How do you greet the following:

Your
mother
Your Your
friend teacher
Varieties and Registers
of Spoken and Written
Language
Variet
y
• variety of language is a general
term for any distinctive form of a
language or linguistic expression.
• includes the dialect, register,
jargon, and idiolect.
Registe
r
• the way a speaker uses language
differently in different
circumstances
• the differences in word choice,
tone of voice, and body language
Registe
r
• variations in formality
• determined by factors such as
social occasion, context,
purpose, and audience
Nature of Language
Variation (Lin, 2016)
Language varies when
communicating with people
within (local) and outside (global)
our community.
Nature of Language
Variation (Lin, 2016)

Language varies in
speaking and in writing.
Nature of Language
Variation (Lin, 2016)

Language varies in
everyday and
specialized discourses.
 Correct Register Use
(Wife to Husband)
- Hi honey, how was your day?
- Great. We got a lot done. And yours?
- Fine, but stressful. Pass me that magazine,
please. - Here you go.
(Friend to Friend)
- Hi Charlie, can you give me a hand?
- Sure Peter. What's up?
- I can't get this to work.
- Why don't you try to use a screwdriver?
(Subordinate to Superior - at work)
- Good Morning, Mr. Jones, may I ask you a
question? - Certainly, how can I help you?
Incorrect Register Use
(Wife to Husband)
- Hello, how are you today?
- I'm fine. Would you mind passing me the
bread?
- Certainly. Would you like some butter with
your bread?
- Yes, please. Thank you very much.
(Friend to Friend)
- Hello Mr. Jones. May I ask you a question?
- Certainly. How many I help you?
- Do you think you could help me with this?
- I'd be happy to help you.
(Subordinate to Superior - at work)
- Good Morning, Frank. I need a raise.
- Do you really? Well, forget about it!
 Correct Register Use Incorrect Register Use

(Superior to Subordinate - at work) (Superior to Subordinate - at work)

- Excuse me Peter, we seem to be having - Hey Jack, what are you doing?! Get to
a problem with the Smith account. We'd work!
better get together to discuss the - Hey, I'll take as much time as I need.
situation.
- That's a good idea Ms. Amons, would 4
o'clock suit you?
(Man Speaking to Stranger) (Man Speaking to Stranger)
- Pardon me. Do you think you could give - You! Tell me where supermarket is.
me the time? - There.
- Certainly, it's twelve thirty. - Thank you.
- Not at all.
8 Domains of Language
Variation (Mahboob, 2014)
1. Local Everyday - Written
- includes instances of
local everyday written
usage found in the
neighborhood posters.
8 Domains of Language
Variation (Mahboob, 2014)
2. Local Everyday - Oral
- local communication among
neighbors in everyday,
informal and local varieties of
languages.
8 Domains of Language
Variation (Mahboob, 2014)
3. Local Specialized - Written
- can be found in
local publications
and web sites
8 Domains of Language
Variation (Mahboob, 2014)
4. Local Specialized - Oral
- involves specialized
discourses.
Example: game-related
vocabulary used inside a
computer shop
8 Domains of Language
Variation (Mahboob, 2014)
5. Global Everyday - Written
- avoids local
colloquialisms to make
the text accessible to
wider communities of
readers
8 Domains of Language
Variation (Mahboob, 2014)
6. Global Everyday - Oral
- may occur in interactions
between people coming
from different parts of the
world when they talk
about everyday casual
topics
8 Domains of Language
Variation (Mahboob, 2014)
7. Global Specialized - Written
- expands to as many
readers internationally,
hence the non-usage of
local colloquial
expressions
8 Domains of Language
Variation (Mahboob, 2014)
8. Global Specialized - Oral
- occurs when people
from different parts
of the world discuss
specialized topics in
spoken form
Group Activity
• Research/interview people on the different verbal and non-verbal
modes of communication of the following local and global cultural
groups:
GROUP LOCAL GLOBAL
NUMBER
1 Bisaya/Cebuano Chinese
2 Ilonggo American
3 Bikolano Spanish
4 Masbateño Japanese
5 Tagalog European
Group Activity
Situations Verbal Expression Non-verbal
Expression
Greeting people
Asking for directions
Respecting others
Complimenting someone
Asking for apology
Note: Cite common expressions used in the different situations given. If there is no applicable expression
in non-verbal, just leave it blank.