Lesson 2:
Features and
Aspects of
Academic and
Professional
Language
TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING INTO A
CONYO LANGUAGE:
KAPOYA NA MUTRABAHO
OY! GANAHAN NA KAAYO
KO MUULI NYA MU INOM
OG KAPE!
TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING INTO A
CONYO LANGUAGE:
OI BRAD, UNSAY [Link]
NMO? AKOA KAY BUWAD.
TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING INTO A
CONYO LANGUAGE:
NINDOTA IKATULOG OI KAY
BUGNAW KAAYU ANG
PANAHON
TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING INTO A
CONYO LANGUAGE:
NAGLAGOT KOS AMONG
MAESTRA SA EAPP KAY
MALDITA KAAYU! GAMAY
BAYA KAAYUNG TAW!
TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING INTO A
CONYO LANGUAGE:
DI NAJUD KO MU USAB, KA
ISA NALANG
How are you going to say this in a formal
language:
Buanga! Wa man ko
kasabot sa gi discuss ni
Maam!
How are you going tell your
boss that your angry without
telling him directly that you
are angry?
How are you going to
express your love (vocal)
to your crush without
telling her “i love you”
Recognizing Social Aspects of
(Informal) vs Academic and
Academic Professional
(Formal) Language Language
LANGUAGE
A system of spoken, signed,
and/or written communication
used by humans to express
themselves
INFORMAL
FORMAL LANGUAGE
LANGUAGE
Used for professional and academic • Used when communicating,
purposes writing or having conversations
No colloquialism and contractions with family and friends
involved
No using of personal pronouns
• More casual and spontaneous
• More personal
Less personal
Recognizing social vs. academic language
SOCIAL (INFORMAL) ACADEMIC (FORMAL)
Repetition of words Variety of words, more sophisticated
vocabulary
Sentences start with “and” and “but” Sentences start with transition words
such as “However”, “Moreover” and
“In addition”
Use of slang: “guys”, “cool”, and No slang
“awesome”
Aspects of
academic and
professional
language
FORMALITY COMPLEXITY OBJECTIVITY EXPLICITNESS
ACCURACY HEDGING PRECISION
USE OF LANGUAGE
APPROPRIATE IN
FOLLOWS ACCEPTED
FORMALITY ACADEMIC AND RULES, FORMS AND
PROFESSIONAL CONVENTIONS, OF
SETTINGS WRITING IN A PARTICULAR
COMMUNITY OR
DISCIPLINE
• Colloquial words and
expressions
THINGS TO • Contractions and
AVOID TO abbreviations
ACHIEVE • Two-word verbs
FORMALIT • Asking questions
Y
• Sub-headings,
numbering, bullet-points
(in essays)
FORMAL INFORMAL
Full sentences Short sentences
Correct grammar and vocabulary Lack formal grammar and
No contractions (e.g. I would…) vocabulary
No idioms Contractions (e.g. I’d)
Passive voice ( e.g. The application Idioms e.g. On point (good)
form is complete) Active Voice (e.g. I completed the
No phrasal verbs (e.g. To application form.)
investigate) Phrasal verbs (e.g. Look into)
No abbreviations (e.g. as soon as Abbreviations (e.g. ASAP)
possible) Exclamation marks
No exclamation marks Imperatives (start with a verb)
No imperatives e.g. Complete the verb.
Use of more lexical words
than grammatical words
COMPLEXITY shorter in length, but uses
longer, more complex words
and phrases
EXAMPLES
The participant was admitted to the
graduate program. It came to him as a
surprise.
The participant’s admission to the graduate
program came to him as a surprise
EXAMPLES
How much money will be invested
should be determined.
The amount of money to be invested
should be determined.
EXAMPLES
Findings also suggest that the positive reactions of the
participants to the intervention was associated with the
new information. The information acquired was about
themselves.
Findings also suggest that the positive reactions of the
participants to the intervention was associated with the
new information that they acquired about themselves.
EXAMPLES
Because the technology has improved its less risky
than it is used to be when you install them at the same
time, and it doesn’t cost so much either.
Improvement in technology have reduced the
risks and high costs associated with
simultaneous installation.
• Emphasis should be on the
information that you want to
give and the arguments you
want to make, rather than you
OBJECTIVITY • Characterize by the use of the
third person rather than the
first person
EXAMPLES
In my opinion it is a very interesting
study.
This is a very interesting study.
EXAMPLES
You can easily forget how different life
was 50 years ago.
It is easy to forget how difficult life was
50 years ago.
EXAMPLES
As teachers, we need to realize the
value of feedback on student writing.
Teachers need to realize the value of
feedback on student writing.
EXAMPLES
We should consider the impact of
motivation in student’s achievement.
Motivation impacts student’s
achievement.
• Avoid making
statements that
are not
supported by
examples and
evidence.
• Avoid adverbs
or adjectives
that tend to
IMPERSONALITY exaggerate
your description.
