VARIETIES AND REGISTERS OF ENGLISH

INPUT

Language Variety

Each of the languages all over the world exhibits variation. For example, Hiligaynon, we language of
people living in Panay and Negros Occidental, can be spoken in varying intonations depending on where
people live. Moreover, it can also vary in vocabulary and i grammar depending on the context it is used.
Any language for that matter exhibits variation as its users engage in a host of communication activities
every day.

In sociolinguistics, language variety or a lect refers to the distinctive form of a language. According to
Tom McArthur (1992), it can have two broad types: (1) user-related varieties and use-related varieties
(as cited in Nordquist, 2017). The first type is associated with the specific people who use it and
naturally with the places where they live. So English spoken by people in Australia is often called
Australian English and is an example of a user-related variety. Most people are aware that when the
word 'Today' is said as "To die," the speaker must be an Australian. The second type is associated with
function such as literary English (the language used in literary texts) or business English (the language
used in business and corporate communication) and many others.

Varieties of English

English is widely used in the world, and thus it has gained the reputation of being an international
language. Its spread may have been brought about by colonization, migration, and globalization among
others. As such English has evolved into a language with many varieties such as American English,
Korean English, Filipino English, etc. In the 1990s, an Indian linguist, Braj Kachru, developed a model to
explain the spread of English and introduced the idea of World Englishes. As shown in his concentric
model, he categorized the speakers of English as those belonging to the Inner Circle, the Outer Circle,
and the Expanding Circle. English users in the Inner Circle are native speakers of the language: British,
Americans, Australians, etc. Those in the Outer Circle are mostly people whose countries were colonized
by the British or the Americans. These include Filipinos, Indians, Singaporeans to name a few. Finally,
many of the speakers of English in the Expanding Circle belong to countries which have not been
subjugated by English-speaking colonizers but have found the language valuable for social and economic
mobility. Those who can afford English lessons invest on learning the language abroad or via the
Internet. The Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese are examples of English speakers in the Expanding Circle.
The Swedish, Danish, Finnish in Europe are also part of the expanding circle.
Filipino English and American English

As a former colony of the United States of America, the Philippines belongs to the outer circle of the
World Englishes model. It has continued to place a high premium on English as it occupies a privileged
position of being one of the official languages of the country as stated in the Philippine Constitution.
Although the country's language policies have prioritized the strengthening of Filipino, the national
language and the preservation of other Filipino languages, English is still an important language which
serves as an alternative lingua franca

among Filipinos who speak different regional laligus educational system; and as a bridge language for do

nt regional languages, as a secondary language in the

guage for doing business with foreigners.

English has been used in the Philippines for more evolved into a variety which is uniquely Filipino. F
disregards the 'schwa' sound in the word, 'bicycle.' Thus you w or 'bysikool.' This can be explained as
resulting from the absen Filipino native languages. However, surprisingly "

languages. However, surprisingly many Filipinos can speak English with an American or even British
accent. It is not only in pronun distinct from other varieties. There are English expressions that have
come down to this generation with a distinctive twist. For instance, on the stairs, one sees the sign,
Watch your Steps." which the British and Americans phrase as "Watch your Step."

the Philippines for more than a hundred years, and it has niquely Filipino. For instance, spoken Filipino
English often

e word, 'bicycle.' Thus you will hear it said either as 'bysikel' ained as resulting from the absence of this
particular sound in

Since the 1900s, the English taught to Filipinos has been the variety that the United States of America
has brought to the country. Thus, the grammar, spelling, and pronunciation of English by those who
successfully learn the language approximate the American English (AE) variety. However, because of the
interference of Filipino languages, many Filipinos could not pronounce English approximating the AE
native speaker. The lack of teachers also resulted to poor proficiency in both written and spoken English
Th

lif contact center industry in the Philippines at the turn of the century demand for English-proficient
workers which when met could trans Thus, the alarming deterioration of the English proficiency of
Filipinos he

e Philippines at the turn of the century greatly increased the

rs which when met could translate to economic growth

Thus, the alarming deterioration of the EHS government, the business sector, and educational
institutions to join forces to reverse condition to attract more companies to outsource customer care
and other services throu contact centers in the country.

Today contact centers in the Philippines do not only cater to American, but also to British Australian, and
Canadian companies among others. Also, more Filipino nurses and other professionals now work in
different countries and former colonies of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Thus it may be helpful
for Filipino students to be familiar with both varieties of English

Differences between American and British English

A popular anonymous quote says that America and Britain "are two nations divided by a common
language." However, if you examine closely the two English varieties, there are more similarities than
differences.

The most noticeable difference between American and British English is vocabulary For example, an
American lives in an apartment while a British lives in a flat. The American baby wears a diaper while the
British wears a nappy. Americans eat eggplant which the British

call aubergine. A list of these words is found in the Appendix. In addition to vocabulary, the enelling of
certain words can reveal whether it is American or British English. Americans

ually spell these words without a 'u' - color, labor, favor, savor unlike the British who spell them as
colour, labour, favour, savour. The British also prefers these spelling for judgement and
'acknowledgement which Americans spell as 'judgment and acknowledgment."

Definitely, there is a difference in the way Americans and the British talk in English. Some people say
British English is harder to understand than American English. This may be the case if one is more
familiar with American English like most Filipinos. However, Europeans who are more exposed to British
English understand it more quickly than American English. To better appreciate the difference between
the two English varieties, watch some videos on YouTube that feature their distinguishing features.

