Linguistic Register

There are 5 language registers or styles.  Often times, for the best of interpreters, mastering register is difficult.  It relies on culture, social cues, personal preferences and most importantly the language itself.  There are two basic forms of register:  formal and informal.  Formal register is used in a professional setting, like interviews, the workplace, or a courtroom.  Informal register is used with friends, family and hanging out with people in a casual setting, like a café.  One can also demonstrate register in other ways such as clothing, facial expression, and matching the client’s education.

5 Linguistic Language Registers

1. Frozen
2. Formal
3. Consultative
4. Casual
5. Intimate

FROZEN –

The words/script never change, cannot be altered

Audience doesn’t ask questions

Audience shares the experience as a whole

Goal is to create group cohesion; express core group values

Used at Weddings, Funerals, Religious Ceremonies, Official Settings, Sporting Arenas, Large Public Events

Examples:

•     Miranda Warning
•     Poetry
•     AA 12 Steps
•     The Pledge of Allegiance
•     The Lord’s Prayer
•     The Preservation of Sign Language, a speech by George W. Veditz

FORMAL –

This language is one-way communication

Goal is to teach

To sell or convince

To motivate

To honor

To inspire

Used by/at experts, scholars, professionals, debates, TV/News reporting, Award Ceremonies, Graduations, sermons

Most often is a planned text with a script

CONSULTATIVE –

This language is a standard form of communication.  This is a more formal form of communication and is of professional or technical discourse.

Purpose is to teach

To consult

To inform

To diagnose

To demonstrate

Communicate between a superior and a subordinate

A Doctor and patient

A lawyer and a client

A judge and a lawyer

A teacher and a student

EXAMPLES

•     PTA meeting
•     Parent teacher meeting
•     Doctor appointment
•     Purchasing a car
•     Q&A workshops
•     Department staff meeting

CASUAL –

This language is very informal and is always used by peers, friends and family.  In this situation, people have equal status.  Everyday conversation takes place here.  This is used in social or casual settings and conversations.

It can take place in:

• Restaurants
• Family reunions
• Parties
• Homes
• Most social situations and informal gatherings.
• Type of conversation
• Slang
• Vulgarities
• Run-on sentences
• Turn taking as well as interrupting is acceptable
• Teasing
• Humor
• Touch
• Emotion

INTIMATE –

This register is private and is used by close family members or people who have a shared history or a shared experience that has bonded them in some way.  This is used in an informal casual setting.  People using this register are usually spouses, siblings, parents and children or other intimate people.  They seem to have a “language” of their own.

Often times these conversations are private, such as phone calls or personal conversations.  This involves pet names and inside jokes.