(A+) The Images of Mother in English and Vietnamese Song Lyrics – A Study Based on Systemic Functional Linguistics Approach

Tác giả: Tạ Thị Thu Hằng

Giảng viên hướng dẫn: Hoàng Văn Vân

Năm xuất bản: 2022

Mô tả: Song lyrics are special research data because they have both written and spoken form. Mother song lyrics draw a great deal of attraction for their educational lessons about maternal love. Up to this time, none of research has yet been conducted to study mother song lyrics in the light of Systemic Functional Linguistics. Accordingly, this research has been implemented to figure out the images of mother in English and Vietnamese song lyrics expressed through experiential meaning (realized in Transitivity resources) and interpersonal meaning (realized in Mood resources). Simultaneously, the similarities and differences between Transitivity and Mood resources found to depict the images of mother in English and Vietnamese song lyrics are also pinpointed. To fulfill the aim, the researcher reviews the theory of Systemic Functional Linguistics and related studies. The common theoretical framework for the study is based on Halliday‟s Systemic Functional Linguistics model. The research methods in the study include comparative, quantitative, qualitative and descriptive, of which comparative is the main method. Twenty-five mother song lyrics in each language are collected to explore and compare the images of mother in terms of experiential and interpersonal meaning. The clause simplex is the most fundamental grammatical unit that carries three strands of meaning. Hence, the clause simplex is taken as the unit of analysis. The findings show that the mother in English and Vietnamese song lyrics is depicted with a number of figures. Regarding the images of mother in English war mother song lyrics, the mother is represented with three distinctive figure: (i) the pillar of strength and the source of spiritual support; (ii) the protector; (iii) the loving and affectionate one. With regard to the images of mother in Vietnamese war mother song lyrics, the mother is depicted as: (i) the great contributor, (ii) the loving and affectionate one; (iii) the symbol of heroic sacrifice. In terms of experiential resources, all six types are used in song lyrics of both languages to portray the images of mother, of which material and relational processes constitute the major part of song lyrics. In terms of interpersonal resources, the declarative is the primary mood type in both English and Vietnamese war songs while the number of modality employed is modest. Moving on to the images of mother in English and Vietnamese peace song lyrics, the mother is portrayed as dedicated caregivers and compared to unique symbols. mother who sacrifices their life for their children. With regard to experiential and interpersonal meanings, like English and Vietnamese war mother song lyrics, material process and the declarative mood type are dominant. In addition to the findings above, the study is intended to provide people who take an interest in SFL a useful reference resource and some suggestions for further research