CHAPTER 3B:

VARIETIES AND REGISTERS OF SPOKEN AND

WRITTEN LANGUAGE

LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Determine culturally-appropriate term expressions, and images
(sensitivity to gender, race, class, etc.)
2. Adopt cultural awareness and it is communication of ideas

The linking of our world through global communications is nearly

completed. Our world is now circled by superhighways of information. Our
skies are loaded with satellites for broadcasting our communication
interconnectivity is now easy.

Does this mean that our world will become one word integrated and
united economically and politically, harmonized culturally? We do not believe
this will be the case.

The observation of John Naisbitt in his book Megatrends 2000 says:

(t)he more homogeneous our lifestyles become the more steadfastly we cliing
to deeper values religion, language art and literature. As our outer words grow
more similar we will increasingly treasure the traditions that spring from
within (Parapak 1996).

In some ways, we have been more and more generals in our lifestyle
business factories, music, fashion, fast food however the inner elements, the
fundamental of language, philosophy, religion, and value systems will remain
diverse and varied.

Speaking of language, not only does diversity remains specifically in it.

Language varieties continue to exist.

A. LANGUAGE VARIETIES

In present-day linguistics, the term variety is used to refer to any

variant ef a language which can be sufficiently deleted from another one. The
ground tce such differentiation may be social historical, spatial or a co o n at
these (https://www.uni-due.de).

Language variety simply refers to a distinguishable variant of a

language. Th means that there are a large number of varieties of any given
language. The sole criterion to be fulfilled by a particular variety is
delimitation vis à vis other varieties Dulects within a variety framework are
frequently referred to as regional varieties and sociolects as social varieties,

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION : CHAPTER 3B 1

though the label dialect can be retained it used objectively (https://www.uni-
due.de).

In https://www.hawaii edu, several varieties of language are identified

and described as follows:
1. A pidgin is a new language which develops in situations where
speakers of different languages need to communicate but don't
share a common language. The vocabulary of a pidgin comes mainly
from one particular language (called the lexifier'). An early pre-
pidgin is quite restricted in use and variable in structure. But the
later stable pidgin develops its own grammatical rules which are
quite different from those of the lexifier. Once a stable pigeon has
emerged, it is generally learned as a second language and used for
communication among people who speak different languages.
Examples are Nigerian Pidgin and Bislama (spoken in Vanuatu).

2. When children start learning a pidgin as their first language and it

becomes the mother tongue of a community, it is called a creole.
Like a pidgin, a creole is a distinct language which has taken most
of its vocabulary from another language, the lexifier, but has its own
unique grammatical rules. Unlike a pidgin, however, a creole is not
restricted in use, and is like any other language in its full range of
functions. Examples are Gullah, Jamaican Creole and Hawaii Creole
English. Note that the words pidgin and creole are technical terms
used by linguists, and not necessarily by speakers of the language.
For example, speakers of Jamaican Creole call their language Patwa
(from patois) and speakers of Hawai i Creole English call theirs
Pidgin.

3. A regional dialect is not a distinct language but a variety of a

language spoken in a particular area of a country. Some regional
dialects have been given traditional names which mark them out as
being significantly different from standard varieties spoken in the
same place. Some examples are Hillbilly English (from the
Appalachians in the USA) and Geordie (from Newcastle upon Tyne
in the UK)

4. Sometimes members of a particular minority ethnic group have their

own variety which they use as a marker of identity, usually alongside
a standard variety. This is called a minority dialect. Examples are
African American Vernacular English in the USA, London Jamaican
in Britain, and Aboriginal English in Australia.

5. Indigenized varieties are spoken mainly as second languages in

ex-colonies with multilingual populations. The differences from the
standard variety may be linked to English proficiency, or may be
part of a range of varieties used to express identity. For example,
Singlish (spoken in Singapore) is a variety very different from

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION : CHAPTER 3B 2

 standard English, and there are many other varieties of English
used in India.

B. LANGUAGE REGISTERS
According to Nordquist (2018) in his article entitled What is Register in
Linguistics, register is defined as the way a speaker uses language differently
in different circumstances. Think about the words you choose your tone of voice,
even your body language. You probably behave very differently chatting with a
friend than you would at a formal dinner party or during a job interview. These
variations in formality, also called stylistic variation, are known as registers in
linguistics.

