Communicative Competence

Strategies in Various Speech

Situations, Oral
Communication in Context
Consultative and Formal
Speech Styles
Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to differentiate
between consultative and formal speech styles, identify
social situations in which each speech style is appropriate
to use, and observe the appropriate language forms in
using each speech style.

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In the previous lesson, you have learned that in
communication, the language you use to convey a
message depends on your relationship with the
person(s) you are addressing and the social situation
or occasion you are in. You speak differently in
different social contexts. You use, for example, an
intimate style when talking to your best friend about
your dreams and goals in life. On the other hand, you
use a casual style when talking to your classmate
about what you did last summer.
In this lesson, you will know two more types of speech style, consultative and
formal, as posited by Martin Joos. Before learning about these, it is important
to note the following ideas about speech style:

•According to Ronald Wardhaugh in his book An Introduction to

Sociolinguistics (1986), “No one speaks the same way all the time.” For him,
“language will exhibit considerable internal variation, and single-style speakers
will not be found.” However, he states that this variation has limits (or norms).
For instance, you cannot just alter the meaning of words or pronounce them
differently. If you do any of these, not only is it unacceptable, but also the
receivers of your message will not be able to understand what you are
conveying.

•Your choice of words is influenced by situational factors such as addressee,

setting or occasion, and task or topic.
Consultative Speech Style

This style is considered to be the most operational style

among the other styles. It is used in a semiformal situation
where a speaker needs to provide background information
because the listener (or addressee) may not be able to
understand without it. In turn, the listener participates
continuously by giving feedback. Thus, both the speaker and
the listener are active participants.
The following are other characteristics of the consultative style:

•It is used in ordinary conversations or routine transactions that lead to an

outcome or result.

•Interruptions are allowed. The listener gives short responses like I see, Uh-huh,
and Ah to signal that he or she is paying attention to the speaker, or has
understood what was said.

•More formal than intimate and casual styles, this style requires a speaker to
choose words with some care.

Talks between strangers, acquaintances, or colleagues of unequal ranks where

something is achieved in the end often use a consultative style. Doctor-patient,
lawyer-client, and employer-employee conversations are some examples that
are consultative in nature.
Read the following conversation between a doctor and his longtime patient.
Linda: Good morning, Dr. Gomez.

Dr. Gomez: Good morning, Linda. What seems to be the problem?

Linda: I’ve been getting severe headaches.

Doctor: How long have you had these headaches?

Linda: Uhm . . . about two weeks or so.

Dr. Gomez: Are these headaches constant, or do they come and go?

Linda: Constant.

Dr. Gomez: Are you feeling any other problems?

Linda: Oh, I sometimes get dizzy, and I experience this ringing in my ears.

Dr. Gomez: I see. Have you been feeling nauseated and uncontrollable eye movements, too?

Linda: Hmm . . . Yes, I have actually.

Dr. Gomez: And have you been taking any medications?

Linda: No.

Dr. Gomez: Well, I think you have vertigo. But, I still need to perform some tests. Please wait
here.

Linda: Okay. Thank you, doctor.

Formal Speech Style

What distinguishes this style from the consultative style is the lack of
listener participation. Unlike in interactions that use the consultative
style, the listener does not participate, in most cases, in an
interaction that requires the formal style.

A formal style is often used in formal situations, such as in a

graduation ceremony, an official meeting, a television newscast, and
a conference, where there is only one-way communication. Since
there is little or no feedback from the listeners or audience, the
speaker needs to plan ahead his or her utterances, or what he or she
is going to say.
Other characteristics of the formal style are:

•Interruptions are not allowed. Only the speaker is the source

of information.
•Pronunciation is very clear.
•Words are carefully chosen, and grammar rules are followed.
•Ellipsis (omission of one or more words) is not allowed.
•Sentence structures are more complex and varied.
•Extensive and technical vocabulary is required.
•Ideas are cohesive and organized.
•All background or necessary information is clearly given.
The formal style may also be used for speaking to a single hearer, such as
in introductions between strangers where full names, ranks, or honorific
titles are used as forms of address. Here is an example of this style:

Caroline: President Echavez, may I present to you the Honorable Roman

Suarez, the Ambassador of the Philippines to the United States.

Ambassador: It is a great honor to meet you, Your Excellency.

President: The honor is all mine.

The dialogue uses the formal style as observed in the use of formal
language (e.g., may I present to you as opposed to the casual style this is,
it is a great honor to meet you instead of the casual style Hi or Hello) and
of honorific titles like Honorable and Your Excellency.
Among the five types of speech style, the consultative style
is the most operational since it is designed to achieve an
outcome or result. It is used in semiformal situations where
a speaker needs to provide background information because
the listener (or addressee) may not be able to understand
without it.

Meanwhile, a formal style is used in formal situations where

there is only one-way communication. What distinguishes
this style from the consultative style is the lack of listener
participation.