Introducing Register

1. Introducing Register

2. Types of variation in style: Style usually varies according to:

3. Typesofvariation

5. Register vs. Dialect • In the previous chart, style refers to what is usually understood under “dialect” as well as “register”. • In Hallidayan (functional) linguistics, the term register is seen as specifically opposed to sociolinguistic varieties of language (which are defined according to the origin or characteristics of the user (viz. his regional or class dialect). • In other words,…..

6. Register according to Halliday • Register according to Halliday can be subclassified into: • FIELD of Discourse: subject-matter • MODE (Manner) referring to medium: spoken vs. written and • Tenor OF DISCOURSE: formality. • language varies functionally along these parameters.

7. Parameters of register variation: field, tenor, mode (Halliday & Hasan, 1989) • field: refers to what is happening, to the nature of the social action that is taking place [the subject matter] • Mode (or manner): refers to what kind of discourse or text the interactants are engaged in[usually results from and the channel: spoken vs written discourse, each having its own organization] • tenor: refers to the nature of the participants, their role relationship, their statuses (including permanent and temporary relationships of one kind or another…), which result in the level of formality,

8. Style and Register

9. Style and Register Some people use the terms register and style interchangeably. Some linguists, on the other hand, draw a distinction between the two along some line. In order to understand the difference and explain the notion of register not only in stylistics but also in sociolinguistics and ESP, we have to refer to language varieties or language variation in these three domains.

10. Varieties of English – the term Register may be understood differently in the following fields: • In sociolinguistics —> register refers to User(s)’ related variation: - dialect + accent (region), - sociolect(social group), - idiolect (the individual)

11. 2. In LSP (i.e. language for special purposes) and terminology —> Register refers to discourse that is used by a particular group of people usually sharing the same occupation (e.g. doctors, scientists and lawyers respectively using medical, scientific and legal register) or the same interests (e.g. stamp collectors, baseball fans). In this respect it is synonymous with jargon (a pejorative term) or terminology. • “A particular register often distinguishes itself from other registers by having a number of distinctive words (technical vocabulary), by using words or phrases in a particular way (… ) and sometimes by special grammatical constructions (e.g. legal language)”. (Richards, et al., 1985: 242).

12. Register in stylistics • 3. In stylistics —> • In stylistics, register describes the kind of language use that is appropriate to a particular function (use) in a situational context. • “register” then refers to a stylistic variety (a style) that is defined by its level of formality. Style is therefore a more general term and covers aspects that may not be covered by register Examples of levels of formality: a formal register, a colloquial register, etc.

13. In our use • In our use, Register refers to the degree of (in)formality of language. • For example, a chat in a pub uses colloquial language and everyday lexis. • In a conference, lecturers are more likely to use formal language and specific vocabulary

14. Register • From officialese to slang implies a continuum of registers. • Researchers disagree about the number of available registers.

15. Here are Newmark's (1988) (A Textbook of Translation, p. 14) 8 scales of formality: • Officialese “The consumption of any nutriments whatsoever is categorically prohibited in this establishment.” • Official “The consumption of nutriments is prohobited.” • Formal “You are requested not to consume food in this establishment.” • Neutral “Eating is not allowed here.” • Informal “Please don’t eat here.” • Colloquial “You can’t feed your face here.” • Slang “Lay off the nosh” • Taboo “Lay off the fucking nosh” • (nosh= slang for a snack or light meal.)

16. “…Martin Joos (1962) describes five styles in spoken English: • Frozen: Printed unchanging language such as Biblicalquotations; often contains archaisms. Examples are the Pledge of Allegiance, wedding vows, and other "static" vocalizations that are recited in a ritualistic monotone. The wording is exactly the same every time it is spoken. • Formal: One-way participation, no interruption. Technical vocabulary or exact definitions are important. Includes presentations or introductions between strangers. • Consultative: Two-way participation. Background information is provided — prior knowledge is not assumed. "Back-channel behavior" such as "uh huh", "I see", etc. is common. Interruptions are allowed. Examples include teacher/student, doctor/patient, expert/apprentice, etc. • Casual: In-group friends and acquaintances. No background information provided. Ellipsis and slang common. Interruptions common. This is common among friends in a social setting. • Intimate: Non-public. Intonation more important than wording or grammar. Private vocabulary. Also includes non-verbal messages. This is most common among family members and close friends.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Register_(sociolinguistics)) • 1957. Readings in Linguistics: The Development of Descriptive Linguistics in America since 1925 (editor). Washington: ACLS. • 1962. The Five Clocks. Bloomington: Indiana University Research Center in Anthropology, Folklore, and Linguistics. Reprinted in 1967 by Harcourt, Brace & World (which introduced influential discussions of style, register, and style-shifting.)

17. The diagram in the next slide lists five levels, starting from the innermost layer (known as “slang register”) to the impersonal learned registers of administration (known as bureaucratic register or officialese), andthe scientific(or academic) registers (in science, medicine, and the law) and the technical register (in jobs, professionsand arts).

