INTRODUCTION 1 Rationale
Aims of the study
- Giving some understandings on speech act and politeness
- Studying offering and responding to offers in English and Vietnamese
- Presenting the structures in making offers and responses to offers
- Providing some common conversations of offering and responding to offers.
Methods of the study
My research is grounded in the knowledge and experiences I have gained from my teachers and various reference books I've consulted while learning English Additionally, I have leveraged the vast resources available on the internet, which provides an abundance of information relevant to my graduation paper.
In short, to study successfully and effectively in my studying process, the methods of this study are:
Scope of the study
Studying English reveals many fascinating elements, with the dynamics of making and responding to offers standing out as one of the most intriguing areas of exploration.
This study provides a brief introduction to speech acts, politeness, and the dynamics of making offers in English It emphasizes the importance of responding to offers appropriately and courteously, while also including examples of conversations that illustrate these concepts.
In conducting research, the writer focused on understanding and effectively utilizing offers in communication, as well as for educational purposes.
Design of the study
The graduation paper is divided into three parts and the second one is the most important part
Part I: Introduction, include Rationale of the study, Aims of the study, Scope of the study, Methods of the study and Design of the study
Part II: Development that states three chapters:
Chapter I: Theoretical background dealings with theory of speech act, politeness and context
Chapter II: Offering and responding to offers in English and
Chapter III: Some findings and implication I find out during the study
Part III: Conclusion: summarize the study, state the orientation for further study.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND I Speech act theory
Definition
Speech act theory posits that language is not merely a means of communication but a way of performing actions Traditionally, philosophers have differentiated between actions and speech, suggesting that discussing a subject is distinct from taking action Consequently, the evaluation of utterances focuses on their accuracy in representing reality rather than their effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes.
Language serves multiple purposes beyond making statements; it allows us to request, question, command, promise, express gratitude, and apologize Each speech act encompasses various intentions, including the act of conveying information, the underlying purpose—such as requesting or promising—and the intended impact on the audience.
Speech acts are fundamental acts of communication that convey specific attitudes Each type of speech act corresponds to a distinct attitude: statements express beliefs, requests convey desires, and apologies communicate regret The effectiveness of a speech act relies on the audience's ability to recognize the speaker's intended attitude.
Speech acts are essential elements of communication, encompassing various functions such as apologies, greetings, requests, complaints, invitations, compliments, and refusals These acts can range from simple one-word expressions to more complex utterances, each serving a specific purpose in conveying meaning and facilitating interaction.
Apologizing effectively involves more than just saying "sorry"; it requires a thoughtful expression of regret, such as "I’m sorry I forgot your birthday It completely slipped my mind." Understanding speech acts is essential, as they encompass real-life interactions that necessitate both language proficiency and cultural awareness for appropriate communication.
Here are some examples of speech acts we use or hear every day:
Greeting: "Hi, Eric How are things going?"
Request: "Could you pass me the mashed potatoes, please?"
Complaint: "I’ve already been waiting three weeks for the computer, and I was told it would be delivered within a week."
Invitation: "We’re having some people over Saturday evening and wanted to know if you’d like to join us."
Compliment: "Hey, I really like your tie!"
Refusal: "Oh, I’d love to see that movie with you but this Friday just isn’t going to work."
Speech act hierarchy
Communication involves three key levels of action: the locutionary act, which refers to the actual utterance; the illocutionary act, which encompasses the intention behind the utterance; and the perlocutionary act, which pertains to the effects or responses generated by the utterance.
When a bartender announces, "The bar will be closed in five minutes," he engages in a locutionary act by conveying this information, although the specifics of which bar and the exact timing are not fully defined by his words This statement also serves as an illocutionary act, informing patrons of the bar's imminent closing and encouraging them to order a final drink Additionally, the bartender aims to achieve perlocutionary effects, intending to make patrons believe the bar is closing soon and prompting them to desire and order one last drink Through this single utterance, the bartender effectively performs multiple speech acts across all three levels.
A locution, or locutionary act, refers to the process of expressing coherent thoughts that adhere to the grammatical rules of a language To successfully produce a locutionary act, a speaker must first be able to articulate sounds, which is known as a phonic act, and ensure that their utterances are meaningful, thus creating a propositional act of reference Individuals who struggle with forming sounds and words—such as those learning a foreign language or experiencing speech difficulties—may find it challenging to execute a locutionary act effectively.
The perlocutionary act (or just simply the perlocution) carried out by a speaker making an utterance is the act of causing a certain effect on the hearer and others.(Hurford, R)
If I say “There’s a hornet in your left ear”, it may well cause you to panic, scream and scratch wildly at your ear Causing these emotions and actions of your is the perlocutions of my utterance, or the perlocutionary act I perform by making that utterance
The perlocution of an utterance is the causing of a change to be brought about, perhaps unintentionally, through, or by means of, the utterance (Latin per
The importance of distinguishing the perlocutionary aspect of speech acts lies in the fact that perlocutions can occur accidentally, leading to a less systematic connection with various sentence types.
Perlocutionary acts are not the direct effects of an original utterance; instead, they represent the portion of the overall communicative act that generates those effects.
