Topic Four (1.4): Features of Spoken Language and Unscripted Conversation
Introduction
When you studied speeches at AS, you were looking at examples of planned speech – i.e. speeches that were written in advance to be delivered to a specific audience and usually to create a specific effect. This is very different to spontaneous speech, which comprises most of the conversations we have in everyday life and which is included in the AL syllabus. Spontaneous speech is, as the name suggests, unplanned. We speak quickly and, as a consequence, we make mistakes, correct ourselves and fill in pauses. In order to analyse spontaneous speech, it must be recorded, and then transcribed (written out). Transcripts of conversation look very different to any other kind of written text and have their own rules. In this topic, you will consider the differences between speech and writing in preparation and examine some of the key features of spoken language and unscripted conversation.
There are lots of new terms in this topic, so take your time and make sure you are comfortable with each of them before moving on. Keep a record of all new terminology by ticking it off or highlighting it on your glossaries and begin learning it as soon as you can. This will make life much easier later on when you come to revise.
Task
- Before you begin studying the features of spontaneous speech, it’s important to have a general overview of how speech differs from writing. The following document summarises the key differences between the two forms.
- Read it and make brief notes:
READ – The Differences Between Speech and Writing Download READ – The Differences Between Speech and Writing
Read and Make Notes
Now you are ready to read pages 266 to 270, up to ‘Prosodic and paralinguistic features’, in the Gould and Rankin textbook and make notes.
Tasks
Transcribing Unscripted Conversation
- Types of utterance are very helpful elements to identify when analysing transcripts and they can be found in the speech of both children and adults. The following document lists them all in one place. You should learn all of the different kinds.
READ – Types of Utterance Download READ – Types of Utterance
- Complete Activity 1.
- For part 2, if you turn forward to page 422 in the Gould and Rankin textbook, you will find a diagram of the parts of human anatomy used in speech.
- For more information about the mechanics of speech, watch the following video:
WATCH - How We Speak – The Mechanics (YouTube) Links to an external site.
- For part 3, there is a very useful link to an interview with David Crystal below, though you will find others online as well. Add to your notes as you watch:
- Now jot down the table of transcript conventions on pages 267 to 268.
Discourse Features
- Read more about turn-taking here:
EXPLORE – Turn-Taking (Social Communication) Links to an external site.
- The following episode of the Radio 4 documentary series Word of Mouth explores turn-taking in more detail. Listen to it and add to your notes:
LISTEN – Taking Turns in Conversation (BBC) Links to an external site.
Terminology
You have covered a lot of new terminology in this topic, so make sure you tick off/highlight any new words in your glossaries as they come up so that you are forming an ongoing record of what you have learnt for revision later on.
Tasks
- Now complete Activity 2 by yourself and in your notes.
- The following resources will help you will part 2:
WATCH – What is Upspeak? (YouTube) Links to an external site.
EXPLORE – The Unstoppable March of the Upward Inflection? (BBC) Links to an external site.
- The following video is interesting as it shows how people responded to hi-rising terminal when it was first noticed in the 1990s:
WATCH – Up Talking with Connie Chung 1994 (YouTube) Links to an external site.
Stretch Activity
Complete the ‘Think Like a Film/TV Script Writer’ task on page 270.
Terminology
Make sure you understand all the key terms covered in this topic. You may like to make flashcards of key terms now, to help you with revision later on.