Spoken Language Features

1. Words such as 'this', 'that', 'here', 'there' which refer backwards or forwards or outside a text - a sort of verbal pointing. Very much a context dependent feature of talk. (14)
4. The ways in which words are pronounced. Accent can vary according to the region or social class of a speaker. (6)
5. The omission of part of a grammatical structure. For example, in the dialogue: 'You going to the party?" / "Might be." - the verb 'are' and the pronoun 'I' are missed out. The resulting ellipsis conveys a more casual and informal tone. (8)
7. Strings of words normally added to a declarative sentence to turn the statement into a question. E.g. "It's a bit expensive round here, isn't it?" (Also common feature of Lakoff's women's language) (3, 8)
8. Statements that sound imprecise and unassertive. E.g. - 'and so on', 'whatever', 'thingummy', 'whatsit' (5, 8)

2. The distinctive grammar and vocabulary which is associated with a regional or social use of language. (7)
3. Grice proposed 4 basic conversational 'rules' [maxims] as criteria for successful conversation: quantity [don't say too much or too little]; relevance [keep to the point]; manner [speak in a clear, coherent, and orderly way]; quality [be truthful] (6, 6)
6. Words and phrases which soften or weaken the force with which something is said - e.g. 'perhaps', 'maybe', 'sort of', 'possibly', 'I think'. (Lakoff's theory suggests these are popular in 'women's language') (5)
9. Conversational utterances that have no concrete purpose other than to establish or maintain personal relationships. It's related to small talk - and follows traditional patterns, with stock responses and formulaic expressions: 'How are you?' / 'Fine' (6, 4)
10. The omission or slurring [eliding] of one or more sounds or syllables - e.g. gonna = going to; wannabe = want to be; wassup = what is up (7)

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