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ARELLANO UNIVERSITY
3058 Taft Avenue, Pasay City
GCAS 06 PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION
LESSON 4
TOPIC: 1. Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written Languages Lesson Learning Outcomes: At the end of the learning engagement you should be able to:
- explain the varieties and registers of spoken and written language,
- discuss how varieties and registers of languages affect communication,
- participate in activities to enhance communicative competence, and
- appreciate the significance of understanding how varieties and registers of languages affect communication. Boost Your Word Power! Practice saying “Thank you” in different languages. English – Thank you, Thanks Russian- Spasiba (spah-see-boh) Spanish - Gracias Korean - Gamsahamnida French - Merci Arabic - Shukran Italian - Grazie Icelandic- Takk Japanes e- Arigato Hawaiian - Mahalo Chinese - Do jeh, Daw-dyeh Hebrew - Toda (toh-dah) German - Danke sehr Greek - Efharisto (ef-har-ris-tou’) Thai - Khop Khun Mak Kha Hindi - Dhanyavad/Shukriya The American English and British English US English UK English US English UK English The Media Money and Shopping talk show TV program chat show, talk show TV programme check check (bill in a restaurant) realtor cheque bill estate agent
sales clerk store, shop shop assistant shop People and society Entertainment apartment crazy (insane) diaper line mad mean (unpleasant, rude) stingy (not generous) flat, apartment mad, crazy nappy queue, line angry nasty mean, stingy humor movie movie theater theater humour film cinema theatre The law and crime Fashion and design attorney, lawyer jail license offense barrister, solicitor, lawyer prison licence offence closet color cuffs (on trousers) modeling pants, slacks sweater vest zipper wardrobe, cupboard colour turn-ups modeling trousers jumper, jersey, sweater waistcoat zip Health and fitness Work and business doctor’s office drug store, pharmacy restroom (doctor’s) surgery chemist/s public toilet, lavatory desk clerk labor raise two weeks receptionist labour pay rise/ raise fortnight, two weeks Travel and transport Food and drink airplane gasoline aeroplane petrol burner can (of beans) hob tin
cellphone elevator faucet, tap mobile phone lift tap garbage, trash yard litter bin rubbish garden Varieties of the English Language By: Govind Language and Culture English is the most widely-spoken language in the world, having the distinct status of being the official language of multiple countries. While the English language is uniform with major variations in spelling present between American English and British English, the dialect or accent is usually the factor that enables one to distinguish that various types of English out there. From the thick Ugandan English to the French-themed Canadian English, the varieties of accents present are both diverse and beautiful. Apart from accents, there is a tendency for people to mix English with their local lingo to form a hybrid variety of English language that is as colorful as the culture in that country. Read on to find out more about the various types of English language that are present in countries around the world. British English British English is the English language as spoken and written in the United Kingdom or, more broadly, throughout the British Isles. Slight regional variations exist in formal, written English in the United Kingdom. English is a West Germanic language that originated from the Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Britain by Germanic settlers from various parts of what is now northwest Germany and the northern Netherlands. The resident population at this time was generally speaking Common Brittonic- the insular variety of continental Celtic, which was influenced by the Roman occupation. This group of languages (Welsh, Cornish, Cumbric) cohabited alongside English into the modern period, but due to their remoteness from the Germanic languages, influence on English was notably limited. American English
American English sometimes called United States English or U.S. English, is the set of varieties of the English language native to the United States and widely adopted in Canada. English is the most widely spoken language in the United States and is the common language used by the federal government, considered the de facto language of the country because of its widespread use. English has been given official status by 32 of the 50 state governments. Australian English Australian English is a major variety of the English language, used throughout Australia. Although English has no official status in the constitution, Australian English is the country’s national and de facto official language as it is the first language of the majority of the population. Australian English began to diverse from British English after the founding of the Colony of New South Wales in 1788 and was recognized as being different from British English by 1820. It arose from the intermingling of early settlers from a great variety of mutually intelligible dialectal regions of the British Isles and quickly developed into a distinct variety of English. Canadian English Canadian English is the set of varieties of the English language native to Canada. According to the 2011 census, English was the first language of approximately 19 million Canadians (57 % of the population) the remainder of the population were native speakers of Canadian French (22%) or other languages (allophones, 21%). The term “Canadian English” is first attested in speech by the Reverend A. Constable Geikie in an address to the Canadian Institution in 1857. Canadian English is the product of five waves of immigration and settlement over a period of more than two centuries. The first large wave of permanent English-speaking settlement in Canada, and linguistically the most important, was the influx of loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, chiefly from the Mid-Atlantic States-as such, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. Canadian English is believed by some scholars to have derived from northern American English. Indian English English language public instruction began in India in the 1830s during the rule of the East India Company (India was then, and is today, one of the most linguistically diverse regions of the world). In 1835, English replaced Persian as the official language of the company. Lord Macaulay played a major role in introducing English and western
Language Registers By: Jesus Perry L. Caudilla According to Eaton (2012), language or speech register is the level of formality or informality with which people converse with one another. The choice of language register depends on communication situations and people involved. Here are pieces of information about the five types of language or speech registers. Frozen Register Literally “frozen” in time and form: rarely or never changes and often learned and repeated by rote. Quality is static. Ritualistic and may even be archaic. Most formal communicative style used in respectful situation or formal ceremonies. Does not require any feedback from the audience. Examples: Anthems and Pledges Alma Mater song Marriage ceremonies Speeches for state ceremonies Prayers like The Lord’s Prayer Laws unless amended Formal Register Language is standard-avoids slang and may use technical or academic vocabulary. Speaker uses complete sentences. Is likely that the speaker will use fewer contractions. Used for most academic and scientific publishing. Examples: Sermons Rhetorical statements and questions Speeches Pronouncements made by judges Announcements Consultative Register The normal style for speaking to strangers or persons who are neither acquaintances nor friends or relatives.
