Some register features in agreement between the united states of america and the socialist republic of vietnam on trade relations = một số đặc điểm ngữ vực trong hiệp định thương mại việt mỹ

i
Vinh University
Foreign Language Department
= = =  = = =

Summary of graduation thesis
Some Register Features in Agreement between the
United States of America and the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam on Trade Relations
( một số đặc điểm ngữ vực trong
hiệp định thơng mại viƯt - mü)

Field: Linguistics
Student’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s name: Phạm Thu Giang, 43A1
Supervisor: Lê Đình Thảo, M.A

Vinh 2006

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The thesis could not have been completed without the help of my teachers
and friends during the time my researching process.
Firstly, I should like to acknowledge my deepest gratitude to my
supervisor, M.A. Lª Đình Thảo for the assistance with all his heart, excellent
suggestions, detailed critical comments, without which the study would not have
been completed.
Then, thanks are due to Mr. Trần Bá Tiến, M.A for suggesting the idea to


ii
me to do this study and helping me a lot with his advice and comments for the
study; and Ms. KiÒu Hun Tr©m for her pretty useful materials. I would also

like to offer my indebtedness to all my teachers in the Faculty of Foreign
Languages for their great help.
Finally, my sincere thanks are due to my family, to my close friends and
to those who have helped me carry out the study.
Vinh, May 8, 2006
Phạm Thu Giang

ABBREVIATIONS
BTA:

Bilateral Trade Agreement
(Agreement between the United States of America and the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam)
et cetra
For example
That is to say
and others
World Trade Organization

etc:
e.g.:
i.e.:
Et.al:
WTO:
ASEAN:

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Vietnam:

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam

U.S

The United States of America

:


iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgement.............................................................................................ii
Abbreviations.....................................................................................................iii
Table of Contents...............................................................................................iv

PART 1: INTRODUCTION..................................................................1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

General introduction
Rationale of the study
Aims and Objectives of the study
Scope of the study
Methods of the study
Design of the study

1
1
2
3
3
3

PART 2: DEVELOPMENT..................................................................5
CHAPTER 1: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND............................................5
1.1.
Context of situation.....................................................................5
1.2.
Register theory............................................................................6
1.2.1. The Concept of Register
6
1.2.2. The Parameters of Register
8
1.2.2.1. Field
8
1.2.2.2.
Mode
10
1.2.2.3.
Tenor
11


iv

CHAPTER 2: SOME REGISTER FEATURES IN AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE SOCIALIST
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM ON TRADE RELATION (BTA)
2.1. Background knowledge of the BTA............................................14
2.1.1. General introduction................................................................14
2.1.2. BTA negotiation and sign principles........................................16
2.1.3. Result of the BTA....................................................................17
2.2. Some Register in the BTA............................................................17
2.2.1. Use of Grammar.......................................................................18
2.2.1.1. Kinds of sentences......................................................18
2.2.1.2. Sentence order.............................................................22
2.2.1.3. Length of sentences.....................................................25
2.2.1.4. Modality......................................................................25
2.2.1.5. Use of Active voice and Participle..............................27
2.2.1.6. Use of Active voice and Passive voice........................28
2.2.1.7. Unit of written discourse.............................................30
2.2.2. Use of Vocabulary...................................................................32
2.2.2.1. Archaic words.............................................................32
2.2.2.2. Technical words..........................................................32
2.2.2.3. Borrowed words..........................................................33
2.2.2.4. Abbreviation................................................................34
2.2.3. Thematisation...........................................................................35
2.2.4. Application...............................................................................37

PART 3: CONCLUSION....................................................................... 43
1. Review of the major findings.............................................................43
2. Suggestions for further study..............................................................44


v

References

PART 1:

