SPOKEN (GOSSIPING) : DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

(Descourse study)

 GOSSIPING

Lecturer Drs Joko Sutopo,S Mi

 


WRITTEN BY GINA

INTRODUCTION

Conversation can be transactional (pragmatic): we talk to others to facilitate theexchange of goods and services (buying things, gettinginformation, etc.).  Phatic: we talk to people to maintain (or create)friendships.  So, Conversation for phatic reasons is called ‘casual conversation’.It is usually not directed at any purpose other than to pass thetime, or to make or strengthen friendships.

Concerning the field of linguistic phenomenon and also to study more about casual conversational, this article shows an example of conversation between Andy and Otish.  It was taken from Casual Phone conversation of Podcase. Doing so, the writer do his effort and functions everything explain on the website as the stepping stone in order to understand more about the way how to analyze casual conversation correctly.  As his further reading, the writer usesSuzanne Eggins& Diana Slade as his reference in studying the part of Discourse about which he is studying.

DISCUSSION

Conversation

(S1) And  :  “Hey what’s up?”

(S2) Otis  :  “Hello…..”

(S2) Otis  :  “Not much.  I’m in the office right now but I’ve got a few minutes to killbefore my boss gets back.”

(S1) Andy:  “Cool.  What are you up to this weekend?”

(S2) Otis  :  “Not sure yet.  I’ve got no plans as of now but I’m definitely up for something.”

(S1) Andy:  “How about a round of golf Saturday afternoon and then we’ll hit the town later.”

(S2) Otis  :  “Sounds perfect.  Oh no, that’s right, I think I have some kind of boring work function I have to go to.” 

(S1) Andy:  “That sucks, is there any way you can get out of it?”

(S2) Otis  :  “I’ll try to think of something.” 

(S1) Andy:  “You better.  It’s going to be a great afternoon.”

(S2) Otis  :  “I’ll see what I can do.  I’ll keep you posted.”

(S1) Andy:  “Alright.  Make sure you get back to me by Thursday.”

(S2) Otis  :  “Will do.”

(S1) Andy:  Ok.  Later

(S2) Otis  :  Later

 Analysis

(S1) Hey what’s up? 

It’s a very casual question that we would say to our close friends.  It means,  “What are you doing?”, but we don’t always need to answer it.  We often just say “not much” to answer this question.  We can also return the question by saying, “not much, you?”  or “not much, what’s up with you?”.  If you want, you can answer this question with what are you doing?  So if someone asks “what’s up?”  you can say, “oh not much, just watching tv” or something like that.  Never ask “what’s up?” in a formal situation.

(S2) minutes to kill

We often talk about “killing time”.  It is usually used in a situation where you have nothing that you need to do for a while and are in no position to do something fun.  For example, if you change airplanes, then you might need to wait a few hours in the airport.  Maybe you would walk around to “kill time”.  You could say to your friend, “what do you want to do?  We’ve got a few hours to kill until our next flight?”

(S1) What are you up to?

This means “what are you doing?”  it is a very casual expression and you can use it in past, present, and future.  “What were you up to last night?”,  “What are you up to now?”, and “What are you up to next weekend?”.

(S2) I’m definitely up for something 

This means you definitely want to do something.  You aren’t sure what but you don’t just want to sit around and do nothing.  If you say.  “I’m up for anything” that means that you don’t care and will do anything the other person suggests.  You are not picky if you are up for anything.

(S1) hit the town

Another casual expression meaning that you will go out in the city.  Usually talking about a fun night of going to different restaurants and bars or whatever.

(S2) I have some kind of boring work function

The idea of saying “some kind of” here shows that the work function, like a work dinner, is something you don’t want to do.  It’s like you don’t even care what it is, you just know that you don’t want to do it.

(S1) Is there any way you can get out of it? 

This question is asking if there is any way that you can cancel your plans.  Maybe thinking of an excuse, or a lie, to not attend the work function.  Maybe telling your boss that you have to go to your best friend’s wedding.

(S2) I’ll keep you posted 

A very useful expression that means, “I will keep you informed” or “I will let you know

(S1)Get back to me 

That means “tell me when you get the answer”

(S2) Will do 

A slang phrase meaning “I’ll do it”

(S1) Later 

Friends can say “later” to each other when they get off the phone.  It’s the same thing as saying “bye”.  Its informal so don’t say it if you are in a more serious phone conversation.  And never say “bye bye”.  Just say bye one time.  We never say “bye bye” in any situation.  Its something that a baby would say.