Two defining features: The speaker supplies background information – he does not assumes that he will be understood without it: and The listener participates continuously. Uses feedback and listener participation- the speaker depends on the listener’s responses in deciding whether he is being understood. Used in semi-formal communication, and uses titles such as “Doctor”, “Mr.”, “Mrs.”, “Atty.”, etc. Words are general but precise, rather than technical. Conversational in tone. Interruptions can occur during the communication. Speaker does not usually plan what he wants to say like in an advance. Sentences tend to be shorter and spontaneous. Examples: A communication between a superior and a subordinate a doctor and a patient a lawyer and a client a lawyer and a judge a teacher and a student a counselor and a counselee Casual Register Used among friends and acquaintances that does not require background information. No social barriers required. Very relaxed and focused on just getting the information. Conversational in tone. Interruptions can occur during the communication. Used in informal situation and uses informal language- slangs, vulgarities, and colloquialisms are normal and quite often used. Used when getting to know someone on a more personal level, or you want the person to feel at ease. Examples: Chat with buddies Emails or letters to friends Blogs Phrases like- o “I’m doin’ it my way.” (doing) o “Lemme go”. (Let me go) o “Watcha gonna do?” (What are you going to do?) o “Wassup”. (What’s up?) Intimate Register A non-public speech style. Used by family members and very close friends.
Bias-Free Language
By: Jesus Perry L. Caudilla In speaking and writing, it is important that bias is avoided. You must not attempt to use discriminatory words or remarks that either degrade or elevate people based on your assumptions on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, abilities and religion of the recipient of your communication. In other words, the use of bias-free language is essential in a bias-free communication so that it will not result to offending your audience. Locker (2006) defined bias-free language as “language that is sensitive to people’s sex, race, age, physical condition and many other categories. Bias-free language does not discriminate and therefore includes all readers in a fair and friendly manner”. Failure to use bias-free language in communication may lead to disturbance of message, thus it is necessary to select your words carefully. In addition, all communications should be inclusive and diverse. Here are some guidelines for bias-free communications Gender
- Use gender-neutral or inclusive terms to refer to people. Use this Avoid this people, humanity, human beings man, mankind chair, chairperson, moderator chairman staff the operation man the operation labor, human resources, workforce, staff, personnel manpower ordinary terms layman’s terms manufactured, synthetic, artificial manmade spokesperson spokesman salesperson, sales clerk salesman, sales lady
- Don’t use gender-bias pronouns Use this Avoid this Each employee should hand in a business report by… Each employee should hand in his business report by… You should hand in your business report by…. Each employee should hand in his business report by… Guidance counselors give advice to their students… Guidance counselor gives advice to her students… When talking to customers, ask them When talking to a customer, ask
to give… him/her to give… Age, Class and Size
- Refer to a person’s age only when it is relevant to the message. Relevant Irrelevant The professors, 35 and 40, have been promoted. Dr. Cansancio, 25, has been promoted to a new post. She is the youngest President the university has ever had.
- Intellectual, physical and emotional abilities are not qualified based on age, so don’t use words that underestimate people. Appropriate Inappropriate Ten-year old Stephen continues to improve his ability to read and write. Ten-year old Stephen still finds it difficult to read and write.
- Preferred and Problematic Language Preferred Problematic people of advanced age, old people older people, elders, seniors, senior citizen person who lacks advantages that others have, low economic status related to a person’s education, occupation and income poor person, person from the ghetto/slum person living at or below the poverty line, people experiencing poverty poor person, poverty-stricken person person of material wealth rich people of size obese, overweight people Race, Ethnicity, Culture and Immigrant Status
- Unless important, never identify people by race or ethnic group. Appropriate Inappropriate Randy Santos, the student from Pinatubo, always submits his research paper before the deadline. Randy Santos, the black Aeta from Pinatubo, always submits his research paper before the deadline. Randy Beltran, a professor of Chemistry, Randy Beltran, an Igorot professor of
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- “Gender Orientation” and “sexual orientation” are preferred to “sexual preference”. The latter puts sex as focus of relationship and being homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual is a matter of choice.
- Preferred and Problematic Language Preferred Problematic Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity “Sexual Preference” is used to suggest that being gay or lesbian is voluntary and therefore “curable” Gay, Lesbian, Same Gender Loving (SGL) “Homosexual” is an outdated clinical term considered derogatory and offensive to many gays and lesbians. Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS), Gender Reaffirming Surgery, Gender Confirming Surgery Sex Change Using bias-free language in communication can lead to better message exchange and stronger relationship with those whom we work with in the academic, business, civic and other fields. Reference: Caudilla & Cansancio, Purposive Communication, 2019 Books Atbp. Publishing Corporation ISBN 978-621-409-141-
