Grammar in context (OU)
Sees 'grammar as a tool for adapting our communications in ways
which present us and our message in different lights and is dependent on may
contextual factors' ( KRO
including whether f-f or online').
' exploring grammar can allow you to see how language is intertwined
with both describing a view of the world and interacting with others in it'
Grammar is different in speech and writing
lexis ( choice of vocabulary) combined with choice of
grammar lexico-grammar convey the
meanings we make with language
Descriptive grammars
Different theories of language result in different types off
grammatical description. Grammar
as choosing different forms to express different types of meaning
rather than as correct usage
• Structural
(traditional) grammar as parts of speech eg noun, verb
• Functional
grammar how words combine to give meaning - how we use grammar rather than its
correctness
Prescriptive grammars
- how we should
write or speak(rather than how we DO speak) rules of sentence construction eg
do not split infinitives
Contextual influences
Malonski grounded description of grammar in cultural,
geographical, social and economic conditions. ' how variations in what we are
doing, who we are communicating with, whether face-to-face or separated in time
and space' .... affect our choice if grammar. Ie socio-cultural context rather
than in the context of the immediate text.
Writing at at a distance
• Listener
Cannot ask for 'immediate' clarification
• Speaker
Rephrasing limited
• Listener
no NVC indicators about understanding and emotions of the listener when we
write we are likely to be observing the conventions of both contexts
Systematic variations between writing and speaking
Most significant is the amount of information per word used. ?
Reflection of one as a very planned environment.
Speaking
• More
informal
• Not
so careful about choice of words
• No
time to plan and revise to fit in with the meaning we want to convey
'Most choices of
language usage are unconscious but
nevertheless motivated'
Speaking face-face different to speaking online (KRO no
evidence)
Speaking f-f
think in terms of utterances rather than sentences
No full stop
Utterances seem incomplete or they change direction
String of utterances linked by some key words e.g. and
When f-f we share an immediate physical context therefore do not need to make everything
explicit, can use question tags (would she?) which invite a response either
verbally or by a nod of the head, i.e this practice also invites interactiveness
Missing out pronouns is common and probably adds to a feeling of
closeness. Whereas in writing ' uses fuller combinations of nouns and
adjectives to specify who or what is being referred to'
Vernacular range, contractions (i've) non standard usage, repetition
and hesitation
Ellipsis
' occurs when some elements if a phrase or other unit of
language are not specified because they can be inferred from the contexts'.
Occur in both speaking and writing but more common in speech.
Dysfluency, -
pauses and hesitators
'analyses of large amounts of conversational data shows that
there are systematic patterns in how they are used'
Hesitators - indicators that a speaker has not yet finished
their turn for example the speaker needs some time for forward planning of what
to say next or in the future
Pauses - speaker about to start a new part of their utterance ,
often followed by words such as OK
Repetitions, can function as either hesitators or pauses
Heads and tails
occur frequently in speaking, (based on computational analysis
of databases of natural language in real life)
Heads - used a a signal that a new topic of conversation is
being introduced so that the listener can prepare for what is coming next.
Tails - 'used as evaluative' contexts , to reinforce
