Module III

VARIETIES AND REGISTERS OF WRITTEN AND SPOKEN LANGUAGE

Objectives: At the end of the unit, the students must have

a) differentiated variety from register;
b) distinguished the kind of register used in the given text
 Lesson I Language Varieties

Objectives: at the end of the lesson, the student must be able to:
a) define what variety of language is;
b) classify the varieties of language.

Introduction

Migration, inter-racial marriages, and social interactions result to the emergence and
development of a variety of spoken and written language. This lesson will enable the
student to see the development of his native tongue and its impact to the language that
is prevalent to a social group.

Key Word
Variety is a specific set of ‘linguistic items’ or ‘human speech patterns’ (presumably
sounds, words, grammatical features, etc.) which we can connect with some external
factor apparently, a geographical area or a social group. (Hudson, 1996; Ferguson, 1972
and Wardhaugh, 2006)

Let’s get Started!

Lesson Focus: Variety of Language

A variety of language refers to any variant of a language which can be sufficiently

delimited from one another. It may be social, historical, spatial, or their combination.

Varieties of Language

1. Pidgin - a grammatically simplified form of a language, used for communication

between people not sharing a common language. Pidgins have a limited vocabulary,
some elements of which are taken from local languages, and are not native languages,
but arise out of language contact between speakers of other languages. It denotes a
simplified form of a language, especially as used by a nonnative speaker. Once a stable
pidgin has emerged, it is generally learned as a second language and used for
communication among people who speak different languages.
Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=pidgin+meaning&oq=pi&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j0l2j69i60j69i61j69i60l2.3977j0j4
&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 retrieved 080820; 4:05PM

2. Creole language is a language that forms from two parent language merging together
into a new language. Creole language is one that develops when people who don't
understand each other's languages spend enough time together that their languages
combine so they can understand each other. When children start learning a pidgin as
their first language and it becomes the mother tongue of a community, it is called a
creole. Source: https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-creole-language-definition-phrases.htm retrieved 080820; 6:05PM
3. Regional dialect, also known as a regiolect or topolect, is a distinct form of a language
spoken in a particular geographical area. If the form of speech transmitted from a parent
to a child is a distinct regional dialect, that dialect is said to be the child's vernacular. A
regional dialect is not a distinct language but a variety of a language spoken in a
particular area of a country. Source: www.thoughtco.com › English › English Grammar retrieved 080820; 7:05PM

4. Minority language can be defined as ‘a language different from the official

language(s) of the state traditionally used by part of the population of a state that is not
a dialect of official languages of the state or artificially created languages and includes
languages of foreigners, migrants and visitors. 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.
Source: https://www.aflat.org/node/193’

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.
Source: https://www.hawaii.edu/satocenter/langnet/definitions/index.html#:~:text=Minority%20dialect%3A,is%20called%20a%20
minor ity%20dialect.

Let’s Learn!

See the video of Mind your Language Season 1. Cite is given below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xDqf0K4_uI

Let’s do this!
 Translate the word or group of words in the first column to the different variety of
languages asked for. Go to the web to find the answer or you may ask an adult at home
you think can help you do this activity.

Nihongo
Hiligaynon Kinaray-a Tagalog English Chinese Korean (Japanese) Spanish

babay

Gusto ko ikaw.

Katahum!

Diin ka nagapuyo?

Nagaulan!

Makadto ko sa mol.

Kasadya gid ya!

Kahapon pa.

Palihug …..

Makaon ta!
Name: ____________________________________________________
Class Schedule: ____________________________________________

Let’s Test what you Know!

The video, Mind Your Language, has several episodes. Review Episode 1 –
The Principal’s Office. Answer the following questions, limit your essay to a maximum
of fifty (50) words.

