Speaking and Listening& Oral and Performative approaches to texts.

Lecture 2: CLB019/CLN409English Curriculum Studies 2Kelli McGraw (2011)

Jonah Reading

Describe the speaking and listening that is happening in these examples:

Ani – Coming Up

Girl Talk creates a mashup

MLK – I Have a Dream

Revision…A text always occurs in two contexts, one within the other. The outer context around a text is called CONTEXT OF CULTURE. The inner context within the outer context is called CONTEXT OF SITUATION.

(This is the basis of the socio-cultural view of language, and of ‘functional linguistics’. Thanks Halliday!)

When we speak and

listen, we draw on a range

of semiotic systems for representing meaning.

Linguistic

Visual

Audio

Gestural

Spatial

NB: The concept of ‘language’ including semiotic systems other than just the linguistic is relatively new.

‘Speaking’ and ‘Listening’ are oral language modes Language Production Use

Oral Speaking Listening

Print Writing Reading

Visual Designing Viewing

FORMAL INFORMAL

PERFORMATIVE

Oral language and literacyWe have all been in a social setting where there is one particular person in the group who dominates the conversation. Now may I add, that the one with the loudest or most dominating voice is not necessarily the wisest. Then there is the other person who constantly speaks over you, cuts you off mid sentence, or is quick to point out why you are wrong.

But from time to time you are fortunate enough to come into the presence of wisdom. Little is said, and yet what is uttered is profound and life changing.

Remember, it’s not always what you say that will make a difference. It’s often also how you say it, and in many cases when you say it. And sometimes it’s best that you say nothing.

Operational

CriticalCultural

http://www.motivationalmemo.com/how-to-perfect-the-fine-art-of-good-speech/

Green’s ‘3D’ model of Literacy

Teaching any language system includes

understanding and applying metalanguage.

The oral language modes of

speaking and listening are no exception.

Paralanguage & paralinguisticsParalanguage refers to the non-verbal elements of communication used to modify meaning and convey emotion.

The study of paralanguage is known as paralinguistics.

Sound in the spoken word: Metalanguage

ToneNB: recall the word ‘tenor’…

The use of voice emphasis (i.e. using intonation and rhythm)to express love, anger, or other human emotions.

Intonation Which (more important) words are stressed; which (less important) words are ‘glossed over’, rushed or mumbled.

Rhythm The arrangement of words or sounds in a recurring pattern that alternates stressed and unstressed elements.

Tempo/Pace Speed (Slow? Fast? Irregular?).

Pitch How high or low on the scale the words are spoken in (Is the pitch high or low?).

Stress Importance, significance, or emphasis placed on something. (What is emphasised?)

So…that’s interesting, but…

…what exactly am I supposed to DO?

Establish speaking and listening:Genres, codes and conventions

• Prepared public speech• Debate• Spoken Word/ Performance

Poetry • Role play and improvisation

(often formative)• Scripted performance and

theatre (often summative)• Presentations (e.g.

Pechakucha)

REGISTER:• Field• Tenor• Mode= Functions of language

Formal

PerformativeInformal

Break it down for the kids…1. A cacophony is a mix of harsh, displeasing, or clashing sounds.2. Cacophony is the opposite of euphony, which means pleasant,

melodious sounds.

Can you find examples of these in your text and explain what effect you think is created?

Why might some ideas be best represented by smooth, musical, euphonic sounds, while others are better represented by harsh, discordant, cacophonic sounds?

Text link – The delivery of MLK’s speech ‘I have a dream’ is very euphonic. This helps him to be persuasive, and to evoke the sermon genre.

Use existing frameworks……such as those used in debating and public speaking competitions, and competitive poetry slams etc.

METATLANGUAGE: REGISTER

METELANGUAGE:DEBATING/SPEAKING

METELANGUAGE: ‘nOObs’

Field Matter What you actually say

Tenor Manner How you communicate with your audience

Mode Method The structure you use to order your material

Borrow from Drama pedagogy…

Jefferson (2009) ‘rich performance tasks’ reading (CMD)

Explore Rhetorical Languagein speaking and listening:

MetaphorA comparison made by referring to one thing as another. (from meta “beyond, over” and pherein “to carry”)

Related figures:Simile (Like a metaphor, a simile involves making a comparison, except it does so explicitly)Allegory (An allegory is an extended metaphor that goes through a whole narrative)

IntimationHinting at a meaning but not stating it explicitly. RepetitionRepetition is a major rhetorical strategy for producing emphasis, clarity, amplification, or emotional effect. Words, phrases and ideas can be repeated, as well as letters/sounds (e.g. using alliteration or assonance)

YouTube clipsYouTube clips (last accessed 28.07.2011):• MLK ‘I have a dream’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMXaTktUfA • Ani DiFranco ‘Coming up’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0_vu4yKOUc • Girl Talk creates a mashup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KykbPtRb0K4 • Jonah Reading (from Summer Heights High):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwpF1XHCpR0

• Australian Poetry Slam – Brisbane comp. Aug-Oct. 2011http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on/awards/poetryslam

• Queensland Debating Unionhttp://qdu.org.au/

• Debating and Public Speaking (NSW) includes ‘Taking the Initiative’ handbookhttps://www.artsunit.nsw.edu.au/speaking-competitions/debating/debating-and-public-speaking-resources

• Strictly Speaking (TV show – ABC, 2011)http://www.abc.net.au/tv/strictlyspeaking/resources.htm

Further resources