Spoken Language

Spoken English is for the most part spontaneous, on-line communication with only limited planning and thinking time. Speakers do not normally have time to construct grammatically correct sentences. It is more common to speak in chains of clauses linked by coordinating conjunctions.

Example

Features of Spoken Grammar

Using A Handbook of Spoken Grammar as reference

Feature 1: Heads
The sentence spoken is divided into 2 parts. Place the focus of the sentence (usually the object) to the front. The sentence is spoken with a pause, to add more emphasis. Example:

That table by the window, is it free?

Feature 2: Tails
It has the same structure as Feature 1, but the emphasis is focused on the end part of the sentence. Example:

Its too far to go for a week, India.

Sometimes, the verb is repeated to give more emphasis to the sentence. Example:

Youve got more energy than me, you have.

Feature 3: Use of thing

This word is used to replace the object of the sentence. It can have a lot of meaning, depending on how it is used, and the intention of the speaker. Example:

Shall we see how things develop? Ive got this thing on my shoulder.

Feature 4: Exaggerative Language

Also known as hyperbole. Example:

There were millions of people in the queue. Its a delicious dish, but it takes years in the oven.

Feature 5: Usage of oh, look, okay and etc.

Used in reporting sentences, to mark direct speech. Example:

Then he said to me, look, well be late if you dont hurry up. When she said it was only RM10, I said, oh, are you sure?

Feature 6: Synonymous Language

A) Usage of Ellipsis
- The traffic is awful today. - I know. Terrible, isnt it? The second speaker did not repeat the word traffic, because both speakers know that they are talking about the same topic.

B) Usage of Synonymous Phrases

- He just keeps talking, doesnt he? - Youre right. He never stops.

C) Adding in a dependant Clause

- She can be quite rude with people, Jo. - Unless she wants something, yes. The second speaker is agreeing to the first speaker, and she added a new information.