English Language

Analysing Texts: Spoken Frameworks

 Analysing Spoken frameworks of
language: ‘Spoken Forms’ and Purpose
Learning Objectives
1. To consider the main differences between speech
and writing and advantages and disadvantages of
each mode of communication.
2. To distinguish between different forms of ‘spoken’
text; identifying features and functions of each.
 Starter Activity
Q. Which came first, speech or writing – and
which is more important?
Oppositional View of Speech vs.
Writing (Baron 2000)

Write down what you think are the main

differences between speech and writing
 An oppositional view of speech and
writing
Writing is: Speech is:
Objective Interpersonal
A monologue A dialogue
durable ephemeral
planned spontaneous
Highly structured Loosely structured
Grammatically complex Grammatically simple
Concerned with the past and Concerned with the present
future
Formal Informal
Decontextualised Contextualised
Baron’s Oppositional model of
speech vs. writing (2000)

How useful is this kind of classification

model?
- One way to avoid this strict classification is
to think of the distinction between speech
and writing as a continuum not opposite
(showing degrees of various features)
 Task:
• Draw a continuum like the one below and plot
different types of texts according to where
you think they should go

Written Spoken
Language Language
1. Status of Speech and Writing

 Learn to speak (naturally acquired skill) before

we learn to write (taught to read and write)
 Linguists refer to primacy of speech
 Inability to read and write social disadvantage;
inability to speak more fundamental
deprivation.
 Writing traditionally regarded as more
prestigious than speech; literacy confined to
elite and mark of social superiority.
 20th century growing recognition of the value of
spoken English –why?
 2. Permanence
Writing generally more permanent
Speech is transient (short-lived) - recorded
utterances only exception.
 3. Relationships: speaker, writer
and audience
Writing less restricted by time and space
Immediate feedback from speech
However, writers usually separated from their
audiences
 4. Structure and Style

 Writing generally more structured than speech –

organised into sentences and paragraphs
 Spoken language is more loosely structured and
often includes digressions and repetitions
 Speech is spontaneous; writing takes time
 More informal vocabulary in speech
 Speech accompanied by body language and
prosodic features; graphic equivalent in writing
e.g. exclamation mark.
 5. Speech and Writing Influence
Each Other
 Written language affects spoken language; growth of
literacy encouraged development of standardised
varieties of speech & partly explains disappearance
of much regional dialect vocabulary
 New words enter language through speech
 New technology means old divisions between speech
and writing are disappearing e.g. email and text
 Think!
Q. Writing has traditionally been regarded as
superior to speech. What are your views?
 3 Main Questions
1. What type of spoken language is it?
2. What are its purposes or functions?
3. What factors are likely to have influenced
the kind of language that is present?
 Types of Spoken Language
Monologue: is a single speaker addressing one
or more listeners e.g. lectures, speeches.
Dialogue: involves interaction; there are two
or more people, who are both speakers and
listeners e.g. informal conversations, debates.
 Task
Read through text CC and identify (by
highlighting, labelling etc) as many features of
spoken language as you can (i.e. what is there
that makes it spoken language)

Homework: Learn the key terms of functions for

spoken language for quick terminology test on
Monday