English Language

Analysing Texts: Spoken Frameworks

Analysing Spoken frameworks of language: ‘Spoken Forms’ and

PurposeLearning Objectives1. To consider the main differences between speech

and writing and advantages and disadvantages of each mode of communication.

2. To distinguish between different forms of ‘spoken’ text; identifying features and functions of each.

Starter Activity

Q. Which came first, speech or writing – and which is more important?

Oppositional View of Speech vs. Writing (Baron 2000)

Write down what you think are the main differences between speech and writing

An oppositional view of speech and writing

Baron’s Oppositional model of speech vs. writing (2000)

How useful is this kind of classification model?

- One way to avoid this strict classification is to think of the distinction between speech and writing as a continuum not opposite (showing degrees of various features)

Task:

• Draw a continuum like the one below and plot different types of texts according to where you think they should go

Written Language

Spoken Language

1. Status of Speech and Writing

Learn to speak (naturally acquired skill) before we learn to write (taught to read and write)

Linguists refer to primacy of speech Inability to read and write social disadvantage;

inability to speak more fundamental deprivation.

Writing traditionally regarded as more prestigious than speech; literacy confined to elite and mark of social superiority.

20th century growing recognition of the value of spoken English –why?

2. Permanence

Writing generally more permanentSpeech is transient (short-lived) - recorded

utterances only exception.

3. Relationships: speaker, writer and audience

Writing less restricted by time and space Immediate feedback from speechHowever, writers usually separated from their

audiences

4. Structure and Style

Writing generally more structured than speech – organised into sentences and paragraphs

Spoken language is more loosely structured and often includes digressions and repetitions

Speech is spontaneous; writing takes time More informal vocabulary in speech Speech accompanied by body language and

prosodic features; graphic equivalent in writing e.g. exclamation mark.

5. Speech and Writing Influence Each Other

Written language affects spoken language; growth of literacy encouraged development of standardised varieties of speech & partly explains disappearance of much regional dialect vocabulary

New words enter language through speech New technology means old divisions between speech

and writing are disappearing e.g. email and text

Think!

Q. Writing has traditionally been regarded as superior to speech. What are your views?

3 Main Questions

1. What type of spoken language is it?2. What are its purposes or functions?3. What factors are likely to have influenced

the kind of language that is present?

Types of Spoken Language

Monologue: is a single speaker addressing one or more listeners e.g. lectures, speeches.

Dialogue: involves interaction; there are two or more people, who are both speakers and listeners e.g. informal conversations, debates.

Task

Read through text CC and identify (by highlighting, labelling etc) as many features of spoken language as you can (i.e. what is there that makes it spoken language)

Homework: Learn the key terms of functions for spoken language for quick terminology test on Monday