GPCOM – Purposive Communication

Midterms

UNIT 4: Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written Language

✔ At the end of the unit, you should be able to appropriately apply the varieties and registers
of spoken and written language.

ENGAGE YOURSELF!

1. Can you write down the specific words or phrases you usually use to greet?

For your friend: ________________________________________________________________________

For your father: ________________________________________________________________________
For your professor (in the hallway): _______________________________________________________
For your School Dean (in her office): ______________________________________________________

How would you react if your parents conversed with you in the language you use with your
friends? Would your reaction be similar to that of the son in the comic strip below? Why or why
not?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Source: [Link]

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EXPLORE & DIVE IN!

You perhaps have noticed how people shift from one communication style to another
depending on whom they are communicating with. You yourself must have used a casual and
familiar tone while asking a classmate about an assignment, but tried to sound more deferent and
formal when you had to ask your teacher, instead. Or there were instances, perhaps, that you had
to compose your thoughts into a written form and found the exercise more difficult as compared
to expressing yourself orally. In such cases, you were picking from your language repertoire the
most appropriate words or phrases that met the needs of the communication context you were in.
These linguistic choices can be categorized as language variety and register.

The following article will help you learn more about language varieties and registers.

“It ain’t right, innit? – About language register in English

by Shiar Youssef

What is the difference between saying “it ain’ righ’!” (dropping your Ts at the end of words) and “that
is not right!”? Or between “innit?” and “isn’t it?”?
There is no difference in meaning. Both mean exactly the same thing. The only difference is in the
level of formality and ‘properness’.
Linguists call this the language register, sometimes also referred to as tenor, tone or style.
Put simply, a register is a variety of a language used in a particular social setting, using certain
words, phrases and contractions that are not normally used in other settings (or if they did, they may
sound strange or out of place).
For example, when speaking in a formal setting, an English speaker is more likely to use features of
prescribed grammar, like pronouncing words ending in -ing with a velar nasal instead of an alveolar
nasal (e.g. “walking”, not “walkin’ “). Or she or he may choose more formal words (e.g. father vs. dad,
child vs. kid, and so on). She or he would also usually refrain from using contractions like “ain’t”.
It may sound intuitive but the differences between how one may talk on the street, with friends,
during a job interview or when writing formal letters and emails are amazing, even though it is the same
person speaking.
This is why a register is a language variation defined by use, not user. The same person may use
more than one register depending on the context or social setting.
Indeed, the term “register” was first used by the linguist Thomas Bertram Reid in 1956, and
popularized in the 1960s by a group of linguists who wanted to distinguish between language variations
according to the user (“defined by variables like social background, geography, sex and age”) and
variations according to how and when the language is being used (“in the sense that each speaker has a
range of varieties and choices between them at different times”).
Register should therefore be distinguished from other, identity-based types of language variation,
such as regional and age dialects, even though it often overlaps with them. It should also be
distinguished from jargon, which is technical terminology used for a special activity or by a special
group, such as computer geeks, scientists, lawyers and so on.
One of the most analyzed areas where the use of language is determined by the situation is the
formality scale. The term “register” is often used as shorthand for formal/informal styles. But many
would argue that this is a simplistic definition, because register is about more than just formality, as we
have already said.
In one prominent model, Martin Joos (1961) describes five styles in spoken English: frozen or static
register, formal, consultative or participatory, casual and intimate.

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 Foreign speakers may find it difficult – especially if they are beginners – to switch between registers.
This is called “code-switching” in linguistics. That is why they may sometimes sound like TV presenters
or politicians (i.e. very formal), even when speaking to close friends. Or they may sound too informal,
even rude, without intending to.
The only solution to this is to familiarize yourself with the social and cultural associations of words
and expressions – which is the basis of language registers. Reading and listening to popular culture,
interacting with native speakers and so on.
And getting the register right will certainly get you higher marks in oral language tests such TOEFL or
IELTS!

Check your comprehension:

In your own words, what is language register? Why is it important to use the appropriate language
registers when communicating?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

EXPLAIN! GET THE HANG OF IT!

The spoken mode is often associated with everyday registers while the written mode is
strongly associated with academic registers. However, this is not always true. For instance, in
everyday communication, face-to-face conversations are usually supplemented by text
messaging. In academic contexts, significant forms of oral communication are used along with
written communication. Significantly, both everyday and academic communication are
characterized by multimodality or the use of multiple modes of communication including spoken,
written modes and images, music, videos, gestures, etc.

A. Language Register

The level of formality and style of communicating we use in either spoken or written forms
depending on the context we are in is known as language register. It refers to the vocabulary, tone
and structure we choose to construct our messages.

Formal, informal, and neutral are three of the more common types of language registers, in
both spoken and written discourse.

1. Formal register is usually required in a professional environment such as in the academe,

business and workplace. It follows that in the conduct of academic and business affairs, formal
language is generally preferred. Therefore, most communication is carried out in a more serious
and impersonal tone, vocabulary and structure.

Types of Formal Register

a. Frozen or “Static” Register

At this level, language is literally “frozen” in time and form. It does not change. This
type of language is often learned and repeated by rote. Examples include biblical verse,
prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and so forth.

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 b. Formal Register
This style is impersonal and often follows a prescriptive format. The speaker uses
complete sentences, avoids slang and may use technical or academic vocabulary. It is likely
that the speaker will use fewer contractions, but opt instead for complete words. (Example:
“have not” instead of “haven’t”) This is the register used for most academic and scientific
publishing.

c. Consultative Register
This is the register used when consulting an expert such as a doctor. The language
used is more precise. The speaker is likely to address the expert by a title such as “Doctor”,
“Mr.” or “Mrs.” Some sources say this register is the formal register used in conversation.

2. Informal register is most appropriate to use when conversing with people we are familiar with,
such as our friends and family. It occurs naturally that we use casual, intimate, and conversational
tone in our interactions accompanied with familiar vocabulary and loose sentence structures.

3. Intimate register is the language used by lovers. It is also the language used in sexual
harassment. This is the most intimate form of language. It is best avoided in public and professional
situations.

4. Neutral register is a non-emotional language which is highly used in technical writing. It is not
necessarily formal or informal. It is factual and straightforward.

5. Casual register is conversational in tone. It is the language used among and between friends.
Words are general, rather than technical. This register may include more slang and colloquialisms.

B. Varieties of Spoken and Written Language

Click the link below and read the attached illustration and explanation of the differences between
spoken and written language:

[Link]
en_vs_spoken_language_2.pdf

✔ To appropriately use the registers and address concerns on the varieties, you have to know
the field, tenor, and mode concept introduced by Halliday (1985).
✔ Field is the topic or the subject of the text (inquiry on enrolment); tenor is the relationship
of the people involved (e.g. manager and employee); and mode is the construction (e.g.
written/ spoken) of the communication.

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ELABORATE! ON MY OWN NOW!

1. What specific registers are expected to be used? List down five (5) phrases or sentences
that may transpire in the transaction. (10 pts.)

Field: Inquiry about a missed quiz

Tenor: Teacher and student
Mode: Spoken

Expected registers (phrases or sentences):

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

2. How different would your language choices be if you were to inquire about your missed
activity through a text message? (5)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

EVALUATE! GET TESTED!

Short Task: DEDUCING REGISTERS

✔ a group work based on TEACHER-PREPARED images contextualized according to the

students’ respective programs (20 pts.)