Refers to the organization
of the ideas in the text
Shows relationship and
connection of the ideas in
the text
EXPLICITNESS
Indicates the source of
the idea
TRANSITIONAL DEVICES
ADDING IDEAS SEQUENCE CONTRAST EXAMPLE
furthermore, although, but,
in addition to, despite, even,
first though, thus, illustrate,
moreover, for example,
besides, first, second however, in
contrast, in spite for instance,
second, finally of, instead, provided that,
finally, not next nevertheless, in particular
only…but then nonetheless, on
also, following the contrary, on
the other hand
TRANSITIONAL DEVICES
CAUSE AND EFFECT TIME PLACE GENERALIZATION
as a result, until, as here, there at commonly,
because, long as, this point, generally, in
consequently, for
this reason,
later, so below, beside, general, for
hence, if so, then, far, when, next to, the most part,
therefore, thus, before, behind, in on the whole,
accordingly, for after, soon, front, outside, usually,
this purpose, later, now inside typically
thereupon, to this
end
TRANSITIONAL DEVICES
ASSERTION OR
COMPARISON REFERENCE
OPPOSITION
and, similarly,
likewise, in no doubt, surely, of as seen in table 4,
like manner, in course, certainly, in as mentioned, as
the same way, fact, without a doubt stated previously
also, in the
same manner
Summary Word
A catch-all
noun that Follows
functions as a pattern:
lexical tie This/These +
between summary word
sentences
EXAMPLES
The university decided to use English as a
medium of instruction in Literature classes.
This decision was met with negative
reactions from the faculty.
The study revealed that the scores in reading
comprehension did not increase after using the
approach. This finding resulted in changes in
certain policies in the teaching of reading.
Expresses tentativeness and
possibility in
communication.
Cautious and vague
language
HEDGING
Enables you to express a
perspective on claims that have
not been acclaimed yet by
others.
REASONS FOR HEDGING
When there are exceptions to the findings or
results are inconclusive
When they are sure about what they are saying but
want to appear more modest or show difference to
their readers or colleagues
When they want to open up possibilities for
discussions
LANGUAGE USED IN HEDGING
INTRODUCTORY CERTAIN LEXICAL CERTAIN MODAL ADVERBS OF
VERBS VERBS VERBS FREQUENCY
seem, tend,
look like, believe, will, must,
appear to be, often,
assume, would, may, sometimes,
think, believe, suggest, might, could
doubt, be sure, usually
indicate,
suggest
LANGUAGE USED IN HEDGING
MODAL ADVERBS TO-CLAUSE +
AND ADJECTIVES
MODAL NOUNS THAT CLAUSES ADJECTIVE
certainly, It may be
definitely, It could be the possible to
clearly, probably, assumption, case that… obtain…
perhaps, possibility,
conceivably probability It might be It is important
suggested that… to develop…
certain, definite,
clear, probable, There is every It is useful to
hope that…
possible study…
LET’S COMPARE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES:
In both cases, if the policy stipulates the use of either
English or Filipino, the faculty, staff, and students
will not support it.
In both cases, if the policy stipulates the use of either
English or Filipino, this might not gain a strong
support from the faculty, staff, and students.
LET’S COMPARE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES:
There are certainly cases where this would
seem to have been the only possible
method of transmission.
There are cases where this would have
been the only possible method of
transmission
LET’S COMPARE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES:
The commitment to some of the social and
economic concepts was less strong than it
is now.
It may be said that the commitment to
some of the social and economic concepts
was less strong than it is now.
Specifying
information, dates or
figures
PRECISION Example: Do not use ‘a lot of
people’ when you can say ‘50
million people’
EXAMPLES
Chemist had attempted to synthesize quinine for
the previous hundred years but all they had
achieved was to discover the extreme complexity
of the problem.
The volatile oily liquid beta-chlora-beta-ethyl sulphide was first
synthesize in 1854, and in 1887 it was reported to produce blisters
if it touched the skin. It was called mustard gas and was used at
Ypres in 1917, when it caused many thousands of casualties.
Sentences are free from
grammatical errors
ACCURACY Correct and appropriate
words are used
Choose the words or expressions considered
as colloquial/trite/idiomatic expressions.
Ex. With the growing number of health-conscious articles, a lot of
young professionals are becoming serious about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
1. It is a bit improper to assume that the plan does not work.
2. Experts determined a lot of health ingredients come from China.
3. Teachers say that a lot of incoming freshman students are interested
in sports activities.
4. Lucas got together with Castro in conducting an experiment on
effective enhancing muscle build-up.
5. As a matter of fact, a lot of Senior High School students need to
improve their writing skills.
Assignment
Rewrite the following sentences to observe more
formal tone.
1. Writing can’t be done effectively if you don’t burn
the midnight oil.
2. Parenting is a 24/7 job.
3. Watching the romcom gave the audience the feels.
4. The class is cooking up something big.
5. Adventure may mean doing something epic.
Substitute the single-word verb for the two-word verb in following
sentences.
1. Senate set up the Meralco committee.
2. Mothers cut down spending on rice.
3. Oil price has gone up.
4. Students come up with a solution.
5. Students looked into the problem
6. The dollar rate went up and down.
7. Students brought up the uniform issue.
8. The school gets rid of tuition hike.
9. Parents turned down the proposal.
[Link] proposal turned out a positive result.