Page 268 - DENG504_LINGUISTICS

Linguistics

Notes communicative products. A type of discourse might be characterized as a class of either written or
spoken text, which is frequently casually specified, recognition of which aids its perception, and
consequently production of potential response. One of such divisions, known as the Organon
model, distinguishes three types of discourse depending of the aspect of language emphasized in
the text. If the relation to the context is prevailing, it conveys some knowledge.
Thus it is an informative type of discourse. When the stress is on a symptom aspect the fulfilled
function is expression, as a result the discourse type is narrative. Last but not least in this division
is argumentative discourse which is characterized by the accent on the signal aspect.
This distinction due to its suitability for written communicative products more than for spoken
ones, faced constructive criticism whose accurate observation portrayed that there are more
functions performed. Consequently there ought to be more types of discourse, not to mention the
fact that these often mix and overlap. Thorough examination of the matter was conducted, thus
leading to the emergence of a new, more detailed classification of kinds of spoken texts.
The analysis of oral communicative products was the domain of Steger, who examined features of
various situations and in his categorization divided discourse into six types: presentation, message,
report, public debate, conversation and interview. The criteria of this division include such factors
as presence, or absence of interaction, number of speakers and their relation to each other (their
rights, or as Steger names it 'rank'), flexibility of topic along with selection and attitude of
interlocutors towards the subject matter.
However, it is worth mentioning that oral discourse might alter its character, for instance in the
case of presenting a lecture when students start asking questions the type changes to interview, or
even a conversation. Using this classification it is possible to anticipate the role of partakers as
well as goals of particular acts of communication.
The above mentioned typologies do not exhaust the possible division of discourse types, yet,
nowadays endeavor to create a classification that would embrace all potential kinds is being
made. Also, a shift of interest in this field might be noticed, presently resulting in focus on
similarities and differences between written and spoken communication.
Written and spoken discourse
Apart from obvious differences between speech and writing like the fact that writing includes
some medium which keeps record of the conveyed message while speech involves only air, there
are certain dissimilarities that are less apparent. Speech develops in time in that the speaker says
with speed that is suitable for him, even if it may not be appropriate for the listener and though
a request for repetition is possible, it is difficult to imagine a conversation in which every sentence
is to be rephrased. Moreover, talking might be spontaneous which results in mistakes, repetition,
sometimes less coherent sentences where even grunts, stutters or pauses might be meaningful.
The speaker usually knows the listener, or listeners, or he is at least aware of the fact that he is
being listened to, which enables him to adjust the register. As interlocutors are most often in face-
to-face encounters (unless using a phone) they take advantage of extralinguistic signals as grimaces,
gesticulation, expressions such as 'here', 'now', or 'this' are used. Employment of nonsense
vocabulary, slang and contracted forms (we're, you've) is another feature of oral discourse. Among
other significant features of speech there are rhythm, intonation, speed of uttering and, what is
more important, inability to conceal mistakes made while speaking.
In contrast, writing develops in space in that it needs a means to carry the information. The author
of the text does not often know who is going to read the text, as a result he cannot adjust to
readers' specific expectations. The writer is frequently able to consider the content of his work for
almost unlimited period of time which makes it more coherent, having complex syntax. What is
more, the reader might not instantly respond to the text, ask for clarification, hence neat message
organization, division to paragraphs, layout are of vital importance to make comprehension easier.
Additionally, owing to the lack of context expressions such as 'now' or 'here' are omitted, since
they would be ambiguous as texts might be read at different times and places. One other feature

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