GPCOM SANA PUMASA

• Language repertoire


  The most appropriate words or phrases that met the needs of the communication context you were in
• Language variety


  One type of linguistic choice
• Language register


  Another type of linguistic choice
• There is no difference in meaning between "it ain' righ'!" and "that is not right!" The only difference is in the level of formality and 'properness'
• Language register


  Also referred to as tenor, tone, or style
• Language register


  Variety of a language used in a particular social setting, using certain words, phrases and contractions that are not normally used in other settings
• Language register


  A language variation defined by use, not user
• The term "language register" was first used by the linguist Thomas Bertam Reid in 1956, and popularized in the 1960 by a group of linguists
• Language register should be distinguished from other, identity-based type of language variation, such as regional and age dialects
• Language register should be distinguished from jargon
• Language register


  Often used as shorthand for formal/informal styles
• Formal language


  • English speaker is more likely to use features of prescribed grammar, like pronouncing words ending in -ing with a velar nasal instead of an alveolar nasal (e.g. "walking", not "walkin'")
  • Speaker will choose more formal words
• Formality scale


  One of the most analyzed areas where the use of language is determined by the situation
• Jargon


  Technical terminology used for a special activity or by a special group, such as computer geeks, scientists, lawyers and so on
• The same person may use more than one register depending on the context or social setting
• Five styles in spoken English (Martin Joos, 1961)


  • Frozen or static
  • Formal
  • Consultative or Participatory
  • Casual
  • Intimate
• Code-switching


  To switch between registers
• Beginners have a hard time "code-switching," resulting in sounding like TV presenters or politicians (i.e., very formal), or they may sound too informal, even rude, without intending to
• Solution to code-switching issue

  Familiarize with the social and cultural associations of words and expressions - which is the basis of language registers. Reading and listening to popular culture, interacting with native speakers and so on
• Getting the register right will certainly get you higher marks in oral language tests such TOEFL or IELTS
• Language register


  • The level of formality and style of communicating use in either spoken or written forms depending on the context
  • Refers to the vocabulary, tone and structure we choose to construct our messages
• Three common types of language registers (Spoken and written discourse)

  • Formal
  • Informal
  • Neutral
• Formal register


  • Usually required in a professional environment such as in the academe, business and workplace
  • Carried out in a more serious and impersonal tone, vocabulary and structure
• Types of formal register

  • Frozen or "Static" Register
  • Formal Register
  • Consultative Register
• Frozen or "Static" register


  • Language is literally "frozen" in time and form
  • Does not change
  • Often learned and repeated by rote
  • Examples: biblical verse, prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance
• Formal register


  • Impersonal and often follows a prescriptive format
  • Speaker uses complete sentences, avoids slang and may use technical or academic vocabulary
  • Speaker will use fewer contractions, but opt instead for complete words ("have not" instead of "haven't")
  • Used for most academic and scientific publishing
• Consultative register


  • Used when consulting an expert such as a doctor
  • Language used is more precise
  • Speaker is likely to address the expert by a title such as "Doctor", "Mr." or "Mrs."
• Informal register


  • Most appropriate to use when conversing with people we are familiar with, such as friends and family
  • Occurs naturally that we use casual, intimate, and conversational tone in our interactions accompanied with familiar vocabulary and loose sentence structures
• Intimate register


  • Language used by lovers, sexual harassment
  • Most intimate form of language
  • Best avoided in public and professional situations
• Neutral register


  • A non-emotional language which is highly used in technical writing
  • Not necessarily formal or informal
  • Factual and straightforward
• Casual register


  • Conversational in tone
  • Language used among and between friends
  • Words are general, rather than technical
  • May include more slang and colloquialisms
• Field


  The topic or the subject of the text (e.g. inquiry on enrolment)
• Tenor


  The relationship of the people involved (e.g. manager and employee)
• Mode


  The construction (e.g. written/ spoken) of the communication
• One can usually transition from one language register to an adjacent one without encountering repercussions. However, skipping one or more levels is usually considered inappropriate and even offensive
• Spoken language


  • Involves speaking and listening skills
  • Older than written language
  • More informal and simple
  • Mostly used between two people who are in the same place
  • Can use tone, pitch, volume, etc.
  • Temporary since there are no records
  • Contains repetitions, incomplete sentences, interruptions, corrections, etc.
  • Example: Use of contractions, 3rd person pronouns
• Written language


  • Involves reading and writing skills
  • More formal and complex than spoken language
  • Promotes communication across space and time
  • Can use headings, punctuation, layouts, etc.
  • Permanent since there are records
  • Often grammatically correct and may contain long sentences in complex tenses
  • Example: Use of contractions, 1st person pronouns
• Multimodal texts/communication


  Convey meaning through a combination of two or more modes
• Paper-based multimodal texts


  • Picture books, textbooks, graphic novels, comics, and posters
• Live multimodal texts


  • Dance, performance, and oral storytelling