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Understanding Language Registers

Understanding Language Registers. for more effective communication. Some questions regarding communication. Do you speak the same way at home as you do in a classroom?

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Understanding Language Registers

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  1. UnderstandingLanguage Registers • for more effective communication

  2. Some questions regarding communication • Do you speak the same way at home as you do in a classroom? • Do you speak the same way with your friends as you do to an adult family member? a family member who is your age? who is a child? • Do you speak differently when you are talking to a teacher or a doctor as you do with your friends

  3. We all speak differently in different situations! • These different ways of speaking are called registers of language. • The English language has five registers.

  4. Language Registers • Those who do not acquire it, must learn it in order to be academically (and probably professionally successful. • When people do not understand or use the correct register, they run the risk of offending another person. • Using the appropriate or inappropriate register reflects positively or negatively upon us.

  5. Which would you use? • Other terms for “death” • passed away • kicked the bucket • others?

  6. Frozen Register • Characteristics • Static language - does not change • Used by when and by whom • Dead languages • Prayers • Ritual • Historical Documents

  7. Formal (does not mean fancy) • Characteristics? • Standard English used in one way communication (lecture) • Focuses on correct form • Tends to be impersonal • Stresses unity and organization • Speaker/writer delivers all information • Used when and by whom? • Academic (and professional) English • Formal presentations • Written text for a general audience (newspapers, magazines)

  8. Consultative • Characteristics? • Standard English used in two-way communication • Addressee participates • Speakers all provide background information • Used when and by whom? • Strangers interacting • Adults at work • Students in class (the goal)

  9. Casual (informal) • Characteristics? • Little or no background information • Use of slang or vulgar language • Used when and by whom? • Friends or peer group • Insider, code words used • Personal writing

  10. Intimate • Characteristics? • Excludes others • Has its own code/shorthand • Participants are expected to be able to fill in all the blanks • Not always verbal • Used when and by whom? • Husband/wife • Twins • Family members

  11. A Universal Rule • A person can go from one register to the next register without any conflicts whatsoever. • However, if a person goes from one register to another, skipping a level or more, this is considered anti-social behavior.

  12. Another rule • Public Registers • Frozen • Formal • Consultative • Private Registers • Casual • Intimate

  13. Your task • Between now and class Monday observe different people and how they communicate • Identify three language registers being used, who was using it; how did you know which register was being used; was it appropriate and why or why not?

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