Spoken Language Analysis Speech vs Writing.

Question 1

Outline the features of spoken language?

Answer 1

Spontaneous.
Body language.
Slang.
Volume/Pitch.
Laughter.
Interruptions.
Turn taking.
Accents.
Hesitation.

Question 2

Outline the features of written language.

Answer 2

Punctuation.
Planned first.
Advanced lexis.
Organised.
Titles/subtitles.
Fonts.

Question 3

Outline Halliday’s argument.

Answer 3

Halliday argues that spoken and written language offer different perspectives on reality.
E.g.
Spoken language is dynamic, happening and focused on processed and experiences whereas, written is concerned with more abstract metaphorical ‘things’ compared to the more immediate real time character of spoken language.

Question 4

Relate writing and speech to lexical density.

Answer 4

Writing - more lexically dense.

Speech - more grammatically dense.

Question 5

Outline the lexical items/ contents words.

Answer 5

Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Adverbs
Personal pronouns.

Question 6

Outline the grammatical items/function words.

Answer 6

Articles
Prepositions
Connectives
Relative pronouns.