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Oleo de José Tola
From: Ken Klein
Date: 2/18/99
Time: 2:55:21 PM
Remote Name: 193.214.46.48
The following is a transcription of my interview with Kristin Bjørhall (herein referred to as "B" or the "speaker"). B is 30 years old and a native Norwegian speaker and has learned English as a foreign language.
Topic 1: Core and Periphery Features Objective: To receive examples of words or phrases of the speaker's language that are core (unmarked) or periphery (marked).
The speaker was given an explanation of core and periphery features of a language. The following examples were given for the English language: big and small, long and short, fast and slow. The speaker stated that these words are used in a similar fashion in Norwegian.
K: How do you use the words 'hot' and 'cold?'
B: Well, it depends on whether you're speaking of outside (referring to the weather) or food.
K: Let's say the weather.
B: It depends on if it's winter or summer. In the winter, you don't ask, 'How warm is it?', you ask, 'How cold is it?' In the summer, you simply ask, 'What's the temperature?' You don't say, 'How warm is it?¨'
K: And how do you use these words for food?
B: Warm is used more often. It is difficult to describe how cold food is.
K: Common expressions in English are 'I think so' and 'I don't think so.' Which of these do you use more frequently?
B: We use them equally, but, actually, neither is used often.
K: What do you say when you agree or disagree with someone?
B: Hmmm. We say (laughing), 'I agree' or I don't agree with you.'
K: How do you use the words 'please' and 'thank you?'
B: Thank you is more common than please. You (Norwegian speakers) say 'Would you send me the sugar? Thank you'. In English you might say 'Would you please send me the sugar? Thank you.' But it is not considered unpolite not to use please. You (English speakers) just say it more often.
K: What types of greeting do you commonly use?
B: Greetings?
K: What you say when you meet someone.
B: I don't know actually (pause). Hi.
K: Does anything typically follow a 'Hi?'
B: We start to talk or you pass.
K: Is the phrase, 'How are you?' common?
B: No, not like America. Or when we ask, we expect an answer. Yeah, we expect an honest answer (laughing). Yeah.
Comments: There were many similarities with respect to the words given as examples. the differences seemed to be related to either geographical or cultural differences.
Topic 2: Interlanguage Continuum Objective: To discover the level of proficiency the speaker believes she has.
B was shown the following scale and given a brief explanation of its meaning.
L1 (1)------------------(5)------------------(10) L2
K: On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you place yourself.
B: Here (pointing)
K: Would you say about a four?
B: Yeah, a four.
Comments: I believe that the speaker has an IL level of about 5 or 6.
Topic 3: Interrogation Objective: To discover how the speaker is able to change declarative statements into interrogative statements.
B was given directions for the activity.
K: The paper is in the barn.
B: The barn?
K: The paper is in the garage.
B: Where's the paper?
K: I really enjoyed the party last night.
B: Did you enjoy the party last night.
K: I would like to see some of the tourist attractions in Oslo.
B: Would you like to see some of the tourist attractions in Oslo?
Comments: The speaker stated that she never received formal lessons on the use of auxiliary verbs due to a change in schools. She seems to have a very good understanding of the rules as this task seemed quite simple to her.
Topic 4: Negation Objective: To find out how the speaker is able to convert a positive statement into a negation.
The speaker was given directions for the activity.
K: Many of me favorite shows are on T.V. Tuesday night.
B: None of my favorite shows are on the T.V. Tuesday night, or (pause) I hate the shows that are on the T.V. Tuesday night.
K: If my car breaks down, I can fix it.
B: If my car breaks down, I can not fix it, or, if my car breaks down, I can't fix it.
K: The milk is sour.
B: The milk is not (with emphasis) sour or the milk isn't sour.
Topic 5: Relative Clauses (The author does not have a good understanding of relative clauses or how to evaluate them).
Topic 6: Embedding (The author does not have a good understanding of embedding or how to evaluate them).