Formal and Informal Language What is formal and informal register and when do we use it? How do contrac3ons and ques3on tags affect the register of our language? Register Register is created by the way that language and grammar are used. I just wish he’d lay off me.
I wish he would not disturb me.
Please refrain from conversing with me.
Will you shut up!
Register can be formal or informal. Audience and Context The register depends on situa,on and audience. The same person will use different registers in different contexts.
At home with family In school with the headteacher In official wri;ng You’re going to wear that, are you?
When will we be going on the museum trip?
I wish to register my interest…
Informal More Formal Very Formal Formal language is oBen used for: Situa;on Audience Official or formal situa3ons People you don’t know Generalised or impersonal wri3ng People in official/important roles WriJen communica3on more than spoken People as a group ur o
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The Ancient Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses.
Informal language is oBen used for: Situa;on Audience Everyday conversa3on Family, friends and people you know well Social media and texts People similar to you Most spoken communica3on People you meet in day-­‐to-­‐day life Eeew! T
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is. Formal and Informal Vocabulary Formal and informal registers tend to use different vocabulary.
Informal Could you assist me?
Give me a hand?
Who is the champion?
Who’s the champ?
He was excluded from school.
He was kicked out of school.
With formal vocabulary, words are oBen longer.
Formal I’d what’s mustn't Contrac;ons we’re Contrac3ons appear in informal language. you’re haven’t Spoken language oBen contains contrac3ons… but wriJen formal language uses the longer versions of the word/s. We might write: but we are more likely to say: Do not say that I did not warn you.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you. What are the formal versions of the contrac+ons above? Ques;on Tags can be used in informal language. Tags are ques3ons added to a clause to encourage a listener to respond.
Tags can be used to soBen a command.
main clause main clause Tag You’re joking, aren’t you?
main clause Tag He is from London , isn’t he?
The tag changes a statement into a ques;on. Tag Pass me a pen, will you?
In very informal speech right and yeah can be used as tags. main clause Tag You’re ready, yeah?
Breaking Grammar Rules! Informal language some3mes breaks grammar rules. This is effec3ve when used sparingly for wri3ng realis3c dialogue... (or in text messages and on social media). Can’t keep going – too Mred. Unfortunately I cannot keep going as I find myself too Mred to conMnue.
Look mate -­‐ I was worried, see? I mean: weight-­‐gain! Hope you’re on top of that!
Focus on my words. I was experiencing concern for your welfare. In parMcular, the addiMonal weight you have gained during lockdown. Have you a strategy to manage that now?
Ellipsis (omiXng words) has not changed the meaning but the grammar is now incorrect. This is common in informal spoken language. Slang can be used to write realis3c dialogue. In historical stories, old-­‐fashioned slang can help to make the speech sound authen3c. IDEAS Formal and Informal Vocabulary Can you try rewri3ng these examples in more formal language?
That’s cool.
That is acceptable.
I’m sure it’ll be okay.
I am sure it will be okay.
Weird, huh?
Is it strange?
Hey, you going to be ready for the test?
Listen to my quesMon. Are you going to be ready for the test?
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