WEEK 7: Language Varieties and Registers
verbal sleight of hand that makes the old hat seem newly
Wardhaugh define it as “a specific set of linguistic items” or
“human speech patterns (sounds, words, grammatical features)
which can be associated with some external factor (geographical area
or a social group) (Wardhaugh, 1986: 22).
A language itself can be viewed as a variety of the human
languages. Speech varieties the concept of domain is of importance
as it signifies the class of situation within which a certain speech
variety is used.
A domain is also referred to as ‘a social situation’ as the
implementation of the rights and duties of a particular role
relationship in the place most appropriate or most typical for that
relationship, and at the time socially defined as appropriate for
that relationship (John T. Plat and H.K. Plat, 1975 : 36). The
domains may refer to those of home, school, employment,
mosque, etc).
DIALECT - The word dialect—which contains "lect" within the term—
derives from the Greek words “dia” -meaning "across, between"
and “legein” meaning "speak." A dialect is a regional or social
variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar,
and/or vocabulary.
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.
They are determined by such factors as social occasion, context,
purpose, and audience. Registers are marked by a variety of
specialized vocabulary and turns of phrases, colloquialisms, the use
of jargon, and a difference in intonation and pace.
JARGON - refers to the specialized language of a professional or
occupational group. Such language is often meaningless to
outsiders.
American poet DAVID LEHMAN has described jargon as "the
fashionable; it gives an air of novelty and specious profundity to
ideas that, if stated directly, would seem superficial, stale, frivolous, or
false."
TYPES OF LECTS
REGIONAL DIALECT - A variety spoken in a particular region.
SOCIOLECT - Also known as a social dialect, a variety of language
(or register) used by a socioeconomic class, a profession, an age
group, or any other social group.
ETHNOLECT - A lect spoken by a specific ethnic group. For
example, Ebonics, the vernacular spoken by some African-Americans,
is a type of ethnolect, notes e2f, a language-translation firm.
IDIOLECT - According to e2f, the language or languages spoken by
each individual. For example, if you are multilingual and can speak
in different registers and styles, your idiolect comprises several
languages, each with multiple registers and styles.
Language differs by geography, social class, economic status,
age, gender and religion. "Pidgin" and "Creole" are two terms that
are sometimes used interchangeably by the general population,
but have specific differences in the world of linguistics.
PIDGIN describes a blend of several different languages spoken by
a multicultural population into one mutually understood language. The
speakers create a mutual language using words from the
speakers' mother tongues and an extremely flexible, simplified
grammar.
Example: CONYO - It has a colloquial meaning that differs from it's
Spanish origin, and isn't vulgar at all. As said in the definition above, it
refers to the way of speaking or one who speaks Taglish and/or with
an English accent, usually associated with upper-class citizens
because such is the stereotype in Filipino pop culture.
PATOIS (/ˈpætwɑː/, pl. same or /ˈpætwɑːz/) is speech or language
that is considered nonstandard, although the term is not formally
defined in linguistics. As such, patois can refer to pidgins,
creoles, dialects, or vernaculars, but not commonly to jargon or
slang, which are vocabulary-based forms of cant.
In colloquial usage of the term, especially in France, class
distinctions are implied by the very meaning of the term, since in
French, patois refers to any sociolect associated with uneducated
rural classes, in contrast with the dominant prestige language
(Standard French) spoken by the middle and high classes of
cities, or as used in literature and formal settings (the 'acrolect').
CREOLE PIDGIN
Native speaker exist No native Speaker
Mixed language Mixing of language
associated with cultural
and often racial mixture
Have parents who use Reduced grammar &
Pidgin vocabulary
DIFFERENT KINDS OF LANGUAGE VARIETIES
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 'LEXIFER').
