Linguistic Reflections of Selfhood in Students' Speech

Abstract

Subjectivity refers to the quality of being biased regarding any matter. An objective approach serves as an indicator of a productive methodology. It has been observed that the oral discourse among university students is significantly affected by considerable subjectivity, which signifies a notable social decline within the academic environment. Extensive research has been conducted to ascertain the levels of subjectivity within the written communication of students; however, the exploration of subjectivity in the oral conversations of university students remains an inadequately examined area. Consequently, the present study aims to investigate the subjectivity present in the oral discourse of university students through textual analysis of data collected via interviews. This research is founded on the subjectivity theory posited by Emile Benveniste, which proposes that language usage is intrinsically subjective and shaped by the speaker’s viewpoint. Additionally, Alan McKee’s textual analysis framework is employed to identify linguistic indicators that signify subjectivity. The findings demonstrate a widespread incidence of subjectivity in students’ oral discourse. Participants consistently utilized self-referential pronouns and emotionally charged terminology. Furthermore, much of the language exhibited a lack of specificity, instead relying on abstract terminology and anecdotal evidence. Practically, these findings highlight the necessity for structured oral communication training within university curricula, emphasizing critical thinking, rhetorical awareness, and the cultivation of objective discourse strategies.