Do we use spoken and written language correctly?

 
Writing is the ultimate skill of a language whereas speaking comes earlier. Therefore, there must be differences with regard to both skills. Countries like Sri Lanka pay much attention on teaching writing rather than speaking. It is important to understand the obvious differences between the two skills to help the students to understand the skills of writing and speaking.

 

Which is more complex speaking or writing?

Writing can be planned in advance and can be revised. Therefore, there is enough time to build up complex sentence structures whereas spoken sentences are often simpler as it is a spontaneous act. In writing subjects can be complex and descriptive but in spoken language it tends to be very short. For example:

The newly settled neighbors who live right next to our living room wall were making so much noise that my friend and I found it difficult to continue our studies.

In speech it might be something like:

The neighbors were making so much noise. We couldn’t study.

The reason is usually written sentences are composed with complete sentences. As it is not associated with spoken features like facial expressions, body language and tone of voice, it should be descriptive for the reader to understand it properly.

When it comes to conversation, complete sentences are often unnecessary. Therefore, in a language teaching learning environment, students should not be persuaded to speak in complete sentences as it might hinder their confidence. It is ok to use incomplete sentences associated with spoken features like facial expressions like: When are you seeing her?, half past eight, At your place? No, at Nihal’s…etc.

 

Which is more organized and grammatically accurate?

Spoken sentences are not well organized, there can be spaces between information and the ideas may be organized according to the importance as it is an on the spot task. It is quite natural and the main purpose of spoken language is to impart a message by any means. As examples:

Last Wednesday it was, I was just going to work….

This guy who rang up, he’s an architect. Well, he said…

They worked very hard, most of them.

Putting something other than the subject at the beginning is quite common in spoken language. This is called fronting. Which is not much accepted in written language. As we said before, language is a spontaneous act therefore important ideas come first; and it is accepted. As examples:

Strange people they are!

People like that I just can’t stand.

 

Formal or Informal?

Written language is more formal and spoken language is often informal (except in formal occasions) Therefore certain structures used in written language is often not used in spoken language. Similarly, some structures used in spoken language are less used in written language. For example: relative clauses with whom is common in formal language but not in spoken language as well as contractions like: he’s, can’t are typically used in informal language but not in written language. The following structures are hardly found in written language:

Declarative sentences like: You live with your parents?

Conditional structures like: It would be good if we’d get some rain.

Relative structures like: It’s ridiculous to sing songs that you don’t know what they mean.

Use of some ellipsis like: Couldn’t understand a word.

Progressive verbs to show probability:  I was hoping you could lend me some money.

Use of tags to keep a conversation going: We had a lovely holiday. Did you?

 

At informal level, the grammatical rules sometimes can be violated. However, the main purpose of spoken language is to impart the message and continue the conversation. If the message is understood, the purpose of the language is successful. However, students should be instructed to understand the difference between the formal and informal use of English. Tell them that written language is formal and grammatically well-organized while spoken language is less organized and some grammatical structures can be violated if the message is clear.

 

Use of Vocabulary

If we consider about vocabulary, written language often uses longer, less common words and expressions that are typical to formal style. As well as a variety of synonyms and antonyms are used too. However, in speech, people usually prefer shorter, more common words and they are more likely to keep repeating the same words. Phrasal verbs are common in speech and are often replaced by more formal single words in writing. If you compare followings:

I told him to get on the plane. (speech)

She instructed the man to board the aircraft.  (written)

 

Spoken language is more simple and less organized. Sometimes grammatically incorrect but gives the precise message to the listener. The language learner should not be worried about the so called level of language when it comes to speak at informal level. The main purpose of the language is to impart a message. As we said earlier, language is a living thing, we use our whole body, nonverbal cues, tone of voice…etc. to impart a message. Therefore, the teacher should encourage the learner to use spoken language freely in the classroom and in other occasions. However, they should be instructed about the formal usage of spoken language according to the occasions.

There are more about spoken and written forms of English language. Hope you have better experiences related to teaching learning situations. Why don’t you share them in the comment section to make this post more productive? Share the post if you find this useful to others.

 

Source: Michael SWAN, Practical English Usage, Oxford University Press