Features of Spoken DiscourseBased on the Study Design

Openings and Closings

Openings Vocatives can be used to

personalise the encounter Social greetings Hospitality tokens (e.g. have

a drink) Neutral topics (e.g. the

weather) Self-related comments

(focusing on the speaker) Other related comments

(focusing on the listener)

Closings They are used to sum up an

exchange Reference is made to

something outside the speech encounter as a reason for ending the discourse

Self and other related comments are common

Neutral comments are not They are often repetitive, as

speakers are can use delaying tactics

Non-fluency FeaturesThey help distinguish between

written and spoken texts. The more formal the text the less

likely there will be non-fluency features

Types of Non-fluency Features1.Overlaps

o Occurs when speakers compete for a turn in a speech encounter or when a speaker has misjudged the end of a turn.

o Most speech encounters are usually cooperative, and overlaps are resolved quickly. If the overlaps involve minimal responses, they are not considered an interruption, but as enhancing the collaborative approach to discourse

o Uncooperative overlap occurs if one speaker insists on interrupting another (e.g. heckling)

Types Non-fluency Features2. Pause Fillers (also called voiced hesitations) They are an accepted feature of spoken

discourse, examples are ‘um’, ‘err’ ‘ah’ Functions; to protect the speaker from

interruptions while they think (to hold the floor)

In a formal context, they can be used to gain the attention of an audience who has not settled

Types of Non-Fluency Features3. Pauses Pauses are acceptable in spoken discourse,

especially if the manner is informal. They are not always used just for breathing.

Pauses can be used to show hesitation, perhaps when a speaker is thinking of what to say next. An e.g. of a hesitation is a drawn out word ‘a-asked’.

Pauses can be used intentionally to encourage equality of status between participants

In formal spoken texts pauses can be used for dramatic effect

Types of Non-Fluency Features

4. Repairso These are practical approaches to restore

conversation/form of correction. They are typical in spontaneous speech

They are used when a speaker chooses a wrong word, she can correct herself or another speaker can correct her.

OR when a listener mishears a word he can ask for clarification

Types of Non-Fluency Features5. Repetitiono In spoken discourse this refers to words

being repeated due to hesitancy or a false start.

o In writing it refers to a stylistic device which uses reiteration to emphasise an idea.

Types of Non-Fluency features6. False Startso A hesitation or change of mind once a

speaker starts talking, very common in spontaneous discourse

Adjacency Pairs Adjacent turns in spoken discourse

which relate to each other, such as questions and answers, greetings and responses, apology and acceptance.

Interrogative Tags Little expressions such as ‘isn’t it?’ and

‘will she?’, which turn statements (declaratives) into questions (interrogatives)

They request the hearer to express agreement or disagreement

Discourse Particles Words and small expressions, such as; ‘well’,

‘yep’, ‘you know’, ‘sort of’ and ‘I mean’; used in a text to communicate information such as changes in topic or scene; ‘well’ and ‘anyway’.

To express changes in turn, to express attitudes and opinions, to answer a question, to show social relationships E.g ‘well’’ and ‘I think’

Expletives (swearing) can be used as discourse particles