1. Tell briefly what variety of language is. How many varieties of languages are there?
List them down here.

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2. All characters spoke one common language, English, but why does it appear to be
confusing? What could be the reason(s) of confusion?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

3. Did you see the relevance of studying English as a foreign Language? Yes/No, Why?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Lesson 2 Language Registers

Objectives: at the end of the lesson, the student must be able to:
a) define what register of language is;
b) classify the registers of language.

Introduction

You are ‘in’ when you share the same language tone. This is one part of culture.
Language gives us the identification and the sense of belongingness to a particular
group, be it professional, social, etc. The register of the language used also reveals the
relationship between and among individuals and the association the person belongs.

Key Word
Register is the classification or category of the language the speaker uses depending on
the situation and his association.

Let’s get Started!

Lesson Focus: Register of Language

Register often refers to the degree of formality of language as needed in a given

situation. It is the language used by a group of people who share similar work or
interests, such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, economists, etc. According to Nordquist
(2018), a register is defined as the way a speaker uses language differently in different
circumstances and determined by factors as social occasion, context, purpose, and
audience. The situation determines the vocabulary, structure, and some grammar of the
user’s discourse which is either oral or written.
Source: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/register

Language register is the level and style of your writing. It should be appropriate for the
situation you are in. Source: https://www.really-learn-english.com/language-register.html retrieved 080920

Example:
For formal and informal register: 'Would you mind passing the salt?' is appropriate for a
formal situation with strangers, whereas 'Pass me the salt' would be used for a situation
along with friends or possibly when being rude.
Source: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/register

The three most common language registers in writing

Source: https://www.really-learn-english.com/language-register.html
1) Formal
2) Informal
3) Neutral
We use different language registers for different types of writing, just as we speak
differently to different people. Example:
To your brother: What's up? It's awesome that you came to visit!
To the President: Good morning, Mr. President. We appreciate your visit.
A. 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. The formal
register is more appropriate for professional writing and letters to a boss or a
stranger.

Some kinds of writing are always written in formal English.

Formal writing includes:

a) Business Letters
a) Letters of complaint
b) Some reports
c) Official speeches
d) Announcements
e) Professional emails

There are many rules in formal writing. We

will discuss some of the most common rules
here. When in doubt, check the rules in an
APA style guide Source: https://www.really-learn-english.com/language-register.html

Rules of the formal language register

1. 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: In formal writing, you should use:
cannot instead of can’t could not instead of couldn’t
have not instead of haven’t is not instead of isn’t
will not instead of won’t
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; professor’s report; elephant’s trunk

2. Spell out numbers less than one hundred

Examples: nineteen; twenty-two; seventy-eight, six

3. 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. Avoid using: I, You, We, Us
Examples: You can purchase a car for under $10,000.
One can purchase a car for under $10,000.

4. Avoid using too much passive voice. In formal writing it is better to use an active
voice.
Passive sentences: Active sentences:
The bone was eaten by the dog. The dog ate the bone.
The research was completed by the students in 2009. The students completed the research in 2009.

5. 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: awesome/cool; okay/ok; check it out; in a nutshell
A cliché is a phrase that is overused (said too often).
Common clichés: too much of a good thing moment of truth
Don’t push your luck. Beauty is only skin deep.
Time is money.

6. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms. 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.
Example: Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISATU)
For abbreviations, write the complete word the first time, then use the abbreviation.
Examples: influenza => flu tablespoon => tbsp.
Do not use slang abbreviations or symbols that you would use in friendly emails
and texts.
Examples: LOL (laugh out loud); ttyl (talk to you later); &; b/c (because)
w/o (without); w/ (with)

7. 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
8. Always write in complete sentences.
9. Write longer, more complex sentences.

