LANGUAGE

REGISTERS
COM101: Purposive Communication - Week 4 and 5
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:
• Use the appropriate language register depending on the
communication situation.
 What is Language Register?
• According to David Crystal (2008), register is defined as “a
variety of language defined according to its use in social
situations, e.g., a register of scientific, religious, formal English
(p. 409).”
• This is determined by different factors such as social occasion,
context, purpose, and audience.
• It is marked by a variety of specialized vocabulary and turns of
phrases, colloquialisms and use of jargon, and a difference in
intonation and pace.
 Types of Language Registers
FROZEN
• Also known as static register, which is characterized by the use
of historic language or archaic expressions that is intended to
remain unchanged
• Examples are Biblical verses, prayers, constitutions, and literary
texts like Romeo and Juliet and The Bhagavad Gita.
 Types of Language Registers
CONSULTATIVE
• Used in formal and professional settings where individuals
need to consult with others to make decisions or to provide
expert opinion
• Characterized by a formal tone that is respectful and polite,
and a complexity of sentences that is often used to convey
abstract or technical ideas
 Types of Language Registers
CASUAL
• Used in informal or relaxed settings such as with friends,
family, or acquaintances
• Characterized by a relaxed tone, more colloquial vocabulary, and
simpler sentence structures that may include slang or regional
dialects
• Includes linguistic features such as contractions, informal
vocabulary, and sentence fragments
 Types of Language Registers
INTIMATE
• Used in very close relationships, such as in romantic
partnerships, close friendships, or familial relationships
• Characterized by a high level of familiarity, a relaxed tone, and a
more personal vocabulary that may be unique to the relationship
• Often includes inside jokes, nicknames, and shared experiences
that are unique to the relationship
Intimate language involves the following:
• private conversations
• inside jokes
• telling secrets
• greetings
• terms of endearment/pet names
• flirting
• non-verbal language
 Types of Language Registers
FORMAL
• Used in formal speaking and writing situations
• Appropriate to be used in professional writing like
business letters, position papers, and project proposals
• Is factual, objective, and more impersonal
• Often follows a prescriptive format
 Formal Language Register: Rules in Writing
DO NOT USE CONTRACTIONS. Contractions are a combination
of two or more words in a shortened form, usually with an
apostrophe. In formal writing, contractions should be spelled out.

can’t cannot
haven’t have not
isn’t is not
won’t will not
couldn’t could not
 Formal Language Register: Rules in Writing
DO NOT USE CONTRACTIONS. However, contractions can be
used if it is a direct quotation.

Example:
“Two-thirds of my eighth grade students can’t read at grade level,”
the professor stated.

Note: An apostrophe does not always make a contraction. It can

also be added to nouns to show ownership.
 Formal Language Register: Rules in Writing
SPELL OUT NUMBERS LESS THAN ONE HUNDRES

Examples:
• Nineteen out of 108 participants answered …
• Based on the data gathered, six students got …
 Formal Language Register: Rules in Writing
WRITE IN THIRD-PERSON POINT OF VIEW. Do not use first person or
second person pronouns unless it is a quote. Thus avoid using I, you, we,
and us.

Examples:
• Informal: 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.
• Informal: We decided to invest in the company.
• Formal: The group decided to invest in the company.
 Formal Language Register: Rules in Writing
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.
• Active: The dog ate the bone.
• Passive: The research was completed by the students in 2019.
• Active: The students completed the research in 2019 or In
2009, the students completed the research.
 Formal Language Register: Rules in Writing
AVOID USING SLANG, IDIOMS, EXAGGERATION
(HYPERBOLE), AND CLICHES

Slang is commonly used in informal writing and spoken English.

• Examples: awesome/cool, okay/ok, check it out

Cliché is a phrase that is overused (said too often).

• Examples: too much of a good thing; moment of truth; Time is
money; Don’t push your luck; Beauty is only skin deep.
 Formal Language Register: Rules in Writing
AVOID ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS. When using an
acronym or abbreviation, write it out the first time.

