Learning About Language Registers

Charles Su+on Drop Back In Academy

Unco ver th e hid den r ul e s !

People speak using 5 different registers

Frozen is sometimes called static register

Consulta4ve This register may be used at times in school. It is what takes place when two people are having a conversation about a school, medical, or business-­‐related topic, like a teacher and student, a supervisor and employee, or a doctor and patient. It employs active listening skills, mirroring, and back channel dialog.

Interruptions are allowed for clarification purposes.

In4mate This register is used mostly by two people in relationships like close friends, parent and child, husband and wife, or boyfriend and girlfriend. It is not meant for public ears. Intonations are more important than wording or grammar. This register also includes non-­‐verbal messages.

Now...here come the two most important registers you need to know about for success in work or school…

Casual and Formal Registers while hanging out with friends

while at work or at school

Casual Register!

When is casual speech appropriate at school?

Can someone tell me?

DO YOU KNOW?

• • • • • •

Non-Offensive Casual register! may be used…!

On break During non-­‐academic conversaGons When you are working together in small groups Before and aHer school During creaGve wriGng for dialog Any Gme less formal things are going on in school!

From our sponsor Watch out for the trappings of casual register. People who only use casual language tend to dress casually, and act casually as well. Although our school and some work situations encourage casual dress, it must also be formal enough to meet the dress code of the school or company. Be aware of school and business regulations on dress. Also, people who live in communities that rely on casual register tend to be more demonstrative with their behavior. They get into fights rather than using conflict resolution skills.

While schools and businesses can sometimes accept casual language, they never accept casual register behavior.

Don’t let it hold you back from your goals!

Ok…so we really don’t have a sponsor.

You are all too smart for me!

Formal Register

Who can tell me when we should use only formal register?

Why do I always get the same kids raising their hands?????????????????

I KNOW IT’S THE SAME PICTURE… JUST TESTING TO SEE WHO WAS

PAYING ATTENTION!

Formal register should be used…

• In most academic situaGons • During direct instrucGon • During class meeGngs • When quesGoning the teacher or a fellow student • At work

Why should ques4oning a teacher or another student be so formal?

Dr. Ruby Payne (1996) points out that if a student doesn’t like an assignment and says in casual register, “This sucks,” and another expresses the same feeling by saying, “ This lesson is not congruent with my past learning experiences” the teacher will be more likely to scold or punish the first than the second even if the sentiment is exactly the same because of the use of casual register. Now, I don’t expect anyone to say my lessons aren’t “congruent” with past learning, but if you say, “Mr. Sutton…this lesson contradicts what you taught us last week,” it is unlikely that I will be upset with you.

I may even thank you for the correction.

The Hidden Rules

Shhhhhhhh…Don’t tell anyone I told you!

Casual Register

Formal Register

Survival is the driving force for Decisions are made for work making decisions. and achievement.

People are considered possessions.

Things are possessions.

The world is defined in local terms.

The world is defined in naGonal or global terms.

Conflicts are solved by fighGng.

Conflicts are solved by negoGaGon.

Food is valued for quanGty.

Food is valued for quality

Discipline is a cause for laughter. It is about penance and forgiveness, not change.

Reprimand is taken seriously.

Discipline is about changing behavior.

Noise level is higher, and there Formal verbal communicaGon is more a+enGon paid to non-­‐ is proper for school and job verbal communicaGon. interviews.

DesGny and fate are most important. Choice is a foreign concept.

Choice is a key in this lifestyle.

The future is important, and educaGon is a big part of it.

*The table was derived from the work of Dr. Ruby Payne (1996)

Now you’ve uncovered the secrets!

Put them to work for you. Know when you can speak, dress, and behave using the common aspects of the casual register, and know when you shouldn’t. Your success in school, work, and life in general depends upon knowing what people expect from you, setting goals, and having the tools to fulfill them. Having the right information can make all the difference in the world.

References

PAYNE, R. (1996, MARCH). UNDERSTANDING AND WORKING WITH STUDENTS AND ADULTS FROM POVERTY. RETRIEVED MARCH 2, 2013, FROM CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY—PORTLAND BLACKBOARD: HTTP:// CUP.BLACKBOARD.COM/BBCSWEBDAV/PID-­‐273197-­‐DT-­‐CONTENT-­‐RID-­‐3810849_1/COURSES/20134040945/ RESOURCES/WEEK2/UNDERSTANDING_WORKING_WITH_STUDENTS_ADULTS_FROM_POVERTY-­‐ WEEK2%20.PDF