LANGUAGE REGISTERS

LANGUAGE
REGISTER

• the 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 party or during a
job interview. https://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/language-register-
what-is-it-and-why-does-it-matter
 FROZEN LANGUAGE
- speech that is so formal that is often produced
via recitation rather than spontaneous speech production

This can also be described as ritualistic speech and

is sometimes called static register
because the utterances are spoken exactly the same each
time.
EXAMPLES
• The Preamble of the Constitution
• School Creeds
• Marriage Ceremonies
• National Pledge
• National Anthem
• Speech for a State Ceremony
• Motto
• Judicial Sentencing
FORMAL LANGUAGE

• Formal language is less personal than informal

language.
• It is used when writing for professional or academic
purposes like graduate school assignments.
• Formal language does not use colloquialisms,
contractions or first-person pronouns such as “I” or
“We.”
 EXAMPLES

• from an academic essay to wedding

vows
• The academic essay is formal
because it includes polished speech,
complex sentences, and precise
vocabulary.
• The wedding vows are an example
of extremely formal language that
must be said the same way each
time as part of a ritual.
 FORMAL
REGISTER
includes…
• academic language
from
• speeches
• proclamations and
• formal announcement
CONSULTIVE
• formal and acceptable speech
often used in professional
settings.
• Some examples of this register
include discourse between
teachers and students, judges
and lawyers, doctors and
patients, and between a
superior and a subordinate.
CASUAL REGISTER

• Casual language is a carefree way

of speaking that is easy to
understand and relate to
• This register is used among
friends and peers, and includes
informal language including slang
and colloquialisms.
• Casual register is often used
among friends, teammates, etc.
INTIMATE LANGUAGE REGISTER

• Intimate register describes speech that is

about personal topics used between close
acquaintances, such as family members,
close friends, or romantic partners, and can
employ standard or nonstandard
grammatical forms.
• A listener will usually also use intimate
register to reply to someone also using this
register.
• is reserved for close family members such as
parents and children and siblings, or
intimate people such as spouses.
SUMMARY
• Teaching the audience, topic, purpose and
location regarding language, including speech
and writing, will benefit students as we help
them to achieve academically.