AMERICAN linguist John McWhorter says, ‘If humanity had existed for 24 hours, then writing only came along at about 11:07 pm.’ This puts speech, first; and then comes the written form, which is often the record of the spoken language. But do not get me wrong. Writing has some great advantages that need to be mastered for better language ability.
Speech and writing are two things. The spoken form tends to be informal. It is not as sophisticated as the written form of a language. But writing is often formal and well structured to express ourselves. Nonetheless, we sometimes speak like writing on occasions. However, there are problems if we speak like writing. Firstly, it does not sound engaging. cohesive devices exercises Secondly, as it is instantaneous, it requires a wide range of elision and contractions of words. These features make speaking less formal and impromptu. Interlocutors have to consider several linguistic and contextual variables and choose them wisely in communication from within a socially defined set of accepted choices. It is natural to have a certain amount of bleed between speech and writing. Writing has become the recorded and orthographic representation of speech. However, we do not speak the same way we write. Speaking is instantaneous. We tend to speak in word packets. However, we should not spew words. We have to speak sense although speaking is much loose in its syntactic structure. Because it uses things like pragmatic particles in speech. It has fixed wordings and a sheaf of sentences for everyday interaction on different occasions. It is telegraphic. It is less reflective and more communicative — very different from writing whereas writing is a conscious process. It is more concrete. But it has the flexibility to move back and forth when we construct writing. Speaking should, therefore, be adventurous, a personal experience full of serendipitous surprises. But speaking is difficult to define. First, it is elusive. Second, it incorporates a variety of features to make it communicable. Ideally, no one can guide or teach anyone what to speak. Every spontaneous speaker is unique. One speaks out of one’s own intuition, experience, and observation. Most of the time we speak for social needs. The majority of the real-life spoken interactions are interpersonal or transactional in nature. Speakers, therefore, need to understand the situation first. They are required to notice the tone and intonation of the person with whom they communicate. They are also required to notice the use and form of situational dialogues. With the onset of communicative teaching in the 1970s, speaking has become a core component in language proficiency development. Communication does not take place if the speaker fails to decode the message delivered by rhe interlocutor. By extension, the development of oral production requires the integration of listening and speaking skills. Learning theorists claim that people can speak more in the presence of others. The presence of others can help us express our ideas and positions clearly to others. The presence of others also allows us to listen to others and learn from them. The teaching of speaking is also a mammoth task. It is because speaking is often laced heavily with vocabulary. Unknown vocabulary and improper pronunciation are a lacuna of speaking fluently. So, the common challenge in classroom is getting students to use new words rather than the same old ones. A teacher also needs to ask learners to brainstorm for frozen expressions in everyday life. As speaking is a skill, it needs cognitive continuation through interaction. Skills take time to develop, so does speaking. So, reading any books called ‘Spoken English’ cannot do the job. Books called ‘Spoken English’ are nothing but traps to enthusiastic but novice learners because they need repeated exposure to the English language. They then have to practise and notice the nuances of the language. The conscious cycle of this reproductive process helps learners speak English, or any foreign language for that matter, fluently. To practise speaking in English in Bangladesh is inconvenient. The social ambiance is not conducive to the practice of speaking in English. A huge number of students who are good at writing English are, therefore, poor performers in speaking.
0 Comments
|
AuthorDo you like to present your Stories near Quality Audiences? If so, we are the best platform for you. We are one among vastly growing leading information based portal. Buzz us to publish your Story. ArchivesCategoriesImportance of Master Dynamic Backlink
Health benefits of Banana On speaking and English language education Writing Skills in English Center of Excellence Roles and Responsibility According to Numerology Signs of Diabetes Keto Diet Review Easy ways to keep your Skin Hydrated this Summer Vitamin K Is the Ingredients Said to Fade Dark Circles – Does it Work? Cashew is Healthy for individuals with Diabetes, Hypertension What is Moringa? Rules behind use of Articles in English Grammar with Examples Natural Hair Care Tips for Housewives Lead a Healthy Life Forever with Our Horoscope Health Problem Solutions Lingerie for Women |