The illocutionary act, or illocution, refers to the significance of a speaker's utterance within a conventional social interaction framework According to Hurford, this act emphasizes the meaning and intent behind what is said, highlighting its role in communication.
Illocutions are socially defined actions that encompass a variety of communicative acts, including greeting, apologizing, challenging, and thanking These acts, such as offering, congratulating, and protesting, play a crucial role in interpersonal interactions by conveying intentions and emotions within social contexts.
In saying: “I’m very grateful to you for all you have done for me” performs the illocutionary act of thanking
Illocutionary acts serve as a complex form of social currency, enabling speakers to engage, negotiate, and interact with one another In this context, social interactions can be seen as exchanges of these illocutionary acts, highlighting their significance in communication.
Speaker A: “You took the last biscuit” (accusation)
2.4 Differences between illocutions and perlocutions:
As a further indication of the notion of illocutionary act, we contrast it with that of perlocutionary act The perlocution of an utterance is often quite different from its illocution
The illocutionary act of an utterance reflects the speaker's intended meaning and is fully controlled by them at the moment of speaking In contrast, the perlocutionary act, which results from the utterance, may not be intended, is beyond the speaker's control, and often becomes apparent only after the utterance has been made.
In communication, it is more common to describe a speaker as "trying" to perform a perlocutionary act, such as amusing or shocking an audience, rather than an illocutionary act, like apologizing or making an offer This distinction suggests that illocutionary acts imply an obstruction in the speaker's ability to express themselves, while perlocutionary acts do not carry the same connotation Consequently, many communicative acts can be effectively categorized as either illocutionary or perlocutionary.
Addressing someone is considered an illocutionary act because it is a deliberate choice made by the speaker, who can confidently execute this action upon decision In contrast, the hearer, or addressee, cannot choose whether to be addressed, although they may choose to disregard the address.
Persuasion is considered a perlocutionary act, as the speaker cannot guarantee that the hearer will be convinced, leaving the decision to be persuaded up to the listener While there are ambiguous cases, such as contradictions that exhibit traits of both illocutionary and perlocutionary acts, the distinction between these two categories is generally clear for many utterances.
Focusing on the illocutions of utterances rather than their perlocutions increases the likelihood of uncovering systematic relationships between speech acts and sentence types.
In short, making the careful distinction between illocutionary acts and perlocutionary acts enables us to simplify the problem of relating speech to acts.
Felicity
Speech can be viewed as a form of action, where utterances serve as significant social acts like accusations, confessions, and greetings This raises the question of how speakers determine the appropriateness of these social moves To address this, we must introduce the concept of felicity conditions, which help clarify the circumstances under which illocutions are effectively used.
Felicity conditions are essential criteria that must be met for an illocutionary act to be performed correctly According to Hurford, these conditions ensure that the act is executed in a manner that is considered appropriate or successful within the given context.
In the context of illocutionary acts, a key felicity condition for ordering is that the speaker must hold a position of authority over the hearer For instance, if a servant instructs the Queen to "Open the window," this creates an incongruity, rendering the act of ordering infelicitous Conversely, when the Queen issues the same command to the servant, the act is appropriate and carries no infelicity.
A key requirement for the illocutionary act of accusing is that the action or characteristic attributed to the accused must be deemed wrong Therefore, it is appropriate to accuse someone of serious offenses like theft or murder, while accusations of benign actions, such as being kind or helping an elderly person, are generally considered inappropriate.
To understand the felicity conditions of an illocutionary act, it's helpful to envision a scenario where a speaker attempts the act but it fails due to situational factors For instance, in the question "Have that cigarette?", the speaker intends to offer a cigarette; however, the act is infelicitous because the hearer already possesses the cigarette This illustrates that a key felicity condition for offering is that the recipient must not already have the item being offered.
Direct, indirect and nonliteral speech acts
Speech acts can be executed in various ways, including direct or indirect methods, and can be conveyed literally or nonliterally based on word usage Additionally, these acts can be expressed explicitly or inexplicitly, depending on how clearly the intended meaning is articulated.
The distinctions between indirection and nonliteral utterances are crucial in understanding speech acts Indirection occurs when a single utterance simultaneously performs one illocutionary act through another, such as making a request by stating, "I am getting thirsty." Nonliteral utterances, on the other hand, convey a meaning that diverges from the literal interpretation of the words, as seen in phrases like "My mind got derailed." Sometimes, utterances can be both nonliteral and indirect, such as saying "I love the sound of your voice" to ironically express dislike and indirectly request someone to stop singing.
Politeness
In various social settings, the way we communicate our needs differs significantly Among friends, direct requests like “Go get me that plate!” or “Shut up!” may be acceptable However, in more formal environments, especially when adults and parents are present, polite expressions such as “Could you please pass me that plate, if you don’t mind?” or “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt, but I’m not able to hear the speaker in front of the room” are necessary Adapting our language to suit the occasion is essential, as failing to do so can be perceived as socially inappropriate.
Politeness is essential for maintaining social order and fostering human cooperation, making it a fundamental aspect of human social life (Brown & Levinson).
To perform an action other than in the most clear and efficient manner is to implicate some degree of politeness on part of speaker
Politeness strategies are essential for preserving an individual's self-esteem, often referred to as "face," in both public and private interactions These strategies aim to prevent embarrassment or discomfort for the other person Conversely, Face Threatening Acts (FTAs) undermine this need for respect and self-esteem, highlighting the importance of maintaining politeness in communication.