Language register is the level and style of one's writing. It should be

appropriate for the situation one is in (http://www.really-learn-english.com).

Registers are determined by such factors as social occasion, context,

purpose, and audience. They are marked by a variety of specialized
vocabulary and turns of phrases, colloquialisms and the use of jargon, and a
difference in intonation and pace. In The Study of Language, linguist George
Yule describes the function of jargon as helping to create and maintain
connections among those who see themselves as Insiders in some way and to
exclude outsiders (Nordquist, 2018)

The language register determines the vocabulary, structure, and some

grammar in one's writing (http://www.really-learn-english.com) and even in
one's oral discourse.

Registers are used in all forms of communication, including written,

spoken, and signed, Depending on grammar, syntax, and tone, the register
may be extremely rigid or very intimate. You don't even need to use an actual
word to communicate effectively. A hutt of exasperation during a debate or a
grin while signing hello speaks volumes (Nordquist, 2018).

Some linguists say there are just two types of register formal and
informal This is not incorrect, but Nordquist (2018) considers this as an
oversimplification Instead, most who study language say there are five distinct
registers:
1. Frozen. This form is sometimes called the static register because it
refers to historic language or communication that is intended to
remain unchanged, like a constitution or prayer. Examples: The
Bible, The United States Constitution, The Bhagavad Gita, and
Romeo and Juliet.

2. Formal. Less rigid, but still constrained, the formal register is used
in professional, academic, or legal settings where communication is
expected to be respectful, uninterrupted, and restrained. Slang is

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION : CHAPTER 3B 3

 never used, and contractions are rare. Examples: a TED talk, a
business presentation, the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, and Gray's
Anatomy by Henry Gray.

3. Consultative. People use this register often in conversation when

they are speaking with someone who has specialized knowledge or
who is offering advice. Tone is often respectful (use of courtesy titles),
but may be more casual if the relationship is longstanding or friendly
(a family doctor). Slang is sometimes used. People may also pause
or interrupt one another. Examples: the local TV news broadcast, an
annual physical examination, a service provider like a plumber.

4. Casual. This is the register people use when they are with friends,
close acquaintances and coworkers, and family. It is probably the
one you think of when you consider how you talk with other people,
often in a group setting. Use of slang, contractions, and vernacular
grammar is all common, and people may also use expletives or off-
color language in some settings. Examples: a birthday party, a
backyard BBQ.

5. Intimate. Linguists say this register is reserved for special

occasions, usually between only two people and often in private.
Intimate language may be something as simple as an inside joke
between two college friends or a word whispered in a lover's ear.

Meanwhile, in http://www.really learn english.com, language registers

are classified as either formal, Informal, or neutral.

The formal register is more appropriate for professional writing and

letters to a boss or a stranger; while the informal register (also called casual
or Intimate) is conversational and appropriate when writing to friends and
people you know very well. Finally, the neutral register is non-emotional and
sticks to facts. It is most appropriate for technical writings. In some instances,
the formal and informal registers may be mixed to present the information in
an easy to understand and personal tone.

Using the discussions in http://www.really-learn-english.com, let us

look closely at the three most common language registers used in the English
language.
1. Formal Language Register. Formal writing is probably the most
difficult type of writing. It is impersonal, meaning it is not written for
a specific person and is written without emotion.

Some kinds of writing are always written in formal English.

Formal writing includes:
a) Business Letters,
b) Letters of complaint,
c) Some essays
d) Reports,

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION : CHAPTER 3B 4

e) Official speeches,
f) Announcements, and
g) Professional emails

There are many rules for writing in formal writing. We will discuss
some of the most common rules here:

a. Do not use contractions. Contractions are not usually used in

formal writing, even though they are very common in spoken
English. In formal writing, you should spell out contractions.
Examples:
a) cannot instead of can't
b) have not instead of haven't
c) is not instead of isn't
d) will not instead of won't
e) could not instead of couldn't

Contractions CAN be used if you are quoting someone's exact

words in your writing. Example:

Two-thirds of my eighth-grade students can't read at grade

level, the professor stated.

