LANGUAGE REGISTERS

Register refers to the perceived attitude and level of formality associated with a variety of language.
The relationship between the writer's attitude and the variety chosen is very important in the study of
written language. In face-to-face speech, the listener can easily interpret the attitude of the speaker by
examining the speaker's tone of voice, facial expressions and overall body language. This is not possible in
writing. The writer has to use specialized features of discourse to convey or mask attitudes. It is then the
reader's responsibility to correctly interpret the writer's attitude, tone and level of formality.
Language registers range on a scale from most formal to most informal. The six levels identified have
been given specialized names by Linguists: frozen, formal, consultative, casual and intimate.

1. Frozen: This is where the use of language is fixed and relatively static. The national pledge, anthem,
school creeds and The Lord's Prayer are examples of a frozen register. In essence it is language that
does not require any feedback.
Example: "All visitors are invited to proceed upstairs immediately."

2. Formal: This describes language used in official and ceremonial settings. For example in court, in a
business meeting, at a swearing in ceremony, in an interview or in a classroom etc. The language
used in these settings is comparatively rigid and has a set, agreed upon vocabulary that is well
documented. In other words, the language used is often of a standard variety.
Example: "Would everyone please proceed upstairs at once?"

3. Consultative: This describes language used for the purpose of seeking assistance as is suggested by
the word 'consult'. It also describes the language used between a superior and subordinate. In both
cases one person is deemed as more knowledgeable and having greater expertise and the other
person is the beneficiary of such knowledge and expertise. The language dynamism between
lawyer/client, doctor/patient, employer/employee and teacher/student are examples of this type
of register.
Example: "Would you all please go upstairs right away?"

4. Casual/Informal: This describes language used between friends. It is often very relaxed and
focused on just getting the information out. Slangs are quite often used in these instances.
Example: "Come on upstairs now."

5. Intimate: This is used to describe language used between persons who share a close relationship
or bond. This register would take into account certain terms of endearment, slangs or expressions
whose meaning is shared with a small subset of persons. For example, lovers having special terms
of endearment, mothers giving pet names to their children based on some character trait and best
friends formulating slangs based on some shared past experience.
Example: "Come up nuh/ Unu naa go up? / Unu naa forward?"

6. Private: This is used to express personal impressions, musings, self-talk and reflection. Incomplete
sentences, simple vocabulary, use of standard or non-standard varieties reflect the speaker’s level
of comfort with the language. Exclamations, interjections and non-verbal expressions are possible.
refer to the innermost thoughts and feelings kept within.
Example: “I can’t believe this lunatic thought it would be a good idea to put the glass there. Now
look how I have to clean up this mess!”