Register

Style

A characteristic way of conveying information e.g. humorous, journalistic, casual, business-like (ironic, poetic, literary)

Register

Levels of formality

The formality or informality of the language used in a particular situation.  Formal register or language is that used in

serious or important situations, e.g. in a job application.  Informal register or language is that used in relaxed or

friendly situations, e.g. with family or friends.

Domain – specific vocabulary

Register may also refer to language which is specific to a particular group, e.g. technical register, scientific register.

Taken from http://www.cambridgeesol.org/assets/pdf/exams/tkt/tkt-glossary.pdf

“Registers are varieties of language defined by their topic and context of use; the language of medicine, education, law, computers, etc. come into this category:

e.g. minor is the legal term for child

insolvent is the banking term for penniless

cardiac arrest is the medical term for heart attack”

“Working with Words” Pages 20, 21, Ruth Gairns and Stuart Redman, Cambridge University Press, 1998

These items are similar in conceptual meaning but different in register and style

Children (neutral)

Offspring (formal, sometimes humorous)

Nippers (colloquial, often humorous)

Kids (colloquial)

Brats (colloquial, derogatory)

These are some more examples taken from “Working with words”

Emoluments: Formal (usually financial)

Cosine: Mathematics (technical, trigonometry)

A shrink: colloquial, US, usually humorous.

Hence: Formal (e.g. a mile hence), but can be neutral (e.g. I’ve got a job- hence the new suit)

Loo: colloquial, GB

Communicative competence: language teaching register

Bonkers: slang, GB