INFORMAL metalang

Question 1

slang

Answer 1

Informal lexemes typically specific to a particular group
Changes with trends
Marker of groups
Can be inclusive or exclusive
PLAYFUL IN NATURE

Question 2

phonological features

Answer 2

Elison: the slurring of sounds, unstressed vowels and consonants, vowel reduction/ schwa
Insertion: the addition of sounds, can demonstrate group identity (‘No wayahh’)

Question 3

dysphemisms, swearing + taboo lang

Answer 3

Impolite and subject to avoidance in conversation (taboo)
Socially or culturally inappropriate
Intentionally harsh, offensive or derogatory terms
Used in realton to sensitive
TO: express strong emotions, demo contempt, persuasive argument.
TABOO: strengthen bonds, emotion + humour, playfulness

Question 4

colloquialism

Answer 4

Location specific
Tied to identity
Australian colloquialisms: The G (MCG), Pollie (politician)
Insight 41-43: features of colloquial language
connected speech processes: gonna
idiomatic expressions: chuck a sickie or chuck a U-ey
contraction: we aren’t going out/ we are not going out
abbreviation: BTW
informal syntax or grammar: ‘cause, y’known
ellipsis: you going too? (VS. are you going, too?
regionally specific language - particular to identity: mate, bogan, things
shortening of names: Baz, Tim, Nat, Ern, Murph

Question 5

other lexical choices

Answer 5

Acronyms
Initialisms
Shortenings
Neologisms
creative, inventive, funny
Emoticons, emojis, context-specific graphemes

Question 6

openings + closings

Answer 6

• Consider socials norms of opening and closing in their specific context
• Consider opening and closing on text messages and social media and the difference from an in person conversation

Question 7

adjacency pairs

Answer 7

Questions and answers
Compliments and acknowledgments
Thank you and your welcome
Apology and acceptance

Question 8

minimal responses + backchannelling

Answer 8

Eye contact
Facial expressions, smiles, wide eye and mouth
Laughter
Backchanneling signals: hmm, oh, aha, nodding, yeah, no way, no

Question 9

discourse markers + particles

Answer 9

Seeking empathy or feedback
Demonstrating or checking for understanding
Clarifying or elaborating
Absence of accuracy, proof or indicate uncertainty

Question 10

non-fluency features

Answer 10

Common in spontaneous speech and everyday conversations
May represent a lack of preparation
Used to hold the floor
Indicate emotion or situational context: nerves, excitement, distraction
NOTE: deliberate pauses for dramatic effect ≠ non-fluency features as they are purposefully planned

False starts
Repairs and corrections
Pauses and hesitations
Filled pauses and hesitations
Repetition

Question 11

overlapping speech

Answer 11

Agreement or disagreement
Cooperative or uncooperative discourse
Emotion (positive or negative)
Desire to take the floor
Can meet or threaten face needs

Question 12

hedging

Answer 12

Assisting in maximising the cooperation between speaker and reduce the force.harshness of what is being said
yeah/no, like, sorta, might - should, could, I mean, I s’pose, yeah maybe

Question 13

Less syntactic complexity, increased ellipsis

Answer 13

Convos are full of missing words + phrases
coherence: achieved thru situational context + shared inference
cohesion: achieved thru ellipses

Question 14

prosodic features

Answer 14

volume => excitement, rapport

Question 15

emoticons + emojis

Answer 15

:) - emoticon
To:
Convey emotion/ton
Replace lengthy phrases
Gesture
Be playful
personalise message (phatic)
clarity

Question 16

openings + closings (spoken discourse)

Answer 16

Unprompted + varied
Allow for dynamic convo
Less structured, less constraints,

Question 17

adjacency pairs(spoken discourse)

Answer 17

Build rapport, ensure participants are included/valued in convo. Repair issues that may have arisen. protect face needs

Question 18

minimal responses + backchannels (spoken discourse)

Answer 18

Maintain convo flow, signal understanding, show active engagement + interest
Reflect agreement, support, enthusiasm

Question 19

overlapping speech(spoken discourse)

Answer 19

Cooperative overlaps more common in informal (reduced social distance)
- Excitement/agreement
- Meet face needs

Question 20

Discourse markers/particles (spoken)

Answer 20

Organise thoughts during spontaneous convo
Emphasis, indicating uncertainty, express opinions

Question 21

non-fluency features (spoken)

Answer 21

Typical in spontaneous speech, shows lack of planning, preparedness.
‘hold the floor’
- Pauses
- Filled pauses/voice hesitations
- False starts
- Repetition
- Repairs
Maints as they think of next statement

Question 22

hedging (spoken)

Answer 22

hedging expressions convey nuances of meaning + can reduce the force of what is being said
Assist in mazimising cooperation bw speakers + also used by speakers who do not wish to commit to point of view

Question 23

topic management (spoken strats)

Answer 23

Emerge from mutual interests, prior knowledge, personal experiences
Naturally shifting reflects:relaxed nature, reveal relationship/familiarity bw speakers

Question 24

turn-taking (spoken strats)

Answer 24

Relaxed atmosphere: more casual imperatives, interrogatives, roles of speakers less defined
Assist in overlapping speech which shows:
- Active engagement
- Enthusiasm
- Collaboration
Tenor/relationship is evident in TT (how informal + friendly manner)

Question 25

management of repair strats (spoken strats)

Answer 25

Repair sequences: spontaneous nature
More relaxed register: more comfy to make errors

Question 26

intimacy PURPOSE

Answer 26

Sense of closeness + connection bw individuals

Question 27

solidarity PURPOSE

Answer 27

Feeling of unity bw individuals, based on shared experience/purpose

Question 28

equality PURPOSE

Answer 28

Sense that individuals in particular exchange are of equal status (deserving mutual respect)

Question 29

social harmony PURPOSE

Answer 29

Positive social enviro in which all individuals feel comfortable/respected + at ease

Question 30

social taboos PURPOSE

Answer 30

Topics that are considered uncomfortable/controversion + are typically avoided in social contexts

Question 31

rapport PURPOSE

Answer 31

Sense of friendliness/harmony/shared understanding in a relationship

Question 32

in-group membership PURPOSE

Answer 32

Sense of belonging to any kind of social group (family, community, classroom or any group defined by particular interest)