INTRODUCTION
1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION
In recent years, research into language of workplace English has
increased in quantity such that it is becoming an established and important
of applied linguistics. There has been a growth in research activity on
language so far but they only concern with the form of language systems
which are studied and explained apart from their functions in relation to
social situation. In addition, structural theories are basically paid attention
to. This means the small units were arranged into and combined into the
larger ones. However, linguists have trended to research on discourse
analysis. In the area of discourse analysis study, language has been
investigated in both form and meaning in distinctive situations and contexts.
And the meaning of not only sentences but also utterance and discourses is
concerned.
In Vietnam, there are a few studies in the area of discourse
analysis. Therefore, this investigation may be considered a contribution to
the field of discourse analysis. Within the framework of graduation paper,
this study focus on observing one of its sub–field, that is register. This aimsfield, that is register. This aims
to enable us to uncover how language is used to convey the writer ’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s
intention, and understand and know the text well. Those are very helpful to
English learners, especially translators and interpreters to translate well.
2. REASONALE OF THE STUDY
Vietnam nowadays is step by step adhering to the development in
the world, so we have joined international organizations and signed
international documents with other countries. Therefore, there are lots of
English learners, translators and interpreters interested in such documents.

Knowing these documents well does help them in their jobs.
Professional ones are aware of linguistic concepts such as


vi
Register, and they consider issues connected to these concepts in their
everyday work. Register Analysis is not only useful in studying different
forms of variants or language form in communication, but interested in non
–field, that is register. This aims linguistic elements that effect on communicative procedure.
Understanding how the concept of Register is perceived is the key to
approach such texts well. However, it may be that, although they are aware
of the importance of linguistic concepts such as Register, and although they
are familiar with the theoretical background underlying this concept, the
concept may still remain indefinite and appear to be distant from practical
work. The emphasis of the present study will be on the description of
language variation of a specific legal document, BTA (Bilateral Trade
Agreement) which plays a significant role in our economy development.
Therefore, we have decided to choose “Some Register Features inSome Register Features in
Agreement between the United States of America and the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam on Trade Relations” to be the theme of our study. to be the theme of our study.
Hopefully, this study, to some extent, is helpful to English
learners, translators and interpreters.
3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The object of this study is the BTA. Although there is no
comparison between English and Vietnamese texts, this study aims to
provide an insight into BTA regarding the formality. Driven by the need to
recognize the description of language variation of the BTA, we focus on
analyzing register in the BTA.
The objectives of the study are:
To

emphasize the importance of Register in the use and choice of vocabularies
and ways of expressions.
-

To study the Register analyze in the BTA discourse.

To
enable
readers,
learners, translators and interpreters to uncover how language is used to
convey the writer’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s intention, then know the discourse in general and


vii
specifically, the BTA well. After that, they will have a better orientation for
the translation job.
4. SCOPE OF THE STUDY
For the aim of this study, the investigation focuses on analyzing
the BTA. In addition, due to the time constraints and within the framework
of a graduation paper, this analysis of the BTA is confined to only some
register features.
5. METHODS OF THE STUDY
In this study, we will examine the concept of register from two
perspectives: theory and practice
Firstly, a great number of documents and materials, together
with the BTA will be selected and searched.
Then, we will give a description of the concept of register based
on the ideas of researchers and scholars from the fields of linguistics.
Finally, the data obtained will be dealt with, analyzed in order to
reach some conclusions on the subject matter under investigation, and

necessary comments should be accordingly made.
6.

DE
SIGN OF THE STUDY
We have divided the study as follows:
Part

1:

Introduction.
This part includes: General introduction, Reasonale of the study,
Aims and objectives of the study, scope of the study and Methods of the
study
Part 2:
Development
This part is divided into 2 chapters


viii
- Chapter

1:

Briefly reviews the background to the study: the Context of Situation
and the Concept of Register. We especially focus on describing three
parameters of Register: Field, Mode, and Tenor in order to clarify the
Register Analysis orientation
- Chapter

2:

Firstly provides some background knowledge on the BTA such as:
General introduction, BTA negotiation and sign principles, and Result
of the BTA; then this chapter makes an effort to analyze the
variations of language in the BTA based on theoretical background of
the former chapter.
This chapter also offers some implications to teaching
and learning English
Part 3:
Conclusion
This part reviews the main findings of the study. It also offers some
suggestions for further works.
The last pages of the study are for Reference and Annex


ix

PART 2: DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 1:
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
1.1. Context of situation
In the Hallidayan (also called Australian) functional theory of
language (Hyon, 1996), “Some Register Features inanalysts are not just interested in what language is,
but why language is; not just what language means, but how language
means (Leckie-Tarry, 1993:26)” to be the theme of our study.. Halliday stresses the need for a look into
the context in which a text is produced while analyzing and/or interpreting a
text. He points out that the really pressing question here is "which kinds of
situational factor determined which kinds of selection in the linguistic
system?" (Halliday, 1978:32; original emphasis).

