1. SF Linguistics Lecture 4 Medium and Register

2. Medium and register Language may be transmitted via two highly contrasting media: speech and writing. Language may be transmitted via two highly contrasting media: speech and writing. There are important differences between spoken and written French: There are important differences between spoken and written French: Speech is naturally acquired whereas writing requires deliberate learning Speech is naturally acquired whereas writing requires deliberate learning Speech and writing also differ in respect of convenience and availability Speech and writing also differ in respect of convenience and availability i.e. writing is relatively permanent & speech is relatively transitive i.e. writing is relatively permanent & speech is relatively transitive

3. Medium Grammatical and lexical differences between spoken and written French: Grammatical differences: 1. Use of the past historic tense 2. Expression of number

4. Grammatical differences between spoken and written French 3. Verb forms: many distinctions made in written French are obscured in spoken French (e.g. certain verb forms): phonetic transcription reveals redundancy of many written grammatical distinctions when it comes to the spoken medium. phonetic transcription reveals redundancy of many written grammatical distinctions when it comes to the spoken medium.

5. Grammatical differences between spoken and written French A partial solution is the use of liaison in the spoken medium A partial solution is the use of liaison in the spoken medium elle arrive vs elles arrivent elle arrive vs elles arrivent quelque homme vs quelques hommess quelque homme vs quelques hommess

6. Grammatical differences between spoken and written French However, liaison is decreasing in ordinary spoken usage and it is only applicable in a small number of cases. However, liaison is decreasing in ordinary spoken usage and it is only applicable in a small number of cases.

7. Grammatical differences between spoken and written French: past participle agreement 4. Past participle agreement: In the written medium, the agreement between a preceding direct object and the past participle relating to it is apparent. In the written medium, the agreement between a preceding direct object and the past participle relating to it is apparent. In the written medium, the agreement between a female speaker or a number of female speakers and the past participle relating to them, is visually apparent. In the written medium, the agreement between a female speaker or a number of female speakers and the past participle relating to them, is visually apparent.

8. Grammatical differences between spoken and written French: past participle agreement In the spoken medium the situation is not so clear-cut. In the spoken medium the situation is not so clear-cut. e.g. la lettre que je lui ai écrite or les lettres que je lui ai écrites: e.g. la lettre que je lui ai écrite or les lettres que je lui ai écrites: whereas: la lettre/les lettres que je lui ai envoyée(s), there is no such indication. whereas: la lettre/les lettres que je lui ai envoyée(s), there is no such indication.

9. Grammatical differences between spoken and written French: the use of conjunctions The use of conjunctions: this is more a matter of complexity of sentence structure than pronunciation reflecting spelling.. The use of conjunctions: this is more a matter of complexity of sentence structure than pronunciation reflecting spelling.. Spoken French quite frequently consists of strings of clauses without any explicit link between them: relationships of cause and effect are ignored and have to be inferred by the hearer Spoken French quite frequently consists of strings of clauses without any explicit link between them: relationships of cause and effect are ignored and have to be inferred by the hearer

10. Grammatical differences between spoken and written French: the use of conjunctions e.g. Jétais occupée dans ma cuisine, je ne me suis rendu compte de rien, jai seulement entendu une explosion, jai cru que cétait un accident, je nai pas pensé que ça pouvait être une bombe e.g. Jétais occupée dans ma cuisine, je ne me suis rendu compte de rien, jai seulement entendu une explosion, jai cru que cétait un accident, je nai pas pensé que ça pouvait être une bombe

11. Register Register: the way in which a speaker adjusts his or her speech in order to respond to the nature of the occasion prompting that speech. Register: the way in which a speaker adjusts his or her speech in order to respond to the nature of the occasion prompting that speech.

12. Register Factors affecting adjustment of register: Factors affecting adjustment of register: Age, sex and socioeconomic status of the addressee Age, sex and socioeconomic status of the addressee Degree of intimacy between participants in conversation Degree of intimacy between participants in conversation Formality of situation Formality of situation

13. Linguistic expression of register Linguistic expression of register: Linguistic expression of register: Awareness of register differences has a long history in France. Awareness of register differences has a long history in France. In 17th century, writers declared that certain words were appropriate for particular genres and styles and not for others In 17th century, writers declared that certain words were appropriate for particular genres and styles and not for others

14. Linguistic expression of register In 18th century, this concept was taken a stage further and formalised into a hierarchy of styles: In 18th century, this concept was taken a stage further and formalised into a hierarchy of styles: e.g. sublime/poetic style e.g. sublime/poetic style mediocre / historical mediocre / historical familiar/conversational familiar/conversational comic/burlesque comic/burlesque

15. Linguistic expression of register e.g. face face (sublime) face (sublime) visage (du stile mediocre), visage (du stile mediocre), garbe, frime, frimouse (du stile burlesque) garbe, frime, frimouse (du stile burlesque)

16. Degrees of formality Joos (1962) suggested 5 degrees of formality in language: Joos (1962) suggested 5 degrees of formality in language: Frozen Frozen Formal Formal Consultative Consultative Casual Casual Intimate Intimate

17. Formality in language Intimate CasualConsultativeFormalFrozen cuteprettyattractivecomely to guzzle to swig to drink to imbibe to quaff nuttycrazyinsanedementedmad scaredfrightenedapprehensiveaffrighted on the ball smartintelligentperceptiveastute to play like to act like to pretend to feign