LANGUAGE REGISTERS

OVERVIEW:
• In this lesson, students will be able to
understand more the language organization. It
helps them to improve their knowledge
especially on writing essays during exams and
filling up the application forms that are
usually evaluated based on content. In that
manner, they can focus on appropriate writing
task using the appropriate register. When
writing essays and letters, there is a need to
think carefully about the target reader with
appropriate style and tone.
 OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be
able to:
• 1. Identify the features of formal and informal
language registers;
• 2. Analyze texts in terms of language use and
style;
• 3. Name situations when formal, informal and
intimate registers are applicable; and
• 4. Write reviews using the appropriate
language register.
 LET’S KNOW!
ACTIVITY:
Be sometimes a native English speaker.
Figure out the slang words that match the
definitions. Write the word of your chosen
answer inside the box. Once you perfected
all of these, it means you have the
potential to become one.
LET’S KNOW!
WORD CHOICES
DIRTY VERY TIRED
NOTHING VERY RICH
STEAL STRANGE, CRAZY
FOOD ALL THE TIME
FAIL (an exam or a course) ONE THOUSAND
DOLLARS
FRIEND BARBEQUE
 LET’S READ:
The linking of our world through global
communications is nearly completed. Our
world is now circled by superhighways of
information. Our skies are loaded with satellites
for broadcasting our communication.
Interconnectivity is now easy. Does this mean
that our world will become one world,
integrated and united economically and
politically harmonized culturally? We do not
believe this will be the case.
 LET’S READ:
In some ways, we had been more and more
globalized in our lifestyle, business,
factories, music, fashion, fast food, however
the inner elements, the fundamentals of
language, philosophy, religion, and value
systems will remain diverse and varied.
Speaking of language, not only does
diversity remains specifically in it.
Language varieties continue to exist.
 LANGUAGE VARIETIES
Language variety simply refers to a
distinguishable variant of a language. This
means that there are a large number of
varieties of any given language. Dialects
within variety frameworks are frequently
referred to as regional varieties and socialists
as social varieties, though the level dialect
can be retained if used objectively. Several
varieties of language are identified and
described a follows:
 LANGUAGE VARIETIES
A pidgin is a new language which
develops in situations where speakers of
different languages need to communicate
but don’t share a common language. In
other words, it is a younger language that
is developed as a means of
communicating between two groups who
do not speak the same language.
 LANGUAGE VARIETIES
Pidgins are frequently developed for
business and trading. Buying and
selling and other transactions are
reasons for the development of a
pidgin. Pidgins are not used as a form
of group identification but rather for
practical communication.
 LANGUAGE VARIETIES
When children start learning a pidgin as their
first language and it becomes the mother
tongue of a community, it is called Creole.
Like a pidgin, a creole is distinct language
which has taken most of its vocabulary from
another language, the lexifier, but has its own
unique grammatical rules. Unlike a pidgin,
however, a creole is not restricted in use, and
is any other language in its full range of
functions.
 LANGUAGE VARIETIES
A regional dialect is not a distinct
language but a variety of language
spoken in a particular area of a country.
Some regional dialects have been given
traditional name which mark them out as
being significantly different from
standard varieties spoken in the same
place.
 LANGUAGE VARIETIES
Sometimes members of a particular
ethnic group have their own variety
which they use as a marker of
identity, usually alongside a standard
variety. This is called a minority
dialect.
 LANGUAGE VARIETIES
Indigenized Varieties are spoken mainly
as second languages in ex-colonies in
multilingual populations. The differences
from the standard variety maybe linked
to English proficiency, or maybe part of
the range of varieties used to express
identity.
 LANGUAGE REGISTERS
According to Nordquist (2018) in his article
entitled what is Register in Linguistics, 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. You probably behave very
differently chatting with a friend than you would
at a formal dinner part or during a job interview.
These variations in formality, also called stylistic
variation, are known as registers in linguistics.
 LANGUAGE REGISTERS
Registers are determined by such factors
as social occasion, context, purpose and
audience. They are marked by a variety of
specialized vocabulary and turns of
phrases, colloquialisms and the use of
jargon, and a difference of intonation and
pace.