There are four main types of politeness strategies: bald on record, negative politeness, positive politeness, and off-record or indirect strategies
Bald on-record strategies typically do not aim to reduce the threat to the hearer’s face, but they can implicitly minimize face-threatening acts (FTAs) This approach can often shock or embarrass the addressee, making it most effective in contexts where the speaker shares a close relationship with the audience, such as among family or close friends Various scenarios may employ the bald on-record strategy effectively.
Instances in which threat minimizing does not occur
Speaking as if great efficiency is necessary
Little or no desire to maintain someone's face
Don't forget to clean the blinds!
Doing the FTA is in the interest of the hearer
Instances in which the threat is minimized implicitly
Leave it, I'll clean up later
Positive politeness strategies aim to reduce threats to the hearer's self-esteem by making them feel valued and appreciated These strategies are commonly employed in familiar social contexts and include techniques such as hedging, avoiding conflict, expressing friendship, and offering compliments According to Brown and Levinson, these approaches help foster a sense of solidarity and enhance interpersonal relationships.
Attend to H’s interests, needs, wants
You look sad Can I do anything?
Use solidarity in- group identity markers
Hey, mate; can you lend me a dollar?
I’ll just come along, if you don’t mind
Include both speaker (S) and hearer (H) in activity
If we help each other, I guess, we’ll both sink or swim in this course
If you wash the dishes, I’ll vacuum the floor
Exaggerate interest in H and his interests
That’s a nice haircut you got; where did you get it?
Yes, it’s rather long; not short certainly
Negative politeness strategies focus on respecting the listener's desire for autonomy and minimizing potential imposition By acknowledging the likelihood of awkwardness or embarrassment, these strategies prioritize the hearer's negative face Speakers often incorporate distancing techniques, such as apologies, to provide an option for the listener to disengage, thereby enhancing communication while maintaining respect for personal boundaries.
Would you know where Oxford Street is?
Perhaps, he might have taken it, maybe
Could you please pass the rice?
You couldn’t find your way to lending me a thousand dollars, could you?
It’s not too much out of your way, just a couple of blocks
Use obviating structures, like nominalizations, passives, or statements of general rules
I hope offense will not be taken
Spitting will not be tolerated
I’m sorry; it’s a lot to ask, but can you lend me a thousand dollars?
We regret to inform you
This strategy employs indirect language to minimize the speaker's imposition on the listener For instance, instead of directly requesting assistance, a speaker might comment, “wow, it’s getting cold in here,” subtly suggesting that the listener should adjust the thermostat without explicitly asking them to do so.
1 Quality maxim (say what is true) – sarcastic irony (e.g., “That’s brilliant”, when it is not), metaphor (e.g., “My job is a jail”), rhetorical questions (e.g.,
“Did someone leave the light on?”)
2 Manner maxim (be clear) result in the use of euphemisms and vagueness regarding the face-threatening act (e.g., “I wonder who forgot to do the dishes?”)
3 Quantity maxim (be as informative as required) can result in understatement (e.g., “It’s OK” as a less than positive response to another’s new hair cut) and overstatement (“the line in the grocery store was a mile
Also, denying believed propositions (e.g., Ronald Reagan is not an alcoholic) increases belief in proposition
Relation maxim (be relevant) raising an issue can trigger a directive interpretation (e.g., I’m thirsty” as a request for something to drink.
Context
The context of an utterance refers to a specific segment of the shared discourse between the speaker and the listener It encompasses relevant facts about the conversation's topic as well as details about the situational environment in which the dialogue occurs.
When engaging in a conversation about the weather with a stranger on a bus, the relevant context includes observable facts such as the current weather conditions, the bus's crowdedness, and the basic characteristics of the speakers However, unrelated facts—like England's 1966 World Cup victory or the habitat of kangaroos—do not contribute to the context of this specific dialogue, despite both individuals potentially being aware of them.
The context of any utterance is inherently flexible and cannot be defined with absolute certainty It encompasses not only the immediate circumstances but can also include facts from distant times and places relevant to the topic of discussion For instance, a conversation in Britain five years later may still be influenced by historical events or figures from Egypt, illustrating the broad scope of contextual relevance in communication.
The use of the definite article is context-dependent; what may seem inappropriate in one situation can be entirely suitable in another.
Conversations continuously construct context as they unfold, with new topics and items being introduced and integrated into the ongoing dialogue As discussions progress, previously unmentioned elements can suddenly become relevant, shaping the context for subsequent remarks Over time, earlier points may fade from the conversation's context, though the exact duration for this fading process varies and cannot be precisely determined.
CHAPTER II: OFFERING AND RESPONDING TO OFFERS IN
Offering
An offer is a courteous gesture that reflects a willingness to assist someone based on their needs, expressing readiness to provide help or fulfill a request.
Its goal is to do something yourself or just do it without saying anything Offer is carried out on a condition that there are at least two participants
Would you like a cup of tea?
You are willing to bring a cup of tea to the hearer, and the hearer possibly wants or not
In some cases, if you want to be very polite when someone else is doing something, you can also offer to help
E.g Shall I get it for you?
