engleski

Cross-Influence Between Language and Culture (Pause Structure as Proof of Cultural Difference in the Same Language)

Research on different pause structures (used in language performance) in different languages proves to be a matter of culture. Nevertheless, the different pauses of the same language in two different regions show how language itself does not really influence the culture of speech (even though it is transmitted through language). This brings us to a well known question: which part of performance depends on language and which is a matter of culture? The research will be based on recordings of spontaneous speech of Croatian speakers from two different regions (Istria and Dalmatia). Both groups are thought to have similar linguistic, historical and traditional backgrounds with a minimum level of differentiation. The spontaneous speech will be analyzed in order to present the possible differences on all structural levels (phonology, prosody, lexis, morphosyntax) but the analysis will mainly concern the usage of pauses (duration, overlaps or interruptions in discourse). The hypothesis is that the structural levels are influenced by the language itself, while the differences in pause structure cannot be explained through language change, but only through regional and cultural diversification. The results of the analysis of Croatian speakers’ speech recordings will be compared to those of the third group - of Italian speakers from Istria, which will either prove or dismiss the above mentioned hypothesis.

pause; turn-taking; conversational style; overlap; Pula; Zadar.

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