In D.A, Context of Situation, or context is an important factor
that can’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1t be dissociated when interpreting the discourse. Malinowski is the
first one used the term “Some Register Features inContext of Situation” to be the theme of our study.. Malinowski (1923) supposed
that any word of primitive language could only be understood via the
context; in order to know the meanings of an utterance, it is necessary to see
it in Context of Situation. According to Halliday and Hasan, the Context of
Situation, which refers to what is going on in the specific situation in which
the text occurs, is given substance in the words and grammatical patterns of
the text. Halliday (1991) stated: Language is considered a system –field, that is register. This aimsincluding
vocabularies and grammar….; and specific discourses and constitutive.; and specific discourses and constitutive
elements must be related to Context of Situation. In David Nunan ’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s opinion
(1983:7), “Some Register Features incontext refers to the situation giving rise to the discourse and
within which the discourse is embedded” to be the theme of our study.. He also divides context into two
types: linguistic and non –field, that is register. This aims linguistic. The former encompasses and
accompanies the piece of discourse under analysis. The later includes the
type of communicative event, the topic, the purpose of the event, the setting,


x
the participant and the relationships between them and the background
knowledge and assumptions underlying the communicative event.
As indicating above, the linguistic context seems to be relevant to
the analysis of the BTA whereas the non –field, that is register. This aimslinguistic one does not since this
study just purpose to describe the language variation of the BTA

1.2. Register Theory
1.2.1. The Concept of Register
Register or functional styles have been differently viewed.
According to Halliday et al (1964:77), the term “Some Register Features inRegister” to be the theme of our study. is widely used in
socio –field, that is register. This aimslinguistics to refer to “Some Register Features in variety according to use in the sense that each

speaker has a range of varieties and chooses between them at different
times.” to be the theme of our study., not a “Some Register Features invariety according to user” to be the theme of our study. or in other words, Register shows
what you are doing. This use-related framework for the description of
language variation. Register or context of situation as it is formally termed,
"is the set of meanings, the configuration of semantic patterns that are
typically drawn upon under the specific conditions, along with the words
and structures that are used in the realization of these meanings" (Halliday,
1978:23) and he also states: The term Register is used to explain for
language use. In different context, language will change to correspond with
the situation (Halliday, 1964:87). It is concerned with the variables of Field,
Tenor, and Mode, and is a useful abstraction which relates variations of
language use to variations of social context. The change of variations leads
to the change of meanings. For example:
I saw Smith having dinner with a woman (Brown & Yule, 1983)
If the listener is Smith’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s wife, it is a warning that Smith has
dinner with a woman. But, in case, participants are friends, this information
is just for fun.
The concept of Register was first formalized to indicate to the
relationship between context and text. Halliday (Halliday et al. 1964), and
later Ure and Elliss (1977), and Gregory and Carroll (1978) used register to
refer to “Some Register Features ina variety according to use in sense that each speaker has a range of
varieties and chooses between them at different time” to be the theme of our study. (cited in Halliday et
al. 1964: 77). Therefore, Register is different from dialect in that the latter is


xi
a variety according to speaker. On the other hand, each speaker surely has
more than one Register. When speakers switch between Registers, they are
doing different purposes and producing language under different
circumstances. In contrast, speakers using the same register are doing