Making offers in English requires an understanding of etiquette and politeness, as well as knowledge of specific words and expressions The manner of offering varies based on the social distance between communicators While it can be challenging to know how to make an offer, doing so politely can lead to better outcomes when offering assistance or help.
Effective communication in daily interactions involves clearly expressing one's willingness or desire Properly making an offer is crucial, as it influences not only the likelihood of receiving a favorable response but also shapes people's attitudes toward one another Understanding how to present offers effectively can enhance relationships and foster positive interactions.
An offer is made when individuals wish to express politeness and a willingness to assist others in completing a task Typically, when a responsibility arises, people often take it upon themselves to address it sincerely.
Or, they wish to do things together to the people being offered, including the case they offer to do it themselves
In addition, people offer when someone needs help It means that, they ask someone whether he/she needs a hand or not
In some situations, an offer is like an invitation to the other When people give an invitation, in other words, they are offering
Similar to request or command, offer is one of an important part in communication.
Offering in English
Offers in English can be expressed through various sentence types, including questions, statements, and imperative sentences Each type conveys the speaker's willingness to provide something to the listener Understanding these distinctions enhances clarity in communication.
1 Offering in form of question:
There are many kinds of questions in English, in offering we only consider the following types of questions: Yes/no question, elliptic question, how-question, tag-question
Offering acts often involve uncertainty, making question forms a popular choice for making offers The most common type used is the Yes/No question that starts with the auxiliary "Shall."
- Shall I carry your baggage to your room?
- Shall I make a cup of tea?
Standard offers frequently begin with "shall," as this phrasing is commonly used when making offers Additionally, modal verbs such as "can" or "may" can also initiate offers.
- Can I hang your coat up for you?
- Can I help you with that?
- May I get you another drink?
(J Leo, A Richard, New international business English, Page 29)
In general, "can" and "may" can effectively replace "shall" in offers without altering their meaning or effectiveness, indicating that the speaker (S) intends to perform an action beneficial to the listener (H) These offers are S-oriented, emphasizing the speaker's willingness to act In contrast, offers that typically start with "would" are H-oriented, focusing on the listener's needs or preferences.
- Would you like to have a rest?
- Would you like to have a cup of tea?
- Would you like to dance?
- Would you like to go and see a film this evening?
The action offered in these offers is for H to perform and is considered as favor or a good thing that benefits H Now let us have a look at the following examples:
“Would you like me to + V?” e.g
- Would you like me to take you home?
- Would you like me to send it today?
- Would you like me to help you with your English?
(Cathrine Walter, New Cambridge English course Student 2, page 109)
These above offers are H-Oriented ones Subject is “you”; however, the action is performed by Speaker These offers can be paraphrased into “Do you agree that
I… (do something)” Here, S asks for permission to do something that benefits
H; therefore, this kind of offers is more polite and formal one
- Would you like a cup of tea?
- Would you like some toast?
- Would you like some wine?
- Would you like some grapes?
In above examples, the offered objects are things not actions
Let’s see the following conversation in a hotel:
A: Hi I have an appointment with Peter De Vuyst
B: Right, Mrs Sand Would you like to take a seat?
A: I’m in a hurry, actually May I go straight up? I know the way
B: I’m afraid you’ll need security clearance first
B: It will take a few minutes, I’m afraid There is fresh coffee over there if you would like a cup while you want
A: Yes, please Don’t worry I’ll help myself
Elliptic questions are the questions with the ellipsis of subject, auxiliary verb and main verb
Elliptic questions foster a sense of informality and are commonly used in close relationships This type of questioning allows the speaker to present two or more alternatives for the listener to choose from, enhancing engagement and interaction.
The hearer has three ways of replying: choosing tea, choosing coffee, or choosing none of tea or coffee
Direct offerings provide clear options, making them appear less polite compared to Yes/No questions These types of offerings are typically used in informal situations.
A: I’m just going to the coffee machine Would you like some coffee?
(J Leo, A Richard, New international business English, Page 19)
In this form of offering, the hearer is not only offered but also receives the requirement of thinking about options under the statement responses
- How would you like a game of tennis?
- How about me getting it for you?
With phrase: How about, speakers often offer an invitation, a suggestion of doing something in the future
- How about going to see a movie?
The hearer/subject’s option isn’t appeared in offer
A: Are you doing anything special tonight?
B: No, not really I’m just going home and watching TV
A: How about going out for a drink?
A: Are you doing anything tomorrow afternoon?
A: Well, how about going to a movie?
B: Good idea It’s nearly a month since I last saw a picture
Sometimes “How about” in these sentences can be replaced by “What about”:
- What about going to see a movie this evening?
- What about going out for a drink?
A tag-question consists of two main components: the statement and the tag-part In offers presented as tag-questions, the statement expresses a willingness or desire to do something for someone, while the tag-part reinforces this desire and reiterates the initial idea The tag-part, positioned at the end of the sentence, signals to the listener that the speaker intends to fulfill the offer made in the statement, seeking agreement rather than information.
In this form of offer, the most common modal auxiliary verb used is shall
In standard tag questions, a positive statement is followed by a negative tag, while a negative statement is paired with a positive tag However, offers presented as tag questions differ from this norm, as both the statement and the tag are positive.
