Theories and Concepts
What is Communication Accomodation Theory?
The theory developed by Howard Giles that argues that when we interact, we adjust our speech, vocal patterns and gestures to accomodate other people.
Define Convergence.
Adapting to others communicative behaviors in order to reduce social differences, and bring themselves closer to them.
Define Divergence.
Adapting to accentuate the speech and non-verbal differences between eachother in order to emphasise said differences.
Define Upward Convergence, and provide an example of when it could possibly be effective.
Adjusting yourself to a higher register to suit who you are speaking to. Could be effective in job interviews, higher class buisnesses, etc.
Define Downward Convergence, and provide an example of when it could be effective.
Adjusting yourself to a lower register to suit who you are speaking to. Could be effective when speaking to young people/teenagers.
What is mutual convergence?
Those partaking in a conversation all matching eachothers register and formality.
Give 3 ways to Upwardly Converge.
Using Recieved Pronounciation, higher level of formality, use of Standard English, Polysyllabic language, Technical language, higher register.
Give 3 ways to Downwardly Converge.
Use of colloqialism and slang terms, Non-Standard English, lower level of formality, emphasise Regional Accent.
Define Code-Switching.
When individuals deliberately alter their language to suit the context they are in.
What is the difference between Transactional and Interactional texts?
Transactional texts function to convey information, whilst Interactional texts function to maintain social relationships.
What do the terms "Long Turn" and "Short Turn" Interaction/Transaction mean?
They tell you wether the interaction/transaction was longer or shorter, which can tell you alot about who is dominating the conversational floor, and the intentions of the conversation.
What is a Paralinguistic Feature?
Non Verbal cues/Body language.
What is a Prosodic Feature?
The way in which something is said (Eg. Intonation, stress, etc.)
What is a Non-Fluency feature?
The breaking up of speech so it sounds less fluid. (Spontaneous speech.)
What is Faircloughs "Synthetic Personalisation".
The process of addressing a mass audience as individuals.
Give 3 ways to Synthetically Personalize.
Use of inclusive pronouns, direct address, rhetorical questions, personal or informal tone.
Logos is...
Logic and reasoning.
Pathos is...
Sympathy and empathy.
Ethos is...
Appeal to character.
What are Aristotles modes of Persuasion?
Logos, Ethos and Pathos.
What is Instrumental Power?
Power held by groups with a hierarchial authority.
What is Influential Power?
Power used through persuasion, rather than by using institutional authority.
What is an unequal encounter?
When one participant of a conversation holds more power than the other.
What is the difference between Power IN Discourse and Power BEHIND Discourse?
Power IN discourse is the way language used in discourse exerts power, whilst Power BEHIND discourse is the context which allows the language used to exert power.
What is Hedging?
Word or phrases which soften or weaken the force of something that is said.
What is Elision?
The slurring of one or more sounds.
What is Phatic Talk?
Conversational utterances with no purpose other than relationship maintenance.
What is RP?
Recieved Pronounciation. (Queens English!)
Describe the theory of Dialect Levelling.
The process through which language forms of different parts of the country converge and become more simular overtime, reducing language diversity.
Give 3 examples of regional dialect features.
Double subject, elipsis of the definite article, preposition variety, adverbial variation, double negatives, plurality.
Describe Overt Prestige.
Using a higher/technical register, standard English/RP, and formal language.
Describe Covert Prestige.
Using Non-Standard English, lower register, using slang/informal language, and not hiding accent and dialect features.
What are the 3 capitals in social class?
Economic, social and cultural.