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
reponsibility to correctly interpret the writer's attitude, tone and ievel of
formality. Language Registers range on a scale from most formal to most informal. The
five 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 ceremonia! settings. For example in
court, ina business meeting, at a swearing in ceremcny, in an interview or in a
etc. The classroom
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 oruce?
3. Consultative: This describes language used for the purpose of seeking assistance as is
suggested by the word 'consult'. It also describes the lariguage used between a suprior and
subordinate. In both cases one person is deemed as more
knowledgeable and having greater
expertise and the other person is the berieficiary of such knowledge and
expertise.and
The
language dynamism between lawyer/client, doctor/atient, employer/employee
teacher/student are examples of this type of register.
Example: "Would you all please go upstairs 1ight away?
4. Casual/Informal: This describes language used between friends. It is often very
relaxed and focused on just getting the information out. Sangs 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 acourt certain terms ofendearment,
slangs
lovers
or expressions whose meaning is shared with a small subset of persons. For
example
having special terms of endearment, nothers giving pet names to their children based
on some character trait and best
friends forinulating slangs based on some shared past
experience.
Example: "Come up nuh/ Unu naa go up?LIUnu naa.forward?