I’ll pick you up at 7 p.m, shall I?
2 Offering in form of statement:
Sometimes, when offering, people don’t need to raise up a question, the hearer still understands what the speaker wants to offer:
- I’ll type the report for you
- If you wish, we would be happy to bring them for you
- If you need any help, just let me know
(New International Business English, page 29)
- If you like, I could get it for you
The structure of this kind of offering:
If you wish/like, we/I would/could…
Through this offer, the speaker wants to know the hearer wish by using very formal structure: conditional sentence
You look tired, I’ll get you some hot milk
In that way of speaking, you go straight to the matter; you directly raise the offers up
- I’d like to recommend you a good dentist
- I’ll pick you up this evening at 7.30
3 Offering in form of imperative sentence:
- Let me get it for you
- Help yourself to more beer
Using this way of offering the conversation seems to be very informal with the form of imperative sentence:
In a relaxed communication atmosphere, the relationship between the speaker and listener is intimate, often characterized by friends of similar age engaging in conversation This closeness fosters a sense of comfort, making the interaction feel like home, as participants openly offer support and connection to one another.
To make offer more polite, we add please to the sentence:
The position of please in the sentence doesn’t influence to the meaning of the sentence Please can be initial or final
Not similar to the request, the offer in form of imperative sentences doesn’t mean that the speaker order/ask the hearer to do something
We can see the offering in form of imperative sentence in the following conversation:
John: Oh, Anne, that was a wonderful dinner That’s the best meal I’ve had in a long time
Anne: Oh, thank you Thank you very much!
John: Can I give a hand with dishes?
Anne: Uh, uh Don’t bother I’ll do them myself later Hey, would you like me to fix some coffee?
John: Uh, thanks a lot I’d love some Uh, would you mind if I smoke?
Anne: Why, not at all Here, let me get you an ashtray
John: Aw, thanks very much!
“Here, let me get you an ashtray” It means that Anne offered John permission to smoke, and that made John felt comfortable
Imperative sentences direct the listener to perform an action, reflecting the speaker's intention Unlike requests, the listener has the choice to accept or decline the action, making the level of obligation less intense.
Offering in Vietnamese
In Vietnamese, offers vary significantly based on formality, intimacy, age, social status, and context, much like in English, where intonation and stress play key roles Unique to Vietnamese, a diverse range of vocative personal pronouns enhances the nuanced meanings of offers, reflecting the language's distinct characteristics.
1 Offering in form of question:
An offer in form of question in Vietnamese often ends with the auxiliary word
- Cháu mở cửa giúp bác nhé?
Can I open the door for you?
- Để mình giúp bạn một tay nhé?
- Tối nay đi chơi với mình nhé?
Would you like to go out this evening?
Auxiliary words in Vietnamese, as noted by NguyÔn H÷u Quúnh (2001), serve to enrich the meaning of words and sentences while also reflecting the speaker's attitude These words, akin to adverbs and relative terms, do not function as the main elements of sentences, such as subjects or predicates; instead, they provide supplementary meaning Importantly, the removal of auxiliary words does not alter the fundamental structure of phrases and sentences.
The term "NhÐ" is classified as a "formal word" rather than a "notional word." Using this word in conversations creates a relaxed atmosphere, making the interaction feel less tense and more persuasive This approach helps to bridge the gap between strangers and enhances the speaker's intentions.
In addition, formality can also be reached by the tag question:
“được không/có được không?”
Mình xách hành lý cho bạn có đ-ợc không?
Can I help you with your luggage?
Similar to “nhé”, we see offering with “chứ”
Bây giờ về rồi chứ? (Diệp Quang Ban, Ngữ pháp Tiếng Việt)
The question word “được không, có được không, chứ” are often used in offering in Vietnamese
Sometimes, we add formal word “ạ” when the hearers are the old to express the respect
- Cháu xách hành lý cho bác có đ-ợc không ạ?
Can I help you with your luggage?
- Cháu mở cửa giúp bác đ-ợc không ạ?
Can I open the door for you?
Some offers end with “…thì sao nhỉ”
- Còn bữa tối vào tối thứ 7 này thì sao nhỉ?
How about dinner this Saturday?
In this context, the speaker extends an informal invitation to the listener for dinner, using the phrase "Thì sao nhỉ," which reflects a sense of equality in age and status between them.
Some offers end with question word “không”:
- Cậu có muốn đi xem trận đấu quần vợt với mình vào chủ nhật tuần này không?
Would you like to see a tennis match with me this Sunday?
- Would you like some biscuit?
Bạn có muốn vài cái bánh bít qui không?
- What/How about some fish?
Còn món cá thì sao?
- Why don’t you go with us?
Bạn đi với chúng tôi nhé?
- Would you like to join with us?
Có muốn tham gia cùng với chúng tôi không?
Chúng ta cùng nhau đi nhé?
- Would you like to come along?
Bạn có muốn tham gia không?
2 Offering in form of statement:
Similar to English, in offering in Vietnamese in form of statement, the speaker states an offer without using question-words and question marks
Em sẽ giới thiệu cho sếp một nha sĩ giỏi!
