Spoken Discourse
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the input on Spoken Discourse?

  • Examining written communication only
  • Understanding written discourse characteristics
  • Teaching pronunciation techniques
  • Investigating conversation and conversational skills (correct)

    • Spoken discourse can be defined as real language of interaction beyond the single sentence level.

    True

    What is one of the features that characterizes discourse?

    Coherence

    One key component of discourse is ________, which refers to the quality of a text being meaningful and unified.

    <p>coherence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Turn-Taking = The way speakers alternate in conversation Intonation = The variation of pitch in spoken language Gestures = Movements of the body that communicate information Conversational Repair = Strategies used to correct misunderstandings in conversation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a feature of spoken discourse?

    <p>Capitalization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The use of authentic transcripts is encouraged as teaching material.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'cohesive devices' in discourse?

    <p>Devices that connect parts of a text, such as referencing and conjunctions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of transactional conversations?

    <p>To get business done</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Meaning in conversation is only determined by the words used.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is locutionary meaning?

    <p>The literal meaning of words out of context.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The response 'Yes' might indicate agreement or ______ in certain cultures.

    <p>doubt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the types of conversational participants with their likely relationship:

    <p>Got the time? = Strangers of a similar status Do you have the time? = Strangers maintaining politeness Could I trouble you for the time? = Strangers with a status disparity What’s the time? = Acquainted individuals or friends</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does age affect speaking style?

    <p>It leads to more casual conversations with younger peers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Conversational style remains the same regardless of context.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might a direct request imply in a conversation?

    <p>Familiarity or a casual relationship between speakers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In some cases, the speaker's tone and context can alter the ______ of their words.

    <p>illocutionary force</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the conversational examples with their implications:

    <p>Whachadoin? = Informal situation between friends Have you seen the manager? = Less formal, likely known Could you lend me a fiver? = Informal request Could you lend me £5? = Formal request</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What change occurs when someone says 'We was out at the cinema, innit?'?

    <p>Grammatical change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Lexical and grammatical choices reflect the speaker's social status and familiarity.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does conversational context include?

    <p>The relationship between speakers, cultural background, and situational factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main characteristic that differentiates spoken language from written language?

    <p>Spoken language occurs in cultural and social contexts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Spoken discourse analysis has significantly influenced classroom practice.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one feature that is common in spoken language.

    <p>Use of intonation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In spoken discourse, we tend to adjust our message according to the immediate _____ we are receiving.

    <p>feedback</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following features with their descriptions:

    <p>Short sentences = Used more frequently in speech Paralinguistic features = Includes gestures and facial expressions Dialogue = A characteristic of conversation Monologue = A characteristic of writing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a principle of spoken discourse?

    <p>Spoken language is static.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Conversation can be defined as purposeful spoken interaction between two or more people.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Provide an example of a multi-purpose conversation.

    <p>An interview.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Spoken language needs to be taught as _____ text.

    <p>connected</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following utterances with their possible functions:

    <p>Try harder. = An order, encouragement, advice Could you get that? = A request, an indirect order I wonder where he is. = A request for information, speculation Yes. = Agreement, acknowledgement Thank you. = Thanking someone, responding to an offer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one reason why conversational purposes are difficult to categorize?

    <p>Conversations can serve multiple purposes simultaneously.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The same grammar rules apply to both spoken and written English.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identify one way in which spoken language can convey meaning that written language cannot.

    <p>Intonation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In conversation, others may _____ us or finish our thoughts for us.

    <p>interrupt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a feature unique to spoken discourse?

    <p>Paralinguistic features such as gestures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is referred to as the speaker's intention behind an utterance?

    <p>Illocutionary force</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Discourse analysis emphasizes sentence-dominated models of language.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes a change in conversational focus or topic?

    <p>Transaction marker</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The process of attempting to correct misunderstandings in conversation is known as ________.

    <p>Conversational repair</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is a key feature of spoken discourse?

    <p>Share knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of back-channel responses in a conversation?

    <p>To reassure the speaker that the listener is engaged.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Spoken discourse is entirely devoid of rules.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Every conversation progresses logically and coherently.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Provide an example of ellipsis in speech.

    <p>Went shopping today</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are adjacency pairs?

    <p>Standard responses expected in conversation, such as greetings or questions followed by appropriate replies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The speaker's primary emphasis on stress in a spoken sentence indicates its ________.

    <p>Prominence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an example of a conversation marker?

    <p>While</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of conversation, the __________ is the 'point of departure' of the message.

    <p>theme</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their meanings:

    <p>Back-channel responses = Verbal cues indicating listening and engagement Theme = The focus of a statement or message Rheme = The part of the sentence that provides additional information about the theme Transaction marker = Indicates a shift in topic or focus within a conversation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a feature of spoken discourse?

