Language Register

In deciding which register is suitable for a given situation you must consider factors such as the audience for which the communication is intended, the nature of the subject matter being spoken or written about, the medium which may or may not include non-verbal elements of communication, the writer's attitude towards the content he or she writes about.

Social ranks, politeness and protocol are all factors that we consider when selecting a register to be used.

There are two factors governing the levels of formality in any speech or writing act. The two factors are Social setting and communicative code.

Attention must be paid to the rules and conventions in both speech and writing, gesture, dress and relationship between those engaged in discourse.

In speech care is taken with intonation-pitch, loudness, rate of speech, and turn-taking.

In writing attention is paid to use of complete sentence structures and diction. Deviation from accepted norms of spelling, pronunciation and meaning is avoided.

Social setting influence formality in discourse. Formal situation requires a display of seriousness, politeness and respect.

Language register may be identified as :
Formal, casual, Intimate, Private, Frozen and consultative

Formal register -normally used with strangers or persons in socially formal situations. There is the use of standard language and complete sentences by persons at this level.

Casual register - used mainly with acquaintances and people not personally known. Use of standard and non-standard structures, slands as well as ellipsis are normally applied in the casual register.

Intimate register- used mainly among very close acquaintances and relatives. Persons normally use incomplete sentences and ellipsis, slangs, coded language, specialized vocabularyas well as a greater reliance on non-verbal elements.

Private register- takes place within ones self and is normally intra-personal. There is the use of standard and non-standard structures, ellipsis and slang.

Frozen register- can be appropriate for formal and informal situations. Many persons possess standard and non-standard features of language.

Consultative register- is appropriate for formal and informal discourse in which the listener is expected to give continuous feedback to the speaker. Persons possess standard or non-standard features depending on the context. There may also be the use of non-verbal elements.