Text types: Texts for social interaction

Overview

Spoken language

In these pages we will be looking closely at the way people use spoken English to interact with each other socially. Spoken language is the common, everyday medium we all use to interact spontaneously with each other. As we interact, we take turns to speak and construct the interaction together turn by turn.

Although spoken English uses the same words and grammar as written English it uses them differently. Neither variety is more 'natural' nor more 'correct' than the other. They are different because we use them to do different kinds of things.

When we speak, we are taking part in a dynamic and volatile process. Words are spoken into the air and immediately disappear. In contrast, when we write we are creating a product which we can hold in our hands and return to and reflect on long after the words were written. Although we can capture spoken language using audio or video recorders and also transcribe it into a written text, when we write spoken language down it loses many of its characteristics, for example the features of pronunciation. Furthermore, when we write spoken language down, it often appears to be fragmented, untidy and disorganised. This is because the volatility and dynamism of spoken language does not translate well into written language. Spoken language is in fact organised, but it is organised differently from written language.

Here are some of the characteristics which make spoken interactions different from written text:

	Spoken interactions are spontaneous, not planned, and for this reason they usually have lots of hesitations, interruptions, pauses and repetition.
	Spoken interactions are jointly created by people taking turns. Speakers use turn-taking and interruption patterns to keep the interaction going. When people stop taking turns the interaction stops. A turn can consist of a clause fragment, a whole clause or clause complex and sometimes even a whole text.
	Spoken interactions are usually constructed using intricate chains of clauses and clause complexes which stretch out the content across each turn and often into subsequent turns. Because the grammar of spoken language is so intricate there are lots of grammar, or function, words and fewer content words.
	Speakers pronounce the words and clauses of spoken language, ie by making the sounds of words, by using stress and rhythm to give the clauses a melody and a beat, and by using intonation patterns (ie patterns of tones) to change the point of view and focus of clauses.

Tell me more ... What are texts for social interaction? Different types of social interaction Spoken language The language of social interaction Greetings and closings Keeping the interaction going Keeping the interaction going: Three-turn interaction pattern Keeping the interaction going: Tracking what people say in interactions Keeping the interaction going: Challenging what people say in interactions Linking turns to create texts for social interaction

To give us feedback about this section, click here or on the Comment button at the top of the screen.

If you have any questions about this section, visit the Language Corner.

If you have any questions or suggestions about how to teach this section, send a message to the Teaching Corner.