Dell Hymes was the person behind the creation of the speaking model which is a model of study of socio-linguistics. He came up with this model as a piece of a new methodology known as ethnography of speaking. It is an assisting tool in the identification as well as the labelling of interactional linguistics’ components that was brought about by his idea that, for someone to speak correctly a certain language, he/ she needs more than just learning its grammar and vocabulary. He or she also needs to learn the context within which words are used.
The acronym speaking was constructed by Hymes. Under this acronym, he grouped 16 different components into 8 divisions. Speaking model is applicable to linguistic anthropologists for purposes of analyzing speech events as an Ethnography’s part. This approach is applicable in the understanding power dynamics and relationships in a certain speech community as well as providing insight on cultural values.
DIVISIONS OF SPEAKING.
SETTING AND SCENE. This refers to the place and time in which a speech act takes place as well as the physical circumstances. Example: a family story setting might be taking place in the grandparent’s living room. The scene refers to the psychological setting or a scene’s cultural definition inclusive of characteristics like formality range as well as a sense of play. Example: the story can be told during a grandparent’s anniversary’s celebration. Setting and scene may also be used to refer to implicit rules as well as expectations that surround the speech event. Example: classroom’s speech events have got specific implicit rules that the teachers should speak as the students listen. Certain words are also not seen as appropriate in this setting.
PARTICIPANTS. This refers to the speakers and the audience. These categories will be used by linguist anthropologists to make distinctions. The audience may be inclusive of all those towards which the speech is directed to. The audience may be also inclusive of those not addressed but are in a position to overhear. Example: a grandmother may tell a story at a family reunion to the young children but adults even though not addressed, may also get to hear the story. While determining the speech participants, explicit and implicit rules should be considered about the following questions: who should be involved, what are the established expectations for the participants and who is speaking and at the same time who is being addressed.
ENDS. A speech event’s end refers to the purpose and goals as well as the outcomes. Example: a grandmother might tell a story with the purpose of entertaining and teaching the audience.
ACT SEQUENCE. This refers to speech acts’ sequence responsible for making up an event. The speech acts’ order hugely affects the speech event. Example: the initial speech is responsible for setting the tone of the conversation.
KEY. It means the clues responsible for establishing the tone, spirit or manner of the speech. In general, there are different keys for different situations. Example: funerals and birthday parties have different tones.
INSTRUMENTALITIES. This is used to refer to the channels that are used in the completion of the speech act. They include the communication methods like writing, signaling, signing and speaking.
NORMS. This refers to social rules that governs the event as well as the actions and reactions of the participants.
