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VICEnglish LanguageQuick questions

Unit 3: Language variation and social purpose

Quick questions on Features of informal language across subsystems in VCE English Language Unit 3

2short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is syntax?
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Informal syntax is looser. Ellipsis omits recoverable elements ("Want one?" for "Do you want one?"). Coordination ("and...and...")
What is discourse?
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Spontaneous informal discourse shows the marks of real-time production. Discourse markers ("well", "you know", "like", "anyway") manage the flow and signal stance. Hedges ("sort of", "I guess") soften claims and protect face. Non-fluency features (false starts, repetition, fillers "um" and "er", repairs) show unplanned speech.

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