SHIFT IN SPEECH
ELEMENTS
Language Form
Oral Communication has two language
components: function and form.
Language Function:
• Represents the active use of language for a
specific purpose.
• In academic setting, students use language
functions to express ideas, communicate with
others, and show understanding of content
Language Form
• Oral Communication has two language components: function
and form.
Language Function:
• Represents the active use of language for a specific purpose •
In academic setting, students use language functions to
express ideas, communicate with others, and show
understanding of content
Language Form
• The form of most languages consists of a small
number of sounds organized into words, phrases
and clauses, sentences and discourse including
conversations, sermons, speeches, arguments, and
other highly-complex communicative structures.
• Linguists have found that in spite of the many
superficial differences among languages, there are
core basic similarities among languages.
Language Form
• Language learners need to acquire both the
functions and the forms that make up the English
language in order to reach high level of proficiency.
Word - a speech sound or series of speech
sounds that symbolizes and communicates a
meaning. In linguistics, a word of a spoken
language can be defined as the smallest
sequence of phonemes that can be uttered in
isolation with objective or practical meaning
Formal vs. Informal Language
Formal language is used in situations that
circle around serious topics or events, or
involve people that we do not know
Informal language is utilized in situations
when we are more relaxed, and involve people
that we are familiar with
The Role of the Speaker and the Listener
Communication can be done in many ways either
through verbal and non-verbal. Obtaining prior
knowledge and learning the effective forms of language
will surely make the speaker efficient in his speaking
engagement. He, too, is confident to talk hence he knew
pretty well in constructing simple sentences to complex
ones. With that he is confident to deliver the message.
To be an effective speaker, he must learn how the role of
the speaker is effective in delivering the speech. Let us
recall the role of the speaker and the listener.
The Role of the Speaker and the Listener
Speaker:
• Speech communication begins with a speaker.
• Your success as a speaker depend on your
personal credibility, your knowledge of the subject,
your preparation of the speech, your manner of
speaking, your sensitivity to the audience and the
occasion.
The Role of the Speaker and the Listener
Listener:
• The person who receives the communicated message.
• If you talk to a friend on the phone, you have one
listener.
• But in public speaking you have many listeners.
• To be an effective speaker, we must be audience-
centered.
The Role of the Speaker and the Listener
Sources of difficulty by the Speaker:
• Voice volume is too low to be heard.
• Message is too complex.
• Speaker is getting lost.
• Body language or nonverbal elements are contradicting or
interfering with the verbal message.
• Paying too much attention on how the other person is
taking the message.
• Using a very unique code or unconventional method for
delivering message.
Speech Context and Speech Styles
There are two main categories of speech context:
intrapersonal and interpersonal. A change in the speech
context will also change the language form used in
communication. For example, the vocabulary or the
words you use will vary greatly if you were talking about
a certain topic to a general public in a form of a formal
speech than if you were just having an informal
discussion with your colleague or a friend.
Speech Context and Speech Styles
The duration of interaction will also change
considerably if the speech context shifts. In
communication, the duration of interaction refers to the
length of time that at least two individuals are in each
other’s presence, especially when meaning is
communicated towards each other. Usually, formal
interpersonal communication, such as public or mass
communication, have more rigid time limits than if you
are engaged in a casual and conversation with a friend.
Speech Context and Speech Styles
The duration of interaction will also change
considerably if the speech context shifts. In
communication, the duration of interaction refers to the
length of time that at least two individuals are in each
other’s presence, especially when meaning is
communicated towards each other. Usually, formal
interpersonal communication, such as public or mass
communication, have more rigid time limits than if you
are engaged in a casual and conversation with a friend.
Speech Context and Speech Styles
A change in the speech context or speech style also
changes the manner of delivery and the message. The
latter is more thought-of and often prepared
beforehand when delivered in a public or mass
communication.
Speech Acts
Speech acts are utterances that perform action. You
perform speech acts when you advise, apologize, greet,
make a request, et cetera. More than the truth value of
the utterances, speech acts focus more on the effect it
wishes to have on its environment.
Speech Acts
Communicative strategies, as learned in the previous
module, are the approaches or techniques you make
use of when starting or maintaining a conversation.
While the essence of communicative strategies is
generally to keep the communication channels open, a
shift in them can also affect the elements mentioned
previously. Remember, you were taught how to hone
your methods of communication in beginning,
sustaining, regulating, and even ending conversations in
different situations.
Communicative Strategies
A sudden change in communicative strategy may
negatively affect the quality of interaction, which
includes the performance and organization of ideas of
the speaker, the audience, and the message of the topic
or the discussion.
