PUR COM: LANGUAGE REGISTER

• Language Registers


  Describes the various styles of language available for writing or speaking
• Factors that determine language registers


  • Social occasion
  • Context
  • Purpose
  • Audience
  • Attitudes
  • Culture
• Forms of language registers


  • Specialized vocabulary
  • Phrases
  • Colloquialisms
  • Slangs
  • Jargons
• Appropriate language register


  Depends on Audience, Topic, and Situation
• Informal register


  Casual, conversational language
• Formal register


  Polite, professional language
• Informal vs Formal


  • Ask vs Inquire
  • Book vs Reserve
  • Need vs Request
  • Say Sorry vs Apologize
• Prescriptive grammar


  Consists of all the rules students are taught to in writing, including errors to avoid
• Descriptive grammar


  Language structure that individuals already carry around in their conscious minds and put easily when they communicate or think
• Five language registers


  • Frozen
  • Formal
  • Consultative
  • Casual
  • Intimate
• Slang


  Type of language that consists of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal and typically restricted to a particular situation or group of people
• Slang words


  • grass, pot (marijuana)
  • Wallflower (old slang)
  • Basic, Epic, Dying (modern slang)
• Idioms


  Groups of words that have meanings other than the individual words, typically presenting a figurative, non-literal interpretation
• Idiom examples


  • Take shape (grow or develop the right way)
  • Down the drain (wasted)
  • Think on your feet (know what to do right away)
• Asian communication


  • Conscious of status and position
  • Call each other by titles, not first names
  • Uncomfortable accepting compliments
• Differences between British and American English


  • Spelling
  • Pronunciation
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
• Spelling differences


  • -oe-/-ae- vs -e-
  • -t vs -ed
  • -ence vs -ense
  • -ise vs -ize
  • -ou vs -o
  • -re vs -er
• Vocabulary differences


  • Trousers vs pants
  • Boot vs trunk
  • Crisps vs chips
  • Chips vs French fries
  • Trainers vs sneakers
  • Chemist vs drugstore
  • Football vs soccer
• Grammar differences


  • Collective nouns singular vs plural
  • Should/will vs shall
  • On (time) in (place) vs at (time and place)
• Asian American communication


  • Noncommittal responses to avoid offending or embarrassing others
  • Linguistic features show respect for others
• Asian American communication examples


  • Yes, we have no jackfruit (meaning: Yes, you're right. We have no jackfruit)
  • Yes, I didn't bring it today (meaning: Yes, you're right. I didn't take it with me today)