NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ796700
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Jun
Pages: 12
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0346-251X
EISSN: N/A
Expressive Phonology as Evaluative Comment in Personal Oral Narrative: The Play Frame and Language Learning
Mischler, James J., III
System: An International Journal of Educational Technology and Applied Linguistics, v36 n2 p241-252 Jun 2008
This article presents a case study of phonological types of internal evaluation in the personal oral narrative of one non-native speaker of English. The purpose was twofold: (1) to study whether laughter and exhaled breath can serve the functions of expressive phonology; i.e., phonological features which provide commentary and point of view for the narrative and communicate the story's tellability [Labov, W., 1972. "The transformation of experience in narrative syntax." In: "Language in the Inner City: Studies in Black English Vernacular." University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, pp. 354-396] and (2) to determine whether an advanced non-native speaker exhibits these evaluative features in personal oral narrative. The results indicate that laughter and exhaled breath were used systematically and strategically to frame the discourse as humorous, and that expressive phonology as a form of internal evaluation was employed to comment on the events and communicate tellability to the listener. The subject used these features unconsciously and in complex ways for the purpose of creating a personal stance and for developing shared knowledge with the listener. The discussion includes techniques for teaching students to frame a narrative as humorous, and recommends further study of spoken discourse from a cognitive perspective.
Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A