Lesson 5

• Language Register - refers to the appropriate language you use when speaking in various social situations.
• Language Register is classified into 2 Levels; Formal Register

  Informal Register
• Formal Register - this is used in formal speaking and writing situations. Legalese language - false in the category of formal register since it is highly characterized by archaic expressions, technical jargons used by professionals, with embedded structures, using passive voice, and longer sentences with complex vocabulary.
• Informal Register


  More casual in tone, appropriate for people with whom you have established a more personal relationship (e.g. friends and relatives). May be emotional as an intimate relationship exists between speaker and listener or writer and reader.
• Informal Register

  • Textese language (Short Messaging System -SMS) belong to this level
  • Use of abbreviations, extra punctuations, acronyms, slang words and expression with no definite structure are all allowed
  • Messages have limited number of characters/spaces to make texting much easier and quicker
• Each level can be further classified into more specific categories such as;

  • Static Register

  • Formal Register

  • Consultative Register

  • Casual Register

  • Intimate Register
• Static Register - this style of communication REALLY or NEVER changes. it is "frozen" in time and content, e.g. the Pledge of Allegiance, the Lord's Prayer, the Preamble to the US Constitution, the Alma Mater, a bibliographic reference laws.
• Formal Register - this language is used in formal settings and is one way in nature. This use of language usually follows a commonly accepted format. A common format for this register our speeches, e.g. sermons, rhetorical statements and questions, speeches, pronouncements made by judges, announcements.
• Consultative Register - this is a standard form of communication. User engage in a mutually accepted structure of communication. It is formal and societal expectations that a company the users of this speech. It is professional discourse, e.g. when strangers meet, communication between a boss and an employe, doctor and patient, lawyer and client, lawyer and judge, teacher and student, counselor and client and the like.
• Casual Register - this is informal language used by peers and friends. Slang, vulgarities and colloquialism are normal. This is "group" language. one must be a member of the group to engage in the register, e.g. buddies, teammates, chats and emails, blogs, and letters to friends and etc.
• Intimate Register - this communication is private. It is reserved for closed family members or intimate people, e.g. husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, siblings, parents and children.
• Varieties of English • There are diverse and multiple Englishes around the globe known as World Englishes (WE) or varieties of english. It actually stands for the localized varieties of english based on how they are spoken or used in certain areas. • This concept was introduced by Braj Kachru in 1985, which allows us to get the clear understanding of the spread of english language throughout the world. His model introduced the famous "Three Concentric Circles".
• Three Concentric Circles 1. The INNER CIRCLE with member countries who speak English as their Native Language (ENL).

  2. The OUTER CIRCLE with member countries who speak English as their Second Language (ESL).

  3. The EXPANDING CIRCLE with countries who consider English as a Foreign Language (EFL).
• Inner Circle: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
• Outer Circle: Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Malaysia, Philippines, Tanzania, India, Singapore, Nigeria, Zambia
• Expanding Circle: China, Indonesia, Korea, South Africa, Israel, Nepal, Caribbean countries, South America, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan
• Singapore English • Actsy - Show off • Missy - nurse • Chop - rubber stamp • Graduate Mothers - graduate or well educated woman.
• Philippine English • Deep - puristic or hard to understand • Stick - cigarettes • High Blood - tense or upset, furious • Studentry - student body • Balikbayan Box - box where filipinos returning from abroad put all their shopping. • Promdi - from the province
• Malaysian English • Antilog - a male hated by girl • Popcorn - a loquacious person • Slambar - relax • Day Bugs - those who came to iran school but do not live in residence halls.