Abstract
This paper serves as an introductory investigation into the grammar of spoken English. More specifically, this paper will analyze selected features of spoken language which are significantly different from written language or features of spoken language not found in written language. The features analyzed also have a high rate of occurrence in the spoken language. The ultimate goal of this investigation is the development of English Language Teaching materials which will address the features detailed.
Introduction
What is the hallmark of fluency? Certainly no one is ever judged as fluent without showing competence in the production of acceptably fluent speech. Standard English is not a widely spoken variety; it is mostly
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For this paper, I have chosen to investigate some features of the spoken language which are highly common in the conversation register or are typically exclusive to the spoken language. First, I will discuss some of the high frequency lexical verbs in the spoken language, both single and multi-word. Next, I will investigate lexical bundles which commonly occur in the spoken language. Lastly, I will present some smaller units which occur frequently in spoken language and serve purposes which are not typically used in writing.
The Usual Suspects
Despite the huge number of verbs available in the English language, there are a small number of verbs which occur with a relatively high frequency in conversation. Here I am only considering lexical verbs as opposed to auxiliary or modal verbs, which are also common, albeit for different reasons. Of all the single-word lexical verbs, get is the most frequently used in the spoken register, and it is also the single most common verb in any register with more than 9000 occurrences per million words. In addition to its high frequency, get also has a wide range of uses. It can be used when referring to obtaining something, moving to or away from something, causing something to move or happen, changing from one state to another, or understanding something.
Say is the most common verb over all registers, and it is one of the next most frequent
Secondly, range of similarities and differences are perceived in the sets of rules constraining the language structure of Auslan and English. In comparison to English, sign languages are visual languages, hence it is distinct in modality and word-ordering structure (Damian, 2011). To illustrate, the words of spoken languages are delivered in a fairly linear pattern, both in time and on paper (Bejan, 2001). This linear sentence structure is observed in English, but the same is not demonstrated in Auslan. However, despite this distinction, the order of signs remains of importance to produce meaningful sentences. This is because Auslan conveys many grammatical features found in the English language at phonological, morphological and syntactic levels (Johnston & Schembri, 2007). An individual’s poor English grammar is attributed for sentence fragments. These poorly formed English sentences occur when a sentence lacks a subject, a verb or do not express a complete thought (Schuster, 2006). In the same manner, the wrong ordering of signs will affect the fluency of the language. For instance, the linear English sentence ‘many black cars have disappeared’ will be signed as MANY-BLACK-CAR-DISAPPEAR (Johnston & Schembri, 2007). In this example, it is important that the determiner (MANY) and adjective (BLACK) are situated before the noun (CAR) (Johnston & Schembri, 2007). This is done for the purpose of identifying the noun within the sentence, which subsequently lead to the formation
People can communicate in many different ways, verbal (talking), Written (email, memo, posters), body language/gestures (the way they react when been given information), their facial expression, eye contact, sigh language and behavior. People communicate to one another on a day to day basis. People may communicate to each other for different reasons such as: Creating a relationship, keeping a stable relationship, 'chit chat', giving/receiving information or expressing ideas, thoughts or concerns.
Tannen, D. 2001 " The Power of Talk: Who Gets Heard and Why". From _Linguistics at Work: A Reader of Applications_, edited by Dallin D. Oaks 242-259.
There are many ways to communicate other than straight forward talking which many people find more productive than having a verbal conversation. These include: -
Language is an incredibly powerful tool for communication and the words we use control the
People communicate for all types of different reasons, we communicate to express a need or desire, to share ideas and information, to reassure, to express feelings, socialise, to share an experience, all essential for building and maintaining relationships.
In the words of George Orwell, “If thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.” Language has been spoken for over 350,000 years. It has expanded tremendously, but its power has never changed. The use of language shapes peoples' perceptions and the depth of interactions because it can demean, avoid, portray emphasis, persuade, and conceal from simple phrases such as “I feel like” and “just”.
He makes an important hypothesis that universal grammar (UG). UG is a characterization of these innate principle of language faculty, I-language. (5) He then postulates some detailed structure of UG. It is a system of conditions on grammars, constraints on the form and interpretation of grammar at all levels, from the deep structures of syntax, through the transformational component, to the rules that interpret syntactic structures semantically and phonetically. The study of linguistic universals, which is classified as formal or substantive, is the study of the properties of UG for a natural language. (6) Substantive universals concern the vocabulary for the description of language and a formal linguistic universal involve the character of the rules that appear in grammars and the ways in which they can be interconnected. Language-acquisition device uses primary linguistic data as the empirical basis for language learning to meet explanatory adequacy that is defined in UG, and to select one of the potential grammars, which is permitted by UG.
A lot of research has been done on this topic. Many linguistics have surveyed on the social behavior that people have to converse with each other who include Biber and Carter and McCarthy. According to them, there are many characteristics of every day talk. However, before discussing those features, one thing needs to be kept in mind. Even if the situation or the environment calls for a
Some linguistic models try to explain the development of second language acquisition. The three most common models are (1) the Universal Grammar Model, (2) the Competition Model, and (3) the Monitor Model. The Universal Grammar Model refers to the system of principles, conditions, and rules that are properties or elements of all human languages. At the same time, each language has grammatical rules that vary from one language to another. Thus, Chomky states that different languages have a limited possibility of different grammatical structures (1975). Therefore, second language learners base their second language acquisition on universal principles common to all languages, and on the force of the particular rules of each language. All of those can be concluded that as a human, especially as children, we have vary form of rules in language, in this case is second language.
In order to verbally communicate language is needed. Using the English language we use sounds, words, and grammar to send a message to another person. The words have meaning and use grammar to set guidelines on the structure. We learn how to use sounds to form words that have definitions. We use these words to form sentences to help explain the thoughts and ideas we want to send to another person. We use language as a bridge to carry our thoughts and ideas from the mind and brain to oral messages. On occasion verbal communication can be confused with an unintentional meaning. Occasionally people say words they do not know the correct meaning which will confuse the listener. Other time words have the same sound but different meaning such as the two words: fore and four.
It is not uncommon to say that grammar instruction plays an important role in language teaching. Regarding the status and importance of grammar teaching, a variety of opinions have been made. Batstone (1994) states that “language without grammar would be chaotic: countless words without the indispensable guidelines for how they can be ordered and modified” (p. 4). More vividly, Wang (2010) makes two similes. She compares grammar to the frame of a house, which is a decisive factor to ensure the solidness of it. Additionally, she regards grammar as a walking stick, whose function is to help and support students to learn English. Thus, the nature of grammar instruction manifests its own significance as it helps students
Larsen-Freeman (2001) as cited in Mart (2013), describes grammar as a system of meaningful structures and patterns that are governed by particular pragmatic constraints. This clearly indicates that grammar plays a crucial role in learning the target language. Grammar instruction is one of the most difficult issues that people have encountered in language learning and teaching. Therefore, the best way to overcome this issue is by
In this essay I will discuss the definition of the concept grammar in linguistic science and thee attitude teachers may have towards such a conceptualization of what grammar is. I will go into detail by explaining perspective and descriptive grammar.
Specification – Edexcel IGCSE in - Exemplar Coursework Edexcel IGCSE EnglishEnglish Language (Specification A) (4EA0) – Issue 1 – September 2008 © Edexcel Limited 2008