1. 语音层次
由于英语语音中音位的同化(assimilation)、音长(lengthening)、连读(liaison)和省略 (elision)等现象，口语体具有发音流畅、容易上口、快速、大量采用单音节或少音节词汇以及省略或合成音位、音节等特点。下面的例子常见于中间语体尤其是非正式语体中，由于同化和元音、音节的省略，原来两个或三个单词合成了一个，如，
don't know → dunno
this year → thish-yer
last year → las-cher
because; of course → 'cos
must have → must of
lot of → lotta
rock and roll → rock 'n' roll
What is the matter? → Whatsa matter?
此外，译员还应根据说话者的语调、重音、语速、节奏等正确把握信息。并在口译时适当运用语调、重音等将说话者的中心思想以及“热情”、“冷淡”、“愤怒”、“风趣”等情绪或态度准确地表达出来。
2. 语法和句法层次
和书面体相比，英语口语体的句子较简短，结构也要松弛、灵活得多。如用并列句代替主从复合句，或干脆省略连接词，用动词的缩略形式等等。如:
I'll stay in Beijing until the end of next week --- (because) I want to discuss the matter with Mr. Zhu.
英语口语体一般不用分词短语或无动词分句的形式，而用支句或单独分句。如：
(1) 书面体: Known abroad as kungfu or martial arts, wushu has been practiced for several thousand years by the working people in China
口语体：Wushu is known abroad as kungfu or martial arts; it has been practiced for several thousand years by the working people in China
(2) 书面体: While some old contradictions and confrontations have disappeared, new ones have cropped up, rendering our world neither tranquil nor peaceful.
口语体：While some old contradictions and confrontations have disappeared, new ones have cropped up; our world is neither tranquil nor peaceful.
(3) 书面体: The gap between the North and the South continue to widen, with the rich countries becoming richer and the poor poorer.
口语体：The gap between the North and the South continue to widen. The rich countries are becoming richer and the poor poorer.
(4) 书面体: The capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing is the country's political, economic, and cultural center.
口语体：Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China and the country's political, economic, and cultural center.
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