A look at WH-questions in direct and cross-examinations: Authentic vs. TV courtroom language

Meishan Chen; Randi Reppen

doi:10.1590/1678-460X2020360310

A look at WH-questions in direct and cross-examinations: Authentic vs. TV courtroom language

Meishan Chen, Randi Reppen

English

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Using a corpus-based register approach, this study explores language use of authentic and TV courtroom discourse through the lens of WH-questions, with a focus on direct and cross-examinations. Results show that in addition to differences as a result of these two discourse settings (i.e., authentic and TV courtroom), WH-questions accomplish different goals across the registers of direct and cross-examinations. For example, WH-questions are avoided in authentic cross-examinations, while in TV courtroom discourse WH-questions are used to engage viewers. Results explore how the different communicative purposes of authentic and TV courtroom settings impact the use of WH-questions in direct and cross-examinations.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1-20
Number of pages	20
Journal	DELTA Documentacao de Estudos em Linguistica Teorica e Aplicada
Volume	36
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-460X2020360310
State	Published - 2020

Keywords

communicative purpose
corpus based register approach
courtroom discourse
discursos de tribunais
Palavras-chave:abordagem de registros baseada em corpus
propósitos comunicativos
use of WH-questions
uso das wh-questions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Linguistics and Language

Access to Document

10.1590/1678-460X2020360310

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