TYPES OF SPEECH

STYLE
LESSON OBJECTIVE
❑ At the end of the lesson, you will be able to differentiate
speech styles, identify social situations in which each
speech style is appropriate to use, and observe the
appropriate language forms in using a particular speech
style.
 Speech Style for Informal Communication

❑ When a person interacts with others, he or she uses a particular style of

speaking or speech style. The type of speech style to use depends on
the social context, that is, the situation and the social relationship
involved between or among the participants.

❑ You choose your words carefully according to whom you are talking to.
Language choice reveals information about the social relationship
between or among people.
 Intimate Speech Style
❑ An intimate speech style, according to Martin Joos, is characterized by a

complete absence of social inhibitions. This style is used by participants who

share a very close relationship such as between very close friends, siblings,

husband and wife, parents and children, and boyfriend and girlfriend. In this style,

the participants share a completely private vocabulary, making it difficult for

others who are outside of the group to understand. Since the participants have an

intimate relationship and they often know each other’s intention, there is no need

for a clear articulation of words.

 The following are some other features of an

intimate speech style:

▪ Conversations are usually done in private.

▪ Participants usually use short, incomplete utterances.

▪ Grammar and proper word choice are not given importance.

▪ Nonverbal messages are often used.

▪ Participants share inside jokes.

▪ Words that signal intimacy like terms of endearment (e.g., “darling,” “honey,”

“babe”) are used

 Read the dialogue below between husband and wife
Kim: Papsy?

Edgar: Yes?

Kim: Do you love me?

Edgar: (after a split second) Of course!

Kim: Aha! Why did it take you too long to respond? I can’t believe you don’t love me anymore.

Edgar: No, Mamsy. I didn’t say that. You know I’ll always be your wedding singer, right?

Kim: Yeah . . . I love you too, Papsy dapski.

 Casual Speech Style
❑ A casual speech style is used in relaxed or informal conversations between or

among friends, peers, colleagues, or family who share a common knowledge or

interest. Thus, the participants may use group language, so only members of the

group can understand it. Other characteristics of this speech style include the

following:

❑ Slang (or nonstandard words or expressions), colloquial words, elliptical

sentences (some words are omitted), and informal contractions (e.g., “ain’t,”

“dunno,” “gonna”) are used.

 Read the casual conversation below among three friends
Allan: Dude! Are you guys free on Friday night?

Jay: What d’ya have in mind?

Allan: How about goin’ to the mall to see Star Wars?

Ryan: Yeah! That’d be awesome! I’m in!

Jay: I’d want to . . . but my parents . . .

Allan: Dude, c’mon! You’re what, 18 now?! Just tell them you’re with me.

Ryan: And me!

Jay: OK. I’ll try . . . But no promises, OK?

Allan: Fine, bro. Just lemme know. Gotta go!

 Consultative Speech Style
❑ This style is considered to be the most operational style among
the other styles. It is used in a semiformal situation where a
speaker needs to provide background information because the
listener (or addressee) may not be able to understand without it.
In turn, the listener participates continuously by giving feedback.
Thus, both the speaker and the listener are active participants.
The following are other characteristics of the consultative style:

❑ It is used in ordinary conversations or routine transactions that lead to an

outcome or result.

❑ Interruptions are allowed. The listener gives short responses like I see, Uh-huh,

and Ah to signal that he or she is paying attention to the speaker, or has

understood what was said.

❑ More formal than intimate and casual styles, this style requires a speaker to

choose words with some care.

❑ Talks between strangers, acquaintances, or colleagues of unequal ranks where

something is achieved in the end often use a consultative style. Doctor-patient,

 Read the following conversation between a doctor and his

longtime patient
Linda: Good morning, Dr. Gomez.

Dr. Gomez: Good morning, Linda. What seems to be the problem?

Linda: I’ve been getting severe headaches.

Doctor: How long have you had these headaches?

Linda: Uhm . . . about two weeks or so.

Dr. Gomez: Are these headaches constant, or do they come and go?

Linda: Constant.
Linda: Oh, I sometimes get dizzy, and I experience this ringing in my ears.

Dr. Gomez: I see. Have you been feeling nauseated and uncontrollable eye movements, too?

Linda: Hmm . . . Yes, I have actually.

Dr. Gomez: And have you been taking any medications?

Linda: No.

Dr. Gomez: Well, I think you have vertigo. But, I still need to perform some tests. Please wait

here.

Linda: Okay. Thank you, doctor.

 Formal Speech Style
❑ What distinguishes this style from the consultative style is the lack of listener

participation. Unlike in interactions that use the consultative style, the listener

does not participate, in most cases, in an interaction that requires the formal

style. A formal style is often used in formal situations, such as in a graduation

ceremony, an official meeting, a television newscast, and a conference, where

there is only one-way communication. Since there is little or no feedback from

the listeners or audience, the speaker needs to plan ahead his or her

utterances, or what he or she is going to say.

The following are other characteristics of the formal style:

❑ Interruptions are not allowed. Only the speaker is the source of

information.
❑ Pronunciation is very clear.
❑ Words are carefully chosen, and grammar rules are followed.
❑ Ellipsis (omission of one or more words) is not allowed.
❑ Sentence structures are more complex and varied.
❑ Extensive and technical vocabulary is required.
❑ Ideas are cohesive and organized.
The formal style may also be used for speaking to a single hearer, such as in

introductions between strangers where full names, ranks, or honorific titles are

used as forms of address. Here is an example of this style:

Caroline: President Echavez, may I present to you the Honorable

Roman Suarez, the Ambassador of the Philippines to the United
States.
Ambassador: It is a great honor to meet you, Your Excellency.
President: The honor is all mine.
 Frozen Speech Style
❑ A frozen speech style, also called the oratorical style, is the most
formal style and is reserved for very formal situations such as in
religious services, state affairs, and court proceedings. This style is
used to address or given before an audience of absolute strangers.
It uses prescribed and highly formal language, such as in official or
historical documents and literary texts.
 Here are other characteristics of this style
❑ It uses “frozen” language, where statements are learned by rote.
Examples are the Lord’s Prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the
National Anthem.
❑ It has a symbolic or historical nature.
❑ It is typically prescribed by law, custom, or ritual.
❑ It involves certain fixed or stock expressions that are rarely or never
altered or changed. Examples include the following:
❑ “I now pronounce you husband and wife” in wedding ceremonies
❑ “I solemnly swear to . . .” in oath-taking ceremonies