When using acronyms, write the entire name out first time it
appears, followed by the acronym.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• Department of Education (DepEd)
• The National Teachers College (NTC)
 Formal Language Register: Rules in Writing
AVOID ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS. When using an
acronym or abbreviation, write it out the first time.

For abbreviation, write the complete word the first time, then use
the abbreviation.
• Influenza – flu
• United States of America – USA
• Tablespoon – tbsp.
• Philippine Pesos - PhP
 Formal Language Register: Rules in Writing
AVOID ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS. When using an
acronym or abbreviation, write it out the first time.

Do not use slang, abbreviations, or symbols that you would use in

friendly emails or texts.
• LOL (laugh out loud)
• brb (be right back)
• & (and)
• coz (because)
• w/o (without)
• w/ (with)
 Formal Language Register: Rules in Writing
DO NOT START SENTENCES WITH WORDS LIKE AND, SO,
BUT, ALSO. Instead, use transitional word and phrases appropriate
for formal writing.

Examples:
• Nevertheless
• Additionally
• However
• In addition
• As a result of
• Although
 Formal Language Register: Rules in Writing
ALWAYS WRITE IN COMPLETE SENTENCES

WRITE LONGER, MORE COMPLEX SENTENCES

CHOICE OF VOCABULARY. Vocabulary needs to be adjusted depending

on the level of formality of any written work.

Examples:
• Informal: The study checked out the health effects of passive
smoking.
• Formal: The study examined the health effects of passive smoking.
INFORMAL LANGUAGE REGISTER FORMAL LANGUAGE REGISTER
Hey guys! Just wanted to remind you that
The registration period for the upcoming
semester will begin on August 1st and end on
registration for next semester starts on
August 1st and ends on September 15th.September 15th. During this time, students will
be able to register for the classes through the
Don't forget to sign up for your classes
online portal. Please note that late registration
through the online portal and make sure you
will not be accepted. Students are encouraged
meet with your advisor to make sure you're
taking the right courses. to meet with their respective academic
advisors to discuss course selections and
ensure that the degree requirements are
If you have any questions, hit up the completed.
Registrar's Office and they'll help you out.
For questions or concerns, please contact the
Registrar’s Office.
INFORMAL LANGUAGE REGISTER
I did a little research on Apple and
Samsung's marketing strategies and I
thought I'd share my findings with you.
Basically, Apple dominates the high-end
smartphone market while Samsung is the
leader in the mid-range and low-end
segments. Apple only sells iPhones, while
Samsung has a wider product range with
smartphones, tablets, and wearables.
FORMAL LANGUAGE REGISTER
This report provides a comparative analysis
of the marketing strategies of two leading
companies in the mobile phone industry,
Apple and Samsung. The objective of this
study is to understand how these companies
have positioned themselves in the market
and how they have differentiated their
products from their competitors. The report
covers the following topics: market analysis,
product portfolio, pricing strategy,
promotion strategy, and distribution
channels.
 References
• Cayaban, N.B., et al. (2022). #Borderless Purposive Communication in the 21 st Century.
Book Atbp. Publishing Corp.
• Madrunio, M.R. & Martin, I.P. (2022). Purposive Communication Using English in
Multicultural Contexts (2nd ed.). C & E Publishing, Inc.
• Padilla, M.M., et al. (2018). Communicate & Connect! Purposive Communication. Mutya
Publishing House, Inc.
• Kachru, B.B., et al. (2006). The Handbook of World Englishes. Blackwell Publishing.
https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/globalizationofenglish/files/2020/01/Handbook-of-World-Engli
shes.pdf
• Al-Mutairi, M.A. (2019). Kachru’s Three Concentric Circles Model of English Language:
• An Overview of Criticism & the Place of Kuwait in It. English Language Teaching, 13(1),
85-88. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1239144.pdf
• Yahaya, F.HJ. (2003). American English vs. British English: Principal Differences and the
Confusions. https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/58361/1/58361.PDF