Illocutionary
Forces,
Register,
and
Formulaic
Elements
Alyssa
Fletcher
Chapter 7
10/31/16
Register &
Implications
for
Interpreters
Setting one is involved in,
how fast/slow person
speaks, whether there is
interaction between the
speaker and the listener,
and the status of the people
involved
Words
people use
and the
style in
which they
present
Define:
Language used
in varying
degrees of
formality
helps people
communicate
effectively &
interact in an
accepted
manner
takes into
consideration
the speaker's &
audience's role
and what type
of relationship
the participants
have w/ each
other
5 Different
Registers
incorporate
different linguistic
styles in various
settings
Frozen/Oratorical
a script to
follow as part
of a ritual
purpose: to
affirm that each
participant is part
of a larger whole
settings:
performances,
public speeches,
& sacred texts
Same words are
spoken, no one is aloud
to change/paraphase
maybe need to read
directly from the text to
be sure that the words
spoken are those
English speakers are
expecting to hear
Formal
larger audience; status
difference between
them & speaker
participants not
expected to ask
questions,
speaker is
separated on
platform
interpreter not
able to ask
speaker for
clarification
but signer will
communicate
more slowly,
articulate signs
more carefully,
use longer
pauses, & use
reiteration
any specialized
vocab is more
likely to be
explained
avoid casual
words; use
specialized &
polished
vocab; give it
that formal
"sound"
ASL depends on
presentation
style more than
sign choice
English
speakers
become
uncomfortable
with long
pauses
settings:
presentations &
introductions
Consultative
difference in participants
status due to some being
experts in the discussion
material
listeners can
ask questions,
affirms
relationship
communicate @ moderate pace,
less exaggerated articulation,
pausing when necessary
classroom: signer checks
for understanding & has
organized discussion
but allows flexibility
for misunderstandings
or other interests
need to be aware of
special vocab, or signs
that have specific
English terms, or
initialized signs
Casual/Informal
2+ people
know each
other,
everyone is of
equal status
#CLUB
signing
harder to understand because quickly
sign w/o looking for comprehension,
signs may not be clearly or completely
articulated, people will overlap
can use
slang/ shared
knowledge if
able
Intimate
talk between couples & best
friends, have background
knowledge & common
experience
maintain 1
throughout;
familiar w/
events/experiences;
comfortable w/
asking Qs & express
what s being said
influence how
language is
presented; if it is
memorized?
spontaneous?
More Formal=
Less Personal
Illocutionary
Forces
the speaker's
intention aka
purpose
underlying the
words
Presence signifies that
there is more implied
than what appears on
the surface
be aware of
the intent
behind the
words
ASL is more explicit
in the use of
performance verbs
Possible to leave
out performance
verbs because the
information will be
implied in English
Help you keep up
with the signer
Complete meaning still
conveyed
Types of English I.F.
Statement:
give info
RH-Q
interpreted as
Question:
request info
Command:
encourage or
solicit an action
Warning: elicit
self-protective
behavior in the
listener
Promise: predict
action from the
speaker
Threat:
intimidate
the listener
Formulaic
Elements of
English
occur in casual/informal
along with frozen
storytelling: not every word
needs to be exactly the
same, just some that
enhance the story
hints
that a
fairy
tale is
being
told
a specific way something is
said in a particular setting
Working Within
a Register
speaker uses a
language based on
the occasion, the
participants, & their
relationship to one
another, the topic,
& the location
Appropriate
style depends on
context of the
communication
be aware of who the
signer is referring to,
identify them by name
settings
where
more than
1 register
appears
More experience=
more comfortable
Don't usually
have this,
attend events
where formal
is used