C2 Vocab · Spoken vs Written Modes — Lesson

Words 1–4

Hedging

using cautious language to qualify statements and avoid overcommitting

Ellipsis

omitting words that can be inferred from context (more common in speech)

Deixis

words that only make sense with reference to time, place, or person

Mode continuum

a scale from casual spoken language to formal written language

Examples

"It seems that..." uses hedging to soften a claim.

"Coming?" instead of "Are you coming?" demonstrates ellipsis.

Prosody

the patterns of rhythm, stress, and intonation in spoken language

deliberately moving between formal and informal language for effect

Colloquialism

informal language or expressions used in everyday conversation

Vagueness

deliberate imprecision used in speech to maintain social harmony

Examples

Prosody changes meaning: "I didn't SAY it" vs "I didn't say IT".

Comedy often uses register shift, mixing slang with formal diction.

Intonation

the rise and fall of the voice in speech to convey meaning

Formality

the quality of following established conventions of language and behaviour

Examples

Rising intonation at the end of a sentence signals a question.

A job application requires a high degree of linguistic formality.