* Nonverbal cues: Spoken language is accompanied by a wealth of nonverbal cues like facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and gestures. These cues can strongly influence the perception of the speaker's attitude, adding layers of meaning beyond the words themselves.
* Context and immediacy: Spoken language is usually more context-dependent and immediate. The situation, the relationship between speakers, and the flow of conversation all contribute to the understanding of attitude. Written language, being more formal and often asynchronous, lacks this immediacy and context.
* Intonation and prosody: The way we speak - the pitch, rhythm, and stress we put on words - carries significant information about our emotional state and attitude. Written language, lacking this intonation and prosody, relies more heavily on the literal meaning of words.
* Subjectivity and nuance: Spoken language allows for greater subjectivity and nuance. We can use slang, colloquialisms, and a variety of other informal expressions to convey our feelings and opinions. Written language, especially formal writing, often aims for objectivity and precision, leaving less room for expressing personal attitude.
However, it's important to note:
* Written language can also reveal attitudes: We can still discern attitudes in written language through word choice, sentence structure, and other linguistic features.
* Context is crucial: Even spoken language can be difficult to interpret without proper context.
Ultimately, the degree to which attitude is revealed depends on both the type of language and the specific context in which it is used.