similar communicative task. Halliday and Hasan (1976) point out that “Some Register Features inThe
linguistic features which are typically associated with a configuration of
situational features –field, that is register. This aimswith particular values of field, mode and tenor –field, that is register. This aims
constitute a Register” to be the theme of our study.. We take Bex's (1996) Hallidayan analysis. Although
the choices here regarding field, tenor and mode are not exactly wide, Bex
notes enough variation to be able to claim that "each text can only realize its
own register" (1996:104).
In many cases, Register is defined as varieties within a culture, such
as: novels, letters, editorials, sermons and debates. Register distinctions are
defined in non- linguistic terms, by differences in purpose, interactiveness,
production circumstances, relations among participants, etc. For this reason,
particular registers can be more or less constrained in their linguistic
characteristics; for example, experimental psychology articles are highly
constrained in their linguistic characteristics, while novels employ a wide range
of differing linguistic configuration. Register can be defined at any level of
generality. There can be major differences among Registers specified at different
level of generality. At one extreme, very general Registers: for example,
academic prose are defined only by reference to their physical mode; at other
extreme, highly specified register such as methodology sections in psychology
articles are defined in terms of their physical mode, production circumstances,
intended audience, micro –field, that is register. This aims purpose, topic, etc.
In summary, Register is the set of meanings determined by the
situation –field, that is register. This aims what is taking place, who is taking part and what part the language is
playing –field, that is register. This aims along with the words and structures used in the realization of those
meanings. The choice of vocabulary item in a sentence or utterance is a
manifestation of register. A particular register often distinguishes itself from
other register by having a number of distinctive words, by using words or phrase
in a particular way, and sometimes by special grammatical constructional as
legal language, scientific and technical term and so on. Register can be seen as
speech variety used by a particular group of people, usually sharing the same

xii
occupation or the same interest. J.R. Galperin (1981) suggests five functional
styles: the language belles –field, that is register. This aims letters, the language of newspapers, the language
of publicistic literature, the language of scientific prose, the language of official
documents.
Within these styles, official documents may incorporate legal
documents to which the BTA belongs.
1.2.2. The Parameters of Register
In Halliday’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s opinion, when choosing language elements to do a
communicative purpose, speakers recommend three elements as: Field of
discourse, Mode of discourse, Tenor of discourse. In other word, Field, Mode
and Tenor are variables of Register (or the context of situation) as they reflect
three main functions of language (ideational, textual, and interpersonal)
(Halliday et al., 1964, 1994; Martin 1997).
1.2.2.1. Field of discourse :
Field refers to what is going on; the area of operation of the language
activity. It is concerned with the purpose and subject matter of the
communication. It influences on vocabularies use and fixed expression. Halliday
states: “Some Register Features inField is the total event, which the text is functioning, together with the
purposive activity of the speaker or the writer; it thus includes the subject matter
as one element in it” to be the theme of our study.
Field is like a descriptor of the social situations which determine the location
and the actions that the participants engage in. Field focus on the elements
which serve as a starting point for the other two categories of tenor and
mode and what is actually taking place - which includes as relevant
distinctions particular domains of social activity such as science, religion,
law, etc? Variation in language according to the use to which it is put in
various professional and social settings, e.g. scientific discourse, legal

discourse. And refers to the institutional setting in which a piece of language
occurs, and embraces not only the subject matter in hand but the whole
activity of the speaker or participant in a setting.
The field specifies the nature of situation (institutional or non –field, that is register. This aims


xiii
institutional; its location, participants; action(s); topic(s) and purpose) and
domain, subject matter, or content present in a particular language context
and can rang from daily –field, that is register. This aimslife / common –field, that is register. This aimssense contexts to more technical /
specialized ones. The field of discourse refers to the ‘subject matter’ or topicsubject matter’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1 or topic
of a stretch of language, for example, the weather, geography, the local
football team’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s failure, family life, religious observance, law enforcement,
medicine, etc. It refers to what is happening and to the nature of the social
context in which meanings are made. In other word, field refers to the
inherent characteristics of the situation.
The field of a text tells you which domain of experience the text is about.
And field is an element of experiential metafuntion of a text. When
analyzing a text or its field, you will want to examine
Th
e lexical items: the field of the text can be easily determined by examining
the lexical words in the text, or even just the nouns. You will want to find
and answer to these two questions:
 Semantic domains: Which discipline do lexical words refer
to? Certain words are more common in one discipline than in another. This
could be proven by corpus research; otherwise use the own intuition,
specialized dictionaries, etc. Because semantic domains are inherently
hierarchical and overlapping, we may make a very general pronouncement
(“Some Register Features inthis text is about science” to be the theme of our study.) or a very specific one (“Some Register Features inthis text is about
particle physics” to be the theme of our study.). A text may also refer to more than one semantic domain.

