Oral Language

Language that is spoken and heard rather than written and read. Oral Language Language that is spoken and heard rather than written and read.

Characteristics of Oral Language Real world as perceived by the speaker – Meaning – Vocabulary – Structure – Grammar – Sound- Message as heard by listener

First characteristic of language: Meaning Data has no meaning except what we assign it Example: The doctor may ask you specific questions to diagnose an illness. The patient on the other hand may have difficulty interpreting and responding meaningfully to the doctor’s questions because of lack of knowledge about medicine and medical terms.

Second characteristic of language: Vocabulary All the word symbols that make up a particular code or language It is important to have a large and flexible vocabulary because:

It is symbolic What does the flag mean to you? It symbolizes different things to everyone.

2. Has standards of appropriateness Shut up – Hush – Quiet down Yah – Yes Mamma Huh – What – Could you repeat that please?

3. Adds interest to communication Adds originality Adds vitality Adds clarity

Third characteristic of language: Structure The way the different parts of language are arranged

Fourth characteristic of language: Grammar The basic understandings and rules that regulate the use of language The rules identify all the different components of a language, explain their functions, and dictate the way they are used in communication

Fifth characteristic of language: Sound Central to the very idea of oral language Every oral language has its own sounds that represent its unique set of word symbols

Diction: Degree of clarity and distinctness of a person’s speech The way his or her own words are spoken Determined by the choices you make in pronunciation, articulation, and enunciation

Pronunciation: The standard set for the overall sound of a word -Listed in the dictionary EXP: often preferred:“ah.fun” most used: “ahf.tun” Athlete Preferred: “ath.leet” used: “a.thuh.leet

Articulation: The act of clearly and distinctly uttering the consonant sounds of a word Four articulation problems: Omission: “bi’ness” instead of “Business” Addition: “warsh” instead of “wash” Substitution: “idnt” instead of “isn’t” Slurring: consonant sounds run together

Enunciation: The act of clearly and distinctly uttering the vowel sounds of a word EXP: Git instead of Get Jist instead of Just Pin instead of Pen Inyone instead of Anyone

Dialect Used to describe two different aspects of speech Refer to a language that exists only in oral form EXP: WWII – Navajo language “Code Talkers” 2. Unique combination of speech sounds that identify speech with a particular group of people

Regional Dialect “Southern Drawl” – prolonged vowel sounds, soft consonant sounds, and some unique vocabulary “y’all or fixin’” “New Yorker” – drip hard consonant sounds within some words, drops r’s from the end of some words “youse or wit’”