Colloquial English Grammar
Estonian Business School
Institute of Foreign Languages
GRAMMAR OF SPOKEN ENGLISH
Term Paper
By Maria Esko BBL-2
Supervisor: Ludmilla Podolski
Tallinn 2012
Table of Contents Introduction 3 Common Features of Spoken English 4 Grammar Characteristics 7 Clause Combination 7 Position of items 8 Pausing, Repeating and Recasting 8 Organising the discourse 9 Ellipsis 9 Response Tokens 10 Vague Expressions 11 Headers and Tails 11 Conclusion 12 References 13
Introduction
In the business world, communication is vital for creating new networks and acquiring important business partners. Communication is the activity of conveying information. Effective communication skills can be considered the key to success. I have chosen to investigate English spoken language in order to clarify what spoken English grammar is. As a non-native speaker I consider learning spoken grammar incredibly important in order to understand the other party. The communication process can be considered successfully completed only when the listener has understood the message of the speaker.
The fact that speaking and writing are different is quite obvious. The studies of the spoken English grammar have been neglected for a long time, since it was considered as confusing and full of mistakes. Development of technology has made it possible to analyse spoken language more thoroughly. Therefore many fascinating facts about spoken Grammar have arisen. In this paper I will use the term spoken grammar in the meaning of colloquial English. The characteristics of formal English speaking, e.g. prepared speeches are not analysed in this term paper.
This paper gives an overview of the main features of the grammar of spoken English. The differences between spoken and written English are supplied with illustrations. In the conclusion the overall characteristics of the grammar of spoken English have been summarised.
Common Features of Spoken English
Is there any
Institute of Foreign Languages
GRAMMAR OF SPOKEN ENGLISH
Term Paper
By Maria Esko BBL-2
Supervisor: Ludmilla Podolski
Tallinn 2012
Table of Contents Introduction 3 Common Features of Spoken English 4 Grammar Characteristics 7 Clause Combination 7 Position of items 8 Pausing, Repeating and Recasting 8 Organising the discourse 9 Ellipsis 9 Response Tokens 10 Vague Expressions 11 Headers and Tails 11 Conclusion 12 References 13
Introduction
In the business world, communication is vital for creating new networks and acquiring important business partners. Communication is the activity of conveying information. Effective communication skills can be considered the key to success. I have chosen to investigate English spoken language in order to clarify what spoken English grammar is. As a non-native speaker I consider learning spoken grammar incredibly important in order to understand the other party. The communication process can be considered successfully completed only when the listener has understood the message of the speaker.
The fact that speaking and writing are different is quite obvious. The studies of the spoken English grammar have been neglected for a long time, since it was considered as confusing and full of mistakes. Development of technology has made it possible to analyse spoken language more thoroughly. Therefore many fascinating facts about spoken Grammar have arisen. In this paper I will use the term spoken grammar in the meaning of colloquial English. The characteristics of formal English speaking, e.g. prepared speeches are not analysed in this term paper.
This paper gives an overview of the main features of the grammar of spoken English. The differences between spoken and written English are supplied with illustrations. In the conclusion the overall characteristics of the grammar of spoken English have been summarised.
Common Features of Spoken English
Is there any
References: Adolphs, S., Carter, R., 2003, And she’s like it’s terrible, like: Spoken Discourse, Grammar and Corpus Analysis, International Journal of English Studies Biber, D., Conrad, S., Leech, G., 2002, Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English, Edinburgh: Pearson Education Limited Brazil, D., 1995, A Grammar of speech. Oxford: Oxford University Press Carter R., McCarthy m., 2006, Cambridge Grammar of English a comprehensive guide spoken and written English Grammar and usage, Cambridge University Press Eggins, S. and D. Slade, 1996, Analyzing casual conversation. London: Cassell Leech G., Svartvik J., 1983, A communicative grammar of English, Moscow Prosveshchenie Leech G., Svartvik J., 2002, A communicative grammar of English 3d edition, London: Pearson ESL Leech, G., n.d., English Grammar in Conversation Lancaster: Lancaster University