Vagueness in Communication: A Corpus Driven Study of Academic Discourse

Authors

  • Dr. Syed Azaz Ali Shah Assistant Professor, Department of English, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Dr. Kifayat ullah Assistant Professor, Department of English, University of Chitral, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Naseer Ahmed PhD Scholar, Qurtuba University of Science and information Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53057/linfo/2023.5.3.1

Keywords:

communication, vague/vagueness, PNCE, discussive, non-discussive

Abstract

The present research paper aims to analyze one of the most frequently used vague words, namely "thing," as employed by Pakistani students in their undergraduate assignments and essays. The data was collected from the Pakistan National Corpus of English (PNCE) and analyzed using the Antconc corpus software. The objective is to determine whether the word "thing" is utilized as a vague noun, for meta-discourse, or in any other capacity in order to understand how effectively Pakistani students communicate. This study yields several conclusions, with the primary one being that the word "thing" is consistently employed both in a discussive and non-discussive manner. It often serves as a placeholder for various objects, which are subsequently elucidated in preceding or subsequent statements by the students. The frequent use of this word also lends legitimacy to its usage by Pakistani students. However, it is important to note that the recurrent use of the word "thing" poses a risk of creating confusion in written work due to its repetitive nature.

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Author Biographies

Dr. Syed Azaz Ali Shah, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Punjab, Pakistan.

Dr. Syed Azaz Ali Shah is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Kohat University of Science and Technology, located in Punjab, Pakistan. He is a dedicated scholar and researcher who has made significant contributions to the field of linguistics and language studies. His research interests encompass various aspects of language use and discourse analysis, with a particular focus on corpus linguistics. His work often delves into the intricacies of language, examining how words and phrases are employed in different contexts, especially within academic discourse. His commitment to academic excellence and his valuable insights have enriched the understanding of language use, particularly within the Pakistani academic context.

Dr. Kifayat ullah, Assistant Professor, Department of English, University of Chitral, Punjab, Pakistan.

Dr. Kifayatullah is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at the University of Chitral, also located in Punjab, Pakistan. With a strong background in linguistics and language studies, he has made substantial contributions to the field of language research. His scholarly pursuits encompass a wide range of topics within linguistics, including corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, and language acquisition. His work often explores the nuances of language use in both academic and everyday contexts, shedding light on how language shapes our communication and understanding of the world. His dedication to research and teaching has undoubtedly enriched the academic environment at the University of Chitral and contributed to a deeper understanding of language and its implications.

Naseer Ahmed, PhD Scholar, Qurtuba University of Science and information Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Naseer Ahmed is a dedicated PhD Scholar currently pursuing advanced research at Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology in Peshawar, Pakistan. With a keen interest in corpus linguistics, Naseer is committed to expanding the boundaries of knowledge and contributing to academic excellence.

References

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Published

2023-09-30

How to Cite

Shah, D. S. A. A., ullah, D. K., & Ahmed, N. (2023). Vagueness in Communication: A Corpus Driven Study of Academic Discourse. Linguistic Forum - A Journal of Linguistics, 5(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.53057/linfo/2023.5.3.1

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2023): Linguistic Forum - A Journal of Linguistics

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2023 Dr. Syed Azaz Ali Shah, Dr. Kifayat ullah

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