Abstract
This study examined the topical structure of Philippine and Chinese journal abstracts on bilingual education. Specifically, it looked at the physical and topical characteristics of abstracts written by Filipino and Chinese researchers in the field of language. On the physical features, it examined the number of words, clauses, and sentences in a paragraph; number of words and number of clauses in a sentence; and number of words in a clause. In terms of topical features, it analyzed the difference in the internal coherence between Filipino and Chinese-written abstracts in English in terms of parallel progression, extended parallel progression, and sequential progression. The results of the study reveal differences between the two cultures in terms of rhetorical characteristics in their journal abstract writings. While Chinese and Filipino abstract writers seem to share similar writing styles, Filipino writers tend to be more verbose with their use of more wordy clauses and longer sentences. There were also more progressions found in the Filipino abstracts as compared to the Chinese abstracts. These results seem to substantiate earlier hypothesis on culture having an influence on writing.
Author Information
Patricia Trivino, De La Salle University, Philippines
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