Semantic density of word

國

立 政 治 大 學

‧

N a tio na

l C h engchi U ni ve rs it y

Following the same line, the interlocutors in the conversations are of similar age, ranging between twenty-three years old to twenty-five years old.

3.2. Measurement

Owing to the extracted data in this study are all spontaneous spoken data, it is clearer to use “turn” as measurement of linguistic unit to count the frequency of stylistic variation. For instance, in the same turn, when the speaker shifts form high density words to low density words, ignoring how many low density lexical items are, this wound count once. Furthermore, different linguistic criteria would count separately.

In addition, only the goals of stylistic shifting are categorized and counted; the sources of stylistic shifting are ignored in this study.

The results of data analysis are presented in percentage as well as in frequency.

3.3. Criteria for Data Classification 3.3.1. Linguistic Criteria

In this study, both lexical and syntactic devices for stylistic variation were examined.

3.3.1.1. Lexical Level

On lexical level, it is hypothesized that SVF involves shifting of semantic density of word, word formality, and word frequency.

1. Semantic density of word

The measurement of semantic density is determined by how much information conveyed in the lexical item. In this study, semantic density of a lexical item is

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‧ 國

立 政 治 大 學

‧

N a tio na

l C h engchi U ni ve rs it y

divided into low density and high density. Both stylistic shifting form high density words to low density words and that in opposite direction were examined in this study.

Linguistic features related to the judgment of lexical semantic density include ellipsis, pro-form, pragmatic particle, discourse marker, technical term & jargon, and syntactic particle. These features are illustrated one by one below.

a. Ellipsis

Ellipsis is one of the linguistic features which indicates low semantic density.

Ellipsis includes abbreviation, blending, and acronym. In this study, only abbreviation and blending are found in the data. Example (1) is an illustration of ellipsis.

(1)

M: ..那你爸媽會煩惱嗎

F: (0)不會..因為我爸媽不會幫他出錢..但是我媽會催他趕快結婚

M: …那你爸媽會煩說以後還要…如果他不..不..就以後沒有什麼工作..

啊以後結婚還要他幫他出錢..這樣

In example (1), the two interlocutors are discussing a quite serious topic－job.

In this example, the male speaker shifts from the word “煩惱” to an abbreviation “煩,”

which is taken as a lexical item of low semantic density.

b. Pro-form

Pro-form, as a substitute of a full form, the semantic content of which is subtracted, is regarded as a feature of low semantic density words. In this study, pro-form includes pronominalization and substitution, which replace the original noun or verb. The example of pro-form is showed below.

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In example (2), the female speaker shifts from high density word (jargon such as “全球經濟體系”) to pro-form “他們,” which is considered as a lexical item of low semantic density.

c. Pragmatic particle

Pragmatic particle, which is a word that carries only functional meaning, denotes no semantic referential meaning. Therefore, it is considered as a feature of low semantic density. Example (3) is an illustration of pragmatic particle.

(3)

M2: ...(1.4)可我覺得台大心理跟我..唸心輔..其實原來好像不太一樣 M1: ... (0.4) 大學部的東西..我覺得..不知道

M2: ..(TSK)我覺得還是差滿多的耶..台大的很...(0.5)很...(0.6)很

In example (3), speaker M2 shifts from using high density words (such as the jargons of “台大心理” and “心輔”) and not using pragmatic particle to using pragmatic particle such as “耶” to imply his attitude and disagreement to M1. In here,

“耶” is regarded as low semantic density word.

d. Discourse marker

Discourse marker, like pragmatic particle, has no surface referential meaning either. Discourse marker can help to regulate the communication process, instead of denoting a semantic meaning. Therefore, it is regarded as a feature of low semantic density. Example (4) is the illustration of discourse marker.

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In example (4), the female speaker shifts from high density jargon such as “全 球暖化” and “二氧化碳排放量” to a discourse marker “對,” which is used as a form

to regulate the communication process. It is thus considered as a low semantic density word.

e. Technical term & jargon

Technical term & jargon are used in professional field or in a special activity by a group of people involved. Since interpretation of technical term & jargon require special background knowledge, they are considered as high semantic density words.

Example (5) illustrates this point.

(5)

可是這也很好笑..他們如果現在就是短視近利的話..其實未來..那什麼…

如果到時候海平面上升的話..其實先淹的一定是沿海城市..可是很多國家

都是靠沿海城市在發展經濟..然後到時候全球經濟體系也會變

In example (5), the speaker shifts from low density fragmental expressions (such as “先淹的”) to the jargon “全球經濟體系,” a high semantic density word.

34

‧ 國

立 政 治 大 學

‧

N a tio na

l C h engchi U ni ve rs it y

f. Syntactic particle

Syntactic particle involves in using question marker “嗎,” which semantically denotes a question, is taken as a feature of high semantic density word. Example (6) depicts this point.

(6)

M: ..對啊..就是..節目在講的…就整個炸掉..然後那個…旁邊的車全部都是 血就變紅了..地板上也全部都是紅的..那種…鯨魚的血肉整個都..炸飛..

整隻喔

F: (0)可是我覺得很怪耶..怎麼會爆炸<閩乎閩>

M: …(0.5)他那個是..不知道是怎麼樣就是

F: (0)壓力嗎還是什麼

In example (6), the female speaker shifts from low density words (pragmatic particles such as “耶” and “乎”) to a syntactic particle “嗎,” which has semantic denotation thus is considered as high semantic density word.