I’d like to recommend you a good dentist (Between employee-employer) Trông em có vẻ mệt, để chị lấy cho em cốc sữa nóng!
You look tired, I’ll get you some hot milk
3 Offering in form of imperative sentence:
Offers of this type often begin with “để” or “hãy để” as in:
- §Ó anh gióp em mét tay
- Hãy để đấy cho mình
If the speaker wants to be more direct, he/she can make his/her offer in form of an imperative sentence rather than a question
- Đằng ấy đi chơi với tớ cái đi! (Diệp Quang Ban)
- Ngon đáo để, cứ thử ăn mà xem! (Diệp Quang Ban)
It’s really delicious, let’s try!
Such cases above are used when speaker and hearer are closed (may be friends)
In Vietnamese, offering in form of imperative sentences represent an informal attitude, the communication environment is comfortable
In the situation, one man offers a younger woman to have a cup of coffee
Em đi có một mình à? Thọ ngập ngừng Ta vào kia uống cà phê đi Let’s have a cup of coffee
See some following sentences with “let’s”
- Tất cả cùng uống một chầu nào
- Chúng ta hãy đi kiếm nơi nào uống một chút đi
Let’s go and have a drink somewhere
Let’s go and have an ice-cream
The speaker wants to create comfortable feelings to hearer, like in the following situations:
– Thế nào cũng ra công viên chén với mình và Ba đã
Dine with me and Ba at the inn in the park
– Hãy thong thả, uống vài chén chè tàu với tôi đã
Have a cup of tea with me
– Tự nhiên dùng thêm r-ợu vang
Help yourself to some more wine.
Responding to offers in English and Vietnamese
1 Responding to offer in English:
When presented with an offer in English, the listener can respond in two ways: by accepting or refusing the offer Depending on the context, the methods of acceptance and refusal may vary There are various ways to respond to offers in English, which can be categorized into informal and formal responses.
Among many ways to accept an offer, one common way follows the structure:
In accepting an offer, saying “thanks” is very important, because “thanks” present not only politeness but also the pleasant and thanking of the hearer to the speaker
It’s short answer of accepting to offer In addition, the long answers following express the politeness and formality:
- That is very kind of you Thank you very much
- That would be great Thank you
- Oh, would you? Thank you very much
- That’s nice of you Thanks
Depending on the expected result, relationship, certain situation, the hearer chooses the different ways to present the acceptance to offer:
That’s very kind of you
- Would you like some toast?
- Would you like to dance?
- Would you like me to carry that for you?
- Would you like me to turn the lights on?
Let’s see in the following conversations:
(a) A: Are you doing anything special tonight?
B: No, not really I’m just going home and watching TV
A: How about coming out for a drink?
(b) A: I don’t know when I’ll get time to get to the post office
B: Shall I post them for you?
A: Oh, that would be great Thanks a lot
(c) Offering a classmate to spend the evening with you at your home: A: Are you going to do anything special this evening, Jane?
B: No, I don’t think I have anything special to do
A: Would you like to come over and spend the evening with us We’ve a friend who just came from China I thought you might be interested in meeting her
B: Sure, I’d love to I’ll come over around seven
A: That’s fine See you later
How to refuse to offer politely is very important in communication
When presenting an offer, the speaker aims for a positive response, as a refusal can significantly impact their self-esteem If the listener declines in a rude manner, it can lead to embarrassment for the speaker Therefore, a polite refusal is essential to prevent awkwardness and maintain a respectful dialogue.
One refusing sentence has the form as following:
Saying “No” + “thanks” + the reason for refusing offer
No, thanks, don’t bother I can do it myself
No, it’s all right, thanks I think I can manage
Thanks ever so much, but it’s all right, really
Saying "No" involves politely declining an offer while expressing gratitude for it The responder should convey appreciation and openness to future opportunities, ensuring that their refusal is accompanied by reasonable explanations or ideas.
There are some offering and refusing to offers:
- Would you like some grapes?
No, thanks, it looks lovely, but I’m full
- Shall I open it for you?
No, thanks I can do it myself
- Can I hang your coat up for you?
No, thanks I’ll keep it on
- Would you like to go and see a film this evening?
Not this evening, thanks Perhaps another time?
In any situation, it's important to graciously acknowledge offers from others, regardless of whether you need them If you don't require the offer, simply express your gratitude and let them know that you might be available for their assistance in the future.
The hearer refuses and gives another choice:
(a) Would you like some tea?
Thanks, I’d prefer coffee, if you’ve got some
(b) Shall I put the kettle on for a cup of tea?
I’d prefer coffee, if you have some
In both (a) and (b), the speaker offers a cup of tea, but the hearer prefers coffee, so, the hearer gives the one more option - coffee
(1) A: Here, shall I open the door for you?
A: You have got a lot there Shall I give you a hand?
B: No, it’s all right Thanks I can manage
(2) A: I have lost all my money
A: No, thanks, all the same
B: Well, shall I give you a lift home then?
