Definition of Speaking AN OVERVIEW OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

2.2 Definition of Speaking

Barnhard 1980: 46 explains that “speaking is a fine art “. It is the art of thoughts. Speaking therefore, is an art that affords the greatest pleasure. It does not cost money, it is all profit and it completes our education. Johnson 1982: 6 says that “speaking and talking are different in meanings”. These two words are often interred changeably used in our language. Speaking as Johnson says is what we call communication that comes from our deepest most authentic, passionate, and centered place. Speaking is defined as being conscious of what we are saying. It also means saying exactly what we say. Speaking means to reside in one’s word to speak from the heart. Speaking is the most easily acceptable and the most teachable of all the arts. What we need is to do in order to become a good speaker to find a subject that interests us. Brumfit 1981: 151 then explains that “speaking as the thing is going two or more people talk to each other, or an equal about people they know things have been experience or doing, their plans for the future and so on”. A good speaking should be planned spontaneously: the reader should not feel that is premeditated. So in this case, we need a good preparation. Speaking has both formal and functional characteristic. Ellis 1985: 80 mentions that “long labels these input and interactional features respectively”. The input features are two types: a. Those involve simplification within the grammatical rules structures of the language. b. Those that involve simplification leading to ungrammatical speech. Universitas Sumatera Utara Interactional features consist of the specific discourse functions performed native speakers. These do not differ in kind from those observed in speaking involving just native speakers, but there are differences in the frequency with specific functions are used. With references between input and interaction features and between grammatical and ungrammatical simplifications, three types of speaking can be identified: 1 Speaking consisting only of interactional adjustments i.e. there are no formal simplifications ; 2 Speaking consisting of interactional and grammatical input adjustments i.e. there are no ungrammatical simplification ; 3 Speaking consisting of interactional adjustments as well as both grammatical and ungrammatical input adjustment. Which type of speaking occurs is the result of various factors concerned with the proficiency of the learner and the role relationship between the participants. Sharpe 2000:48 states that “speaking is the process of an interaction between participants in order to obtain some information or news”. She also mentioned that there are some kinds of speaking, and short speaking, including the details, idiomatic expressions, assumptions, prediction, topic, and implication. She explained more details as follows: 1 Details are specific facts stated in a speaking. In some short speaking, we will hear all of information that we need to answer the problem correctly. We will not need to draw conclusions. When we hear a speaking between two speakers, we must remember the details that were stated, Universitas Sumatera Utara 2 Idiomatic Expressions are often heard in a speaking. When we hear a speaking between two speakers, we must listen for the idiomatic expressions. We will be expected to recognize them and restate the idiom or identity or attitudes of the speakers, 3 Suggestion is a recommendation. In some short speaking, we will hear words and phrase that make a suggestion, such as you should, why don’t you or why not. When we hear the words and phrases that introduce a suggestion, we must be able to recognize and remember what that speaker suggested, and who made the suggestions. 4 Assumption is a statement accepted as true without proof or demonstration. In some short speaking, an assumption is proven false, and the speaker or speakers who had made the assumption express surprise. When we hear a speaking between two speakers, we must be able to recognize remarks that register surprise, and draw conclusions about the assumption that the speakers may have made. 5 A prediction is a guess about the future based on evidence from the present. In some short speaking, we will be asked to make prediction about the future activities of the speakers involved, 6 Implications means that we will hear words and phrases or introductions that will suggest how the speaker felt, what kind of work or activity they were involved in, or where the speaking may have taken place, Universitas Sumatera Utara 7 A topic is a main theme in a speaking or in a piece of writing. When we hear a speaking, we must be able to identify the main topic from among several secondary themes that support the topic, 8 Academic speaking are speaking between students and professors or other academic personnel in the college or university, 9 Class discussion is speaking that occur in classroom.

2.3 Definition of Skill