The main difference between spoken and written language is that the former is expressed through phonemes , i.e., linguistic sounds, and the latter is expressed through graphemes, i.e., letters. For example: Spoken language is used during a phone call, while written language is used during a text message.
Language is a set of signs used in communicative exchanges between people. These signs can be transmitted orally or in writing.
In both types of language the same signs are used, but the way in which these signs are expressed (oral or written) determines the use and rules that are used.
- See also: Oral and written communication
Characteristics of spoken language
Some characteristics of spoken language are:
- The message is transmitted through a sequence of phonemes, which form words and phrases.
- The oral channel (to send the message) and the auditory channel (to receive the message) are used.
- Linguistic signs, that is, the words of spoken language, are often accompanied by paralinguistic signs, such as intonation, gestures, and body posture. Verbal information is complemented by nonverbal information.
- Most spoken language messages are related to the context of the utterance, since the context determines the vocabulary, formality, among other factors.
- Generally, it is used to convey a message in person. Face-to-face interaction allows for the message to be rephrased, clarifications to be made, and the recipient to respond, but in this interaction, the message does not persist over time.
- It is acquired naturally through interaction with other people, and that’s why it’s easier to acquire than written language, because all you need to do is be part of a community.
- It’s natural and spontaneous, so the message isn’t always organized with structure and grammar in mind. Filler words, repetitions, and interruptions are also very common.
- It is dynamic, as it changes over time. For example, in spoken language, neologisms(new words) appear earlier than in written language.
- It usually uses terms and structures specific to dialects, sociolects and chronolects .
Characteristics of the written language
Some characteristics of the written language are:
- The message is transmitted through a sequence of letters and punctuation marks.
- The visual channel is used for both writing and reading.
- The message is not accompanied by paralinguistic messages, but it is accompanied by punctuation marks.
- It does not depend on the context, therefore, it is necessary to replenish the context with words, so that the message is clear.
- Information is generally transmitted in a delayed manner and persists over time, but messages cannot be reformulated or responded to in real time.
- It is acquired through literacy processes. Furthermore, its use is refined over time, for example, when syntactical or textual structures are learned.
- It’s artificial and more planned. Writing takes into account syntax, spelling, punctuation, and the structure of the text. Therefore, it’s very common to avoid repetition and use words that provide cohesion, such as connectives.
- It is less dynamic than spoken language, because there are generally patterns that must be respected and that change very slowly.
- Although it often includes words from dialects, sociolects, and chronolects, it is more common for the lexicon and structures of the standard language to be used.
Examples of oral language and written language
- Spoken language. Telephone invitation: Hello! Do you want to come to dinner on Saturday?
- Written language. Invitation by letter:
Dear Sir/Madam,
We would like to extend a letter inviting you to a dinner to be held on Saturday, October 25th, at 9:00 p.m. at Av. López 123. - Spoken language. Greeting between two friends meeting on the street: Hello! It’s been a long time! How are you?
- Written language. Greeting in a letter someone writes to a friend:
Dear José:
How are you? - Oral language. Oral exam answer: Well, as you can see, photosynthesis is a fairly complex process that plants—well, some of them—use to acquire the nutrients they need to survive.
- Written language. Written exam answer : Photosynthesis is a process by which plants acquire the nutrients they need to live.
- Spoken language. Ask a question in a conversation: How? Who won the prize? (In this case, intonation determines whether a question is being asked.)
- Written language. Question in a letter: Who won the prize? (In this case, the question marks indicate that a question is being asked.)
- Oral language. Explanation of a fact: As I said before, yes, the governor has won. (Information, for example, that he was reelected because he won the election, is omitted because it’s obvious in the context.)
- Written language. Explanation of a fact: The governor was re-elected last Sunday.
- Spoken language. One person gives directions to another on how to get to a place: Not this street, not that street, or the third one, turn left at the third street, and you’ll find the pharmacy. (Deictic pronouns are used to refer to a street, which the speaker is probably pointing at.)
- Written language. Map directions: You must drive south on Route 40 for 150 km, then turn left at the roundabout.
- Spoken language. Ask about the price of a shirt: How much does this one cost? (A deictic pronoun [this] is used because the context makes it clear which shirt is being referred to.)
- Written language. Asking about the price of a shirt via a clothing brand’s website chat: How much does the black shirt with red flowers cost? (No pronouns are used; instead, the object being inquired about is named and described, as it is not obvious in this context.)
- Oral language. Announcing a contest winner: And the winner is (pause to build suspense and anticipation) contestant number 517.
- Written language. Announcement of a competition winner by letter:
Dear Sir/
Madam, We would like to inform you that you have won the architecture competition.
Congratulations!
We will be in touch shortly.
Best regards. - Oral language. Storytelling in person: It is said that many centuries ago—no one really knows how long ago—there was a castle not far from here, where a prince lived.
- Written language. Storytelling in a storybook: Once upon a time, there was a prince who lived in a castle.
- Oral language. A teacher explains to the students how to write a monograph: You will have to submit a monograph, which must have a hypothesis and an introduction, body, and conclusion. In addition, you must use Arial 12 font with space between lines, and the length must not exceed ten pages.
- Written language. A text explaining how to write a monograph:
Guidelines for the monograph:
Must include a hypothesis.
Structure: introduction, body, and conclusion.
Font: Arial 12 with 1.5 spacing.
Length: between eight and ten pages.
