Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

SPOKEN GRAMMAR AND INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

91

Spoken language is most commonly an interactive, face-to-face process. Meanings

are often created by referring to shared knowledge or by an understanding based

on context or because what is referred to is physically and visually present before

the speakers. Many items and structures in spoken grammar, therefore, reflect the

interpersonal dimension rather than the content of the message. They are outlined

here and dealt with in detail in the chapters and sections referred to.

Deictic expressions such as in here, over there, that one, this here, right now,

then

are common (

Û

93

). Situational ellipsis (e.g. someone asking someone:

Finished?

) is common because points of reference are often obvious to

participants (

Û

94

). Speakers also perform regular checks that understanding is

shared and they work hard to provide orientation for listeners and engage them 

by means of headers (