18. Officialese Technical Scientific

19. Most people find it convenient to operate with only three or four levels:

20. LEARNED / BOOKISH WORDS Rather than thinking of learned and offialialese as two levels it is more convenient to think of them as fields: • Scientific (academic) prose / register • Officialese (bureaucratic) • Technical prose

21. 1. Scientific words: examples • Comprise, compile, experimental, heterogeneous, homogeneous, conclusive, divergent

22. Scientific/ technical TERMINOLOGY • Bilingual, interdental, labialization, palatalization, glottal stop, devoicing, complementary distribution • To what field to the previous terms belong?

23. 2 Talking about Officialese • Officialese is a register that is normally used by government officials and is characterized by (unnecessary) formal jargon that few will understand (i.e. it is normally understood by only those who use it in their jobs.) • For example, the language used in government documents is officialese because it is formal and is difficult to understand. • The description of Battles from the generals' and units' perspectives also constitute an officialese style.

24. 2. Officialese: examples of words • Assist (for help) • Endeavour (for try) • Proceed (for go) • Approximately (for about) • Sufficient (for enough) • Attired (for dressed) • Inquire (for ask)

25. An example of officialese: • Conditions of sale: • This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. • What are the characteristics of this register?

26. 2. Officialese • What could the following statement mean? • “You are authorized to acquire the work in question by purchase through the ordinary trade channels” = • = “We advise you to buy the book in a shop”

28. Talking about Slang • Slang refers to the type of informal, nonstandard vocabulary, that is usually intelligible only to people from a particular region or social group (teens slang, army slang, thieves’ slang, football players). • Its chief function is to mark social identity- to show that one belongs- but it may also be used just to be different, to make an effect, or to be informal. • Such ‘in-group’ language is subject to rapid change.

29. Examples of slang • 'Chicken' is slang for someone who isn't very brave. • Chick is an informal or slang word for girl • (a hot chick) • tart (old-fashioned slang a female prostitute)

30. “Chav is a slang term which has been in wide use throughout the United Kingdom since 2004. It refers to a subculturalstereotype of a person with fashions such as flashy "bling" jewellery and counterfeit designer clothes, an uneducated, impoverished background, a tendency to congregate around places such as fast-food outlets or other shopping areas and a culture of antisocial behaviour.” (See more at Wikipedia.org...

31. Slang and Jargon • Some people use the termsjargon and slang interchangeably to refer to the language of a special group, such as doctors, cricketers, or sailors. It is, however, convenient to distinguish slang and jargon.

32. Formality of expression • Formal speech (# informal, colloquial, intimate, familiar, etc.) refers to the type of speech that is characterized by formality of expression (careful pronunciation and proper choice of words and careful sentence structure). • It refers to a level of language considered appropriate to socially formal situations (official functions, debates and ceremonies).

33. A lad is a young man or boy. (INFORMAL) (cf. a boy or youth (neutral) • A lass is a girl; a young woman (ScotE, NorthE)

34. Cf Differences between Formal vs. Informal • Pronunciation: • People are more likely to say /sitn/ sitt’n /wз:kn/ work’n instead of /sitiŋ/ sitting /wз:kiŋ/ if the style is more informal. Words and sentence structure: • We were somewhat dismayed by his lack of response to our invitation. (more formal) • We were rather fed up that he didn’t answer when we invited him. (less formal) Richards, et al. 1985: 278

35. there is always a match between words and grammar within the different registers (a lexo-grammatical correspondence, in technical terms) Which of the previous sentences is more familiar? Which one is more impersonal?

36. Note the progression through the registers focusing on the words “men and women” • Learned registers: human beings, mankind, humanity, the human genome • Technical registers: companies, managers, personnel, engineers • Bureaucratic registers: the general public, social groups/classes, • Common register: men and women, ladies and gentlemen,), people, society • Colloquial (informal) register: guys, lads and lasses, blokes (a bloke is a man, often one who is considered to be ordinary) and geezers (a man, often old or unusual in some way), folks ([as form of address] used when speaking informally to a group of people) • Slang register: birds (young woman)

37. Provide other words illustrating various levels of register from your own experience.

38. References (for Unit 1 & 2) • Crystal, D., 1999. The Penguin Dictionary of Language. Penguin Books, UK • Carter, R., 1993. Introducing Applied Linguistics • Richards et al. 1985. Longman Dictionary of Applied Linguistics • Crystal, D., 1985. A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics • J. Middleton Murry, 1976. The Problem of Style. London: Oxford University Press • Roger Fowler (ed.), 1975. Style and Structure in Literature. Oxford: Basil Blackwell • http://www.englishclub.com/tefl-articles/accommmodation-theory.htm • www.coli.uni-saarland.de/~hansen/contact4_English.ppt