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| Language notes4.0 REGISTER
Whether you realise it or not, you are probably already an expert at using many different types or styles of language—many registers. The term register simply describes the various styles of language available for writing or speaking—from the informal register of slang and swearing, to the formal academic register used when writing at university or professionally. No register is right or wrong in itself. Correctness depends on the context of communication. Using slang is probably fine when relaxing with friends, but include it in a job application letter and don't hold your breath waiting for a positive answer. The features which interconnect to determine the register of communication, oral or written, are
A change in any one of these will probably create a change in the register. We are culturally so attuned to the 'appropriateness of the register' that we only pay attention to it when someone makes a mistake in their use of register. Your communication study will help you master the formal register which should serve you well in your academic and professional writing and speaking; a clear, precise register which includes neither informal language (slang, colloquialisms), or unnecessarily overformal language (verbosity, pretentious expression). Have a look at the article `Say, write, scream, language lives' (Stalker 1989) under 4.2 in this handbook—it shows many of the features of the quality formal register. Below is an example of a very informal register (appropriate in its context, but not acceptable in most academic and professional contexts). This is contrasted with writing where the register could be described as overformal (note how unclear and confusing this bloated style of language is). Informal register I'm only a lazy old bludger. I don't do very, very little. Well, I can't. I'm not too, too, too, fit. Although just to give you a little bit of an idea that I can go just a tiny little bit, I went back to work the week after Easter. They said, “You might want a quid for Easter”. And I went back and done a week's work back there. It was just as much as I could do, too, but I surprised meself. When you're away from work you lose confidence in yourself and you think “Well, I can't do that I'd get giddy here and giddy there”, which I do all the damn time. I think if I go back to work, I'll fall arse over head but, no, I went back and they got value for money. (Boomer, G. 1969 unpub. manuscript) Overformal register This is an undertaking used by the federal Department of Health in the early 1980s. Would you sign the following if you had been injured at work and were entitled to compensation? (D) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERTAKING And I undertake if and when my entitlement to a payment (hereinafter referred to as `the payment of compensation') by way of compensation or damages (including a payment in settlement of my claim for compensation or damages) under the law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory has been determined to repay to the said organisation either: (a) the full amount of the said sum (if the payment of compensation is not less than the amount of benefits which would otherwise be payable in respect of the claim for expenses); (b) an amount being the difference between the said sum and the amount determined by the said organisation (if the payment of compensation is less than the amount of benefits which would otherwise be payable in respect of the claim for expenses).
For assistance contact: paul.skrebels@unisa.edu.au |