    <p>Formal writing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Turn-taking rules are the same across all cultures.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can affect the emotional response of a speaker in conversation?

    <p>Unexpected responses from the listener.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The elements of conversation such as interruptions and false starts reveal that conversation can be __________.

    <p>chaotic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which element functions as a marker to indicate a shift in the conversation?

    <p>Transaction marker</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Students often grasp the complexities of turn-taking in conversation easily.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do back-channel responses impact the speaker?

    <p>They provide reassurance that the listener is engaged in the conversation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the spoken discourse, the part that communicates 'what we want to say' is called the __________.

    <p>rheme</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following types of responses to their categories:

    <p>Request = Adjacency pair Greeting = Adjacency pair Offer = Adjacency pair Blame = Turn type</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is considered an acceptable aspect of conversation in Finland?

    <p>Long pauses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Silence is generally discouraged in English conversations.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common way to open a conversation in British English with strangers?

    <p>Shared topics like weather or complaints about public transportation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In British English, ending a conversation with a phrase such as ‘______’ can seem abrupt.

    <p>Goodbye</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the conversation techniques with their descriptions:

    <p>Turn-taking = Identifying when to speak Opening a conversation = Using set topics with strangers Closing a conversation = Negotiating the end with phrases Topic appropriacy = Understanding what subjects are suitable for discussion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens if someone takes too short a turn in a conversation?

    <p>They appear uninterested</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Learners should avoid discussions about taboo subjects to prevent offense.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does topic shift refer to in a conversation?

    <p>The changes of direction that occur within a conversation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Competence in conversation includes knowing when to take a _____ and how long to keep it.

    <p>turn</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many shifts were identified in the provided conversation extract?

    <p>Five</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Changing topics abruptly is generally accepted in all cultures.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might a lack of focus on conversation conventions lead to for learners?

    <p>Reluctance to participate in conversations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In British English, common phrases used for closing include, ‘Well it’s been nice…’ and ‘______, but I’ve got to run.’

    <p>Sorry</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the conventional conversation phrases with their purpose:

    <p>'How was your holiday?' = Opening a conversation 'I’ve got to go now' = Closing a conversation 'It was quite sunny actually' = Shift indicator 'Well it’s been nice...' = Ending politely</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might it be challenging for learners to close a conversation?

    <p>They may be too abrupt or formal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of conversational repair?

    <p>To correct or deal with communication problems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Intonation and stress are only used to convey the speaker's emotions.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can indicate the end of a speaking turn in a conversation?

    <p>Intonation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The speaker can convey meaning through his/her selection of _______.

    <p>prominence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following conversation expressions with their main purpose:

    <p>What I’m saying is... = Clarify what we said Did you mean to say...? = Clarify what someone else said Are you with me? = Check someone is following the conversation More or less, yes... = Indicate you are lost in the conversation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true regarding gesture and body language?

    <p>They can show interest or lack of interest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Repair strategies are only beneficial for the speaker and not for the listener.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might a 'referring' tone involve?

    <p>Rising intonation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    ____ and stress can indicate interest, surprise, excitement, or boredom in communication.

    <p>Intonation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following expressions to their usage:

    <p>So you mean that... = Clarify what someone said Let me rephrase that... = Clarify what we said Did you mean to say...? = Clarify what someone said Am I making sense? = Check someone is following the conversation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is NOT a function of intonation?

    <p>To determine the accuracy of grammar</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Body language is essential in showing feelings during a conversation.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of breaking eye contact during a conversation?

    <p>It signifies lack of interest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to focus on intonation and stress in language learning?

    <p>They play a crucial role in meaning and conversation structure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Authentic materials in the classroom are always scripted and predictable.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the study of language in use, either written or spoken, referred to as?

    <p>discourse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    ____ is considered a necessary condition for language learning.

    <p>Repairing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which strategy helps clarify what the speaker has said?

    <p>Let me put it another way…</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ability to know how to repair ______ problems is essential in conversation.

    <p>conversational</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following topics with their descriptions:

    <p>Cohesion = Quality of being grammatically and lexically connected Illocutionary force = The intended significance of an utterance Back-channel responses = Verbal or non-verbal signals that a listener is paying attention Ellipsis = Omission of words in a sentence without loss of meaning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors contributes to students' difficulties in spoken interactions?

    <p>Teaching methods relying solely on scripted dialogues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Maintaining appropriate body language is crucial for effective communication.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one way teachers can develop students' awareness of spoken discourse?

    <p>Using authentic materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Students often face ______ difficulties not anticipated in classroom spoken texts.

    <p>linguistic and strategic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following discourse aspects with their importance:

    <p>Formality = Matches the social context and participants Conjunction = Links ideas and sentences smoothly Gestures = Enhances meaning through non-verbal communication Turn-taking = Structures the flow of conversation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a component specifically related to spoken discourse?

