Application # 2 Spoken vs. Written language
Spoken language
Written language
Sentences are simple, short, repetitive, with frequent ellipses and syntax order altered.
Structured and long sentences including subordinate and coordinate clauses with punctuation.
structure
Adequate and precise use of vocabulary and punctuation are the resources writing language has to reveal its purpose.
Voice tone allows the speaker to modulate the message and to express the desired intentionality.
tone
Slow transformation in space and time. It takes time until the writers incorporate new words.
Evolves quickly, in permanent transformation and growth, reflecting societal changes.
VOCABULary
Speaking is strongly reinforced by non-verbal clues such as gestures, reactions, and visual references.
It should be explicit, detailed, descriptive, and thorough to support the reader's understanding.
A great title
CONTEXT
The same word is pronounced in different ways depending on the region and the speaker's origin.
The same word is written the same way for all language speakers; there is no feasible variation.
DIVERSITY
Main differences between spoken and written language
The most significant difference between spoken and written language is that, in writing, the recipient is absent, whereas in speech, the listener is present. Therefore, effective written communication requires greater precision and clarity in grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Spoken language is usually brief. It relies on visual references and gestures. Written language, by contrast, uses only linguistic elements. We often need to expand spoken messages or add an introduction about the writing's purpose. We may also explain facts unknown to the reader. Emotions, without tone or facial expression, need explicit discussion. I watched a documentary about people over 100 years old. During interviews, their answers were simple and repetitive. A few weeks later, I read the book that inspired the documentary. The same journalist wrote it. The sentences in the book were much longer and more elaborate. This was because the book lacked the visual information provided by the movie. The tone in spoken language gives us vital information about the speaker’s feelings. Great speakers, such as Barack Obama, are aware of this. In his public speeches, he carefully controls his tone and uses pauses to keep the audience attentive. For example, before announcing a new law benefiting families with childcare support, Obama often connects with the audience by highlighting the high cost of childcare. He shares that he and his wife once struggled with the same problem. He then raises his tone and pauses at key moments to emphasize the importance of the new economic policy. In contrast, written language relies on the precise choice of words. It uses a broad variety of adjectives and adverbs to clearly express feelings, since it cannot use vocal tone or pauses.
Vocabulary in spoken language reflects how dynamic a language is. It is quick to incorporate new words in daily conversations. Technology has brought in new terms that did not exist thirty years ago, like webcam and Internet. It has also given old words new meanings, such as web, link, and virus. Most importantly, thanks to social media, communication speed has increased in both time and distance. A word used by a person in Japan will be reproduced millions of times around the world. It is likely to be accepted and used by an American teenager within hours. On the contrary, vocabulary used in written language relies on variation, sophistication, and density, according to F. O’Dell, J. Read, and McCarty. As a consequence, many people face challenges when trying to write their ideas. Some of the terms they are using in daily life may not be adequate when it comes to writing. Speakers and listeners often share the same environment. As a result, there is less need to mention things obvious to both. In contrast, writers and readers usually do not share the same context. The writer must describe every important detail to ensure the message is clear. For example, an article about Arctic languages notes that researchers working to preserve endangered languages have started recording common words. They found 318 different words for snow. Some Polynesian or Brazilian languages do not even have one term for snow. Snow is unknown in their climate and culture. In some cases, context can completely change the message. If I enter a room with another person and say, “It is very dark,” it is obvious I am referring to the room. If I write “it is very dark,” I might be talking about a room, a business, or a shirt. I need to specify to make my message clear.
Furthermore, while context shapes language use, spoken and written forms differ. Spoken language allows a wide range of accents and dialects, but written language does not. The word water has changed in many ways across countries and centuries in spoken English. In written English, however, Shakespeare in the sixteenth century wrote water as it appears on supermarket aisle markers in 2025. Though the contexts are different, the word has remained unchanged for almost 500 years. Local variation, so clear in speech, has not altered the spelling. In summary, spoken and written languages have different codes and complexity. It is crucial for language learners to recognize these differences and purposefully adjust tone, vocabulary, and grammar to communicate effectively in any context. Exposure to varied types of texts and the opportunity to discuss and cooperate with peers will help learners strengthen their language skills by increasing their understanding and practical usage.
Video
In this short video, we listen to different pronunciations of the word water in various countries and regions.
VOCABULary
VOCABULary
Extract from the book describing the scene (page 157)
The moment we entered her house, her eyes widened and she gladfully raised her hands and began singing, swaying back and forth. Her children, both in their 70's, took the cue and clapped in unison with her. When I asked her for the secret to living beyond 100, she told me something I've remembered ever since: "It took me a long time to realize that beauty is within. It comes from not worrying so much about your own problems. Sometimes you can best take care of yourself by taking care of others. Have a positive outlook, be kind to people and smile."
Extract from the book "The Blue Zones" describing the scene where the reporter asks the old lady from Okinawa the secrets to living more than 100 years.
The moment we entered her house, her eyes widened and she gladfully raised her hands and began singing, swaying back and forth. Her children, both in their 70's, took the cue and clapped in unison with her. When I asked her for the secret to living beyond 100, she told me something I've remembered ever since: "It took me a long time to realize that beauty is within. It comes from not worrying so much about your own problems. Sometimes you can best take care of yourself by taking care of others. Have a positive outlook, be kind to people and smile."
Buettner, D. (2023). The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer. Disney Electronic Content.
