Paper 1 Skills and Practice: Register

When you get to analyse texts in your Paper 1 Exam, one of the elements you should refer to is the register the author uses to convey meaning. Here are some notions of register to keep in mind:

• REGISTER refers to the level of formality in a variety of language use. It varies from speaker to speaker.
• In general, speakers or writers vary their register for a particular purpose or in a particular setting.
• Speakers and writers vary language use through vocabulary, sentence structure and pronunciation (oral language).
• In an attempt to sound more formal, speakers and writers will be careful not to use slang, will be attentive for the use of “who” or “whom”, will avoid using contractions (such as “do not” instead of “don’t”), and will replace words like “mum” with “mother”
• Always consider the implied audience of a text: Who is the author addressing? Is it, for example, the author’s superiors, peers, a judge or an audience of young school children?

Use the following terms as a starting point. Is the register uptight or relaxed? Is it elegant? Is it academic?

1. FROZEN register is pre-determined or scripted language used in prescribed, often ritualistic contexts such as a court of law or a church.
2. FORMAL register is used in speeches and presentations, as opposed to discussion, that demands precise technical jargon.
3. CONSULTATIVE register is language more often used in dialogue that includes some off-hand, informal language, impromptu corrections and non-technical explanation.
4. CASUAL register is used in group discussions with friends that can include gaps, interruptions, pauses, errors and personal “inside” words.
5. INTIMATE register is used in private converstaion between close friends and family where tone, volume and unspoken hints or suggestions may be just as important as the denotation of words.

CLASSROOM TASK

How would you describe the register of the following statements?

• “Honoured guests, members of the board, Superintendent Johnson, and most importantly, graduates of the class of 2012, it is an honour to speak to you on this ocassion.” Formal Register
• “While I was pleasantly surprised by the menu selections for dinner service, I was disheartened by the lukewarm eggs at breakfast.” Formal Register
• “Yeah, right” Casual
• “I doubt it” Consultative Register
• “I’m tired of your rubbish” Intimate Register
• “I’m tired” Consultative Register