B. Informal Language Register

The informal register (also called casual or intimate) is conversational and appropriate
when writing to friends and people you know very well. Informal writing is written in the
way we talk to our friends and family, persons we know very well.
Informal writing includes: Personal e-mails Phone texts Short notes
Friendly letters Most blogs Diaries and journals

With informal writing, you can include

Slang and clichés Figurative language Acronyms
Symbols and abbreviations Incomplete sentences Short sentences
Paragraphs or no paragraphs Jokes Personal opinions
Extra punctuation (Hi Bob!!!!!!!) Passive and active voice
First person, second person, and third person

C. Neutral Language Register

The neutral register is non-emotional and sticks to facts. It is most appropriate for
technical writings. Neutral writing is not necessarily formal or informal. It is not usually
positive or negative. Some writings written in a neutral register include reviews, articles,
some letters, some essays, technical writing.

Five (5) distinct registers (Nordquist, 2018):

1. Frozen. It refers to historic language or communication that is intended to remain
unchanged, like a constitution or a prayer. Examples: The Holy Bible, Dante’s Inferno,
other Greek dramas
2. Formal. It is used in professional, academic, or legal settings where communication is
expected to be respectful, uninterrupted, and restrained. Contractions are rare.
Example: a TED talks
3. Consultative. It is used in conversation where someone who has specialized
knowledge is solicited of advice or offering and advice. Tone is often respectful (use of
courtesy titles), but may be more casual if the relationship is longstanding or friendly.
Examples: the local TV news broadcast, an annual physical examination, a service
provider like a plumber
4. Casual. It is used when with friends, close acquaintances and co-workers, and family.
Examples: a birthday party or any occasion celebrating a milestone in life.
5. Intimate. it is reserved for special occasions, usually between only two people and
often in private. Communication could be too personal depending on the relationship
between the speaker and the receiver of the message.

Let’s Learn!

Reread carefully the lesson focus: Register of Language. Take moment to pause and
relate what you read to scenarios or your experiences that may be relevant to the lesson.

Let’s do this!
Activity 1: Get a concordance (aid to help you find easily the verses in bible). Using the
King James version look for 2 verses for the following:
a) the greatest love
b) For all have sinned
c) Jesus said “I am the door……”
Now, using the New American Standard Version, do also what you did in the foregoing.
Following is a table. Fill it out with the verses from the bible. Cite also the book,
the chapter and the verse(s) where you took and copied the verses. Remember all you
have to do is look for your source, read for the topics asked, copy and write them here.

Topic The New American The King James Version

Standard Version (NASV) (KJV)

The greatest love

For all have sinned

Jesus said “I am the door….”

Reflect on this: Did you see a difference? I tell you ahead, yes but only in the language
used. The same with the rest of the versions of the Holy Bible. However, this is not the
objective of the activity. The objective is to let you see that whatever version we use, the
message conveyed is the same and that makes the Holy Bible unchanged. Christians do
not have to argue on it because the word of God must be learned to help us live a holy
life as we are commanded by Jesus himself saying “Be holy because I am holy.” 1Peter
1:16.
Activity 2:
Copy from your chat box a thread of communication with informal and casual registers
regardless of variety of language. What is variety? Give examples. What is register?
Give examples.
Use the space below for your activity.
Name: ____________________________________________________
Class Schedule: ____________________________________________

Let’s Test what you Know!

1. Define in your own words register of language

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. Examine closely the following dialogue. Fill out the table below with
vocabularies, if there’s any, that belong to a particular register.

Source: https://www.storyboardthat.com/storyboards/ralphdeguia/save-the-trees

Formal Informal Neutral

Sources:

https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-creole-language-definition-phrases.htm
retrieved 080820; 6:05PM
https://www.aflat.org/node/193’

https://www.hawaii.edu/satocenter/langnet/definitions/index.html#:~:text=Minority%20dial
ect%3A,is%20called%20a%20 minor ity%20dialect.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pidgin+meaning&oq=pi&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j0l
2j69i60j69i61j69i60l2.3977j0j4 &sourced=chrome&ie=UTF-8 retrieved 080820;

https://www.really-learn-english.com/language-register.html retrieved 080920

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/register

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xDqf0K4_uI

www.thoughtco.com › English › English Grammar retrieved 080820; 7:05PM