CHAPTER 4: Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written Language Flashcards
Five Language Registers
- Very formal, frozen or static register
- Formal or regulated register
- Neutral or consultative register
- Informal, group or casual register
- Very informal, personal or intimate register
This register is “frozen” in time and content because it rarely or never changes
Very formal, frozen or static register
Language used is standard, impersonal and formal
Formal or regulated register
-maintains professional tone, following societal expectations, used in a professional
discourse
Neutral or consultative register
language between friends and peers which uses slang, vulgarities and colloquialisms
Informal, group or casual register
Very informal, personal or intimate register
-private, intimate language reserved for family members or intimate people.
Examples of Very formal, frozen or static register
a. The Lord’s Prayer
b. laws
c. marriage vows d. Philippine Constitution
d. school hymns
Examples of Formal or regulated register
a. council meeting
b. board meeting
c. court proceedings
Ex. of Neutral or consultative register
types of communication between
a. strangers
b. teacher
c. student
d. superior and subordinate
e. doctor and patient
f. lawyer and client.
Ex. of Informal, group or casual register
a. conversations
b. chats and emails, blogs, tweets, and personal letters.
Ex. of Very informal, personal or intimate register
kinds of interactions between
a. husband and wife
b. boyfriend and girlfriend
c. siblings
d. parent and child
Other experts add other styles
- Aggressive
- Passive
- Submissive
- Assertive
-forceful, demanding and sometimes hostile manner
- involves intimidating or bullying people.
- tone is threatening, sarcastic, explosive, loud
Aggressive
They avoid expressing their thoughts and emotions. They do not speak up. They think that others’ opinion are better than theirs.
Passive
used to please others to avoid conflict or resistance, to obey or do willingly what others want
Submissive
-healthiest style
-used by self-assured persons, who communicate with confidence
-socially and emotionally expressive but careful not to hurt others’ feelings
Assertive
3 Most Common Language Registers in Writing
- Formal Register
- Informal Register
- Neutral Register
professional writing and letters to a boss
Formal Register
writing to friends and people you know very well
Informal Register
non-emotional and sticks to facts
Neutral Register
Communicate at an Appropriate Level
-Practice our perspective-taking ability or ability to empathize with your
audience
-Familiarize oneself with the social and cultural associations of words and
expressions by reading and listening to popular culture, interacting with native speakers, etc.
highlight two broad difference (Spoken vs. Written Language)
Carter and McCarthy (2015)
Some of the established grammatical features found in writing need to _____________ when it comes to speaking.
be rethought
In spoken language, ___________________ are used, which stand on their own and function independently of grammatical structures.
small words or phrases
