INTRODUCTION
In this unit, we shall be looking at another variety of language, which is different from the ones we examined in the last unit. This variety has to do with language use that is not dependent upon the user. There is an established way of using some varieties among people who belong to the same profession. They have terms and expressions, which are specifically used for conveying meaning. This does not differ from one individual or region as long as they speak the same language. Such a variety that is determined by ‘use’, rather than the user is referred to as ‘Register’ .
In this unit, we shall look at the concept of register and how to recognise a register through its variables. In addition, we shall also look at the different ways registers can be identified.
3.1 What is Register?
Register refers to a variety of language according to use. It is a subset of a language used for a particular purpose in a particular social setting (Wikipedia Dictionary). The term register was first used by the linguist Thomas Reid in 1956. It was later brought into currency in the 1960s by linguists who wanted to differentiate between ‘variations of language according to ‘user’ and ‘variations of language according to use’ Each user of a language has a range of varieties from which he chooses to reflect the social reality (Halliday, et al., 1964).
Register, therefore refers to varieties used for different occasions characterised by specialised vocabulary and grammar. For instance, the legal language (legalese) is used when speaking or writing on legal issues or when the context of language use is a legal one. The language of journalism (journalese) is used in the context of journalism. Other registers include: baby talk (register used by adults when speaking with children), scientific report register (used in reporting scientific research), cookery register (used when talking or writing about cookery), etc.
Registers operate in a continuum, rather than as discrete varieties. This means that there can be overlap in usage in different registers. It is however clear that each register has its distinctive linguistic characteristics. Most of the expressions we use in ordinary daily interactions may have specialised usage in some registers. For instance, the word minor in the ordinary sense means ‘not important when compared with other things of the same type’. However, in the legal register it refers to ‘someone who has not reached the age at which they are legally adult’. Below are some words with their ordinary meanings and their specialised meanings in some English registers.
Table 2.1:
3.1.1 Register Variables
Register is generally determined by what is taking place, who is taking part and what part the language is playing. This is the basis for identifying the register variables, which we shall be discussing in this section. Scholars of Register Studies have identified three abstract situational features which will in any given situation, influence language use. Halliday (1985) particularly developed the three main parameters, which are useful for characterising the nature of social interaction of participants. These variables or contextual features are Field, Mode and Tenor.
3.1.2 Field
The field of a discourse refers to what the text is all about, what is happening or the subject matter of the discourse. The field is most clearly reflected in the lexical items chosen and sometimes the way the language is structured. For instance if two people are discussing agriculture, their vocabulary will reflect the topic. This depends on the specific area of Agriculture they are discussing. Below are some registers and vocabularies identified with their field.
Publishing: manuscript, royalty, galley proof, reprint, edit, proof-read, typeface, etc.
Health: x-ray, hemorrhage, migraine, vaccination, immunity, surgery, ward, etc.
Politics: electorate, ballot, cabinet, constituency, legislature, impeachment, bill, etc.
Computing: disk, flash pen, PDF, floppy, UPS, CD-Rom, password, attachment, etc.
Finance: discount, investment, auditor, ledger, capital, turnover, credit, budget, etc.
Road Transport: speed limit, roundabout, T-junction, zebra crossing, C-caution, etc.
Cookery : chop, whisk, garnish, grate dessert, buffet, menu, recipe, pastries, etc
3.1.3 Mode
The mode of discourse is the channel or medium of communication. There are three major channels of communication: speech, writing and gestures. In considering, the mode of discourse, we have to examine the distance between the activity and the language. For instance, speech is close to the activity it describes, while writing is far from it. We also have to look at how far removed the speaker and the listeners are form one another. For instance, speakers and listeners in face to face interaction are closer than speaker and listener in telephone conversation.
Communicating through writing makes the users farther from each other. Communicating through the Internet combines the features of speaking and writing. Gestures are sometimes used to complement speech and when they are used alone, it is usually the case that the person being addressed cannot use speech to communicate.
3.1.4 Tenor
The tenor of discourse refers to the people taking part and the relationship between them, e.g.: teacher-pupil, parent-child, preacher- congregation, boss-subordinate, etc. Participants in a discourse have social roles, which could be temporary or permanent. Different individuals may assume different roles in different linguistic domains. The tenor of discourse also determines the choice of lexical items. The choice of lexical items may reflect equality, solidarity, friendliness, and so forth. The lexical items may also be highly specialised and technical.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
i. Listen to a discussion programme on the television and note your observation of the register variables.
ii. Write out some English words that are used across different English registers and identify such registers and the meanings of these words in the registers.
3.2 Varieties according to Subject Matter
When discussing different subject matters, or when we are engaged in different activities, we use language in different ways to reflect the subject matter or the activity we are engaged in. The way we use language in this sense is clearly seen in our choice of lexical items and their collocations. According to Halliday and Hasan (1985: 39), registers are characterised by indexical features, indices in form of particular grammatical signals
Registers vary from restricted language in which the range of discourse is less constrained. For instance, the register of newspaper headlines is more open-ended than that of legal documents.
3.3 Varieties according to Attitude
Our attitude to what we are doing also determines our language. Many a times, we are able to identify clearly our purpose of communication and this determines largely how we speak. For instance, we recognise informal and formal situations and we try to reflect the situation in our language use.
An informal situation is that of familiarity, therefore the attitude of language users is warm and relaxed. This is the kind of situation that exists between friends and acquaintances. Speakers are casual in their choice of language. The variety of language is usually spoken, though sometimes, it may be written. It is marked by common and familiar lexical items and collocations, shortened forms and omitted parts.
A formal situation is that of unfamiliarity, therefore, the attitude is impersonal. It is a situation in which we have a socially superior person and his/her subordinate or people who are not familiar. Speakers are polite in their choice of language. The vocabulary items are the specialised and rare ones. The sentences are also usually non-simple and passive. This is common in official correspondence, scholarly papers, essays, government publications and so forth.
There is also a neutral situation, which is neither formal nor informal. The attitude here is equally neutral. This variety is common in newspapers and conversations with strangers. It combines the least extreme features of both formal and informal varieties.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
Identify some of the indigenous languages spoken in Nigeria.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Register is a variety of language according to use. It is a variety that does not depend on the individual language user, but the use the language is put to. A register is identified primarily through specialised lexical items and expression, which characterise it. There are also three register variables identified by Halliday (1985). These variables are also referred to as contextual or situational features. They influence the language used at any particular point in time. .
5.0 SUMMARY
In this unit, we have examined the concept of Register - the nature of the concept and how we can determine a register using the contextual features. We also looked at how our attitudes and the subject matter of discourse determine the variety of language that we use at any particular point in time.
6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
1. Explain the term ‘register’ .
2. Differentiate between register and dialect.
3. What is tenor of discourse?
4. Discuss the field, tenor, and mode of the following types of discourse:
(i) sermon
(ii) news presentation on the television
(iii) news report in a newspaper
(iv) casual conversation.
7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
Ghadessy, M. (Ed.). (1993). Register Analysis: Theory and Practice. London: Pinter.
Halliday, M.A.K. (1985). An Introduction to Functional Grammar. London: Edward Arnold.
Yule, G. (1995). The Study of Language. Cambridge: CUP.
Leave a comment behind