The Difference between Written and Spoke Language - Coursework Example

The difference between Written and Spoken Language The difference between Written and Spoken Language Introduction Psychologists have focused on understanding the role of language in human beings. Language development was the first critical aspect that psychologists focused on understanding. The fact that language development occurred in the early childhood years made it an intriguing aspect for many researchers. After understanding the cognitive processes associated with language, psychologists have shifted their focus to understanding the existing differences between written and spoken language. Apparently, individuals learn how to speak a language before they can exhibit writing skills of the same language. For example, children pick up a language within the family, but only writing during their early years in school. This process of language development forms the basis of the differences between written and spoken language. Written language defines many academic texts as well a as the literary works that form a critical collection of literature for scholars. On the other hand, spoken language is of critical importance in daily conversations. Notably, orators rely on spoken language when addressing their audiences, this paper will focus on describing the existing differences between written and spoken language. Language denotes a complex system that facilitates the conveyance of messages from one person to the other. Language enables people to express their opinion, thought and emotions. As highlighted above, there is both written and spoken language, with both forms of language relying on the structural and conventional use of words. Evidently, written and spoken languages differ in numerous ways. Although some forms of written language exhibit certain similarities to speech, it remains evident that written and spoken languages differ immensely. Written language appears to be more complex and exhibits a higher level of intricacy. This is because of the high density of lexical items. Moreover, written language makes use of long sentences and numerous clauses. This introduces complexity, which does not exist in spoken language. On the other hand, spoken language makes use of incomplete sentences, interrupt structures and other altered sentence structures (Auer, 2009). These characteristics of spoken language are not evident in written language, which places emphasis on the correct use of sentence structures and clauses. Written language is defined by numerous punctuations as well as an evident layout, factors that do not appear in spoken language. Written language focuses on ensuring that all the clauses and sentences are well punctuated and that each sentence has a grammatical order. It is common to connect multiple sentences using “and” in spoken language, something that is very wrong in written language. This means that both written and spoken languages have numerous grammatical differences. Whereas writers take time to organize work in an orderly manner adhering to all the grammar rules, spoken language may prove to be more loose with the speaker breaking some grammatical rules. This means that written language has a measure of sophistication not found in spoken language. Whereas a writer needs to prepare his or her work, in a careful manner, spoken language may occur instantly without any prior preparation. Worth noting is the fact that written language takes time to learn and exhibit expertise. This means that an experienced writer needs to have adequate experience if he or she is to use written language correctly. This is because writing requires the writer to refine the message immensely. This means that one may be compelled to read the work several times and make corrections. Conventional wisdom highlights that the pen is compared to a sword. This means that writer undertake a careful analysis and proper planning of their work before putting it down. This is not the case with spoken language, which does not need prior planning. In daily conversations, speakers do not need to prepare before holding a conversation (Rodriguez-Parra et al, n.d). Only official speeches such those presented by political leaders, influential orators, and motivational speakers require prior preparations. Even if the speaker needs to prepare beforehand, he or she gives attention to different aspects when compared to written language. One outstanding aspect of written language is that it can persist for a long period. This is because written texts may eventually be printed and published. This provides a permanent record of the ideas expressed by the writer. This explains why writers take time before they can put down any ideas permanently. It is impossible to correct published work. Therefore, written language requires adequate preparation and careful correction before a final text is developed. On the other hand, spoken language is transient without any form of recording except in a few cases. This means that many speeches do not have any future point of reference. Spoken language also gives speakers the opportunity to correct themselves as they deliver a speech. This is not possible with written language because once the text is printed or published; it becomes impossible to make any changes. Written language, therefore, is effective for a multigenerational purpose (Ivy & Masterson, 2011). Texts written many centuries ago still form a critical part of the modern literature. As long as the rules of the language have not undergone any changes, different generations can understand written texts authored before their time. On the other hand, spoken language is of critical importance in immediate interactions between people. This explains why many speakers may not need rigorous preparations because their speech is only relevant within the immediate conversation. Precision is one of the outstanding aspects defining written language. This is because writers take their time to present their ideas in a precise and clear manner. Written language does not promote careless repetitions. Coherence in written language is of critical importance. With the advancement of language, there are numerous guidelines for ensuring that written language has both precision and concision. This means that written language does not promote tautology and the careless use of syntax. On the other hand, spoken language exhibits numerous repetitions with minima precision. Since there is no limit for spoken language, precision becomes a challenge for many speakers. Only a few professional speakers have been able to achieve precision in spoken language (Ädel, 2010). Their achievement comes with a rigorous process of preparation and correction of their speeches. Written and spoken language exhibit several phonological differences. Whereas the spoken language places emphasis on intonation, pauses, and speed, written languages rarely brings out these features. Speakers have the opportunity to alter their tone, volume, and pitch as they speak, features that do apply to written language. These phonological features affect the message delivered. For example, the use of different tones when delivering different messages affects the reception of the message by the audience. Pauses used in spoken language may