When refusing to offer, the hearer often present the regret not to have the chance to receive offer
You must be polite and respectful to anyone offering help This applies whether you need the assistance or not
In the following conversation, the speaker makes an offer of going out for seeing a concert:
A: Tim, I want to ask if you’re free on Wednesday evening I’ve got two tickets for the theatre and unfortunately my wife can’t go I’m wondering if you might like to go with me
B: Gee, I’m really sorry I can’t go
A: I thought you had no classes on Wednesday
B: No, I don’t teach on Wednesday But this Wednesday, I’ve to baby-sit A: What? Babysitting? Where is Joan?
B: She’s going to an evening class
(TiÕng Anh giao tiÕp thÕ kû 21)
The hearer gives some reasons for not accepting the offer:
The offer: “Would you like to see a movie?”
There are several ways of refusing:
- Thank you I’d like to, but I have to work late
- Thank you, I’d love to, but I need to save money
- Thank you, I’d like to, but I want to visit my parents
- Oh, I’m sorry, but I can’t go I’m very busy
- That’s very kind of you, but…
- I think I’d prefer do that myself because…
- No, thank you It’s not necessary
When someone offers you help, always express gratitude, regardless of whether you need assistance If you feel capable of managing on your own, kindly inform them while acknowledging their willingness to help Let them know that you appreciate their offer and may reach out for their support in the future This approach fosters goodwill and keeps the door open for future assistance.
That kind of refusing rarely appears
Thanks Thank you Thanks anyway (c)
Thanking Reason why not accepting the offer Thanks I will reserve these books and pick them up later as I will take my younger sister tomorrow (d)
Reason/explanation why not accepting
But I’m okay without that item
But I can open it myself
It means, “Thank you for offering, but I think I’m Ok with this at the moment I really appreciate your offer.”
Oh, what a pity I wish I didn’t buy the ticket for the bus coming
2 Responding to offers in Vietnamese:
How to offer is very important in Vietnamese, and how to respond to offers is more important In Vietnamese, there are many ways to respond to offer
Most of acceptance of Vietnamese is formal and sensitive; still, there are some informal ways:
With offer: Can I open the door for you?
There are several ways to reply:
- Vâng, cám ơn (Yes, thanks) (informal way)
- Vâng, quí hoá quá (Thanks, that is very kind of you.) (formal way)
- Qúi hoá quá, thế thì còn gì bằng (Thank you That’s very kind of you) (formal way)
You are offered to come to a party You are very happy You express pleasant through these responses:
- Vâng, tuyệt quá, tôi rất thích
Yes, that’d be splendid I’d love to
Effective communication involves selecting the appropriate speech act to achieve a specific purpose For instance, when declining an invitation to a movie, the choice of response should consider the desired outcome, the nature of the relationship, and the context of the conversation.
- ờ! Phim xem rồi! Mình chả đi đâu!(2)
- Ôi! Phim đó chán ơi là chán! Xem làm gì!(3)
- Cậu điên à? Tối nay đài báo là có bão…(4)
- Cháu rất cảm ơn bác, nh-ng hôm nay cháu trót hẹn một ng-ời bạn rồi…(5)
(Đinh Trọng Lạc-Nguyễn Thái Hoà, Phong cách học Tiếng Việt)
Different ways of responding convey various meanings and attitudes For close friends or familiar individuals, informal responses often include humor, as seen in examples (1), (2), (3), and (4) Conversely, when addressing elders, it is essential to respond with politeness and sincerity, as illustrated in example (5).
In daily conversation, how to refuse offer effectively is not simple See several ways as following:
Direct way to refuse offer:
- Lên xe tôi chở về nhà!
Tôi không cần anh hộ tống về đâu!
I don’t need to escort me home!
This direct way may lose the hearer’s face However, we rarely use this way The communicators often use polite, light ways to succeed in refusing offer
Thôi cảm ơn lòng tốt của bạn!
No, thanks for your kindness
Không đâu, anh biết là không thể mà, dù sao cũng cảm ơn
No, no I know you can’t Thanks anyway
Indirect ways to refuse to offer:
“Can I open the door for you?”
Thôi mày mở cánh cửa này không đ-ợc đâu!
No, you can’t open this door
Or: Tao không muốn mày phá cái cửa này đâu
I don’t want you to destroy this door
Or: Chà, chà Anh tốt quá, nh-ng em nghĩ em tự mở đ-ợc Cảm ơn anh nhá!
Look! You are so kind! But I think I can do it myself Thanks
Some responses to the offer:
Dạ, cảm ơn chú Phiền chú quá Cháu đợi đ-ợc mà!
Thanks No worry I’m waiting here
Bạn thật hào phóng làm sao, nh-ng tôi quen với việc này rồi!
You’re so generous, but I’m familiar with it
Cảm ơn em, anh nặng hơn Tr- Bát Giới đó! Có chở nổi không? (a joke)
Thanks, but I’m heavier than Mr Tru Bat Gioi Can you do it?
Không, em phải về bằng xe buýt, vì ba đang đợi ở bến xe buýt kế tiếp mà!
No, I must come home by bus, because my Dad is waiting for me at the next bus stop!
We can draw the general structure to refuse offer:
Direct ways to refuse offers:
Negative words/phrases Thanking Thôi
Không Khái cÇn/Cãc cÇn Chả cần đâu
Cảm ơn Cảm ơn Cảm ơn Cảm ơn
The equivalence to “No, thank you” or “No, thanks”, commonly, is “không, cảm ơn”; however, in very informal situation, that is, “chả cần đâu/cóc cần đâu, cảm ơn!”
