The English language takes on different registers of formality depending on the social situation and the cultures and sub-cultures between those involved. As mentioned by Jennifer Young, "Register is an essential social skill that provides flexibility and demonstrates competence in speech and appropriate social norms". What this means is that we as humans, address and converse with people depending on what sort of relationship we have with them and our speech is shaped by our experiences, social background and culture but more importantly, the common shared relationship with that person.
There are generally two basic forms of register in the English Language: Informal and Formal. Contexts where one might use Informal English are with friends, family and meeting people at casual venues, such as a bar. The formal register is reserved for professional settings such as a classrooms, workplace, interviews, five star restaurants and hotels. However, place isn't the only determinant for register. There are factors such as how long someone you've known that person for, their purpose for conversation and social norms and culture that determines which register of formality one would use when in conversation.
English Linguists today have identified five different levels of formality or register used in every language today.
The table below helps identify these registers in a scale from most formal to informal:
Frozen:
This is where people use language that is fixed and relatively static. Wedding vows, national anthems, school creed and Miranda rights are examples of a frozen register. In essence, it is the register of formality that does not require any feedback or response.
Formal:
This is the use of language that is formal and used during official and ceremonial settings. During a hearing, business meeting and interviews are examples of a formal register. The diction and language used in these circumstances are rigid and has a set agreed upon limited vocabulary that is quite rigorous.
Consultative:
This register of language is described showing the purpose for assistance as is suggest by the root word "consult". It typically describes language used between a superior and subordinate. To use the consultative register, in a situation, one person is deemed having more knowledge and expertise than the other person and information is being shared from the smarter person to the other. Examples of these role plays could be teacher/student, doctor/patient and employer/employee.
Casual:
This register describes the language used between friends. It is often very relaxed and centered on exchanging information a fast pace. Slangs and vernacular speech are used quite often in these instances.
Intimate:
This register of language is used between persons who share a close relationship or bond. It takes into account certain terms, slangs or expressions whose meaning is only understood by a subset of people. This language is reserved for spouses, husband and wife / and parent and children.
There is a universal rule that states that a person can transition from one register to another without any conflicts whatsoever (casual to consultative…); however, if a person goes from one register to another register, skipping a level or more, this is considered anti-social abnormal behavior (i.e. moving from frozen to intimate, etc. marks a difference between a public or private conversation).
This humor video of a comedy duo shows how code-switching and transitioning from on register to another is natural in daily life and can be helpful in situations such as this:
So how does this all come together to shape our identity on who we are as human beings?
Bibliography:
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