Application # 2
Carolina Estevez Alonso
Created on October 18, 2025
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Transcript
Application # 2 Spoken vs. Written language
Spoken language
Written language
Sentences are simple, short, repetitive, with frequent ellipses and syntax order altered.
Structured and long sentences including subordinate and coordinate clauses with punctuation.
structure
Adequate and precise use of vocabulary and punctuation are the resources writing language has to reveal its purpose.
Voice tone allows the speaker to modulate the message and to express the desired intentionality.
tone
Slow transformation in space and time. It takes time until the writers incorporate new words.
Evolves quickly, in permanent transformation and growth, reflecting societal changes.
VOCABULary
Speaking is strongly reinforced by non-verbal clues such as gestures, reactions, and visual references.
It should be explicit, detailed, descriptive, and thorough to support the reader's understanding.
A great title
CONTEXT
The same word is pronounced in different ways depending on the region and the speaker's origin.
The same word is written the same way for all language speakers; there is no feasible variation.
DIVERSITY
Main differences between spoken and written language
The most significant difference between spoken and written language is that, in writing, the recipient is absent, whereas in speech, the listener is present. Therefore, effective written communication requires greater precision and clarity in grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Spoken language is usually brief. It relies on visual references and gestures. Written language, by contrast, uses only linguistic elements. We often need to expand spoken messages or add an introduction about the writing's purpose. We may also explain facts unknown to the reader. Emotions, without tone or facial expression, need explicit discussion. I watched a documentary about people over 100 years old. During interviews, their answers were simple and repetitive. A few weeks later, I read the book that inspired the documentary. The same journalist wrote it. The sentences in the book were much longer and more elaborate. This was because the book lacked the visual information provided by the movie. The tone in spoken language gives us vital information about the speaker’s feelings. Great speakers, such as Barack Obama, are aware of this. In his public speeches, he carefully controls his tone and uses pauses to keep the audience attentive. For example, before announcing a new law benefiting families with childcare support, Obama often connects with the audience by highlighting the high cost of childcare. He shares that he and his wife once struggled with the same problem. He then raises his tone and pauses at key moments to emphasize the importance of the new economic policy. In contrast, written language relies on the precise choice of words. It uses a broad variety of adjectives and adverbs to clearly express feelings, since it cannot use vocal tone or pauses.
Vocabulary in spoken language reflects how dynamic a language is. It is quick to incorporate new words in daily conversations. Technology has brought in new terms that did not exist thirty years ago, like webcam and Internet. It has also given old words new meanings, such as web, link, and virus. Most importantly, thanks to social media, communication speed has increased in both time and distance. A word used by a person in Japan will be reproduced millions of times around the world. It is likely to be accepted and used by an American teenager within hours. On the contrary, vocabulary used in written language relies on variation, sophistication, and density, according to F. O’Dell, J. Read, and McCarty. As a consequence, many people face challenges when trying to write their ideas. Some of the terms they are using in daily life may not be adequate when it comes to writing. Speakers and listeners often share the same environment. As a result, there is less need to mention things obvious to both. In contrast, writers and readers usually do not share the same context. The writer must describe every important detail to ensure the message is clear. For example, an article about Arctic languages notes that researchers working to preserve endangered languages have started recording common words. They found 318 different words for snow. Some Polynesian or Brazilian languages do not even have one term for snow. Snow is unknown in their climate and culture. In some cases, context can completely change the message. If I enter a room with another person and say, “It is very dark,” it is obvious I am referring to the room. If I write “it is very dark,” I might be talking about a room, a business, or a shirt. I need to specify to make my message clear.
Furthermore, while context shapes language use, spoken and written forms differ. Spoken language allows a wide range of accents and dialects, but written language does not. The word water has changed in many ways across countries and centuries in spoken English. In written English, however, Shakespeare in the sixteenth century wrote water as it appears on supermarket aisle markers in 2025. Though the contexts are different, the word has remained unchanged for almost 500 years. Local variation, so clear in speech, has not altered the spelling. In summary, spoken and written languages have different codes and complexity. It is crucial for language learners to recognize these differences and purposefully adjust tone, vocabulary, and grammar to communicate effectively in any context. Exposure to varied types of texts and the opportunity to discuss and cooperate with peers will help learners strengthen their language skills by increasing their understanding and practical usage.
Video
In this short video, we listen to different pronunciations of the word water in various countries and regions.
VOCABULary
VOCABULary
Extract from the book describing the scene (page 157)
The moment we entered her house, her eyes widened and she gladfully raised her hands and began singing, swaying back and forth. Her children, both in their 70's, took the cue and clapped in unison with her. When I asked her for the secret to living beyond 100, she told me something I've remembered ever since: "It took me a long time to realize that beauty is within. It comes from not worrying so much about your own problems. Sometimes you can best take care of yourself by taking care of others. Have a positive outlook, be kind to people and smile."
Extract from the book "The Blue Zones" describing the scene where the reporter asks the old lady from Okinawa the secrets to living more than 100 years.
The moment we entered her house, her eyes widened and she gladfully raised her hands and began singing, swaying back and forth. Her children, both in their 70's, took the cue and clapped in unison with her. When I asked her for the secret to living beyond 100, she told me something I've remembered ever since: "It took me a long time to realize that beauty is within. It comes from not worrying so much about your own problems. Sometimes you can best take care of yourself by taking care of others. Have a positive outlook, be kind to people and smile."
Buettner, D. (2023). The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer. Disney Electronic Content.