Differences between spoken and written English
In a nutshell
Spoken and written word can be quite distinct in the way they are structured. This means there might be differences in lexical choices, word order and grammatical structure. However, sometimes there is overlap in many of these features. In this summary, the differences between the spoken and written mode will be explored.
Features of spoken and written English
Although the language is the same, how communication takes place often determines what features are present. The following table is a brief guide to how spoken and written language can differ.
SPOKEN LANGUAGE
| WRITTEN LANGUAGE |
Short, incomplete sentences and ellipses: key elements of sentences such as the verb are ommited.
| Complete, long sentences. |
Short grammatical units with simple structure. Many more compound sentences with coordinated conjunctions (e.g. 'and', 'then' etc.). | More complex grammar and complex sentences. Subordinate clauses may be included inside other clauses with subordinate conjunctions (e.g. 'when', 'until' etc.).
|
Slang and informal language (e.g. 'loads' instead of 'numerous'). Extensive use of words from dialects, idiolects or sociolects, likely to come from Old English. | Formal language (e.g. 'a selection' insead of 'options'). Lexicon and terminology likely to come from French or Latin. |
Non-fluency features: filled and voiceless pauses (e.g. 'um'), repairs (e.g. 'I mean...'), repetitions (e.g. 'so...so...') and false starts (e.g. 'I'm going to... We're going to...'). | Structured sentences with correct punctuation.
|
Hedges ('like... like...'). | Fewer or no hedges. More certainty. |
Deixis (e.g. 'that is why...', 'tomorrow', 'there'). Words only clear in context. | No deixis. Text likely to be understandable and clear on its own. |
Pre-starts and appositionals to indicate that the topic is about to change direction (e.g. 'ok, so...'). | Formal discourse markers: linking words (e.g. 'Firstly' etc.). |
Direct address: second person pronoun (e.g. 'you').
| Indirect address: third person pronouns (e.g. 'he/she/it').
|
Elision: words joined together when spoken (e.g. 'gonna') | No elision. |
Mode and formality
There are exceptions to many of the features in the table - they are mostly a guide. In these exceptional cases, the features are mixed and there may be elements of spoken language used in written language and vice versa.
If you think of a conference between politicians, the language is formal, they use discourse markers and the sentences are well-structured. These characteristics belong mostly to written language, but in this case, they occur in spoken language. The same can happen the other way around when you write messages on your mobile phone (for example); you would use short sentences, deixis, elision, etc. It is very common that this type of communication contains elements of spoken language rather than elements of written language.