    <p>Cohesion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Coursebooks provide a comprehensive and systematic focus on features of spoken discourse.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of using scripted or semi-scripted dialogues in teaching materials?

    <p>Students struggle to participate effectively in real conversations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Understanding and conveying ______ meaning through stress and intonation is critical in spoken discourse.

    <p>affective and attitudinal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following interactions with their descriptions:

    <p>Opening a conversation = Initiating a dialogue with a greeting or question Closing a conversation = Concluding the interaction politely Shifting topics = Transitioning smoothly from one subject to another Using back-channel responses = Indicating support or acknowledgement during a conversation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Spoken Discourse Overview

    • Spoken discourse is real-life spoken communication beyond single sentences, in context, and appearing in spoken texts.
    • Coherence is key, making the text meaningful and unified. Features include cohesive devices (referencing, parallel structures, repetition, etc.) and genre-specific lexis.
    • Spoken discourse has similar features to written discourse, but also unique ones.

    Key Differences Between Spoken and Written Discourse

    • Spoken: shorter sentences, simpler vocabulary/conjunctions, dialogue-based, message adjusted based on immediate feedback, little/no planning time, potentially ungrammatical, interruptions possible, use of stress/intonation, paralinguistic features (gesture, facial expressions).
    • Written: monologue-based, formal, planned, grammatically correct, no immediate feedback.

    Brief History of Discourse Analysis

    • Discourse analysis recognizes speaking as distinct from written language.
    • Current teaching often fails to reflect the reality of spoken discourse, using dialogues based on written English grammar.
    • Spoken language is influenced by culture, social contexts, and relationships.
    • Discourse is used to achieve various social/cultural purposes. There is a systematic relationship between the language and its context.

    Units of Conversation

    • Conversation is purposeful spoken interaction between two or more people, often multi-purpose (e.g., interviews).

    • Purposes are multi-faceted and difficult to categorize (transactional vs. interactional).

    • Functions of conversation depend heavily on context (e.g., "Try harder" can signal order, encouragement, or advice—depending).

    • Meaning is defined by context, illocutionary force (intended meaning), and locutionary force (literal meaning). Conversational "moves" are speech acts.

    • Conversational style varies with speaker relationships, roles, status, gender, age, and context (formal vs. informal).

    • Turn-taking: Conversations involve turns for speaking and listening, governed by rules. Interrupting, long pauses, and silence can vary culturally (e.g., English vs. Finnish).

    • Opening/closing: Opening conversations with strangers often involves shared experiences or asking questions (weather, shared adversity). Closing conversations often uses phrases like "Well it's been nice..." or "I've got to run."

    • Topic: Topics vary culturally. Topic shift within conversations is common.

    Conversational Repair

    • Repair mechanisms are frequently used: misunderstanding, mishearing, corrections, checking comprehension.
    • Ways to clarify (from examples): rephrasing, checking understanding, clarifying others' statements, indicating lost in the conversation.

    Intonation and Stress

    • Intonation and stress convey attitude/emotion and shape discourse: indicating interest, surprise, excitement, helping with conversation flow, shifts in topic.
    • Sentence stress (prominence) highlights significant parts, revealing shared knowledge between speakers.
    • Prominence and grammar work in harmony toward meaning. (Intonation can indicate known/shared vs. unshared information).

    Gesture and Body Language

    • Gesture/body language is heavily culture-specific and can positively or negatively affect conversation flow, participation, and comprehension.
    • Eye contact is key in British English culture (e.g., breaking eye contact can indicate lack of interest, shiftiness).

    Implementing in the Classroom

    • Common and specific problems with spoken discourse include: cohesion, reference, conjunctions, ellipsis, substitution, formality, identifying illocutionary force, turn-taking, opening/closing, topic appropriateness, conversational repair, intonation/stress, cultural gesture/body language, fixed expressions.
    • Utilize authentic materials (e.g., recordings, video clips, etc.)
    • Analyze context and intended meaning
    • Importance of conversational style and its relationship to status, age, and familiarity.

    Terminology Review

    • Speech Act: Another term for function (e.g., praising, suggesting, requesting).
    • Illocutionary Force: The speaker's intention behind an utterance (e.g., "The phone's ringing"=request, not statement).
    • Theme: The topic or subject being discussed.
    • Transaction Marker: A feature signaling a topic shift.
    • Conversational Repair: Mechanisms for correcting problems during a conversation.
    • Ellipsis: Leaving out words in a sentence.

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    Test your understanding of spoken discourse and its key features with this quiz. Explore concepts such as cohesive devices, transactional conversations, and the impact of age on speaking style. This quiz will challenge your knowledge of real language interaction and its characteristics.

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