Agenda
Nivja de Jong
The concept of fluency in four different disciplines
This presentation critically evaluates the current conceptualization of fluency in speaking as it is currently viewed in applied linguistics (e.g., in language assessment), namely that it is a concept that should be sought in the ear of the beholder. I seek evidence from four different research disciplines: applied linguistics, psycholinguistics, discourse analysis, and sociolinguistics. To summarize the insights from all four disciplines, it can be concluded that (1) fluency behavior is in part dependent on personal speaking style, (2) disfluencies are not only signals of trouble in formulating but are also helpful signals for the listener, and (3) disfluencies are part of communicative effective speech.