RegisterCommentary Lesson 11

What is it?

The degree of formality suitable for the situation or the writing required

Five Registers

On a continuum, they range from intimate to oratorical (frozen).

Informal Formal

Intimate Oratorical/Frozen

How do you know what to use?

The choice of register depends on the situation one is in.the “distance” (either physical

or emotional) between the speaker/writer and the listener/reader.

Intimate

The language used by lovers and and by adults to small children or pets

Nearly always accompanied by touch

Consists of broken fragments of words such as “mmm,” “nice,” “there’s a good boy,” and so on

Casual

The language used among friends and family

There is little/no planning of what is to be said

Sentences are not always grammatical

There will be inside jokes and references

Can be accompanied, but fleetingly, by touch

Consultative

The language used in class discussions, meetings, and seminars

There is more forethought and organization given to what is being said

Attention signals are asked for and given One expects an occasional “yes” or head nod as a

response

Sentences may not always be grammatically correct

Ideas may shift mid sentence

Contractions and abbreviations used regularly

Deliberative

The language one would find in an essay, scholarly work, or public lecture where the lecturer is reading a prepared set of notes

No verbal attention signals are expected

The speaker will expect the audience to look at him/her

The words have been planned across sentences and paragraphs

Often uses passive voice

Less likelihood of abbreviations and contractions

Oratorical or “Frozen”

Totally impersonal

Completely prepared

The language used in law courts and church ceremonies

Sometimes the words can change a person’s legal status “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Five ways of saying it. . .

Intimate: “Sshhh!”

Casual: “Shut up!”

Consultative: “Please be quiet!”

Deliberative: “Silence, please!”

Oratorical or “Frozen”: “Silence in the court!”

Using Register to Create Humor

Comedians use the wrong register to create humor. A workman who has just been hit

by a tool dropped by a fellow workman does not say, “I way, old chap, could you be a wee bit more careful?”