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Formal and Informal Language

Formal and Informal Language. Formal Language.

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Formal and Informal Language

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  1. Formal and Informal Language

  2. Formal Language • Formal language, even when spoken, is often associated with the conventions expected of written standard English. At its most extreme, formal language is signalled by complex, complete sentences, impersonality, avoidance of colloquial or slang vocabulary. This is to inform you that your book has been rejected by our publishing company as it was not up to the required standard. In case you would like us to reconsider it, we would suggest that you go over it and make some necessary changes.

  3. Informal Language • Informal language is characterised by a simpler grammatical structure (i.e. loosely-connected sentences and phrases), personal evaluation, and a colloquial or slang vocabulary. Ya know that book I wrote? Well, the publishing company rejected it. They thought it was awful. But hey, I did the best I could, and I think it was great. I’m not gonna redo it the way they said I should.

  4. Medium Language • Falls between informal and formal language, basic everyday speech • Examples: • Informal: Psychobabble is a bunch of crap that confuses people. • Medium: Psychobabble is a jargonistic smoke screen that obscures the clarity of understanding it pretends to promote. • Formal: Psychobabble is a set of repetitive verbal formalities that obfuscates the lucidity of comprehension it feigns to advance.

  5. Time and Place for Formal Language • Meetings • Interviews • Conversing with a person of higher authority • Teacher • Boss • Customer • Giving speeches • Formal letters and documents • Academic or business reports/essays

  6. Examples

  7. ain't = am not/are not/is not You ain't my boss. ain't = has not/have not She ain't finished yet. gimme = give me Can you gimme a hand? gonna = going to I'm not gonna tell you. gotta = (have) got a She hasn't gotta penny. gotta = (have) got to I gotta go now. lemme = let me Lemme go! kinda = kind of She's kinda cute. wanna = want to I wanna eat a pie. wanna = want a I wanna coffee. whatcha = what are you Whatcha going to do? whatcha = what have you Whatcha got there? ya = you Who saw ya? Ya’ know? Informal contractions

  8. What are you going to do? Whatcha going to do? Whatcha gonna do? Do you want a drink? Do you wanna drink? D'you wanna drink? D'ya wanna drink? Ya wanna drink? Wanna drink? Internet chat contractions: ‘lol’ = laugh out loud ‘gtg’ = got to go ‘brb’ = be right back ‘bbl’ = be back later ‘rofl’ = rolling on the floor laughing ‘btw’ = by the way ‘ur’ = you are, your, or you're Informal contractions (cont.)

  9. Formal: I work for . . . I'm in charge of . . . Informal: from . . . Formal: Good morning**, I'm . . . Hello, my name is . . . Informal: Hi, I'm . . . Greetings Greeting Introduction

  10. Greetings (cont.)

  11. a) Jargon, very formal.Consequent to the appreciation in the exchange value of Sterling against other currencies, necessary fiscal measures were introduced by the government in order to reduce the likelihood of an import-led consumer spending surge. b) Written, formal, clear.After the international value of Sterling rose, the government was obliged to take fiscal measures to reduce the likelihood of a surge in consumer spending led by cheaper imports.c) Written style for the general public, discourse, scripted radio or TV news style.As the value of Sterling increased compared to other currencies, the government was forced to take tax measures to head offa rapid increase in consumer spending spurred on by cheaper imports.

  12. d) Formal spoken style - radio, seminar, talk.As Sterling's international value went up, the government had to take tax measures to head off a consumer spending boom spurred on by cheaper imports. e) Relaxed, informal spoken style: discussion.As Sterling went up in value, the government had to put up taxes to stopconsumers splashing out on too many cheap imports. f) relaxed, simplified, chat, very informal spoken style; And you see, Sterling got more and more valuable, so as a result, the government had to go round putting up taxes, you see, to stopeveryone going out and splashing out, spending all their money on cheap imports.

  13. Tips for formal language (For writing and speech) • Use of Contraction • Use of prepositions • Use of relative pronouns • Omit Needless Words • Do not start a sentence with a conjunction. (Written) • Avoid vague words.

  14. Tips during formal conversations: • Be aware of your speaking voice • Be aware of your body language • Be cautious of the topics you open • Be present and in the moment • Be a good conversationalist • Be aware of the person you are speaking to • Appropriate names and titles • Conversing while dining • Eye contact • Avoid interrogating too much • Avoid providing unsolicited advice

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