Intimate and Casual Speech Styles - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key termsfrom the lesson on intimate and casual speech styles (definitions drawn from the lecture notes).

Intimate Speech Style

Characterized by a complete absence of social inhibitions; used by participants who share a very close relationship and who use a completely private vocabulary.

Casual Speech Style

A relaxed or informal dialogue between friends, peers, colleagues, or family; uses slang, informal contractions, elliptical sentences, interruptions, and nicknames; group language may be used.

Private Vocabulary

A vocabulary shared only among participants in an intimate relationship; outsiders may not understand it.

Short, Incomplete Utterances

Conversations in intimate speech often consist of brief, unfinished phrases rather than full sentences.

Nonverbal Cues

Body language, facial expressions, and other signals used to convey messages in intimate speech.

Inside Jokes

Humor shared exclusively among participants in an intimate relationship.

Words Signaling Intimacy

Terms of endearment or phrases that indicate closeness (e.g., sweetheart, dear, honey).

Audience

The person or group for whom the message is intended; helps determine appropriate style and content.

Topic

The subject or matter being discussed.

Purpose

The goal or reason for communicating; what the speaker aims to achieve.

Location

The place or setting where the communication takes place.

Slang

Informal language consisting of nonstandard words and expressions used in casual speech.

Elliptical Sentences

Sentences that are incomplete or shortened, commonly used in casual speech.

Informal Contractions

Nonstandard contractions used in casual speech (e.g., gonna, wanna, ain’t).

Interruptions

Overlaps or interruptions are common in casual dialogue, reflecting a conversational tone.

Nicknames

Casual forms of address used within a group (e.g., buddy, pal) to foster ease and belonging.