Some core grammatical features of spoken English Prof.Xiao Haozhang ssshaw@scau.edu.cn
Some core grammatical features of spoken English Prof. Xiao Haozhang ssshaw@scau.edu.cn
Some of the core grammatical features of spoken English (for example,ellipsis)share a grammatical label with similar features of written language.Some of the other features (for example,heads and tails and discourse markers), however,exist on the boundaries of what is conventionally understood as a grammar of sentences, and these have different labels. Both vague language and modal expressions directly involve lexical and pragmatic features as well as grammatical features
Some of the core grammatical features of spoken English (for example, ellipsis) share a grammatical label with similar features of written language. Some of the other features (for example, heads and tails and discourse markers), however, exist on the boundaries of what is conventionally understood as a grammar of sentences, and these have different labels. Both vague language and modal expressions directly involve lexical and pragmatic features as well as grammatical features
The terminology used throughout this publication recognises this new territory and tries to capture something of the distinctive features of the grammar of speech. We now explain these distinctive features in detail, using examples from different corpora of spoken English.The headings under which they are grouped indicate the ways in which aspects of spoken grammar work together to realise the functions associated with talk
The terminology used throughout this publication recognises this new territory and tries to capture something of the distinctive features of the grammar of speech. We now explain these distinctive features in detail, using examples from different corpora of spoken English. The headings under which they are grouped indicate the ways in which aspects of spoken grammar work together to realise the functions associated with talk
Signalling the shape and structure of talk:discourse markers and heads and tails
Signalling the shape and structure of talk: discourse markers and heads and tails
Although when we speak there are no full stops or commas or colons,we do need a kind of spoken punctuation.This helps us to organise what we say,to signpost for others what is coming up and to place what has just been said so that the listener knows how to take it.In general,signalling is a vital component of interactive communication,linking,highlighting and re-emphasising stretches of talk for our own benefit and the benefit of the listener.Features of spoken grammar that are particularly associated with signalling are discourse markers and heads and tails
Although when we speak there are no full stops or commas or colons, we do need a kind of spoken punctuation. This helps us to organise what we say, to signpost for others what is coming up and to place what has just been said so that the listener knows how to take it. In general, signalling is a vital component of interactive communication, linking, highlighting and re-emphasising stretches of talk for our own benefit and the benefit of the listener. Features of spoken grammar that are particularly associated with signalling are discourse markers and heads and tails
Discourse markers Discourse markers are the individual words and phrases that are used to mark boundaries in conversation between one topic or bit of business and the next (eg anyway,right,okay,I see,I mean, mind you,well,right,what's more,so and now). They often have 'pragmatic'meanings different from their dictionary meanings.Thus,in actual dialogue now or right do not mean at this moment or correct,respectively
Discourse markers Discourse markers are the individual words and phrases that are used to mark boundaries in conversation between one topic or bit of business and the next (eg anyway, right, okay, I see, I mean, mind you, well, right, what’s more, so and now). They often have ‘pragmatic’ meanings different from their dictionary meanings. Thus, in actual dialogue now or right do not mean at this moment or correct, respectively
Now signals a change in topic or a return to an earlier topic.Right indicates that speakers need to make a decision or that a decision has been accepted or has at least been acknowledged. Anyway,give Jean a ring and see what she says. Right,okay,we'd better try to phone and see what they have to report
Now signals a change in topic or a return to an earlier topic. Right indicates that speakers need to make a decision or that a decision has been accepted or has at least been acknowledged. Anyway, give Jean a ring and see what she says. Right, okay, we’d better try to phone and see what they have to report
Discourse markers signpost and signal interactively how a speaker plans to organise a dialogue.Thus,people speaking face to face or on the phone often use anyway to show that they wish to finish that particular topic or return to another topic.Similarly,so can indicate that a speaker is summing up,while okay often serves to indicate that a speaker is ready to move on to the next phase of business; or it can signal that a speaker is checking that the listener approves what is being done
Discourse markers signpost and signal interactively how a speaker plans to organise a dialogue. Thus, people speaking face to face or on the phone often use anyway to show that they wish to finish that particular topic or return to another topic. Similarly, so can indicate that a speaker is summing up, while okay often serves to indicate that a speaker is ready to move on to the next phase of business; or it can signal that a speaker is checking that the listener approves what is being done
A:Mm.So did you feel that the points that you made in your original letter were all covered in this reply? B:Oh yes.I think they've answered me very well indeed
• A: Mm. So did you feel that the points that you made in your original letter were • all covered in this reply? • B: Oh yes. I think they’ve answered me very well indeed
Discourse markers can have more than one function.For example,the main function of well as a discourse marker is to indicate that the speaker is thinking about things and it can be used to indicate that what has just been said needs to be modified or qualified
Discourse markers can have more than one function. For example, the main function of well as a discourse marker is to indicate that the speaker is thinking about things and it can be used to indicate that what has just been said needs to be modified or qualified