Features of Spoken English in Contemporary Rap and Pop Music

Seminar paper from the year 2017 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 2,0, Ruhr-University of Bochum (Englisches Seminar), course: Differences between Spoken and Written English, language: English, abstract: This paper delves into the intricate relationship between written and spoken language features within the context of contemporary music, specifically examining rap and pop song lyrics. Drawing inspiration from linguistic theories proposed by Peter Koch, Wulf Oesterreicher, and Douglas Biber, the study evaluates the extent to which lyrics in rap songs exhibit characteristics associated with spoken language, in contrast to the more traditionally written nature of pop songs. By analyzing three rap and three pop songs, the paper explores the nuances of linguistic expression, shedding light on the distinctiveness between the two genres. The research method, results, and a comparative discussion provide valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of language in the realm of music, culminating in a brief conclusion that encapsulates the findings and implications of the study.