VARIETIES AND REGISTERS OF SPOKEN AND WRITTEN ENGLISH

MAJE- What is a register? According to Nordquist (2018), a register is:

- defined as the way a speaker uses language differently in different
circumstances
- determined by factors as social occasion, context, purpose, and
audience
- determine the vocabulary, structure, and some grammar in one’s
writing and even in one’s oral discourse.

KEITH- The five level of language registers: formal, casual, intimate,

private, frozen and consultative. These registers can be use depending
on the situation and people we encounter.

1. 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:
•Biblical Verse
• Words to a song
•Preamble
2. FORMAL REGISTER
This is the register used for most academic and scientific publishing.
More appropriate for professional writing and letter. The speaker uses
complete sentences, avoids slang and may use technical or academic
vocabulary.
EXAMPLE:
• Business Letters
• Letters of Complaint
• Announcements

ALMIRA- 3.CONSULTATIVE REGISTER

- This is the register used when consulting an expert such as a doctor.
The language used is more precise. No past experience with that person
EXAMPLES:
-Strangers who interact
-Teachers with students
-Talking with lawyer or doctor
4. CASUAL REGISTER
This register is conversational in tone. It is the language used among
and between friends. This register may include slang and
colloquialisms.
EXAMPLE:
• Wanna- want to
• Gonna- going to
5. INTIMATE REGISTER
The language used by lovers. Is reserved for special occasions, usually
between two people and often in private.
EXAMPLE:
• words whisper in a lover's ear, and inside jokes of two college friends.

RECALL TIME!
MAJE