1. Language Registers Objectives
1. understand that spoken language has different registers, depending on the formality of the situation and on the relationship between the speakers 2. be able to shift registers for different familiar contexts and situations

2. Language Registers What is a language register? Pre-test
Fairy tale in formal and casual registers
Which version meets your expectation of a fairy tale?
Handouts for story told in casual and formal register. Give each learner the handouts of Little Red Riding Hood written in formal register and in casual register. Have the versions read aloud. After the stories have been read, emphasize that in the formal register version, the story starts at the beginning of the action and then develops in a logical pattern to the end. Events are told in the way that they happen. In the casual register version, point out that the story begins by telling the ending first. This is the most emotional part of the story. Notice how the characters are described and events are related. Discuss which story is the most fun, which has the most interesting characters, and which has the most logical order.

3. Language Registers What is a language register? Sociolinguistics
describes the various styles of language available for writing or speaking
Sociolinguistics
Societal/cultural norms
Definitions of the Five Registers
Language registers come from Sociolinguistics which is the study of cultural norms. Language register is related to culture and cultural norms and will vary slightly depending on the culture.
Handouts from

4. Different Situations Mean Different Language

5. Why do we need to know this?
Language register is related to the trait of Voice in writing. Academic writing is formal and all assignments need to be written in the correct voice or register. Using an inappropriate voice for the writing assignment will affect your score, especially on state and college entrance exams.

6. How do you decide which language register is appropriate to use?
Deciding which language register is appropriate depends on the:
Audience
Topic
Situation

7. Public Voice Frozen Formal Consultative
I use my public voice when I am at school, at work, or at church with friends or strangers.

8. Private Voice
When I am with my friends and close family. In a casual setting, I can be less formal.

9. Let’s Practice
Using Levels of Language Identify each sentence as formal or informal.
Lizabeth leaped furiously into the mounds of marigolds and pulled madly, trampling and destroying the perfect yellow blooms.
“Gee, Lizabeth, I don’t know what to say.”
She hollered over to them and told them to get moving on.
After reading a story about the day President Kennedy was assassinated, we will take the roles of ordinary citizens and act out our reactions to the event.

10. Let’s Practice The Word Matrix BBC Fact Sheet Formal/Informal Speech 1
Answers
BBC Fact Sheets are for review only. The Word Matrix is for introductory and review.
Introduce the idea of all the words we have to describe "death." Terms like "croaked," "kicked the bucket," "bought the farm," and how about "passed on" "passed away" or "crossed over." Ask if learners can think of others. If they were describing the death of a loved one, would they use a word like "croaked?" How about if they were describing the death of someone you don't particularly like or someone they didn't know well? Ask if learners see how emotions can influence choice of register.

11. Match the picture with the Correct register.
Casual
Frozen
Formal
Intimate
Consultative

12. Language Register Matrix
Frozen
Relationship
Handed down from generation to generation unchanged
Background
None needed
Expectations
Language that rarely or never changes
Examples
Pledge of Allegiance, homilies, prayers, laws
Purpose
Ritualistic to create group unity and identity
Language Register Matrix Sheet

13. Language Register Matrix
Formal
Relationship
Best for conveying intellectual information. Speaker is the expert and audience is interested.
Background
Speaker gives only what audience needs
Expectations
Standard English with complete sentences, focus on form, and no slang
Examples
One way communication of speeches, State of the Union Address, presentations, academic papers
Purpose
Academic, to inform and persuade
Used at work, school, and business
Make learners aware that schools use formal register and that standardized tests are written in formal register, and, if they go for a job interview, they will want to use formal register with the person who is conducting the interview. This could make the difference in whether or not they get the job. The use of formal register allows one to do better in school, to score higher on tests, and even to get the more desirable job. Learners will be able to communicate more effectively with all types of people in many different situations if they understand these registers.

14. Which would I send to your parent?
Wat up !!! Holla back. We be droppin’ Inglash Yo!
Hello, Ms. James. Please contact me at your earliest opportunity.

15. The Universal Rule
A person can go from one register to the next register without any conflicts

16. Language Register Matrix
Consultative
Relationship
Professional and academic discussion. Use with colleagues you respect. May not have any past experience with that person.
Background
Little background but varies
Expectations
Standard English with complete sentences and no slang
Examples
Two way communication. Online support, professional s. Strangers who interact, adults at work, teachers with students, speaking with lawyer or doctor
Purpose
Exchange of professional information

17. Recognizing social vs. academic language
When comparing social and academic language, students should look for the following differences:
Informal Language
Academic Language
repetition of words
variety of words, more
sophisticated vocabulary
sentences start with
“and” and “but”
sentences start with transition
words, such as “however,”
“moreover,” and “in addition”
use of slang: “guy,” “cool,” and
“awesome”
No slang
AFT

18. Private Voice
Casual
Intimate

19. Language Register Matrix
Casual
Relationship
Degrees of casual i.e. family vs. respected colleagues
Language used with friends or people with whom we have past experience
Background
Little background but varies
Expectations
Sentences may not be complete, informal vocabulary and slang
Examples
Texting, talking with friends, personal letters
Purpose
Used for social and emotional bonding

20. Language Register Matrix
Intimate
Relationship
Language shared between couples, twins, very close friends
Language of sexual harassment
Background
Varies
Finish each other’s sentences
Very close relationship
Expectations
Inappropriate for school or work. May have own language and vocabulary.
Examples
Love notes
Purpose
Conveys emotion

21. More Practice Say What? Formal/Informal Speech 2
Answers
What registers do you use?
What is the register?
“Both levels will use What is the register?” Introductory will use Language Register Use list to create their own chart and complete the formal/informal on the same sheet of paper.

22. Give examples of each language register and label the register for each example.

23. In a quick freewrite or using a different brainstorming techniques, identify all the ways knowledge of consultative and formal register has an impact on academic literacy.

24. Test Time In which register do conversations among strangers begin?
What is not tolerated in intimate register?
What is required of formal register?
What is the purpose of slang?
How are wording, grammar, and intonation related to register?