 Specialization: How well known are the lexical words to a
general audience and to a specialized audience? Again, the readers’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1 own
intuition, dictionaries or corpus research could help them judge this.
1.2.2.2. Mode of discourse:
Mode is considered the mean of transmission; spoken or written;
planned or unplanned; the possibility or impossibility of feedback; closeness or
relationship to some activity, distance overt rime and space.
The mode refers to the symbolic organization of the text, which is
chosen depending on the channel use, oral or written and on the speaker or


xiv
writer’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s intention, and which is determined by more or less use of
nominalizations, personal references, action verbs or complex noun phrases
which, in turn, will establish greater or shorter distance between author and
reader or listener
Mode refers to the medium of the language activity. It is the
manifestation of the nature of the language code being used. Halliday and
Hassan include here: “Some Register Features inMode is the function of the text in the event, including
therefore both the channel taken by the language spoken or written, extempore
or prepared and its genre or rhetorical mode, as narrative, didactic, persuasive,
“Some Register Features inphatic communion” to be the theme of our study. and so on” to be the theme of our study. (1976:22).
What mode concerns about is the means by which communication
takes place. In other words, the mode of discourse refer to what part of the
language is playing in a particular situation and to what the language itself is
doing, and especially to the channel or medium of communication, for example,
spoken or written or some combination of the two. Also important is the
rhetorical mode, that is, what is being achieved by the text, spoken or written, in
terms of categories such as persuasive, didactic, and expository and so on. The
two basic modes are spoken (monologue, conversation) and written (magazines,

official documents…). Mode incorporates different combinations of these two). Mode incorporates different combinations of these two
modes.
Stated in another way, Mode includes channel (e.g. written, spoken,
spoken-to-be-written, and written-to-be-cited) but also rhetorical mode (e.g.
persuasive, rhetorical, expository, didactic, etc.) The medium selected for
language activity; essentially the choice between speech and writing but such
distinctions as monologue, dialogue is also seen as variables of mode. Refers to
the channel of communication adopted: not only the choice between spoken and
written medium, but much more detailed choices …). Mode incorporates different combinations of these tworelating to the role of
language in the situation. A text is effective if it displays the characteristics of its
intended mode.
The mode of the text tells you about the method of the text appear to
have been produced in. Mode is an element of textual metafuntion of a text
part of analyzing a text for it mode, you will want to answer:

As


xv
 Whether the text seems to have been produced on the spot /
on the fly / in the real time / on –field, that is register. This aims line, that is without an opportunity to edit or
correct it.
 Or whether it is produced off –field, that is register. This aims line, in a situation when it is
possible to edit or correct it before it is finally presented to the audience.
Note that this distinction refers to spoken as well as to written texts.
Spoken texts can be also prepared and rehearsed before delivery.
1.2.2.3. Tenor of discourse:
The tenor, formally style of discourse, refers to the relations among
the participants within a social exchange of meanings, to the extend that they
affect and determine features of the language. The precise tenor of a particular

stretch of language will be conditioned by the role relationships which are
present, for example, the power or relative status of the participants such as the
characteristics of the social relationship of the participants; formality or
informality; social identity; age; sex. In general, tenor refers to the type of the
role interaction, the set of relevant social relation, permanent and temporary
among the participants involved. Different from field, tenor refers to the non –field, that is register. This aims
inherent features, to those elements that will vary according to the social
interactions taking place.
This will condition many aspects of the language used, including, for
example, its degree of formality, famility, and technicality of linguistics
exchanges. Another way of thinking about tenor is to consider the impact a
particular audience has on the construction of a text.
The Tenor makes reference to the role of the participants (social critics,
educators, politicians, etc.), their relationship in term of power, frequency of
context and degree of affective commitment among them, and their
objectives.
This includes the social role relationships which obtain between
the language users in a particular situation (e.g. teacher-pupil, preachercongregation, and parent-child). The relationship between addresser and
addressee, as reflected in use of language (e.g. level of formality, relative


