DIRECT/INDERECT

I. Introduction to Direct Speech

• Definition: Direct speech uses the exact words spoken by a person.

• Usage and Indication:

  • It is always indicated by the use of inverted commas (quotation marks).

  • A new paragraph or line is typically used for each new speaker in written text.

  • In cartoons or comics, the words are enclosed within a speech bubble.

• Components of Direct Speech: A direct speech sentence typically consists of two main parts:

  1. A clause containing an Introductory Verb:

     • This clause indicates who the speaker is, using verbs such as "said" or "asked."

     • The introductory verb is generally followed by a comma.

  2. The Actual Words that are Spoken:

     • These words are enclosed in inverted commas.

     • The end punctuation mark (e.g., period, question mark, exclamation mark) is included inside the closing inverted comma.

     • The first word of the actual spoken words begins with a capital letter.

     • Example: Lucy says, "She is eating my cookies."

• Formats of Direct Speech: The introductory verb clause can be positioned in different ways relative to the spoken words:

  • Introductory Verb before the spoken words:

    • Example: The teacher shouted, "You are making noise!"

  • Introductory Verb after the spoken words:

    • Example: "You are making noise," shouted the teacher.

  • Introductory Verb in the middle of the sentence: This format separates the spoken words into two parts.

    • Example: "You are making a terrible noise," shouted the teacher, "and are acting like Grade $1$ kids!"

II. Introduction to Indirect (Reported) Speech

• Definition: Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, conveys the substance of what was said without using the speaker's exact words.

• General Comparison with Direct Speech: Many changes occur when a sentence is converted from direct to indirect speech.

  • Example (Direct): Lucy says, "She is eating my cookies."

  • Example (Indirect): Lucy says that she is eating her cookies.

III. Rules for Converting Direct to Indirect Speech

When converting direct speech to indirect speech, several elements must be changed to ensure grammatical correctness and maintain meaning:

• A. Punctuation Changes:

  • All inverted commas, question marks, and exclamation marks are removed.

  • Capital letters used at the beginning of the spoken words are generally converted to lowercase (unless it's a proper noun).

• B. Pronoun Changes:

  • Pronouns must be changed to match the perspective of the reporter while retaining the original meaning of the speech.

• C. Introductory Verb and Conjunctions:

  • Using "That": The word "that" is inserted to link the introductory verb to the reported speech. This acts as a conjunction.

  • Using "If / Whether" or Question Verbs for Questions: If the original direct speech was a question, "that" is often replaced by "if," "whether," or an appropriate question verb (e.g., "asked where," "enquired why").

• D. Tense Changes (Backshift): The tense of the reported speech depends on the tense of the introductory verb.

  • If the introductory verb is in the present tense: The tense of the reported speech does NOT change.

  • If the introductory verb is in the past tense: The tense of the reported speech must move back one stage into the past (a process known as "backshift").

• E. Adverbs of Time and Place Changes: If the introductory verb is in the past tense, adverbs of time and place also change to reflect the shift in temporal or spatial context. Common conversions include:

  • Here $=$ there

  • This $=$ that

  • Now $=$ then

  • Today $=$ that day

  • Yesterday $=$ previous day / day before

  • Day before yesterday $=$ two days ago

  • Tomorrow $=$ next / following day

  • Day after tomorrow $=$ in two days' time

• F. Handling Commands:

  • Commands in direct speech are converted by using an implied linking verb (often an infinitive) rather than "that".

  • Verbs like "shall" and "must" may also be incorporated to convey the command.

  • Example (Direct): The teacher orders, "Children, be quiet!"

  • Example (Indirect): The teacher orders the children to keep quiet. OR: The teacher orders that the children must be quiet.

• G. Handling Exclamations:

  • Exclamatory words (e.g., "hooray," "ouch," "wow," "good heavens") are NOT used in reported speech.

  • The emotion or sentiment expressed by the exclamation should still be conveyed by describing it within the reported speech.

  • Example (Direct): "Ouch! I've stumped my toe!" screams the girl.

  • Example (Indirect): The girl screams in pain that she has stumped her toe.

IV. Summary of Changes Based on Introductory Verb Tense

• If the introductory verb is in the PRESENT tense, change the following:

  • Punctuation (remove inverted commas, etc.)

  • Pronouns

  • Link with "that" / appropriate question verb

• If the introductory verb is in the PAST tense, change the following:

  • Punctuation (remove inverted commas, etc.)

  • Pronouns

  • Link with "that" / appropriate question verb

  • Tense of speech moves one step into the past (backshift)

  • Adverbs of time and place change to their past equivalents

V. Practical Examples of Conversion

• Present Tense Introductory Verb:

  • Direct Speech (DS): Calvin asks, "Where is my mother?" (Introductory verb is in present tense)

    • Analysis of changes: remove comma, remove capital 'W', remove end punctuation, remove inverted commas, use question verb 'where' instead of 'that', pronoun 'my' changes.

  • Reported Speech (RS): Calvin asks where his mother is.

• Past Tense Introductory Verb:

  • Direct Speech (DS): Thandi said, "I am ill today." (Introductory verb is in past tense)

    • Analysis of changes: remove comma, remove capital 'I', remove end punctuation, remove inverted commas, link with 'that', pronoun 'I' changes, verb 'am' (present) backshifts to 'was' (past), adverb of time 'today' changes.

  • Reported Speech (RS): Thandi said that she was ill that day.