 LANGUAGE REGISTERS
Registers are used in all forms of
communication, including written,
spoken, and signed. Depending on
grammar, syntax, and tone, the
register maybe extremely rigid or very
intimate. You don’t even need to use
an actual word to communicate
effectively.
 LANGUAGE REGISTERS
A huff of exasperating during a debate or a
grin while signing hello speaks volumes
(Nordquist, 2018).
Some linguists say there are just two types
of register: formal and informal. This is not
correct, but Nordquist (2018) considers this
is an oversimplification. Instead, most of
who study language says there are five
distinct registers:
 LANGUAGE REGISTERS
1. Frozen. This form is sometimes
called the static register because it
refers to historic language or
communication that is intended to
remain unchanged. Like a constitution
or prayer. Examples: The Bible, The
United States; Constitution, and
Romeo and Juliet.
 LANGUAGE REGISTERS
2. Formal. Less rigid, but still constrained,
the formal register is used in professional,
academic or legal settings where
communication is expected to be respectful,
uninterrupted, and restrained. Slang is
never used, contractions are rare. Examples:
a TED talk, a business presentation, the
Encyclopaedia Britannica, and Gray’s
Anatomy by Henry Gray.
 LANGUAGE REGISTERS
3. Consultative. People used this register often 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 more casual if the
relationship is longstanding or friendly (family
doctor). Slang is sometimes used. People may also
pause or interrupt one another. Examples: the
local TV news broadcast, an annual physical
examination, a service provider like a plumber.
 LANGUAGE REGISTERS
4. Casual. This is the register with people use
when they are with friends, close acquaintances
and co workers, and family. It is probably the
one you think of when you consider how you
talk with other people. Often in group setting.
Use of slang, contractions, and vernacular
grammar is all common, and people may also
use expletives or off-color language in some
settings. Examples: a birthday party, a backyard
BBQ.
 LANGUAGE REGISTERS
5. Intimate. Linguists say this register
is reserved for special occasions,
usually between two people and often
in private. Intimate language maybe
something as simple as an inside joke
between two college friends or a word
whispered in a lover’s ear.
 LANGUAGE REGISTERS
Meanwhile, in some sources,
language registers are classified as
formal, informal and neutral. The
formal register is more appropriate
for professional writing and letters to
a boss or a stranger;
 LANGUAGE REGISTERS
While the informal register (also
called casual or intimate) is
conversational and appropriate when
writing to friends and people you
knew very well. Finally, the neutral
register is non-emotional and sticks to
facts. It is most appropriate technical
writings.
 Formal Language Register.
Formal writing is the most difficult type
writing. It is impersonal, meaning it is not
written on specific person and is written
without emotion. Some kinds of writing
are always written in formal English.
Formal writing includes:  Business
Letters,  Letters of Complaint,  Some
essays,  Reports,  Official speeches, 
Announcements, and  Professional
emails
 Formal Language Register.
There are many rules for writing in
formal writing. We will discuss some
of the most common rules here:
Do not use contractions.
Contractions are not usually used in
formal writing, even though they are
very common in spoken English.
 Formal Language Register.
In formal writing, you should spell
out contractions.
Examples: cannot instead of can’t
Have not instead of haven’t
Is not instead of isn’t
Will not instead of won’t
Could not instead of couldn’t
 Formal Language Register.
Contractions CAN be used if you are
quoting someone’s exacts word in
your writing. Example: Two –thirds
of my eight grade students can’t read
at grade level, the professor stated.
Keep in mind that an apostrophe
does not always make a contraction.
 Formal Language Register.
Apostrophes are also added to nouns
to show ownership. These are used in
all language registers, including
formal.
Examples: Children’s classroom,
professor’s report, elephant’s trunk
 Formal Language Register.
b) Spell out number less than one
hundred.
Examples: nineteen, twenty-two, seventy-
eight, six
c) Write in third person point of view. In
formal writing, we usually do not use first
person or second person unless it is a
quote. Thus, avoid using the following
pronouns: I, You, We, and Us.
 Formal Language Register.
• Examples: You can purchase a second-hand car for
under PhP 100,000.
• Formal: One can purchase a second-hand car for
under PhP 100, 000. A second-hand car can be
purchased for under PhP 100,000.
• Informal: You will probably see an elephant on an
African safari.
