Language Registers: Linguistic Competence and Formal vs Informal Styles

Linguistic Competence and Language Variation

C M. Grazia Busà 2013Linguistic competence Language varies according to the situation in which it is used Speakers have control over many registers and are able to shift from one to another depending on the context and the communicative needs (verbal repertoires) Registers determine speakers' linguistic choices at all linguistic levels: . What varies is intonation, vocabulary, grammar, etc.

Language Use and Context

C M. Grazia Busà 2013Language use Language depends on the context and the relation between the speakers For example: The way in which a mother talks to her child is different from the way in which two professionals talk to each other, and different again from the way in which two friends talk to each other

Teaching Real Language

C M. Grazia Busà 2013Using real language ... Typically, foreign language classes teach students the more formal registers of the language However, it is important that students learn to match the right language with the right situation/the right people

Elements of Language Variation

C M. Grazia Busà 2013This means ... Lexicon (vocabulary) Grammar Styles Expressions Intonation

Further Exploration of Language Registers

C M. Grazia Busà 2013Just for fun ... · http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxUm-2x- 2dM

Distinguishing Formal and Informal Words

C M. Grazia Busà 2013How to distinguish between words from formal and informal registers In English many words have been derived from Latin Often Latin words coexist with Germanic (native English) synonyms, but are used in more formal registers

Latinate and Germanic Word Examples

C M. Grazia Busà 2013Some examples: Latinate · Rapid · Salute · Obtain · Difficult · Possible · Likely · Seem · Enough · Demonstrate Germanic · Fast · Greet · Get · Hard · Appear · Sufficient · Show

Influence of French on English Registers

C M. Grazia Busà 2013More on formal and informal registers Many English words have also been borrowed from French at different points in history Words that entered the English vocabulary at times when the Normans had political and cultural power in Britain still enjoy greater prestige (are used in more formal styles)

French and Germanic Word Examples

C M. Grazia Busà 2013Some examples: French · Chef · Cuisine · Faux (cf. lat. false) · Mutton · Petite · Veal · Pork · Legal words Germanic · Cook · Kitchen · Fake · Sheep · Little, small · Calf · Pig

Phrasal Verbs in Informal Registers

C M. Grazia Busà 2013Phrasal verbs Phrasal verbs are typically used: · in spoken language · in informal registers For most phrasal verbs, there is an equivalent but more formal, non-phrasal verb, often of Latin origin

Phrasal and Non-Phrasal Verb Examples

C M. Grazia Busà 2013Some examples: Phrasal verb · Pick up · Pick out · Turn down · Turn into · Give away · Sell out · Go in Non-phrasal verb · Learn · Select · Decline · Become · Show · Betray · Enter