In this essay I am going to look at two chunks of a transcript from a speech by Tim Fisher and compare them. I am going to analyse key language features that are within both of the pieces but also contrast them as to what is different about each of them.
In the two extracts from Tim Fishers speech we understand that one of the functions of what Tim is trying to do is to interest and entertain the listeners. Within both of the pieces he uses the word “okay?” a lot. This is a marker of sympathetic circularity as he is making sure that everyone is listening. It is also an interrogative but because of the context in which he says it does not require an answer making it a rhetorical question. The fact that he uses this throughout both extracts suggest that he always trying to keep the listener interested and not allow them to ignore what he is saying. Every time he says “okay?” He pauses as well. This allows the listener to think about what he has said as he speaks quite swiftly but because of saying “okay?” so many times it keeps the listener engaged. I believe he can engage the listeners in this way because of his occupation. Because of the pauses and the social orientation of the speech we can tell it is spoken language and some of it is quite spontaneous.
At the start of the 1st extract we can see it is quite formal to engage the listener. He emphasises the phrases “make sure” by repeating himself so that listeners follow his imperative. There are pragmatics underneath the phrase “make sure” as there is an implied threat that if your mobile phone isn’t turned off then there will be consequences. The function of this is to get the audience to pay attention and follow the instructions that Tim is directing them to do. He also uses purposely vague language when he says “10 or 15 minutes”. This is because if someone was to time him and went over 15 minutes or less than 10 minute they couldn’t say he lied to them as he used this vague language.