xvi
distance). Refers to the relationship between participants (in discourse)….; and specific discourses and constitutive
not merely variation in formality….; and specific discourses and constitutivebut….; and specific discourses and constitutivesuch questions as the permanence
or otherwise of the relationship and the degree of emotional charge in it. A
text is effective if it constructs the expected tenor for the participants. For
example a political speech is deemed effective if its tenor is such that the
speaker appears confident about the information presented. A speech where
the speaker comes across as uncertain would be judged as ineffective.
In

addition to personal tenor, which covers degrees of that there is another
kind of tenor, namely functional tenor. It can be defined as follows:
“Some Register Features inFunctional tenor is the category used to describe what language is being used
for in the situation. Is the speaker trying to persuade? to exhort? to
discipline?” to be the theme of our study.
The Tenor of a text tells you:
at kind of person the author is, or presenting herself / himself to be

Wh

at kind of person the expected audience are

Wh

Wh
at the relationship between them is or what relationship the author is presenting it
as.
Tenor is the easiest to analyze in spoken conversation when all the
speakers are present at participating. Tenor is more difficult to analyze in written
texts when the author is anonymous and the recipients are not present
Tenor is the component of the interpersonal metafunction of a text
To summarize: Text is effective if it is suitable to the Register of
which it claims to be an instance. The choice of vocabularies and expressions is
the manifestation of Register. There is a mutual relationship among these
parameters. Variation in Field/ Mode/ Tenor will affect language choices.
 Field: What is happening? What is the text about? The field of a text
can be associated with the realization of ideational meanings; these


xvii

ideational meanings are realized through the transitivity systems of
the grammar.
 Mode: What role is language playing? The mode of a text can be
associated with the realization of textual meanings; these textual
meanings are realized through the Theme/Rheme systems of the
grammar.
 Tenor: Who is taking part? How are they related to each other? The
tenor of a text can be associated with the realization of interpersonal
meanings; these interpersonal meanings are realized through the
Mood / Modality systems of the grammar.

Chapter 2: SOME REGISTER FEATURES IN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA
AND THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
ON TRADE RELATIONS (BTA)
2.1. Background knowledge of the BTA
2.1.1.

General introduction

The normalization of the Vietnam-US relationship has put the
past aside and opened a new bright future for both countries. Since then,
the two countries have signed a number of economic and trade agreements,
including those on copyrights and one on the operations of the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation in Vietnam. The two sides also signed the
Framework Guarantee Agreement and the Project Incentive Agreement
between the State Bank of Vietnam and the Export-Import Bank of the
U.S., the Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Agreement on Scientific and
Technological Co-operation, the Textiles Agreement, and the Aviation
Agreement

Most worthy of note was the signing of the BTA, the most
comprehensive agreement Vietnam has ever reached with a foreign country.
The agreement includes commitments dealing with not only the trading of
goods but also of services, investment, and intellectual property. The BTA


xviii
has helped bring the two countries' relations to a full normalization, and
offered businesses from the two countries new opportunities in trade and
investment. With the reaching of a number of agreements between the two
countries, bilateral two-way trade revenues have increased by 11 fold since
1995
When establishing the diplomatic relations in August of 1995,
two countries reached an agreement firstly in economic and trade relations.
According to that orientation, two countries began to negotiate on Trade
Relations in 1996. The negotiation really started in April of 1997 when the
USA handed over to Vietnam a four –field, that is register. This aimspart draft, which was based on the
World Trade Organization’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s (WTO’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s) principles, included many new and
unfamiliar clauses to our current law then. In May of 1998, at the 5 th round
of the negotiation at Washington, the draft of Vietnam, which was different
from the former one of USA, was accepted. After 11 times of negotiation, on
13 July 2000 at 2p.m, in Washington, the BTA was contracted by the
Minister of Department of Trade - Mr. Vu Khoan and the representative of
USA –field, that is register. This aimsMr. C.Barshefky. The BTA became effective on 10 December 2001.
The Vietnam –field, that is register. This aims US trade agreement has positively affected
Vietnam's economy in many aspects such as by pushing up trade, expanding
outlets for products, contributing to economic growth, attracting foreign
investors, not only from the US but also other countries, and paving the way
for the development of other economic sectors such as aviation and
agriculture. The successful implementation of the BTA in the past three

