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A linguistic register is a variant of language used according to the context, situation and group of people with whom one interacts. It may change depending on the formal or informal setting, the occupation, or the topic of conversation.

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Characteristics of the linguistic register:

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Characteristics of the linguistic register:

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✅ Adapts to the social and communicative context.

✅ Can vary in formality according to the audience.

✅ Influences the clarity and effectiveness of the message.

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There are different register types which determine the way we use language in different situations:

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Formal: Structured and professional language.

Example: ‘Dear colleagues, today we will discuss the progress of the project’.

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Informal: Everyday conversations, relaxed tone.

Example: "Hey, did you see the movie I recommended?"

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Technical/Occupational: Specialised terms for professions.

Example: ‘The patient has acute respiratory failure.’

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Academic: Precise and grounded language.

Example: ‘According to Piaget, cognitive development occurs in progressive stages.’

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Religious or Ceremonial: Solemn and traditional tone.

Example: ‘Brothers, gathered in faith, let us lift up our prayers.’

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Situation: A doctor explaining an illness to different people.

Technical record (for medical colleagues):

Patient presents with atypical pneumonia with interstitial pattern on chest X-ray.

Standard record (for the patient):

You have an infection in the lungs, but with proper treatment you will recover soon.

Informal register (for a child):

You have a bad cold in your lungs, but we will give you medicine to make you feel better.

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Why is the linguistic register important?

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Why is the linguistic register important?

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✅ It enables effective and appropriate communication according to the audience.

✅ It helps to avoid misunderstandings in formal or technical situations.

✅ It facilitates the adaptation of language in different social and professional contexts.

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Language changes depending on the situation, the audience, and the purpose of communication. Three key elements influence this variation: style, context, and register.

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The way language is used to express ideas, emotions, or attitudes. It can vary based on:

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Formal: Used in academic writing, business emails, or official speeches. (e.g., We regret to inform you…)

Informal: Used in casual conversations, texts, or friendly emails. (e.g., Sorry, but we can’t make it!)

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Literary: Rich, complex language often found in books or poetry.

Colloquial: Everyday speech, including slang and idioms.

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The situation in which communication takes place. It includes:

Who is speaking? (teacher, friend, manager, etc.)

Who is listening? (student, colleague, audience, etc.)

Where is the conversation happening? (classroom, meeting, online chat, etc.)

What is the purpose? (to inform, persuade, entertain, etc.)

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The level of formality in language use. It can be classified into:

Frozen: Fixed expressions used in rituals or official settings. (Pledge of Allegiance, wedding vows)

Formal: Structured and professional. (Academic papers, legal documents)

Consultative: Polite but interactive. (Doctor-patient conversations, teacher-student discussions)

Casual: Friendly and relaxed. (Chatting with friends, social media posts)

Intimate: Private, personal language. (Family talk, close relationships)

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Types of accommodation (convergence and divergence).

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Definition and fundamentals of the theory

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Definition and fundamentals of the theory

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In psycholinguistics is a theory developed by Howard Giles within the framework of communication theory. It explains how speakers adjust their language and communicative style depending on the context, audience, and social relationships

Convergence: When a person adapts their way of speaking to resemble that of their interlocutor, facilitating understanding and creating closeness.

Divergence: When a speaker emphasizes linguistic differences with their interlocutor to mark distance or reinforce their group identity

Examples in everyday life

Example of Accommodation Theory:

Convergence: A student uses more formal terms when speaking with a professor to appear more professional.

Divergence: A Spanish speaker exaggerates their regional accent when speaking with a foreigner to emphasize their cultural identity.

https://youtu.be/TuLic0luFZU?si=ZnDMq79uyB6dJ-EB

Impact on intercultural communication.

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Language varies based on social context, focusing on accent, style, register, and jargon. Accent refers to pronunciation differences influenced by region or social background, while style determines how language adapts to context, audience, and purpose, ranging from formal to informal. Register reflects language variation depending on the situation or topic, affecting word choice and tone. Additionally, jargon consists of specialized vocabulary used within specific professional or social groups, which may be difficult for outsiders to understand. The video emphasizes how these elements shape effective communication in different social settings.

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Holmes, Janet. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. 5th ed., Routledge, 2017. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315728438

HM English. (2022, May 10). Sociolinguistics Part 4: Language Registers and Styles [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYyCklBFY8I

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In this best-selling introductory textbook, Janet Holmes and Nick Wilson examine the role of language in a variety of social contexts, considering both how language works and how it can be used to signal and interpret various aspects of social identity. Divided into three sections, this book explains basic sociolinguistic concepts in the light of classic approaches as well as introducing more recent research.

This fifth edition has been revised and updated throughout using key concepts and examples to guide the reader through this fascinating area, including:

a new chapter on identity that reflects the latest research;

a brand new companion website which is fully cross-referenced within this book, and which includes and video and audio materials, interactive activities and links to useful websites;

updated and revised examples and exercises which include new material from Tanzania, Wales, Paraguay and Timor-Leste;

fully updated further reading and references sections.

An Introduction to Sociolinguistics is the essential introductory text for all students of sociolinguistics and a splendid point of reference for students of English language studies, linguistics and applied linguistics.

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An Introduction to Sociolinguistics | Janet Holmes, Nick Wilson | Tayl

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In this best-selling introductory textbook, Janet Holmes and Nick Wilson examine the role of language in a variety of social contexts, considering both how

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The way people view reality influences how they use language. They adapt the way they speak according to the situation, choosing the right words and tone. For example, if a child notices that his mother is angry, he will speak in a softer tone.

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It is about how language and culture are connected, influencing the way people classify the world.

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For example:

The Dyirbal language of Australia organizes nouns into four categories:

1. Bayi: (human) males; some animals

2. Balan: (human) females, birds, water, fire, fighting

3. Balaam: non-flesh food

4. Bala: everything else

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Language and perception  and  Linguistics categories and culture

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It is the way in which people organize and structure their discourse in communication, and how these structures vary from one culture to another.

Differences in discourse patterns across cultures

a) Speech varies across cultures:

Western cultures (US, Germany, UK).

Asian cultures (Japan, China, Korea)

Latin American cultures

b) Turn Talk and Use of Silence

Pauses and silences

Interruptions and overlapping.

Impact of Discourse Patterns on Intercultural Communication

Discourse patterns can have a great impact when people from different cultures interact, causing confusion and frustration in intercultural communication and generating misunderstandings. An example of the case of Robyn Kina

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Studies how language and differences in the social environment affect the way people think, process information and develop cognitive skills.

Relationship between language and social class

The language we use is profoundly influenced by the social environment in which we grow up, and this social environment is linked to social class.

Basil Bernstein and linguistic codes

Restricted code:

Used in the working class, it is informal and simple in grammar. Example: “That's no good. Put it there”.

Elaborated code:

Used in the middle and upper class, uses a more complex and precise grammar. Example: “That device is not working properly. We must put it on the table to check it.”

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Involves how context influences language comprehension and production.

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Cognition and Language in Different Social Classes

Cognition refers to how people think, process information, and solve problems. The language environment in which we grow up affects how we develop our cognitive skills.

How does the language environment impact academic performance?

The upper-middle class has greater access to study material, higher academic expectations and interaction with professionals, while the lower class faces limited resources and less exposure to formal language.

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Relates to how cognitive processes adapt to different speaking or writing styles.

Studies speech variation based on context, audience, and identity.

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Investigates how socioeconomic background affects cognitive language processing and vocabulary development.

Studies how language reflects and reinforces social class distinctions.