Unit 1 Session 2 Comparing Spoken Conversation and Written Academic Language

Question 1

Spoken-Sounds are coarticulated into one, undifferentiated stream of sound in words

Written-Single sounds (phonemes) are represented by alphabet letters. Letters are separate units. In English, they must be decoded from left to right.

Answer 1

Speech Sounds (Phonology)

Question 2

Written or spoken language that is more stylistically formal than spoken conversational language; language that is most often used in academic discourse and text.

Answer 2

Academic Language

Question 3

Spoken-Words may include incomplete or causal references; common words are typical; more liberties are taken with “correct” forms, such as pronouns.

Written-Words are separated by spaces. Words may be unusual, topic specific, longer; correct word form is expected.

Answer 3

Vocabulary (Semantics)

Question 4

Spoken-Sentences tend to be incomplete, run-on, or otherwise ungrammatical.

Written-Sentences may be lengthy, complex, and more carefully constructed to convey specific meanings.

Answer 4

Sentence Structure (Syntax)

Question 5

Spoken-There are no paragraphs in spoken language. Conversational speech is rambling, circular, repetitive, disorganized brief.

Written-Paragraphs have a logical structure. Connecting words are used deliberately to make text cohesive.

Answer 5

Paragraphs, Discourse

Question 6

Spoken-Meanings are conveyed by social context and human response-gestures, facial expressions, posture, tone of voice.

Written-All meaning resides in the words themselves; there is no contextual redundancy; author’s tone must be imagined.

Answer 6

Pragmatics

Question 7

Spoken VS.

• incomplete sentences
• common words
• less structured
• disorganized

Answer 7

Written

• nonverbal support
• complex sentences
• logical structures
• unusual words