TOPIC 3:
Varieties of the
English
Language
TOPIC 3: Varieties of the English Language
EN
L
E
SL
EF
L
Standard language is considered the prestige
variety, the variety established by the social elite,
used in educational institutions, heard in the
media, and preserved in the literature of a nation,
its mere existence can effectively marginalize
those who use non-standard varieties of the
language.
Non-standard varieties may vary from the
standard in terms of phonology, lexis, or
grammar.
Standardization can be defined both by the
existence of dictionaries and grammar books for
a particular variety or by the production of
publications in that variety. Clement (2011)
American English (AmE) and British English
(BrE)
Other Standardized World Englishes:
Australian English (AusE)
Canadian English (CanE)
New
StandardEnglishes
:
Zealand
English
(NSE)
Philippine English (PhlE)
White South African English (WSAE)
Indian English (IndE)
Irish English (IrE)
Singaporean English (SgE)
Samples of Spelling Differences:
Samples of
Differences:
British American bonnet hat
You should take your hat when
aubergine eggplant
you go out because it is raining
Although I do not like
eggplant at outside.
all, my mother’s meals with
braces suspenders
eggplant are very tasty.
I suggest you buy a suspenders, or
beetroot beet
your pants will fall.
My grandfather planted beetroots
courgette zucchini
in his field in the village this year.
My favorite food in this life is
courgette food.
TOPIC 4:
Registers of Spoken
and Written of the
English Language
TOPIC 4: Registers of Spoken and Written of the English
Language
▪ Language register is the level and style of your
writing. It should be appropriate for the situation you
are in. The language register determines the
vocabulary, structure, and some grammar in your
writing.
▪ The three most common
language registers in writing are:
Formal, Informal, and Neutral.
Register
▪ The formal register is more appropriate for
professional writing and letters to a boss or a stranger.
▪ The informal register (also called casual or intimate) is
conversational and appropriate when writing to friends
and people you know very well.
▪ The neutral register is non-emotional and sticks to
facts. It is most appropriate for technical writings.
Formal Language Register
▪ Formal writing is impersonal, meaning it is not written
for a specific person and is written without emotion.
▪ Formal writing includes:
- Business Letters - Official speeches
- Letters of complaint - Announcements
- Some essays -
Professional emails
- Reports
Rules of the formal language register:
1. Avoid contractions
Contractions are not usually used in formal writing,
even though they are very common in spoken
English. In formal writing, you should spell out
contractions.
*Contractions CAN be used if you are
quoting someone’s exact words in your
writing.
Rules of the formal language register:
2. Write in third person point of view In formal
writing, we usually do not use first person or second
person unless it is a quote.
Avoid using: I, You, We, Us
3. Avoid using too much passive voice
In formal writing it is better to use an active
voice.
Passive sentences:
Rules of the formal language register:
The article was analyzed by the staff.
The research was completed by the students
in 2009.
Active sentences:
The dog ate the bone.
Rules of the formal language register:
The students completed the research in
2009. or In 2009, the students completed the
research.
4. Avoid using slang, idioms, exaggeration
(hyperboles) and clichés
Slang is common in informal writing and spoken
English. Slang is particular to a certain region or
area.
Rules of the formal language register:
Examples of slang:
• awesome/cool • okay/ok
• check it out • in a nutshell
A cliché is a phrase that is overused (said too often).
Rules of the formal language register:
5. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms
For abbreviations, write the complete word
the first time, then use the abbreviation.
When using acronyms, write the entire name
out the first time it appears, followed by the
acronym. From then on, you can use the
acronym by itself.
NOTE:
Rules of the formal language register:
Do not use slang abbreviations or symbols that you would
use in friendly emails and texts.
6. Do not start sentences with words like and,
so, but, also
Here are some good transition words and phrases to use in
formal writing:
• Nevertheless • Additionally
• However • In addition
• As a result of • Although
7. Always write in complete sentences.
8. Write longer, more complex sentences.
Informal Language Register
Informal writing is written in the way we talk to our friends
and family. We use informal writing when we are writing to
someone we know very well.
Informal writing includes:
Rules of the formal language register:
• Personal e-mails • Phone texts
• Short notes • Friendly letters
• Most blogs • Diaries and journals
Informal Language Register
There are no major rules to informal writing. With informal
writing, you can include things such as:
• Symbols and abbreviations • Acronyms
• Incomplete sentences • Short sentences
• Paragraphs or no paragraphs • Jokes
• Personal opinions • Slang and clichés
• Passive and active voice • Figurative language
• Extra punctuation (Hi Bob!!!!!!!)
Neutral Language Register
We use the neutral language register with non-
emotional topics and information.
Neutral writing is not necessarily formal or
informal. It is not usually positive or negative. A neutral
register is used to deliver facts.
Writing in the natural language register includes:
• Reviews
• Articles
•
Technical writing (Instructional Manuals
, Brochures)
Identification: F, I, or N?
F1. I regret to inform you that your application has been
unsuccessful.
I [Link]! What’s up? Wanna hang out later?
[Link] meeting will start at 9:00 a.m.
F 4. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this
ceremony.
[Link] you lend me some cash? I’m broke.
I [Link] submit your assignment on time.
N [Link], that movie was totally awesome!
I 8. We kindly request your
presence at the orientation program.
F9. The library will close at 5:00 p.m. N 10. Sup,
dude? Long time no see!
I
Thanks!