Lesson 3: Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written Language

LANGUAGE VARIETIES

  • Variety

  • Pidgin

  • Creole

  • Regional Dialect

  • Minority Dialect

  • Indigenized Varieties

LANGUAGE REGISTERS

Five Distinct Registers:

  1. FROZEN

  2. FORMAL

  3. CONSULTATIVE

  4. CASUAL

  5. INTIMATE

3 Classifications of Language Registers

  1. Formal Register

  2. Informal Register

  3. Neutral Register

FORMAL LANGUAGE REGISTERS

  1. Do not use contractions

  2. Spell out numbers less than one hundred

  3. Write in third person point-of-view

  4. Avoid using too much passive voice.

  5. Avoid using slang, idioms, exaggeration (hyperboles) and clichés

  6. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms

  7. Do not start sentences with words like and, so, but, also

  8. Always write in complete sentences.

  9. Write longer, more complex sentences

INFORMAL LANGUAGE REGISTER

  • no major rules in informal writing.

NEUTRAL LANGUAGE REGISTER

Writing in the neutral language register includes:

Reviews

Articles

Some letters

Some essays

Technical writing

News writing

Key Influencing Factors in Level of Formality

  1. Purpose of Communication

  2. Audience

  3. Social Context

  4. Cultural Norms

  5. Medium of Communication

  6. Relationship Between Communicators

  7. Topic or Subject Matter

🌐 Lesson 3 – Varieties & Registers of Spoken and Written Language

🔹 Language Varieties

Different forms of a language shaped by history, culture, or society.

  • Pidgin: Simplified mix of languages for trade.
    👉 Ex: A Chinese trader + Filipino fisherman use broken English/local words to haggle.

  • Creole: When pidgin becomes a native language with its own grammar.
    👉 Ex: Haitian Creole (French + African languages).

  • Regional Dialect: Local variation of a language, based on geography.
    👉 Ex: “Kaon ta!” (Visayan) vs “Kain tayo!” (Tagalog).

  • Minority Dialect: Language of a smaller cultural/ethnic group inside a country.
    👉 Ex: Ifugao language, Aeta language.

✨ Mnemonic:

  • R = Region → big map areas (Cebuano, Bicolano).

  • M = Minority/Marginalized → smaller ethnic groups (Ifugao, Aeta).
    👉 “R is for Region, M is for Marginalized.”

  • Indigenized Varieties: English adapted to local culture.
    👉 Ex: “Open the light” (Filipino English), “Don’t be shy-shy” (Singlish).

🔹 Language Registers (Martin Joos’ 5 Registers)

  1. Frozen – fixed, unchanging, very formal.
    👉 Ex: The Philippine Constitution, “Our Father” prayer.

  2. Formal – serious, structured, no slang.
    👉 Ex: State of the Nation Address (SONA), TED Talk.

  3. Consultative – interactive but respectful, one has expertise.
    👉 Ex: Teacher to student, doctor to patient.

  4. Casual – everyday talk, relaxed, uses slang.
    👉 Ex: “Uy bes, sabay tayo mamaya ha!”

  5. Intimate – private, personal, with close relationships.
    👉 Ex: Pet names, whispers, inside jokes.

🔹 3 Classifications of Registers

  • Formal: Professional/official.
    👉 Ex: Business letter, complaint letter, thesis.

  • Informal: Personal, casual.
    👉 Ex: “LOL, see u later haha.”

  • Neutral: Objective, factual.
    👉 Ex: “The typhoon entered PAR at 3 AM.”

🔹 Rules of Formal Register

  1. ❌ No contractions → ✅ cannot (not can’t).

  2. ❌ No slang → ✅ purchase (not buy).

  3. ❌ Avoid 1st/2nd person → ✅ One may see elephants on safari.

  4. ❌ Avoid clichés → ✅ Use precise wording.

  5. ❌ No abbreviations (write full term first).

  6. ✅ Use complete, structured sentences.

🔹 Factors Influencing Formality

  1. Purpose – Thesis vs meme.

  2. Audience – Professor vs friend.

  3. Social Context – Job interview vs party.

  4. Cultural Norms – Filipinos use po/opo to elders.

  5. Medium – Email vs group chat.

  6. Relationship – New coworker vs childhood friend.

  7. Topic – Politics vs favorite K-drama.