Lesson II.

Registers of English/Language Register

When it comes to language variation, the terms genre, register,

and style are often encountered. David Crystal (2008) defines
register as “a variety of language defined according to its use in
social situations e.g. a register, scientific, religious, formal English.
(p. 409).” “He added: “In Hallidayan linguistics, the term is seen as
specifically opposed to varieties of language according to the
characteristics of the users (viz. their regional or class dialect), and
is given a sub-classification into field, mode and manner of
discourse (p. 409).

Crystal (1964) further discusses style and register:

Language, being the product of interaction among the members of society, must ultimately be
studied according to the social context in which it is found. Within a language, there are variations
in style and register, which differentiate and formally characterize distinct social situations. Style
refers to the degree of formality attached to particular interpersonal social situation, which is
reflected by differences in language – for example the kind of language used while talking to
friend will differ noticeably from that used in addressing a superior, in otherwise the same
situation. Register refers to a kind of language whose forms are of a definable social institution,
regardless of the status of the participants – thus one finds the register of legal language, liturgical
language, and so on (p. 149).

It is to be noted that genre and register overlap and are sometimes used interchangeably.
According to Lee (2001), whereas genre is associated more with the organization of culture,
register is associated with the organization of the situation. To this end, register is understood as
the context-specific variety of language to which the field-mode-tenor framework is important.

To give a concrete example, with the genre of recipe, field may be analyzed in terms of the social
setting and the communicative purpose in which the text is produced. Tenor may be described in
terms of the role/s required of the writers and readers including the cultural values shared by both.
Mode could be explained in light of the knowledge of other texts required of speakers/listeners
and writers/readers as regards the genre including the formal text features.

Language register then refers to the formality of language which one speaks. Different registers
are used in different situations. It is through register that you are able to determine the kind of
lexicon or vocabulary to use as well as the kind of structure to be used. Even in writing, you may
use a formal or an informal register. In some instances, even a neutral language register is
identified.
The formal register then is used in formal speaking and writing situations. In a state of the nation
address classified as a formal communicative situation, the speech is usually delivered using a
highly-polished language, read from the manuscript. This is certainly allowed since the President
occupying the highest position in the country could not afford to make mistakes. On the contrary,
a priest delivering his homily, more often than not, speaks extemporaneously and uses ordinary
language. This is so since the audience is composed of various audiences coming from different
walks of life. The priest should be able to convey his spiritual message to the listeners without
difficulty of comprehension on their part. The priest should also be able to touch the very core of
the listener’s hearts so that they live the preaching they hear.

The formal register is likewise appropriate for use in professional writing like project proposals,
position papers, and business letters as in the case of writing to superior or to a head of a certain
organization. It is more impersonal, objective and factual. Informal register, which is more casual
in tone, is appropriate for people with whom you have established a more personal relationship as
in the case of friends and relatives. This type of writing may sometimes be emotional, as an
intimate relationship exists between the speaker and listeners or writer and reader.

Earlier in the discussion, it was mentioned that register refers to the kind of language whereby the
forms used to define the social situation, notwithstanding the status of the interlocutors. Thus,
legalese or legal language is highly characterized by archaic expressions, technical jargon intrinsic
only to the community of legal professionals, embedded structures, nominalizations, passive voice,
as well as long, kilometric sentences, which are not the features of textese, or language of texts.
Conversely, the features of SMS language or textese language are exactly the opposite – use of
abbreviations, acronyms, slang words, and expressions. This is so since messages used to be
limited to a certain number of characters/spaces that made texting much easier and quicker.
However, misinterpretation and/or miscommunication in text messaging may arise if vocabulary
and knowledge of context are limited. Hence, extra care should be practiced when comprehending
text messages.

Teacher’s Insights
Language has formal and informal registers. These registers have
forms that define the social situation. The kind of register to be
used affects the way one speaks and writes. As a student, you
should read carefully the text to identify its register. Through
comprehension, you can easily know whether what you are reading
uses legalese or textese. Be sure also to be aware whom you speak
or write, because the register vary from one situation to another.
By doing this, as an interlocutor, you can avoid miscommunication.