Differences between writing and speech

Once the characteristics of both speech and writing have been developed, we will continue by analysing the differences between writing and speech.

Holtgraves (2002) offers a complete inventory of what he calls mode features in terms of the grammatical, lexical and discourse features of speech and writing:

1. Grammatical features:

On the one hand, in spoken mode we find features as the tendency to ellipsis; the abbreviation of verbs; the ability for phrases; high incidence of coordinated clauses; active verb forms; syntactically shorter sentences, etc.

On the other hand, among the written mode features we find full phrases and clauses with little abbreviation and less ellipsis; standard grammar; longer and more complex clauses with embedded phrases and clauses; densely informative noun phrases, etc.

2. Lexical features:

While in spoken mode the features are: low lexical density; less abstract vocabulary; more generalized and simpler vocabulary and semantically “empty” prefabricated “fillers”, etc.; in written mode we find features as high lexical density; complex vocabulary and the use of more abstract, formal and sophisticated terms; greater variety in choice of vocabulary with lower levels of repetition, etc.

3. Discourse features:

Among the spoken mode features we find more than one participant; high incidence of markers of interpersonal dynamics; repetition and echoing between speakers, etc. However, in the written mode features we could distinguish the explicit presentation of the idea to a non-presence audience; few markers of interpersonal or personally-oriented discourse; explicit indication of text organization, etc.