Relativism and Universalism in Linguistics - Fachbereich 10 ...

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among individuals with a common interest” (Oxford English Dictionary) or “…a reciprocal
relationship characterized by similarities that make for like-mindedness or similar behaviour
dispositions (Brown & Gilman 1978, Pickering 1990, Wouk 2001).
This paper concentrates on how SPEAKER SOLIDARITY is expressed in Spanish and English
oral discourse, since it is this type of SOLIDARITY that has been less studied by discourse
analysis and pragmatics. That is, we study the various linguistic means -discourse markers,
lexis, grammar, intonation, repetition, silence, etc.-, speakers use in order to build a solidary
relationship with hearer and secure a solidary response from him/her.
Because of the wide variety of forms, their multi-functionality and because of the fact that
they are so difficult to translate, an onomasiological approach to the expression of
SOLIDARITY in English and Spanish has been undertaken in the analysis under study. That is,
we follow a comprehensive approach in which we trace down all the forms and functions
manifested in English and Spanish oral discourse related with the semantic field of
SOLIDARITY, rather than concentrating on concrete marker.
The sources for our analysis are Spanish and English radio programmes in which people
speak about their most intimate worries or problems. Programmes in which speakers feel free
to talk about their worries in a natural, anonymous situation/setting and therefore contain
spontaneous oral discourse (Spanish: Hablar por hablar, No es un día cualquiera, Géneros
nocturnes and English: Late night love and Sunday Surgery.
By examining, then, the conceptual domain of SPEAKER SOLIDARITY in English and Spanish
and by explaining how it is realized in each language (that is, the different sources, their
development, frequency of usage and functions of markers), we show that the qualitative and
quantitative differences between both languages are based on different cultural values which
lead to differences in conversational style and, in the end, can enhance both the translation
and the acquisition of pragmatic markers within a cross-linguistic framework.