Examine the use of hedging in other competitive contexts

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 11 views

Hedges in the Speech of the Top 10 Finalists Miss Grand International 2016: A Critical Analysis

Introduction

The Miss Grand International 2016 pageant was a highly anticipated event that brought together talented women from around the world. The competition was not only about physical beauty but also about the ability to communicate effectively and confidently. One of the key aspects of communication in this context is the use of hedging, which is a linguistic strategy that allows speakers to convey their messages in a nuanced and diplomatic way. This thesis aims to explore the use of hedging in the speeches delivered by the top 10 finalists in the Miss Grand International 2016 pageant.

The Importance of Hedging in Communication

Hedging is a crucial aspect of communication that allows speakers to convey their messages in a way that is both clear and diplomatic. It involves the use of linguistic devices such as modal verbs, adverbs, and phrases that soften the impact of a statement or expression. Hedging is particularly important in competitive contexts such as beauty pageants, where contestants need to express their opinions and ideas in a way that is both confident and humble.

Theoretical Framework

This study is based on the theoretical framework put forward by Chan Swee Heng and Helen Tan (2002), which identifies six types of hedging construction. These include:

Epistemic verbs: These are verbs that express doubt or uncertainty, such as "I think" or "I believe".
Verbs of capital: These are verbs that express a sense of possibility or potential, such as "possible" or "seems".
Cognition verbs: These are verbs that express a sense of thought or consideration, such as "I consider" or "I think about".
Hypothetical construction: This is a type of hedging that involves the use of hypothetical scenarios or conditions, such as "if" or "suppose".

Methodology

This study used a qualitative research methodology, where all the speeches delivered by the top 10 finalists in the Miss Grand International 2016 pageant were taken as data. The researcher analyzed the speeches to identify and categorize the types of hedging used by the contestants.

Results

The results of the analysis showed that the top 10 finalists used a total of 24 hedge cases, which were categorized as follows:

Epistemic verbs: 2 cases
Verbs of capital: 15 cases
Cognition verbs: 6 cases
Hypothetical construction: 1 case

These results indicate that verbs of capital dominated the use of hedging in the finalists' speeches, with 15 cases found in a total of 24 hedge cases.

Discussion

The use of hedging in the speeches delivered by the top 10 finalists in the Miss Grand International 2016 pageant is a significant aspect of communication that reflects the ability of contestants to express their opinions and ideas in a diplomatic way. Hedging not only gives a nuance of caution or politeness but also reflects the ability of finalists in expressing their opinions in a diplomatic way.

The use of hedging in speech is an important strategy in communication, especially in the context of competition such as Miss Grand International. By utilizing hedging, finalists can show self-confidence as well as humility, which are two important qualities in beauty competitions. It also shows that the ability to communicate well, including the use of the right language, is a crucial element in this competition.

Conclusion

This study has provided a critical analysis of the use of hedging in the speeches delivered by the top 10 finalists in the Miss Grand International 2016 pageant. The results of the analysis have shown that verbs of capital dominated the use of hedging in the finalists' speeches, with 15 cases found in a total of 24 hedge cases. The study has also highlighted the importance of hedging in communication, particularly in competitive contexts such as beauty pageants.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Beauty pageant organizers: Should consider incorporating hedging as a key aspect of communication in their competitions.
Contestants: Should be aware of the importance of hedging in communication and strive to use it effectively in their speeches.
Communication researchers: Should continue to study the use of hedging in communication, particularly in competitive contexts such as beauty pageants.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The study only analyzed the speeches delivered by the top 10 finalists in the Miss Grand International 2016 pageant.
Qualitative methodology: The study used a qualitative research methodology, which may not be generalizable to other contexts.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Examine the use of hedging in other competitive contexts: Such as business presentations or academic debates.
Investigate the impact of hedging on communication outcomes: Such as persuasion or negotiation.
Develop a more comprehensive theoretical framework: For understanding the use of hedging in communication.
Q&A: Hedges in the Speech of the Top 10 Finalists Miss Grand International 2016

Q: What is hedging in communication?

A: Hedging is a linguistic strategy that allows speakers to convey their messages in a nuanced and diplomatic way. It involves the use of linguistic devices such as modal verbs, adverbs, and phrases that soften the impact of a statement or expression.

Q: Why is hedging important in communication?

A: Hedging is important in communication because it allows speakers to convey their messages in a way that is both clear and diplomatic. It helps to avoid conflict and shows respect for the audience or listener.

Q: What are the different types of hedging construction?

A: According to Chan Swee Heng and Helen Tan (2002), there are six types of hedging construction:

Epistemic verbs: These are verbs that express doubt or uncertainty, such as "I think" or "I believe".
Verbs of capital: These are verbs that express a sense of possibility or potential, such as "possible" or "seems".
Cognition verbs: These are verbs that express a sense of thought or consideration, such as "I consider" or "I think about".
Hypothetical construction: This is a type of hedging that involves the use of hypothetical scenarios or conditions, such as "if" or "suppose".

Q: What were the results of the analysis of the speeches delivered by the top 10 finalists in the Miss Grand International 2016 pageant?

A: The results of the analysis showed that the top 10 finalists used a total of 24 hedge cases, which were categorized as follows:

Epistemic verbs: 2 cases
Verbs of capital: 15 cases
Cognition verbs: 6 cases
Hypothetical construction: 1 case

Q: What does the use of hedging in speech reflect?

A: The use of hedging in speech reflects the ability of speakers to express their opinions and ideas in a diplomatic way. It shows that they are aware of the potential impact of their words and are trying to convey their message in a way that is respectful and considerate of others.

Q: What are the implications of the study for beauty pageant organizers and contestants?

A: The study suggests that beauty pageant organizers should consider incorporating hedging as a key aspect of communication in their competitions. Contestants should also be aware of the importance of hedging in communication and strive to use it effectively in their speeches.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The study only analyzed the speeches delivered by the top 10 finalists in the Miss Grand International 2016 pageant.
Qualitative methodology: The study used a qualitative research methodology, which may not be generalizable to other contexts.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research should aim to:

Examine the use of hedging in other competitive contexts: Such as business presentations or academic debates.
Investigate the impact of hedging on communication outcomes: Such as persuasion or negotiation.
Develop a more comprehensive theoretical framework: For understanding the use of hedging in communication.

Q: What are the implications of the study for communication researchers?

A: The study highlights the importance of hedging in communication and suggests that communication researchers should continue to study the use of hedging in different contexts. It also suggests that researchers should develop a more comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding the use of hedging in communication.