Chapter 4

VARIETIES AND
REGISTERS OF SPOKEN
AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE

ANALYN S. FERNANDEZ
Professor
 What is Language?

• It is the method of human communication,

either spoken or written, consisting of the use
of words in a structured and conventional way
 What is Spoken Language?

• It is a language produced by articulate

sounds, as opposed to a written language
 What is Dialect?
• a regional variety of language distinguished by
features of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation
from other regional varieties and constituting
together with them a single language
• Linguists and sociolinguists generally define
“dialects” as versions of a single language that are
mutually intelligible, but that differ in systematic ways
from each other.
LANGUAGE VARIETY
 LANGUAGE VARIETY

• is a specific set of linguistic terms or human speech

patterns (sounds, words, grammatical features)
which can be associated with some external factor
(geographical area or social group).
• In sociolinguistics, language variety –also called-
lect-is a general term for any distinctive form of a
language or linguistic expression
 LANGUAGE VARIETY

• is a specific set of linguistic terms or human speech

patterns (sounds, words, grammatical features)
which can be associated with some external factor
(geographical area or social group).
• In sociolinguistics, language variety –also called-
lect-is a general term for any distinctive form of a
language or linguistic expression
 LANGUAGE VARIETY

• In present-day linguistics, variety is used to refer to

any variant of a language which can be sufficiently
delimited from another one
• The grounds for such differentiation may be social,
historical, spatial or a combination of these
• Examples:
Hillbilly English (from the
Appalachians in the USA)
Geordie (from Newcastle upon Tyne
in the UK)
• Examples:
African American Vernacular
English in the USA
London Jamaican in Britain
Aboriginal English in Australia
• Examples:
Singlish (spoken in Singapore) is a
variety very different from standard
English
LANGUAGE REGISTERS
 THE “REGISTER” OF LANGUAGE

• According to Nordquist (2018), a register is 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 somegrammar in
one's writing and even in one's oral discourse
 THE “REGISTER” OF LANGUAGE

• The perceived attitude and level of formality

associated with a variety of language
• A variety of language used in a particular social
setting, using certain wordsm phrases, and
contractions that are not normally used in other
settings (or if they did, they may sound strange or
out of place)
 STATIC or FROZEN REGISTER

• This style of communication rarely or never changes

and does not require feedback. It is "frozen" in time
and content.
• Examples:
- Lord’s Prayer Bibliographic reference
- The Alma Mater - Laws
 STATIC or FROZEN REGISTER

• Language is based on a strict

formula (scripted).
• Does not change (set speech)
• The word order is fixed and
the speaker will just regurgitate
 FORMAL REGISTER
• This language is used in formal settings and is one-way in
nature. This use of language usually follows a commonly
accepted format. It is usually impersonal and formal.
• Examples:
-Sermons -Speeches
-Rhetorical statements and questions -Announcements
-Pronouncements made by judges
 FORMAL REGISTER

• Language used to show respect

in places such as workplace,
school, public offices, etc.
• Complete sentence and
specific word usage
 CONSULTATIVE REGISTER
• Is used in conversation when they are speaking with
someone who has specialized knowledge or who is
offering advice. Tone is often respectful (use of
courtesy titles), but may be more casual if the
relationship is longstanding or friendly.
• Example:
- an annual physical examination
- communication between lawyer & client, lawyer & judge,
teacher & student, counselor & client, doctor & patient
 CONSULTATIVE REGISTER

• Language used for the purpose

of seeking assistance
• May use standard or non-
standard variety of English yet
a level of detachment is
maintained
 CASUAL / INFORMAL REGISTER
• Is used in conversations with friends, close
acquaintances and co-workers, and family.
• Slang, vulgarities and colloquialisms are normal.
• Examples:
- Buddies - blogs
- Teammates - letters to friends
- chats and emails
 CASUAL / INFORMAL REGISTER

• Often very relaxed and

focused on just giving or
getting the information out
• The vocabulary is shorter
and less complex.
• Sentences are often incomplete
and rely on expressions and
gestures for about 80% of their
meaning.
 INTIMATE REGISTER
• This refers to the informal language used when talking to
close friends, family members or romantic
partners/intimate people.
• The intimate register is frequently used in private and can
be used when discussing personal issues, sharing
secrets, telling inside jokes, or when being flirty!
• Examples:
- husband & wife - siblings
- boyfriend & girlfriend - parent & children
 INTIMATE REGISTER

• Takes into account certain

“private language” such as
terms of endearment, code words,
slangs, or expressions
 Registers in Spoken and Written
Language
• Formal registers
• Informal registers
• Neutral registers
 FORMAL LANGUAGE REGISTER

• Is more appropriate for professional writing and

letters to a boss or a stranger
• Is impersonal, meaning, it is not written for a specific
person and without emotion
• Formal writing includes business letters, letters of
complaint, professional emails, reports
 FORMAL LANGUAGE REGISTER

•
INFORMAL LANGUAGE REGISTER

• Is conversational and appropriate when writing to

friends, family and people you know very well
• Informal writing includes personal emails, phone
texts, short notes, friendly letters,diaries and
journals
INFORMAL LANGUAGE REGISTER
 JARGON
• Jargon refers to the specialized language of a
professional or occupational group. Such language is
often meaningless to outsiders.
• American poet David Lehman has described jargon
as "the verbal sleight of hand that makes the old hat
seem newly fashionable." He says the language
"gives an air of novelty and specious profundity to
ideas that, if stated directly, would seem superficial,
stale, frivolous, or false."
 NEUTRAL LANGUAGE REGISTER
• Neutral writing is not necessarily formal or informal. It is
not usually positive or negative. A neutral register is used
to deliver facts. It is used with non-emotional topics and
information.
• Writing in the neutral language register includes reviews,
articles, technical writing and some letters and essays.
 AMERICAN AND BRITISH ENGLISH

• The two most well-known varieties of English are those of the

colonial superpowers: British English and American English. But
there are many multilingual countries around the world in which
varieties of English have developed. This may be because English
was initially “transported” to that country by English-speaking
settlers- as in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
 AMERICAN AND BRITISH ENGLISH
• It could also be that English may have been brought to that country as
a language of conquest by English speaking colonizers- as in South
Africa, Hongkong, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. In the
latter countries, English has a particular role as official language,
medium of instruction, or even language of law and government.
• English is also studies as a foreign language in some non-English
speaking countries, such as Holland and Yugoslavia, and in Korea
and Japan. In these countries, there is less exposure to English, and
it is often learned for career progression because it is the language
of international business.
American English British English

College university
Chips crisps
French fries chips
Apartment flat
soda Fizzy drink
sneakers trainers
SPELLING
• Words ending in –or/ -our:
SPELLING

• Words ending in –er/ -re:

SPELLING

• Words ending in –g/ -gue:

SPELLING

• Words ending in – ze/ -se:

SPELLING

• Words ending in – se/ -ce:

SPELLING

• Forming the past tense of the verb:

SPELLING
• Vocabulary:
SPELLING
• Vocabulary:
SPELLING
• Vocabulary: