informal metalanguage

assimilation

sound changing to resemble neighbouring sound, speeds up speech + signals informality

elision

the dropping of sounds/syllables in connected speech, reduces effort in speech and supports informality

pitch

percieved highness or lowness of the voice, seek confirmation, express politeness

tempo

speed of which a person speaks, suggests urgency, excitement and can alter formality

shortening

signals informality and in group solidarity

blending

playful and creative expression of modern ideas, bromance + brunch etc

sentence fragment

creates conversational tone and adds emphasis eg no chance

vocal effects (breath, cough, laugh)

add spontaneity or emotion

clefting / front focus

add emphasis

anaphoric reference

maintain cohesion

conjunctions/adverbials (however/therefore)

add flow and logic

deixis (here, now, you)

anchors meaning in time or place

repetition/ellipsis

creates cohesion or economy

hyperbole (exaggeration)

emphasises emotion

adjacency pairs

maintains conversational flow

discourse particles (so, well, like)

softens stance or shifts topic

non fluency features (um, i think)

shows planning or hesitation DOESNT INDICATE INFORMALITY

politeness strategies (eg could you maybe?)

reduces impostion and builds rapport