Keep in mind that an apostrophe does not always make a

contraction Apostrophes are also added to nouns to show
ownership. These are used in all language registers, including
formal, Examples:

children's classroom
elephant's trunk
professor's report

b. Spell out numbers less than one hundred. Examples:

nineteen seventy-eight twenty-two six

c. Write in third person point of view. In formal writing, we

usually do not use first person or second person unless it is a
quote. Thus, avoid using the following pronouns:

I We You Us

Examples:

Informal: You can purchase a second-hand car for under PhP

100,000.
Formal: One can purchase a second-hand car for under PhP
100,000.
A second-hand car can be purchased for under PhP 100,000

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION : CHAPTER 3B 5

 Informal: You will probably see an elephant on an African safari.
Formal: One may see elephants on an African safari.
Elephants are a common sight on African safaris.

Informal: We decided to invest in the company.

Formal: The group decided to invest in the company.

d. Avoid using too much passive voice. In formal writing it is

better to use an active voice. Examples:

Passive: The bone was eaten by the dog.

The research was completed by the students in 2009.

Active: The dog ate the bone.

The students completed the research in 2009.
In 2009, the students completed the research.

e. Avoid using slang, idioms, exaggeration (hyperboles) and

clichés. Slang is common in informal writing and spoken English
Slang is particular to a certain region or area. Examples of slang
are:

awesome/cool okay/ok check it out

A cliché is a phrase that is overused (said too often). Few

common clichés are:

too much of a good thing

a moment of truth
Time is money.
Don't push your luck.
Beauty is only skin deep.

f. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms. If you use an acronym or

abbreviation, write it out the first time. When using acronyms,
write the entire name out the first time it appears, followed by the
acronym. From then on, you can use the acronym by itself.
Examples:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)
Department of Education (DepEd)
The National Teachers College (NTC)

For abbreviations, write the complete word the first time, then
use the abbreviation. Examples:

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION : CHAPTER 3B 6

 Influenza – flu
United States of America – U.S.A. or USA
Tablespoon – tbsp.
Philippine Pesos – Php

Also, do not use slang, abbreviations or symbols that you

would use in friendly emails and texts. Examples:

LOL (laugh out loud)

brb (be right back)
& (and)
coz (because)
w/o (without)
w/(with)

g. Do not start sentences with words like and, so, but, also.
Here are some good transition words and phrases to use in
formal writing:

Nevertheless Additionally
However In addition
As a result of Although

h. Always write in complete sentences. This is self-

explanatory.

i. Write longer, more complex sentences. This is also self-

explanatory.

2. Informal Language Register. Informal writing is written in the way

we talk to our friends and family. We use informal writing when we
are writing to someone we know very well.

Some kinds of writing can be written in an informal style.

Informal writing includes:
a. personal e-mails,
b. phone texts,
c. short notes,
d. friendly letters,
e. most blogs, and
f. diaries and journals

There are no major rules to informal writing. With informal

writing, you can include things such as:
a. slang and clichés,
b. figurative language,
c. symbols and abbreviations,

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION : CHAPTER 3B 7

 d. acronyms,
e. Incomplete sentences,
f. short sentences,
g. first person, second person, and third person,
h. paragraphs or no paragraphs,
i. Jokes,
j. personal opinions,
k. extra punctuation (e.g., hi bob!!!!!!!), and
l. passive and active voice.

3. Language Register. We use the neutral language register with non-

emotional topics and information.

Neutral writing is not necessarily formal or informal. It is not

usually positive or negative. A neutral register is used to deliver facts

Some writings are written in a neutral register. This means they

are not specifically formal or informal. Writing in the natural
language register Includes:
a. reviews,
b. articles,
c. some letters,
d. some essays, and
e. technical writing

Knowing which register to use can be challenging for English

students. Unlike Spanish and other languages, there is no special
form of a pronoun expressly for use in formal situations. Culture
adds another layer of complication, especially if you're not familiar
with how people are expected to behave in certain situations There
are two things you can do to improve your skills. Look for contextual
clues such as vocabulary, use of examples, and illustrations. Listen
for tone of voice. Is the speaker whispering or yelling? Are they using
courtesy titles or addressing people by name? Look at how they're
standing and consider the words they choose (http://www.really-
learn-english.com)

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION : CHAPTER 3B 8