Language in Use 77-78
We hold very strong ideas about speech which we seldom examine by observing
what the characteristics of speech actually are. The aim of this unit is
to make a class aware of some of the physical characteristics of fluent speech.
In particular, it looks at the nature and function of pauses and hesitations,
as our response to these can directly affect our response to another person's
entire way of speaking. This unit makes use of section C of the Language
in Use tape.
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[1] The aim of this session is to focus upon the physical characteristics
of speech. Explore with the class how they would judge:
(a) that someone was talking very fast
(b) that someone was talking fluently.
Agree upon a rough definition of what the class understand by talking fast and talking fluently, and then proceed to test these by making some simple measurements of actual speed.
Play section Y through once, and appoint observers to count:
(a) the number of words per minute used by each speaker
(b) the number of pauses and hesitations.
Ask the class to work out the proportion of each speaker's actual speaking time taken up by words.
[2] The aim of this session is to show what part is played in speaking
by silence or fillers like 'um' and 'er'. The class should be divided into
groups of observers, each one of which will count or time a particular feature
in the speech on the tape. The features include:
(a) length of pauses
(b) number of fillers
(c) particular -words and phrases used as fillers
(d) number of distinctively long pauses.
After a first attempt, explore in discussion what we mean by pause, and what constitutes a filler. Then play the tape again, and ask for the features to be counted a second time. In discussion, consider any reactions the class show to the actual proportion of time which is used for things other than words and phrases.