use Bachelor’s Graduation Paper deposited in the library. In terms of these conditions, I agree that the origin of my paper deposited in the library should be accessible for the purposes of study and research, in accordance with the normal conditions established by the librarian for the care, loan or reproduction of the paper. Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh, M.A, for the continuous support of my B.A thesis paper, for her patience, motivation, enthusiasm, and immense knowledge. Her guidance helped me in all the time of research and writing of this thesis. I could not imagine having a better advisor and mentor for my B.A study. Besides my advisor, I would like to thank Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Tam for her advice and assistance in keeping my progress on schedule. My grateful thanks are also extended to staffs at my university library and all staffs at Faculty of Linguistics and Cultures of English Speaking Countries for their enthusiastic support during my process of carrying out the thesis. I would also like to extend my thanks to my parents, brothers and sister and friends for their constant encouragement without which this research would not be possible. 5 Abstract This bachelor thesis deals with the use of Present Perfect in British and American news. The aim of the investigations is to find out which type(s) of Present Perfect uses is/are the most preferable in English news reports and the possible differences in the use of Present perfect in relation to Past Simple between British and American English. To begin with, a theoretical part summarized various opinions from different linguists toward Present Perfect, and earlier researches by various authors before the main part of the thesis is presented. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied in order to answer the two research questions. First, the researcher counted the uses of Present Perfect and classified them into four main uses; then analyzed the frequency of these uses. Specific cases were consulted to illustrate the other issues related to Present Perfect usage including time expressions, verb voice, and the difference in choosing Present Perfect and Past simple for indefinite past actions. Looking at data collected, it is striking that Present Perfect was mostly used for indefinite past actions in event reports, followed by the use for resultative actions. Also, active voice of verbs was also more preferable than the passive voice. Meanwhile, there was a difference in the way British and American English referred to actions started in unspecific time in the past. British reporters tended to use Present Perfect while American preferred Past Simple to indicate indefinite past actions in event reports. Considering the result from research, teachers and students should pay more attention to the most frequent use of Present Perfect when teaching and learning, especially for news report activity. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Acknowledgements i Abstract ii List of tables and charts v CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1. Statement of the problem and the rationale for the study 1 1.2. Aims and objectives of the study 2 1.3. Significant of the study 3 1.4. Research design 3 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 4 2.1. Theoretical background 4 2.1.1. Tense 4 2.1.2. Time 5 2.1.3. Aspect 5 2.1.4. Present Perfect 8 2.1.5 Comparison between the use of Present Perfect in relation to Past Simple in British English and American English 14 2.2. An overview of related studies 14 2.2.1. International related studies 15 2.2.2. Related studies in Vietnam 15 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 16 3.1. Research design 16 3.2. Sampling 17 7 3.3. Data collection and analysis method 18 3.3.1. Data analysis framework 18 3.3.2. Data analysis method and procedure 22 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 23 4.1 Research question 1 23 4.2 Research question 2 35 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION 38 5.1. Summary of findings 38 5.2. Implications 39 5.2.1. Teachers 39 5.2.2. Students 40 5.3. Limitations and suggestions for further studies 40 REFERENCES 41 APPENDICES 43 8 LIST OF TABLES/CHARTS List of table Page 1. Perfect aspect in English 7 2. The number and percentage of Present Perfect uses in the chosen articles 24 3. The percentage of Verb voice with Present Perfect in chosen article 31 9 List of charts page 1. Present Perfect usage in both British and American articles 25 2. Present Perfect usage in British articles 33 3. Present Perfect usage in American articles 34 10 [...]... English and American English According to Salama & Ghaly (1982, p.93), there are some differences between the choices of using Present Perfect or Past Simple as stated below: 2.1.5.1 A finish act with strong current relevance In English, this action can be only used with Present Perfect, but with both Present Perfect and Past Simple in American English This discussion will be the same as we have had... without concerning the importance of authentic materials like newspapers Moreover, there isn’t any further concern about the frequency use of the Present Perfect in the native use of the language This strongly motivates the researcher to carry out her own study to bridge the gaps and play part in the understanding the contemporary situation 24 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY This chapter aims at elaborating on... for events reporting in electronic articles, users have tendency to use Present Perfect for past actions without referring specific time The justification for this use’s popularity may be put on the strong relevance to the context of the string of events In addition, the results of the data show that States of Repeated actions up to the present moment and Resultative Perfect actions were also frequently . Thị Vân Anh Course: QH2010.F1.E9 HÀ NỘI - 2014 ĐẠI HỌC QUỐC GIA HÀ NỘI TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC NGOẠI NGỮ KHOA SƯ PHẠM TIẾNG ANH KHÓA LUẬN TỐT NGHIỆP CÁCH SỬ DỤNG THÌ HIỆN TẠI HOÀN THÀNH TRONG BÁO ANH VÀ. MỸ Giáoviênhướngdẫn:Nguyễn Thị Thùy Linh, M.A Sinhviên:Đỗ Thị Vân Anh Khóa: QH2010.F1.E9 HÀ NỘI - 2014 Acceptance I hereby state that I: Do Thi Van Anh, class 10E9, being a candidate for the degree of Bachelor. continuous support of my B.A thesis paper, for her patience, motivation, enthusiasm, and immense knowledge. Her guidance helped me in all the time of research and writing of this thesis. I could not