Thanking Reasons/explanation why not accepting Cảm ơn anh
Em cã thÓ ®i xe buýt vÒ Mình chờ xe buýt đ-ợc rồi
Sympathizing with S Proposal Làm gì đủ sức mà chở Để đó
Expressing afraidness Reason/Explanation for afraidness
Em không muốn làm phiền sếp thôi anh đổ mồ hôi vì những chuyện vặt này
Words/phrases Thanking Reason/explanation why not accepting
Some other refusals are flexibly used as in:
- ừ, xe buýt sắp đến rồi Anh cảm ơn em nhé!
- Dạ, em không muốn anh đổ mồ hôi vì cánh cửa này đâu ạ!(employer- employee)
“I can lend you my money!”
Is: “Mày tưởng mày là ai chứ? Bill Gate hả? mà đòi cho anh mày mượn tiền.” This refusal is very informal, like a joke.
FINDINGS AND IMPLICATION
Findings
The study of making and responding to offers in English and Vietnamese revealed several intriguing aspects of this subject, highlighting the differences and similarities in communication styles between the two languages.
Effective communication and communicative competence are essential for language learners It is crucial for them to develop strong communicative skills, which encompass understanding how language functions within specific socio-cultural contexts, in addition to mastering linguistic competence, which involves knowledge of grammar and structure.
Politeness is a crucial aspect of communication in both English and Vietnamese, as it fosters a pleasant and comfortable interaction Without politeness, conversations can become unpleasant, leading to discomfort among communicators The principles of politeness in English closely mirror those found in Vietnamese, highlighting its universal importance in effective communication.
The study explores various methods for making and responding to offers, emphasizing that the approach varies based on age, relationship, and context It highlights that individuals may choose to respond formally or informally depending on these factors Additionally, the research reveals both similarities and differences in the ways offers are made and responded to in English and Vietnamese.
In both English and Vietnamese, making offers involves providing something beneficial to the recipient, demonstrating the speaker's consideration and goodwill This act reflects the speaker's intention to engage in actions that positively impact the listener, highlighting the importance of mutual respect and understanding in communication.
H will accept the offer The offering act is tentative and embodies a degree of uncertainty so it always calls for an answer of either acceptance or refusals from
Both speakers of English and Vietnamese can choose from various forms and ways of offering which may include forms of questions, form of statements and form of imperative sentences
To enhance the effectiveness of offers, both English and Vietnamese speakers can utilize similar linguistic tools, particularly lexical items In English, the term "please" is commonly employed, while Vietnamese speakers often use words like "hãy," "cứ," and "nhé" to convey politeness in their requests.
In both English and Vietnamese, hearers strive to refuse offers tactfully to avoid hurting the speakers' feelings, ensuring their responses are reasonable When accepting offers, hearers in both languages express their happiness Nonetheless, notable differences exist in the way offers are made in English compared to Vietnamese.
In English, the types of questions used for making offers are more diverse compared to Vietnamese English includes Yes/No questions, elliptic questions, tag questions, and inquiries starting with "How." In contrast, Vietnamese primarily utilizes Yes/No questions with "nhé" or "chứ," as well as the tag question "đ-ợc không ạ?"
In addition, the vocabulary used in offers in Vietnamese is much more diversified Vietnamese speakers often use such words as “nhé”, “ạ”,”dạ”,
“thôi”…that are difficult to find their equivalents in English Moreover, the addressing system in Vietnamese is much more complicated than it is in English.
Implication
Language learners often seek to understand the culture associated with their target language, as this knowledge enhances their ability to communicate effectively with native speakers By exploring the customs and lifestyles of native speakers, learners can improve their fluency and naturalness in conversation Successful interaction in a foreign language relies not only on linguistic skills but also on a deep understanding of cultural nuances and expectations.
Properly making and responding to offers is crucial in the restaurant business, where politeness is highly valued Customers are often more forgiving of mistakes than they are of rudeness Therefore, courteous communication is essential for the success of restaurant staff, including waiters and waitresses.
Hence, the waiters always must communicate and behave politely with their guests Here are some tips for making offers politely in business meetings:
- Don’t use phrase like: “What do you want to drink…?”, that sounds rude, so, please use “Would you like…?”/ “What would you like?”, that sounds more polite
E.g Would you like a cup of coffee?
Using “please” shows your pleasure to offer something to somebody:
Would you like some toast, please?
Verbs play a crucial role in shaping the mood of a sentence, enabling a polite and diplomatic tone They foster a sense of closeness between the speaker and the listener, effectively reducing the emotional distance in communication Additionally, paying attention to the use of various modal verbs is essential for conveying nuanced meanings.
For example, using modal verb “could” sounds more polite than “can”:
In the sentence (1), the hearer will feel more comfortable.
CONCLUSION 1 Summary of the study
Suggestions for further study
The topic of offering and responding to offers in both English and Vietnamese presents a wide scope for researchers This study aims to provide valuable suggestions that could benefit future research endeavors in this area.
- Offering and responding to offers in English and Vietnamese in business context
- Offering and responding to offers between English and Vietnamese, a contrast analysis.