Contextualization

We use language to communicate with each other, whether it be spoken or written. However, despite being manifestations of the same language, they have very different characteristics. Spoken language is characterized by being more spontaneous, dynamic, and natural, and can be considered more lively and closer to the speakers. Written language, on the other hand, is more careful, formal, and precise, and is necessary for the documentation and dissemination of knowledge.

Spoken language is the first we learn and the most used in our daily lives. It is more flexible because it allows speakers to modify the language according to the speech situation. On the other hand, written language, although learned later and used in more specific situations, is indispensable in the literate society in which we live, since it is through it that information is recorded and disseminated.

Both spoken and written language play an important role in our lives. They are tools for socialization, knowledge building, expression of feelings and thoughts, among others. However, each one has its own specificities according to the situation, the environment, and the purpose of the communication. Therefore, understanding the difference between the two is essential to use language appropriately in each situation.

This project aims to explore the difference between spoken and written language and understand how each of them is used in our society. Through this project, students will be able to recognize and understand the characteristics of each of them and apply them correctly in different communication situations.

In addition, it will provide knowledge about the importance of linguistic variations in the Portuguese language, such as the standard variation and the colloquial variation, and how these are presented in both spoken and written language. This project will address nominal and verbal agreement, as well as lexical substitution by synonyms.

Students will be able to base themselves and delve deeper into the topic through the following resources:

1. Spoken and Written Language: Differences and Applications - Practical Study
2. Spoken Language and Written Language - InfoEscola
3. Linguistic Variation: What it is, Types and Examples - Brasil Escola
4. Nominal and Verbal Agreement - Norma Culta

Practical Activity: "From Speech to Writing"

Project Objective

The objective of this activity is to explore the difference between spoken and written language, understanding their functions, characteristics, and variations in different contexts.

Detailed Project Description

Students, in groups of 3 to 5 people, should choose a specific topic that can be approached colloquially and formally (for example, a discussion about a popular game, a culinary recipe, a book review, etc.).

Students should then hold a real conversation on that topic, recording the conversation for later transcription. From there, they should analyze the transcript, highlighting characteristics of spoken language, such as colloquial expressions, rounds of speech, speech fillers, slang, interruptions, modalizers, etc.

Students should then adapt the transcript of the conversation into a formal written text, preserving the main content of the discussion but adapting it to the formality of the written text. This exercise should involve the application of verbal and nominal agreement rules, lexical substitutions (synonymy), and the use of standard Portuguese.

Students should also reflect on and discuss the difficulties encountered when converting a spoken language text into a written language and report on this in their final document.

The final result should be a written report with introduction, development, conclusion, and bibliography, complemented by audios and transcripts of the recorded conversations, in addition to the texts adapted for written language.

Required Materials

• Paper and pen for notes and planning.
• Audio recorder (can be a cell phone).
• Computer with a word processor to create the final report.

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Organize yourself into groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Select a topic that can be discussed colloquially and formally.
3. Conduct an informative and natural discussion on the topic and record the conversation.
4. Transcribe the conversation.
5. Analyze the transcript, identifying specific characteristics of the spoken language.
6. Adapt the transcript into a formal written text.
7. Discuss and note the difficulties encountered during this adaptation.
8. Based on these activities, create a final report that contains:
   • Introduction: presenting the topic and the relevance of the project.
   • Development: explaining the theory behind the concepts applied, detailing the activities carried out, the methodology used and presenting the results obtained.
   • Conclusion: highlighting important points, lessons learned and conclusions drawn from the project.
   • Bibliography: indicating the sources used for the development of the project.

Project Delivery

Finally, the project will be delivered with:

• The recording of the conversation.
• The transcript of the conversation.
• The text adapted for written language.
• The final written report, organized according to the above guidelines.

These elements should be clearly interconnected, demonstrating the evolution of the work and the application of theoretical concepts throughout the project. The report will document the processes, reflections, discussions and discoveries of the students throughout the project and should be the final deliverable, along with the audios and texts produced.