THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WRITTEN AND SPOKEN SOCCER COMMENTARY

Abstract

This paper sets out to examine the differences between written and spoken soccer commentary. This is done from the social perspective which views texts as being determined by the immediate situational context. The introductory study and discusses chapter makes clear the aims of this the methodology involved in the selection of the data. The framework used to analyse the texts is the Systemic-Functional model. The three concepts of Field, Mode and Tenor serve to interpret the social context of the texts. The second chapter on Field shows how field determines the selection of experiential meanings in both the written and spoken commentaries. This is done by looking at the transitivity system. The third chapter shows the differences between the written and spoken commentaries by examining the Mode of Discourse through discussions on Lexical Density, Grammatical Intricacy, Topical Themes and Schematic Structure. Chapter Four discusses how Tenor determines the selection of interpersonal meanings under the headings of Affect and Contact. The concluding chapter summarizes the findings and provides suggestions for future research.