1

Spoken and
MARGIE'S TRAVEL
Written Language

M
 2

Dialect
The word dialect—which
contains "lect" within the
term—derives from the
Greek words dia- meaning
"across, between"
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

and legein "speak." A diale
ct is a regional or social 
variety of
a language distinguished
by pronunciation, grammar
M , and/or vocabulary.
 3

Jargon
• Jargon refers to the
specialized language of a
professional or occupational
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

group. Such language is often

meaningless to outsiders.

M
 4 Types of
Lects
• In addition to the distinctions discussed
previously, different types of lects also
echo the types of language varieties:
• Regional dialect: A variety spoken in
a particular region.
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

• Sociolect: Also known as a social

dialect, a variety of language (or
register) used by a socioeconomic
class, a profession, an age group, or
any other social group.

M
 5

Types of Lects
• Ethnolect: A lect spoken by a
specific ethnic group. For example,
Ebonics, the vernacular spoken
by some African-Americans, is a
type of ethnolect
• Idiolect: the language or
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

languages spoken by each

individual. For example, if you are
multilingual and can speak in
different registers and styles, your
idiolect comprises several
languages, each with multiple
registers and styles.
M
 6

The Difference between

Creole and Pidgin
• Language differs by geography, social class,
economic status, age, gender and religion.
"Pidgin" and "creole" are two terms that are
sometimes used interchangeably by the general
population, but have specific differences in the
world of linguistics.
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

• "Pidgin" describes a blend of several different

languages spoken by a multicultural population
into one mutually understood language. 

• The speakers create a mutual language using

words from the speakers' mother tongues and
an extremely flexible, simplified grammar.
M
 7

Example:
• Conyo - It refers to the way of
speaking or one who speaks
Taglish and/or with an English
accent, usually associated
with upper-class citizens
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

because such is the

stereotype in Filipino pop
culture.

M
 8

Creole
• A creole language is also a mixture of
multiple languages, but in this case,
the new mixed language becomes the
native language for the majority of its
speakers. Vocabulary is extensively
borrowed from other languages, but
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

the grammar often shares few traits

with the languages that contributed
vocabulary. Grammar and syntax are
as fully developed as any other long-
established tongue.

M
 9

Examples:
• Chavacano or Chabacano [tʃaβaˈkano]
refers to a number of Spanish-based
creole language varieties spoken in the
Philippines. Chavacano. Chavacano or
Philippine Creole Spanish is a Spanish-
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

based creole spoken in parts of the

Philippines, especially in and around the
city of Zamboanga, by over 600,000
people. There are also speakers of the
Zamboanga dialect of Chavacano in
Sempornah, Malaysia.

M
 10

Register
• Register is defined as the way a speaker
uses language differently in different
circumstances. Think about the words you
choose, your tone of voice, even your
body language.
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

• They are determined by such factors as

social occasion, context, purpose, and 
audience. Registers are marked by a
variety of specialized vocabulary and
turns of phrases, colloquialisms, the use
of jargon, and a difference in intonation
M and pace.
 11

Language Registers
• There are five language registers or styles.
Each level has an appropriate use that is
determined by differing situations. It would
certainly be inappropriate to use language
and vocabulary reserve for a boyfriend or
girlfriend when speaking in the classroom.
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

Thus the appropriate language register

depends upon the audience (who), the topic
(what), purpose (why) and location (where).

• You must control the use of language

registers in order to enjoy success in every
aspect and situation you encounter.
M
 12

1.      Static Register
• This style of communications
RARELY or NEVER changes. It is
“frozen” in time and content. e.g.
the Pledge of Allegiance, the
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

Lord’s Prayer, the Preamble to the

US Constitution, the Alma Mater,
a bibliographic reference, laws .

M
 13 2.      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. A
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

common format for this register are

speeches. e.g. sermons, rhetorical
statements and questions,
speeches, pronouncements made
by judges,  announcements.

M
 14

3.      Consultative Register
• This is a standard form of
communications. Users engage in a
mutually accepted structure of
communications. It is formal and
societal expectations accompany the
users of this speech. It is professional
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

discourse. e.g. when strangers meet,

communications between a superior
and a subordinate, doctor & patient,
lawyer & client, lawyer & judge,
teacher & student, counselor & client,
M
 15

4.      Casual Register
• This is informal language used
by peers and friends. Slang,
vulgarities and colloquialisms
are normal. This is “group”
language. One must be
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

member to engage in this

register. e.g. buddies,
teammates, chats and emails,
and blogs, and letters to
friends.
M
 16

5.      Intimate Register
• This communications is
private. It is reserved for
close family members or
intimate people. e.g.
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

husband & wife, boyfriend

& girlfriend, siblings,
parent & children.

M
 17
MARGIE'S TRAVEL

M
THANK YOU!