Language Register

The way you talk or write in a language can often be influenced by the context or the situation of the
communication activity. When you write a note to a friend, you must have used the complimentary
close, “love," but it will be an inappropriate choice for a letter written for the purpose of getting a job. In
verbal exchanges, you must have pronounced your words more carefully and said them loudly when
delivering a public speech than when you were simply

conversing with friends. The varying ways by which you use language to suit certain situat reflect what is
known in linguistics as language register.
Language register is the style or level by which one communicates in a given context. Also known as
tone or tenor, it is the kind of language for a specific situation. It user specialized words, phrases, and
contractions that may be exclusive only to one particular social setting and may sound strange or off if
used in another.

Language register is determined by its use, not by its users. Formal language register is used mostly in
written communication. Business letters, research reports, and professional emails call for the use of a
formal register. Certain writing conventions are strictly followed. For example, formal language avoids
the use of colloquialisms, contractions or firstperson pronouns such as 'l' or 'We.' Colloquialism means
using familiar or ordinary words or phrases mostly in the context of a conversation. A contraction is a
shortened combination of two words which uses an apostrophe in the place of the letter or letters that
are removed such as isn't (is not), He'll (He will), or We've (We have).

On the other hand, informal language register is often the variety appropriate for ordinary
conversations, text messaging between friends and similar situations. It utilizes al casual tone and
usually abounds in contractions. In the case of bilinguals like most Filipinos, it can be characterized by
code-mixing or code-switching. A Hiligaynon-English bilingual can combine two languages in expressing
an idea like in the question: "Where kamo ma eat?" Sometimes a person can switch from English to
another language. "Where are you eating lunch? Maupod ko tani sa imo." The speaker expresses the
first idea in English, but the second sentence is in Hiligaynon.

Formal and Informal Language in Written English

Here are sentences that further show the differences between formal and informal registers in writing.
The contrastive presentations demonstrate the appropriate registers to contractions, phrasal verbs,
slang, colloquialism, and first-person pronouns particularly in the context of formal reports.

1. Contractions

Informal: The latest gadgets can't be introduced due to funding restrictions.

Formal: The latest gadgets cannot be introduced due to funding restrictions.

2. Phrasal or Two-Word Verbs

a given

It uses ar social

Informal: The balloon was blown up for the experiment.

Formal: The balloon was inflated for the experiment.

3. Slang/Colloquialism

nguage ts, and strictly

Informal: Teachers still count on students to use correct grammar in essays.

or first

Formal: Teachers expect students to use correct grammar in essays.

erds or Lion of

such

4. First person pronouns

Informal: I considered various theoretical frameworks for the study.

es a os, it

Formal: Various theoretical frameworks were considered for the study,

Can

Five Styles in Spoken Language

A popular model for the levels of spoken English was introduced by Martin Joos in the 1960s. These are
frozen, formal, consultative, casual, and intimate.

Formal

rs for n the

Frozen. This style is used when printed unchanging language like Biblical quotations or any text using
literary language are delivered in situations like weddings, funerals or formal public ceremonies. It is also
called static register and often uses old language. Archaic words or expressions are those not used for
everyday conversation but sometimes become part of present-day communication to lend to it an old-
fashioned flavor. Some examples are the words thy (your) and art (are) as when Christians recite the line
"Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name." from The Lord's Prayer.

Formal: This register can be described as a one-way, uninterrupted presentation which uses technical
vocabulary, complex and divergent grammatical structure, and careful and standard speech. It is
common for plenary speakers of conferences to use this tone.

Consultative: The most operational among the five styles, it has two-way participation as exemplified by
a regular conversation between a teacher and a student or any two persons

working in the same company. It is also the style used spontaneous, so people tend to repeat some
unnecessary Wor etc., or choose the wrong word or even use slang or jargon. Slang vocabulary (i.e.,
bestie for best friend) while jargon is a specialized group or a special activity. The sentences used tend to
be shorter average speed.
It is the style used in small group discussion. me unnecessary words such as "uh huh," "I see se slang or
jargon. Slang is an informal, non-standard mile jargon is a specialized or technical vocabulary of a Lences
used tend to be shorter and usually delivered in

casual. This style is often used in conversations with friends and family in a social seg like a picnic or a
sports event. Sentences are usually shortened, and ellipsis and slang are common. Ellipsis is a sudden
leap from one topic to another.

Intimate: This tone is used by close members of a family or friends. Intonation can be more important
than wording or grammar. It can use private vocabulary and many non-verbal messages.

Choosing the Appropriate Language Variety and Language Style

Living in a multicultural setting poses many challenges in communication. One may have to learn a
second or a third language to avail of opportunities for educational and economic advancement. In
acquiring the second or third language, one must work really hard to reach the required proficiency level
for a particular job or educational pursuit. However, one must not discount the value of one's native or
first language because it remains a vital tool for expressing ideas and emotions.

Given this scenario, people who desire to be effective communicators must choose the best language
variety and register to express their ideas in. They can do this by a careful analysis of the place and the
time of the communication event; the people involved; its end or purpose; the sequence or organization
of the speech acts; the tone appropriate for the event; the language, whether written or spoken; the
rules or norms to be met; and the kind of communication activity.

Selecting the most appropriate language variety and register may not necessarily result to complete
success, but it can be the first step to its realization,