Spoken English Vs Written English

Summary

This lecture explores the distinctions between spoken and written English, highlighting their unique characteristics. It delves into the transient nature of speech versus the permanence of writing, the structured complexity of the written form, and the narrative style of spoken English. Grammatical differences such as the use of tag questions, ellipses, coordination and subordination, finite and nonfinite clauses, signposts, and the use of contracted and uncontracted verb forms are discussed, emphasizing their appropriateness in either spoken or written contexts.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Spoken and written English are two forms of the English language with distinct characteristics and are used in different contexts.
• 💬 The medium of communication differs; spoken English uses sound waves, while written English uses visible marks like letters.
• 📜 Written English is more permanent, leaving a record that can be revisited, unlike the transient nature of spoken English.
• 📚 Written English is structured, organized, and complex, utilizing proper punctuation and paragraph structures, unlike the more general spoken English.
• 🎶 Spoken English has rhythm due to stress, accent, and intonation, which is not present in written English.
• 🤐 Slang and colloquial expressions are avoided in written English, which adheres to a standard variety of language.
• 📖 Written English is expository, focusing on ideas and concepts, while spoken English is more narrative and story-based.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation is key in spoken English, whereas a good knowledge of grammar is essential for written English.
• 👤 Spoken English is spontaneous and often involves interaction with known listeners, while written English is more reflective and the writer may not know the readers.
• 🔍 Written text is explicit and dense, presenting content more compactly compared to the often implicit and redundant nature of speech.
• 🏷️ Tag questions, which are statements followed by mini-questions for confirmation, are a characteristic feature of spoken English.
• ⏺️ Ellipsis, the omission of parts of a sentence, is common in spoken English but not typically found in written English.
• 🔗 Coordination and subordination of clauses are more prevalent in speech, joining clauses with conjunctions for fluidity.
• 📝 Nonfinite or verbless clauses are used in written English for formality, while finite clauses are common in spoken English for informality.
• 📌 Signposts or linking signals like 'firstly', 'secondly', are typical in written English to structure paragraphs and not often used in speech.
• ✍️ Contracted verb forms are used in spoken English for auxiliary verbs, while written English prefers the full, uncontracted forms.

Q & A

What are the two main forms of the English language discussed in the script?

The two main forms of the English language discussed in the script are spoken English and written English.

What is the primary medium of communication in spoken English?

The primary medium of communication in spoken English is speech.

How is written English transmitted as compared to spoken English?

Written English is transmitted through letters or other visible marks, unlike spoken English which is transmitted by sound waves.

What is the difference in permanence between spoken and written English?

Written English is permanent as it leaves a record that can be read multiple times, while spoken English is transient and leaves no permanent record unless remembered.

Why is written English considered more structured than spoken English?

Written English is more structured because it includes proper punctuation, sentence structure, and paragraph organization, making it more complex compared to the more general spoken English.

What is the role of stress, accent, and intonation in spoken English?

Stress, accent, and intonation are important in spoken English as they contribute to the rhythm and clarity of speech, which is not present in written English.

Why are slang and colloquial expressions typically avoided in written English?

Slang and colloquial expressions are avoided in written English because it is expected to use a standard and generally acceptable variety of language.

What is the difference in form between spoken and written English in terms of narrative and exposition?

Spoken English is more narrative and story-based, while written English is expository, focusing on ideas and concepts.

How does the requirement for clear pronunciation in spoken English differ from the requirement for good grammar in written English?

Clear pronunciation is necessary for spoken English to ensure understanding, whereas written English requires good grammar to convey the message accurately in a written format.

What is a tag question, and how is it used in spoken English?

A tag question is a statement followed by a mini-question used to seek confirmation. It is a characteristic feature of spoken English, often used in conversation.

What is an example of an ellipsis in spoken English and how does it differ from written English?

An example of an ellipsis in spoken English is asking 'Want to drink?' instead of 'Do you want a drink?'. It is a feature of spoken English where parts of a sentence are omitted for brevity, unlike in written English where sentences are typically complete.

How do coordination and subordination of clauses differ between spoken and written English?

Coordination and subordination of clauses are more common in spoken English where coordinating conjunctions like 'and', 'but', 'or' are used to join clauses. In written English, subordinating conjunctions like 'if', 'until', 'unless' are used to create complex sentence structures.

What is the difference between finite and nonfinite clauses in the context of spoken and written English?

Finite clauses are used in spoken English, such as 'The guests went into their rooms after dinner'. Nonfinite or verbless clauses are more common in written English, like 'Dinner finished, the guests retired to their rooms'.

Why are signposts or linking signals more typical of written English than spoken English?

Signposts or linking signals like 'firstly', 'secondly', 'to conclude' are used in written English to structure paragraphs and guide the reader. They are less common in spoken English, which relies more on immediate feedback and context.

What is the difference between contracted and uncontracted verb forms in spoken and written English?

Contracted verb forms like 'don't', 'isn't', 'couldn't' are commonly used in spoken English for auxiliary verbs. In written English, the full or uncontracted forms such as 'I have not seen' are preferred for clarity and formality.