Introduction

Relevance of the Topic

• The distinction between Spoken Language and Written Language is one of the pillars of Linguistics, the discipline that studies human language in all its aspects.
• Both forms of language are widely used in our daily lives, and therefore, understanding their distinctive characteristics and similarities is essential for effective communication.
• The distinction between Spoken Language and Written Language is a milestone that allows us to understand the phenomenon of linguistic variation, that is, the variations that a language can undergo according to the context of use, the speaker, or the purpose of the interaction.

Contextualization

• In the Portuguese Language curriculum, the study of the difference between Spoken Language and Written Language is generally introduced at the beginning of Elementary School, standing out in the 7th grade, where students already have the linguistic maturity to assimilate more complex concepts.
• Understanding this difference is the basis for other linguistic skills and competencies, such as writing, textual interpretation, and understanding of oral and written texts.
• This topic serves as a bridge to the more in-depth study of language characteristics, leading the student to a more complete and refined understanding of how language functions in our society.

Theoretical Development

Components

• Spoken Language: It is the form of language we use in face-to-face interactions or through communication media such as the telephone. It has several characteristics:

  • Variability: It is more flexible and subject to changes than Written Language. It can adapt to the context, the audience, and the purpose of communication.
  • Phrase Fragmentation: Speeches tend to be shorter and more fragmented, with frequent pauses and interruptions, unlike Written Language, which aims for continuity.
  • Expressive Resources: Features a wide use of idiomatic expressions, slang, interjections, repetitions, and intonation, which help in expressiveness and understanding of meaning.
  • Use of Non-Verbal Elements: Includes body language, eye contact, and tone of voice to convey concepts and emotions.

• Written Language: It is the form of language used in texts and documents. It has distinct characteristics from Spoken Language:

  • Fixedness: It is more standardized and rigid than Spoken Language. Once the text is recorded, it cannot be changed without leaving traces.
  • Complexity: Since the reader cannot interrupt or ask for clarifications, the author of Written Language usually uses longer and more complex sentences and is more careful with vocabulary.
  • Wide Use of Formalisms: Prefers formal words and expressions, avoiding the use of slang or idiomatic expressions.
  • Abstraction and Objectivity: Can be more abstract and objective, as it is often used to argue, explain, or describe situations.

Key Terms

• Linguistic Variation: It refers to the modifications that a language undergoes according to the characteristics of the speaker (age, region, level of education, etc.), the context of use (formal, informal), or the purpose of the interaction (to convince, inform, praise, etc.).
• Verbal Language: It is the form of communication that uses words, with Spoken and Written Language being its main manifestations.
• Non-Verbal Language: Refers to communication that occurs through gestures, facial expressions, body posture, among others. Although it does not use words, it also conveys meanings and can influence the way we interpret verbal language.

Examples and Cases

• Example of Linguistic Variation: "Do you know what time the party is going to start?". If this question is asked in a formal environment, for example, in a job interview, it can definitely be considered inappropriate. However, if it is asked in a conversation among friends or in an informal context, the same question will not cause any strangeness.
• Case of Use of Verbal and Non-Verbal Language: In the play "The Auto da Compadecida" by Ariano Suassuna, verbal and non-verbal language combine to convey the message. The characters' speeches reveal Spoken Language and, at the same time, the facial expression, tone of voice, and gestures of the actors contribute to the understanding of the context and the meaning of the words spoken.

Detailed Summary

Relevant Points

• Differentiation between Spoken Language and Written Language: Spoken Language and Written Language are forms of the same language, but they have distinct characteristics that vary according to the context of use.

• Flexibility and Rigidity: While Spoken Language is flexible and prone to changes, Written Language is more rigid and standardized.

• Language Resources: Both forms of language use expressive resources, but Spoken Language makes a freer and wider use, including idiomatic expressions, slang, interjections, intonation, and non-verbal elements (body language, eye contact, tone of voice), in contrast to Written Language which mainly uses vocabulary and grammatical structure.

• Linguistic Variation: The distinction between Spoken Language and Written Language is a specific example of linguistic variation, as the language adapts and transforms according to different factors (speaker, context, purpose of communication).

Conclusions

• Interdependence: Spoken Language and Written Language are interdependent and influence each other. The changes and adaptations that occur in Spoken Language can be reflected, at some point, in Written Language and vice versa.

• Contextualization of Communication: Spoken Language and Written Language adjust to the context in which they are inserted. The choice of one or the other depends on the context, the interlocutors, and the objectives of the communication.

• Verbal and Non-Verbal Language: The study of Spoken Language and Written Language also implies understanding Non-Verbal Language, which occurs simultaneously and complements Verbal Language in human communication.

Suggested Exercises

1. Comparison of Texts: Ask students to read a passage from a movie dialogue or play (example: "Romeo and Juliet" by Shakespeare) and a passage from a newspaper article. What linguistic elements indicate that one was written (or is appropriate to be spoken) and the other was spoken (or is appropriate to be written)?

2. Transformation of Genres: Ask students to transform a spoken text into a written one and vice versa. For example, an opinion article about the importance of sports can become a speech for a group of peers of the same age.

3. Analysis of Advertisements: Distribute various advertisements and ask students to identify whether the texts are closer to Spoken Language or Written Language. What linguistic characteristics point to the classification made?