Today’s aims…

• To learn some new terminology regarding the non-fluency features of talk

• To apply these to our transcripts• To analyse the reasons for these features

Controlled Assessment 3: Spoken Language

• Analysing how speakers adapt for different purposes• Using Spoken Language Features• Public attitudes to spoken language

Is it rude to interrupt?

It is often assumed that it is rude to interrupt, but is this so?

Can you think of an instance where interruption is acceptable or necessary?

In your pairs, script a 30 second conversation between 2 people that includes some

interruption that you think is acceptable or necessary.

You will perform this conversation to another pair in 6 minutes.

If you’re struggling, think about how

interrupting can save someone from

embarrassment or can get/give

information quickly

Non-Fluency Features

We need to analyse whether our speakers are fluent or hesitant and what that shows us

about the speakers and their conversation.

It is this second part that is important – what it shows. We have to start making comments of

analysis rather than just annotating.

Firstly – get out your vocabulary sheet and a coloured pen. Draw a new branch for

‘Fluency’Controlled Assessment 3: Spoken Language

• Analysing how speakers adapt for different purposes• Using Spoken Language Features• Public attitudes to spoken language

Non-Fluency FeaturesInterruptions: Someone speaks to cut off or prevent another from speaking further.

Overlap: Starting to speak before another has finished speaking. This differs from interruption as it is not used to deliberately stop the other person from talking.

Turn-taking: Speakers (normally pairs) naturally taking it in turns to speak without overlapping or frequent pausing

Controlled Assessment 3: Spoken Language

• Analysing how speakers adapt for different purposes• Using Spoken Language Features• Public attitudes to spoken language

Have a look at the transcript…

Have a look at the Hairy Bikers transcript I have given you.

We will watch the clip that matches and then I’d like you to analyse where you can see any interruptions, overlap

and turn-taking.

But do that all important part – comment on what it shows us about the speakers and their conversation.

Round robin your ideas

Transcript: Hairy Bikers’ Pork and Apple

S: pork ‘n’ apple Dave (.) D: mmS: it’s a classic food pairing is it /not/ D: it isS: it’s been with us for millenniaD: and it’s a pairing that’s stud the test of time (.) but once you get one whiff (.) of our succulent (.) sweet (.) slow roasted pork (.) paired with a slightly tart sharp apple (.) there’s no going back (2) [music](vo) D: ahh we’ve got an absolute belter for you (.) our slow roasted belly pork with crispy thyme seasoning crackling(vo) S: teamed up (.) with roasted apple (.) sage n onion (.) n a tangy cider sauce (.) it’s the ultimate combination of some naturally beautiful food buddiesD: this dish is all about the quality of the ingredients (.) and Britain does all of this (.) like no-one else (4) [music]S: this beautiful piece of belly pork a’m a pleased to say look at that (.) it’s succulent an’ it’s juicy an’ it serves up nicely an’ yu get cracklin’ t die for (.) it’s fabulous (2) (vo) S: now (2) for the hairy bikers’ top tip to guarantee crispy cracklin’ (2) S: now you score it (.) luck an’ all wu gonna do is we’re going to make sure that the skin is really (.) really dry an’ if it seems damp (1) to the touch (2) all yu do is take some (3) [rubbing kitchen roll into skin] kitchen roll (1) push it into them seamsD: me I’m mekkin’ a rubS: that’s itD: it’s a rub for ‘e’s bellyS: ye see (.) an’ a’ve gotta tell yu there’s nothing we hairy bikers like more than wu bellies rubbed

Non-Fluency Features

Repetition: The reoccurrence of words or phrases, not just immediately after each

other, but throughout speech

Fillers: Words with little meaning used to fill potential gaps in talk (like, y’know)

Filled pauses: Non-verbal sounds acting as pauses in speech (erm, urm)

Pauses: Breaks in speech

Hedges: words or phrases which soften the force of something said (‘slightly,’ ‘kind of,’

‘I don’t mean to offend’)

False starts: The speaker says something then rearranges or rephrases what they said

to change it, often to make more senseControlled Assessment 3: Spoken Language

• Analysing how speakers adapt for different purposes• Using Spoken Language Features• Public attitudes to spoken language

Have a look at the transcript…

Have a look at the Hairy Bikers transcript I have given you.

We will watch the clip that matches and then I’d like you to analyse where you can see any repetition, fillers,

pauses, hedges and false starts.

But do that all important part – comment on what it shows us about the speakers and their conversation.

Round robin your ideas

Analysis often means saying WHY

Look at the statements on the grid. Decide, as a pair which apply to which non-fluency features

Controlled Assessment 3: Spoken Language

• Analysing how speakers adapt for different purposes• Using Spoken Language Features• Public attitudes to spoken language

Reveals that the speaker is over-

excited or enthusiastic

Shows agreement with what has been

said

Shows interest in what is being said

Allows the speaker to avoid an

uncomfortable situation

To be polite Encourages a speaker to continue talking

Suggests that a speaker wants to be centre of attention

Shows support for a speaker

Avoids confrontation

To take control because you have

something interesting to say

Appeals to a higher status speaker

Allows thinking time for a speaker

Shows understanding Reveals disagreement Softens a contrary opinion

Clarifies a point being made by the speaker

You now have 10 minutes…

To apply all those new terms to your own transcripts.

Remember that you need to start making comments of

analysis as well as identifying the features.

Controlled Assessment 3: Spoken Language

• Analysing how speakers adapt for different purposes• Using Spoken Language Features• Public attitudes to spoken language

• Interruptions• Overlap• Turn-taking• Repetition• Fillers• Filled pauses• Pauses• Hedges• False starts

Non-Fluency Features in the Hairy Bikers

As a presenting duo, the Hairy Bikers have used turn-taking to share the speaking roles equally. We can identify adjacency pairs in their speech, as their utterances have a natural and logical link, such as S following D’s description by adding ‘teamed up (.) with roasted apple.’ This shows they complete an idea together.

As there are barely any pause between their lines and little repetition, we can tell the speech is scripted and their lines prepared beforehand, heightening the fluency of their talk.

S’s repetition of ‘really’ with a slight pause in between reflects the thinking time needed by the speaker as he conducts actions in the kitchen while speaking. This is also reflected in the long pause between ‘all you do is take some’ and the completion of the utterance ‘kitchen roll’ as the pause is needed for S to demonstrate through a non-verbal action. Although this lessens the verbal fluency, the demonstration through body gestures allows the pause to be filled and the line of thought followed fluently.

Controlled Assessment 3: Spoken Language

• Analysing how speakers adapt for different purposes• Using Spoken Language Features• Public attitudes to spoken language

Over to you…

You have 7 minutes to write a paragraph of analysis on the non-fluency features in your

transcripts.

Controlled Assessment 3: Spoken Language

• Analysing how speakers adapt for different purposes• Using Spoken Language Features• Public attitudes to spoken language