The Use of Descriptives and Expressives by ESL Learners: Investigating the Relevance of Interpretation and Context.

Abstract

Expressives and descriptives are units of language which serve to reinforce meaning and intent within an utterance. These linguistic devices include taboo words, exclamations and honorifics. Much of the work undertaken in the area has been focused on identifying the different functions that these units of language perform within speech and written work. There are also indications that context may be a factor in how they are received by listeners. Less attention has however been given to how English as a Second Language (ESL) learners may interpret expressives and descriptives and what influence and impact context has on whether the literal or implied meaning is taken from the sentence. Seventy-five ESL learners, living and working in the United Kingdom evaluated ten sentences, with and without context for their meaning and expressive use. The results suggest that context is highly significant, as is social and cultural understanding. This has implications for applied linguistics research, ESL teaching and learning, suggesting that achievement of native-like speech, which includes effective and appropriate use of expressives and descriptives needs to not only include context but also cross-cultural training and understanding of social norms in the target language. It is however recognised that additional research into expressives and descriptives in an ESL context is necessary.