Description
‘Getting the job done’ - Formulaic speech in job interviews with L2 speakers of Danish Based on 41 audio recorded job interviews with L2 speakers of Danish, this talk explores the notion of speech formulae in L2 institutional interaction as a factor contributing to successful performance in gatekeeping encounters. In traditional SLA research on formulaic language (e.g. Ellis et al. 2008), speech formulae are described as relatively stable units that require a high level of phonetic and grammatical accuracy as well as precise pragmatic use in order to be recognized as formulae. However, studies have shown that formulae may function independently as ‘zones of safety’ (Boers et al. 2006), ‘islands of reliability’ (Dechert 1984) or code-switching strategies in less well-developed L2 speech. Interactional studies in particular suggest that formulae allow speakers to focus on the social (as opposed to the linguistic) aspects of a situation. For example, use of formulae can signal affiliation to the target language and open up for negotiating co-membership and interpersonal involvement. I present and discuss a range of examples to support the socio-pragmatic function of speech formulae. I propose that: 1) use of formulaic expressions helps L2 speakers already at a beginner’s level to act as skillful professionals by co-constructing environments of shared norms and values; and 2) formulaic speech functions as a marker of both linguistic and cultural belonging to the target context. Thus, studying formulaic speech from a sociopragmatic perspective provides new insights to the complex relation between language and culture.| Period | Nov 2016 |
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| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Købehavn, DenmarkShow on map |