• Formal: One may see elephants on an African Safari.
Elephants are common sight on African safaris.
• Informal: We decided to invest in the company.
Formal: The group decided to invest in the company.
 Formal Language Register.
• d) Avoid using too much passive voice. In
formal writing it is better to use an active voice.
Examples:
Passive: The bone was eaten by the dog.
The research was completed by students in 2009.
Active: The dog ate the bone.
The students completed the research in 2009.
In 2009, the students completed the research.
 Formal Language Register.
• e) Avoid using slang, idioms,
exaggeration (hyperbole) and clichés.
Slang is common in informal language
and spoken English. Slang is particular
to a certain region or area.
Examples of slang are: awesome/cool,
check it out, okay/ok
 Formal Language
Register.
• A cliché is a phrase that is overused
(said too often). Few common clichés
are:
- too much of a good for thing
- Don’t push you luck
- moment of truth
- Beauty is only skin deep
- Time is money.
 Formal Language
Register.
• f) Avoid abbreviations and acronyms. If you
use an acronym or abbreviation, write it out
the first time. When using acronyms, write
the entire name out the first time it appears,
followed by the acronym. From then on, you
can use the acronym by itself. Examples:
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), Department of
Education (DepEd), The National Teachers
College (NTC)
 Formal Language
Register.
• For abbreviations, write the complete
word the first time, then use the
abbreviation.
Examples:
Influenza  flu
United States of America  USA or U. S. A.
Tablespoon tbsp.
Philippine pesos  PhP
 Formal Language
Register.
• Also, do not use slang,
abbreviations or symbols would
use in friendly emails and texts.
Examples: LOL (laugh out loud)
Coz ( because) Brb (be right back)
w/o ( without) & ( and) w/ ( with)
 Formal Language
Register.
• g) Do not start sentences with
words like and, so, but, also. Here
are some good transition words
and phrases to use in formal
writing: Nevertheless In addition
Additionally As a result of
However Although
 Formal Language
Register.
• h) Always write in complete
sentences. This is self-
explanatory.
• i) Write longer, more complex
sentences. This is also self-
explanatory.
Informal Language Register.
• Informal writing is written in the
way we talk to our friends and
family. We use informal writing
when we are writing to someone
we know very well. Some kinds of
writing can be written in an
informal style. Informal writing
includes:
Informal Language Register.
• a. personal e-mails,
• b. phone texts,
• c. short notes,
• d. friendly letters,
• e. most blogs, and
• f. diaries and journals
Informal Language Register.
• There are no major rules to informal
writing. With informal writing, you
can include things such as:
• a) Slang and clichés,
• b) Figurative language,
• c) Symbols and Abbreviations,
• d) Acronyms,
Informal Language Register.
• e) Incomplete sentences,
• f) Short sentences,
• g) First person, second person, and third
person.
• h) Paragraphs and no paragraphs,
• i) Jokes,
• j) Personal opinions,
• k) Extra punctuation (Ex: Hi Bob!!!!!!!!!!),
and
• l) Passive and Active voice.
 Neutral Language Register.
• We use the neutral language with
non- emotional topics and
information. Neutral writing is not
necessary formal or informal. It is
not usually positive or negative. A
neutral register is used to deliver
facts.
 Neutral Language Register.
• Some writings are written in
the neutral register. This means
they are not specifically formal
or informal. Writing in the
natural language register
includes:
 Neutral Language Register.
• a) Reviews,
• b) Articles,
• c) Some letters,
• d) some essays, and
• e) Technical Writing
 ACTIVITY:
• Direction: The following
sentences are mixed formal and
informal. Write F (formal) or I
(informal) on your paper.
 ACTIVITY:
1. The project will be completed
next year.
2. I showed that his arguments
didn’t hold water.
3. I wonder why he put up with
those terrible conditions for so long.
 ACTIVITY:
4. Five more tests will be necessary
before the experiment can be concluded.
5. It is possible to consider the results
from different view point.
6. It has been proved that the arguments
so far are without foundation.
7. He’ll have to do another five tests
before he can stop the experiment.
 ACTIVITY:
8. It is not clear why such terrible
conditions were tolerated for so
long.
9. There are number of reasons why
the questionnaire should be revised
10. We’ll finish the job next year.