CRITICAL COMMENTARY ABOUT “AN INVESTIGATION INTO

SEMANTIC FEATURES OF WISHING VERBS IN ENGLISH AND

VIETNAMESE" by Luu Quy Khuong and Ngo Thi Truc Mai

I. INTRODUCTION
"An Investigation into Semantic Features of Wishing Verbs in English and
Vietnamese" by Luu Quy Khuong and Ngo Thi Truc Mai is a journal that explores the
semantic features of wishing verbs in both English and Vietnamese and contributes to the
understanding of how cultural and linguistic factors influence the conceptualization and
usage of wishing verbs. By providing learners with essential knowledge, the paper assists
English learners in mitigating errors, mitigating misunderstandings, and improving their
overall communication proficiency.

II. ANALYSIS
1. Strengths
1.1. Clear Objectives and Research Focus:
The article effectively establishes the need to investigate these semantic features,
highlighting the potential challenges faced by Vietnamese learners in accurately expressing
their intentions in English. By addressing this gap, the study holds significance for both
linguistic research and language pedagogy, as it offers insights into the differences between
English and Vietnamese, aiding learners in their communicative competence.

Furthermore, the authors also include a section of suggestions at the end of the
research article. The inclusion of practical suggestions demonstrates the authors'
commitment to providing tangible solutions for learners. By offering specific
recommendations, the authors go beyond mere investigation and actively contribute to the
improvement of English language learning. This adds depth and applicability to their
research, making it highly beneficial for language learners and educators.

1.2. Methodological Rigor:

The article employs descriptive and contrastive methods to analyze the semantic
features of wishing verbs in English and Vietnamese. The descriptive approach allows for
a detailed examination of the semantic nuances, while the contrastive analysis facilitates a
comparison between the two languages. This methodological rigor not only strengthens the
validity of the investigation but also provides a solid foundation for the study's conclusions.
 1.3. Clear and comprehensible presentation:
One notable strength of this article is the authors' ability to present the information in
a detailed and easily understandable manner. They employ various examples and
comparisons to highlight the similarities and differences between the two languages,
making it accessible for both English teachers and English learners. The language and
structure utilized in the article are accessible, making it easily understandable. Each section
provides clear subheadings that enhance the information and accuracy of the content.
Additionally, the author employs multiple summary tables, effectively condensing the
information and making it more concise. The article presents compelling arguments,
substantial evidence, and ample illustrative examples to support its viewpoints.
The perspective of the two authors is that of English teachers who have experience
teaching English as a foreign language. They have gained insights into the difficulties
Vietnamese students face when learning about wishing verbs. As a result, their research is
no longer abstract but highly specific, due to their combined knowledge of linguistics and
practical teaching experience. This article is not theoretical but rather practical, clear, and
effectively communicates a detailed understanding of wishing verbs to language learners
and language researchers.
The findings and discussions section is the core of the article, where the semantic
features of wishing verbs in English and Vietnamese are thoroughly examined. The authors
categorize these features into various fields, such as possibility of desire, direction for
action, regret, annoyance, polite imperative, and high degree of desire. By providing
definitions and examples, the authors effectively illustrate the distinctions between
different verbs in each category. For instance, they differentiate between "want," "expect,"
and "hope" in terms of expressing desires and optimism.

2. Weaknesses
2.1. Limited Scope:
This journal focuses only on commonly used wishing verbs such as "want, wish,
desire, expect, hope, long" in English and their equivalents in Vietnamese. The article
acknowledges that some learners of English tend to use only a few popular verbs while
ignoring or misusing other verbs within the subgroup of wishing verbs (envy, aspire,
yearn,..). However, by primarily examining a select group of verbs, the article fails to
provide a thorough understanding of wishing verbs as a whole. This limitation may hinder
learners' ability to use these verbs accurately and effectively in both spoken and written
communication.
 Furthermore, the article lacks a comparative analysis of wishing verbs beyond their
semantic features. While the paper briefly mentions the contrastive analysis between
English and Vietnamese, it does not delve into the specific similarities and differences in
the usage and implications of these verbs in the two languages.

2.2. Data collection process lacks diversity

Despite the research's strong focus on its subject matter, it fails to fully capitalize on
this strength. The authors, who practice teaching English with direct exposure to students,
could have conducted surveys among the students to enhance the research's authenticity.
However, they only provide general statements about common challenges encountered by
students without offering any specific examples or conducting any in-depth investigation.

Moreover, the article's data collection and analysis methods rely on samples from
novels and short stories by English, American, and Vietnamese writers. While these sources
contribute to the authenticity, they may not capture the full range of semantic features and
usage patterns of wishing verbs in everyday language. The article would benefit from
incorporating a more diverse range of data sources, such as spoken language and
contemporary written texts, to provide a comprehensive analysis.

III. CONCLUSION
"An Investigation into Semantic Features of Wishing Verbs in English and
Vietnamese" offers valuable insights into the semantic characteristics of wishing verbs.
The article's strengths lie in its clear objectives, practical applications, methodological
rigor, and comprehensible presentation. However, limitations include a limited scope and
data collection methods that could be expanded for a more comprehensive analysis.
Overall, despite these limitations, the investigation contributes to language learning and
provides a foundation for future studies for Vietnamese students.