Comparative Analysis of Evidentiality in Spoken and Written Academic Discourse

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the differences existing in the use of evidentiality in spoken and written academic discourse. Great differences are revealed in the occurrence frequency and linguistic forms of sub-types of evidentiality (shared evidentials, reporting evidentials and personal evidentials). Comparatively, writers demonstrate a proclivity towards employing shared and reporting evidentials and opting for linguistic forms conveying objectivity and discreetness due to the temporal and spatial distance inherent in the author-reader dynamic. Speakers tend to use personal evidentials to project a confident and positive self-image and display less stringent adherence to the verifiability of evidence sources because of the instantaneous nature of of (delete) speech and the interactive nature of oral communication with an audience.