Language Openings and Closings Quiz

Openings and Closings

• Essential parts of everyday language
• Americans use similar and different opening/closing methods compared to other cultures
• Dialogues show how speakers greet each other and signal the end of conversations. Notice the number of exchanges.
• Informal speech often omits words (e.g., "How are you doing?" instead of "How are you doing?")

Dialogues

• Dialogue A: Mike and Grace have a casual conversation about work and plans.
  • Use of informal phrases.
  • Several exchanges to end the conversation.
• Dialogue B: Dean Schubert (subject of phone call) and Fred Marshall (reporter) have a more formal conversation.
  • Formal tone, including titles (Miss, Mr.)
  • Concise exchange
• Dialogue C: Jack, Mike, and Susie have a casual conversation
  • Informal tone
  • Includes a few interchanges about time spent apart.
• Informal Speech Examples: "How (are) you doing?", "Where (are) you going?", "I (had) better", "(It) sounds good"

Greetings, Preclosings, and Closings

• Purpose of greetings in all languages is to establish contact, recognize a person, and show friendliness
• Greetings don't have literal meaning
• Greeting forms vary per situation. (e.g., if people have not seen each other in a long time greetings are often more enthusiastic or include shaking hands, embracing)
• Americans use different greeting forms for casual vs. formal settings

Phrases

• List of greetings and preclosings in English, from formal to less formal
• Responses for each phrase
• Includes usage notes where phrases are shortened or colloquial