years has helped raise Vietnam's prestige in the world. Vietnam has
carefully implemented the BTA in order to serve the national renovation
cause and to raise its economy's competitiveness on the one hand, and on
other hand to affirm the consistency of the Party and State's policies to
integrate the national economy into the world economy. International
friends have acknowledged that Vietnam has made great strides despite the
difficulties it has faced and its limited resources.
Because the signing of the BTA was based on WTO’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s principles,
it has contributed to facilitating the country's negotiation process for


xix
accession to the world's biggest trade body. As a requirement of the BTA,
Vietnam has improved its legal system, thus making it easier for the
country's WTO negotiation process.
In addition, the negotiation process for the signing of the BTA
also helped Vietnam's policy-making agencies more thoroughly understand
the nature of globalization and international integration, as well as WTO ’s name: Ph¹m Thu Giang, 43A1s
rules. Vietnam's commitments to the BTA are similar to those to the WTO.
Therefore, the implementation of the BTA is a part of Vietnam's
preparation for entering the WTO.
The BTA is a major step toward fully normalizing U.S.-Vietnam
commercial relations, as it restores reciprocal most-favored-nation (MFN,
also known as normal trade relations [NTR]) treatment between the two
countries, and commits Vietnam to undertake a wide range of marketoriented economic reforms. Extending MFN treatment to Vietnam will
significantly reduce U.S. tariffs on most imports from Vietnam. In addition,
BTA is not only the foundation for Vietnam to access WTO, but it helps our
country gradually integrate into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and international economy in order to extend the market,
cooperate with more partners, take advantage of funds and technology from

foreign countries to contribute in cause of building up our country.
2.1.2.

BT

A negotiation and sign principles
BTA is negotiated and contracted based on these following principles:
1.
Mu
tual respect national independence and sovereignty, not interfere in the
affairs of each other, be equal and reciprocal profitable;
2.
Th
e reciprocal most-favored-nation brings benefit not only for Vietnam but
USA and its companies;
3.
Vie
tnam respects international law and cultural, gradually correct the law and


xx
policy which must be in accordance with level of economy development,
circumstances and context of Vietnam;
4.
Vie
tnam agrees to obey the regulations of Trade and Tariff Agreement, and
general applied Agreements of GATT / WTO; but implement gradually to
be in accordance with economy development and apply exceptions for a
developing country with low level of development;
5.

As
being a developing country and is in the process of economic transition,
Vietnam has the right to get support from developed countries, one of
which is the USA; causes that the USA does not make to other countries
are not demanded to meet from Vietnam
2.1.3.

The
result

“Some Register Features in Agreement between the United States of America and the
Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Trade Relation ” to be the theme of our study. is a comprehensive
agreement, including 7 chapters: Trade in Goods, Intellectual Property
Rights, Trade in Services and Development of Investment Relations….; and specific discourses and constitutive
Together with the BTA, there are such annexes as: A, B (B1, B2,
B3, B4), C (C1, C2), D (D1, D2), E, F, G, H, I;

2.2. Some Register Features in the BTA
BTA belongs to official documents which incorporate legal
documents. This discourse is deemed effective because of these following:
- Firstly, Field of BTA constructed by the discourse is identical to
the Field intended for the discourse. As BTA is of legal field, it results in
using a specific kind of vocabularies and expressions –field, that is register. This aimslegal ones.
Th
en, BTA displays the characteristics of its intended Mode. Since Mode gets
influenced of Field, the Mode includes the channel of written one. BTA, a
legal document, constructs its Mode in accordance with the customs of legal
language, with low interactivity and low spontaneity; and