serve as more effective for highlighting points of stress or the climax of an idea. On the other hand, punctuation highlights pauses in written language. However, different forms of punctuations only represent an approximation, but not an accurate form of real pauses as those occurring in spoken language (Bei, 2013). The speed of spoken language determines the urgency of the message as well as the confidence of the speaker. This aspect does not appear in written language. In addition, written language and spoken language exhibit some differences in the use of vocabulary. For example, spoken language promotes the use of slang as well as shortened word forms. This is a common feature of spoken language, which is evident across all the different languages. Vocabulary choice in written language is very different from that of the spoken language. Writers are very keen on the words they use when conveying different messages. The use of slang and shortened word forms is very unacceptable in written language. The only exception of this is in some forms of writing that use the first person. Written language promotes the use of technical words and formal words. This means that writers have to undertake a rigorous research of the correct words that they can use to convey a specific message. On the other hand, spoken language allows the use of imprecise references to both time and people, whereas precision is of critical importance in written language in order to avoid any forms of confusion. For example, the words “former” and “latter” are of common usage in written language to specify any reference to time or people. Spoken language promotes the use of swear words, whereas written language does not permit the use of such words. Colloquial expressions enrich spoken language while they are considered as degrading to written language. Speakers do not need to undertake a critical choice of words and may rely on limited vocabulary and monosyllabic words to communicate (Kalman & Gergle, 2014). However, written language places emphasis on the use of the academic style of writing and vocabulary. Therefore, polysyllabic words are common, and writers apply the proper choice of words. Notably, spoken language allows for immediate feedback from the audience. This takes place in the form of oral approvals, visual feedbacks in the form of nodes, gestures, or other visual expressions including body language. It is possible for speakers to study the moods of the audience and determine the effect of their message. However, there is an exception to telephone conversations, which rely on spoken language but do not present an opportunity for visual feedback. In the case of written language, there is delayed feedback. This is specifically because written texts take time before they reach the targeted audience. In addition, the audience may not choose to read a written text immediately delaying the feedback. There are no visual feedbacks present in written language. The only feedback surrounding written language is through the authoring of reviews or criticism of written texts (Kalman & Gergle, 2014). Evidently, this means that spoken language presents more control of the audience and the perception of the message compared to written language. If written language is to have a powerful effect on the audience, then the writers have to exhibit a high level of expertise in delivering their messages. This places a salient need for writers to exhibit a high level of clarity and avoid any form of ambiguity. Notably, spoken language places emphasis on the use of the first and second persons because a speaker needs to capture the attention of their audience. This is critical in making people feel included in the conversation. There is an increased dynamism in spoken language because of the continued interaction between the people involves. There is also a measure of spontaneity in spoken language, without people having to think too much, about what they say. Most of these aspects do not apply to written language. Experts of academic writing which defines the broadest section of written language promote the use of the third person. First and second person often occur in minimal cases and specific types of written texts. This places an additional difference between spoken and written language. Since spoken language promotes spontaneity, the context may be different from that depicted in written language. Speakers may choose to leave some things unsaid while they promote indirect implications of other ideas (Auer, 2009). This in contrary to written language, which must ensure that the context is clarified with everything well explained. The functions of spoken language differ immensely from those of written language. Whereas spoken language is of fundamental importance in everyday communication, especially when one needs to give instructions, written texts play critical roles as deliberative texts. Individuals who choose to use written language need to identify the context and specific message and choose the right words to communicate such effectively. However, this is not usually the case in some forms of written language such as instant messages, as well as emails. On the other hand, some forms of spoken language such as formal speeches and news reports exhibit the precision conveyed in written language (Rodriguez-Parra et al, n.d). Conclusion Evidently, although written and spoken language forms define any specific language, they have numerous differences. Spoken language is of fundamental use in daily conversations and does not need to abide by all the grammar rules and academic vocabulary. Speakers can choose to be spontaneous, and they have an opportunity to monitor the moods of the audience hence have a higher form of control. On the other hand, written language gives attention to all the grammar rules, proper choice of vocabulary, precision, and clarity. These aspects must receive special considerations if the correct message is to reach the targeted audience. Written and spoken languages also exhibit certain phonological differences. References Auer, P. (2009). On-line syntax: Thoughts on the temporality of spoken language. Language Sciences, 311-13. doi:10.1016/j.langsci.2007.10.004 Rodriguez-Parra, M., Buiza, J., Adrian, J., & Alegria, J. (n.d). Spoken language, bilingualism, and learning difficulties in written language. Infancia Y Aprendizaje, 35(3), 343-364. Ivy, L. J., & Masterson, J. J. (2011). A Comparison of Oral and Written English Styles in African American Students at Different Stages of Writing Development. Language, Speech & Hearing Services In Schools, 42(1), 31-40. doi:10.1044/0161-1461(2010/09-0069) Ädel, A. (2010). Just to give you kind of a map of where we are going: A Taxonomy of Metadiscourse in Spoken and Written Academic English. Nordic Journal of English Studies, 9(2), 69-97. Bei, Z. (2013). An Analysis of Spoken Language and Written Language and How They Affect English Language Learning and Teaching. Journal of Language Teaching & Research, 4(4), 834-838. doi:10.4304/jltr.4.4.834-838. Kalman, Y. M., & Gergle, D. (2014). Letter repetitions in computer-mediated communication: A unique link between spoken and online language. Computers in Human Behavior, 34187-193. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2014.01.047 Read More