Transcript Language Registers

Language Registers
A register of voices is an impression
that’s left of your voice on others. What
kind of impression do you want to
leave?
Frozen Register
•Can’t change the words.
•Very respectful
•Ex: Pledge of Allegiance,
marriage vows, poetry,
prayers, announcements
in the airport, and laws
Formal Register
 Standard
academic one way
communication
 Ex: Essay or research paper;
presentation/speeches
Consultative Register
•Standard academic two-way
communication
•Usually polite and courteous
•Ex: discussions, questions &
answers in the classroom
or conversation
on-the-job
Casual Register
Nonstandard one-way and two-way
communication
 Slang, incomplete sentences and
unfinished thoughts
 Example: Conversation with peers

Intimate Register
Nonstandard Communication
 Language between people in relationships
(husbands/wives, moms/dads, families,
girlfriends and boyfriends, or twins)
 Examples: nicknames, special terms,
excludes others and has its own code

An Indiviudal’s registers
in the classroom
or at work
in formal
situations
with family
with friends
at a school
event
Universal Rule
•A person can go from one
register to the next register
without any conflicts.
•However, if a person goes from
one register to another register,
skipping a level or more, this is
considered antisocial behavior.
Language is power!