CREOLE 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: CHAVACANO refers to a number of Spanish-based creole
language varieties spoken in the Philippines. Chavacano. Chavacano
or Philippine Creole Spanish is a Spanish-based creole spoken in
parts of the Philippines, especially in and around the city of
Zamboanga, by over 600,000 people. There are also speakers of the
Zamboanga dialect of Chavacano in Sempornah, Malaysia.
*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.'
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.
MINORITY DIALECT - 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 original English in Australia.
INDIGENIZED VARIETY - 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 standard English, and there are many other varieties of
English used in India.
LANGUAGE REGISTERS
There are five language registers or styles. Each level has an
appropriate use that is determined by differing situations. It would
certainly be inappropriate to use language and vocabulary reserve for
a boyfriend or girlfriend when speaking in the classroom. Thus the
appropriate language register depends upon the audience (who),
the topic (what), purpose (why) and location (where).
You must control the use of language registers in order to enjoy
success in every aspect and situation you encounter.
1. STATIC REGISTER/FROZEN REGISTER - This style of
communications RARELY or NEVER changes. It is “frozen” in time
and content. e.g. the Pledge of Allegiance, the Lord’s Prayer, the
Preamble to the US Constitution, the Alma Mater, a bibliographic
reference, laws .
2. FORMAL REGISTER - This language is used in formal settings
and is one-way in nature. This use of language usually follows a
commonly accepted format. It is usually impersonal and formal.
A common format for this registers are speeches.
Example: sermons, rhetorical statements and questions, speeches,
pronouncements made by judges, announcements.
3. CONSULTATIVE REGISTER - This is a standard form of
communications. Users engage in a mutually accepted structure
of communications. It is formal and societal expectations
accompany the users of this speech. It is professional discourse.
Example: when strangers meet, communications between a superior
and a subordinate, doctor & patient, lawyer & client, lawyer & judge,
teacher & student, counselor & client.
4. CASUAL REGISTER - This is informal language used by peers
and friends. Slang, vulgarities and colloquialisms are normal. This is
“group” language. One must be member to engage in this register.
Example: buddies, teammates, chats and emails, and blogs, and
letters to friends.
5. INTIMATE REGISTER - This communications is private. It is
reserved for close family members or intimate people.
Example: husband & wife, boyfriend & girlfriend, siblings, parent &
children.
Week 8: EVALUATING MESSAGES AND/OR IMAGES OF
DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEXTS REFLECTING DIFFERENT
CULTURES
MULTIMODAL
Multimodal is a dynamic convergence of two or more
communication modes within the same text.
WHAT IS MULTIMODAL TEXT?
Combines two or more semiotic systems like picture book which
textual and visual elements are arranged or live performance in
which gesture, music and space are main the main elements.
It can be delivered via different media and technologies such as:
PAPER - books, comics, posters
DIGITAL - slide presentations, e- books, blogs, e- posters, web pages
and social media
LIVE - performance or an event
TRANS-MEDIA - media platforms, such as: book, comic, magazine,
film web series, and video game
FIVE SEMIOTIC SYSTEM
1. WRITTEN/LINGUISTIC MEANING – For spoken and written
language through the use of vocabulary, generic structure and
grammar.
2. AUDIO MEANING – For music, sound effects, noises, ambient
noise, and silence, through use of volume, pitch and rhythm.
3. VISUAL MEANING – For still and moving images, use of color,
saliency, page layouts, vectors, viewpoint, screen formats, visual
symbols; shot framing, subject distance and angle, camera
movement, subject movement.
4. GESTURAL MEANING – For body movements, hands and eyes,
facial expression.
✓ Communication is incomplete without feedback from the
receiver
TECHNOLOGY BASED COMMUNICATION TOOLS -
Communication combined with technology is called as backbone of
social interactions. Some of the technology based communication
tools are:

5. SPATIAL MEANING – For environmental and architectural spaces BLOGS

and use of proximity direction, layout, position of an organization of
objects in space. ✓ Shortcut for the word web log.
✓ Good way to review a product or service by the blogger.
WEEK 9: CULTURAL SENSITIVITY IN MULTIMODAL TEXT ✓ Prepared by professionals and customers & competitors does
not have the access.
CULTURE - Comes in many shapes and sizes. It includes areas such ✓ Informal and quick.
as politics, history, mentality, behavior and lifestyle. Insensitivity in ✓ Primary communication channel from sole proprietorship to
multimodal text may affect the products the company is promoting, large corporations.
might offend people and will lead to miscommunication.
BOTS
LANGUAGE - Poor translation may cause embarrassment and
misinterpretations, the use of appropriate language must be given ✓ A soft ware that can interact with users using chat
importance. mechanisms.
✓ Very handy when tackling projects and troubleshooting issues.
TECHNOLOGY BASED COMMUNICATING TOOLS - Is the ✓ Improves customer service.
backbone of social interaction ✓ Customers can get instant replies that provide resolutions to
Examples: Email, Texting, Instant messaging, Social networking, their issues & inquiries.
Tweeting, Blogs / blogging, and video conferencing CHAT ROOMS, PRIVATE & GROUP MESSAGING
Week 10: COMMUNICATION AIDS AND STRATEGIES USING ✓ Forums for specific group of people to interact and receive
TOOLS OF TECHNOLOGY (Tools for Learning) notification.
COMMUNICATION - “Communication” has been derived from the ✓ Based on shared topic or characteristic.
Latin word “Communis” which means to share information, ideas, ✓ Specially designed for team/group based information sharing
facts or information. and messaging.

✓ Communication takes place between two or more persons. DISCUSSION FORUMS

✓ It is an ongoing process ✓ Brings together manager and employees and allows for an
✓ It is effective if both the sender and receiver are aware of the open discussion on any topic.
goals of communication. ✓ Facilitates knowledge sharing.
 ✓ Helps in knowledge dissemination and bring the workforce
together.
✓ Provides information whenever required by the persons when
they need it
EMAIL
✓ Cheapest ways a business can use to communicate both
internally & externally.
✓ Allows the companies to efficiently & effectively spread
information.
FAX
✓ Combination of photocopier and a phone.
✓ Quickly sends documents that are not available in digital form.
✓ Substantially cheaper than sending through standard mail.
GAMIFICATION
✓ Used to motivate better performance, drive business results
and generate a competitive advantage.
✓ Concept of applying game mechanics and game design
techniques to engage and motivate people to reach company
or business goals.
INTERNET
✓ Range from static information-giving websites to dynamic new
media websites
✓ Internet applications are wide ranging from emails to instant
messaging.
✓ Provides ability for people computer to interface with one
another via phone lines.
✓ Enormous communication tool.
INTRANET/SOCIAL INTRANET
✓ Private hub that can be accessed by any authorized users
within a business organization.
✓ Mainly used for internal communication and collaboration.
✓ Results in more flexible workplace.
✓ Ensures all employees working towards same goals.
INSTANT MESSAGING (IM)
✓ Commonly used for recreation.
✓ Widely used within business organization for employee -
employee/ employee-management messaging.
✓ Provides an interface to communicate one-to- one.
NEW MEDIA
✓ Differs from old websites as they encourage participation from
and interaction with the viewer.
✓ Encourages users to put their own content up.
✓ Describes social media websites
PHONES
✓ Changed the way people communicate by giving them ability
to make calls when they are on move.
✓ Uses technology and have become more portable for the last
10 yrs.
PODCASTS
✓ Earlier used in desktops/laptops now it became famous and
used in mobiles.
✓ Generally presented as audio files available to stream or
download
✓ Business organizations use this to reach internal workforce.
SMS
✓ Since text messages are limited in length, users often shorten
words and phrases to meet the character limit.
✓ Shortened communication between people and delivered
information far efficiently than a phone conversation can.
SOCIAL NETWORKING

✓ These are places to do relationship marketing.

✓ More informal approach.
✓ Gathering friends in these sites
✓ Example: Facebook & MySpace.

TWEETING

✓ Allow to broadcast very short messages called tweets to

people who have elected to follow your posts.
✓ Results in awareness of your company in the marketplace.

VIDEO CONFERENCING

✓ Face-to-face meeting without having to be in one location.

✓ Effective communication tool as we can use physical gestures
& facial expressions.
✓ If 2 persons have a camera and right software, they can see
and talk to each other on computer.