1. Language Registers © M. Grazia Busà 2013

2. Linguistic competence  Language varies according to the situation in which it is used  Speakers have control over many registers and are able to shift from one to another depending on the context and the communicative needs (verbal repertoires)  Registers determine speakers’ linguistic choices at all linguistic levels: ●What varies is intonation, vocabulary, grammar, etc. © M. Grazia Busà 2013

3. Language use  Language use depends on the context and the relation between the speakers For example: The way in which a mother talks to her child is different from the way in which two professionals talk to each other, and different again from the way in which two friends talk to each other © M. Grazia Busà 2013

4. Using real language...  Typically, foreign language classes teach students the more formal registers of the language  However, it is important that students learn to match the right language with the right situation/the right people © M. Grazia Busà 2013

5. This means … Lexicon (vocabulary) Grammar Styles Expressions Intonation © M. Grazia Busà 2013

6. ●http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxUm-2x- 2dM Just for fun … © M. Grazia Busà 2013

7. How to distinguish between words from formal and informal registers  In English many words have been derived from Latin  Often Latin words coexist with Germanic (native English) synonyms, but are used in more formal registers © M. Grazia Busà 2013

8. Some examples: Rapid Salute Obtain Difficult Possible Appear Sufficient Demonstrate Fast Greet Get Hard Likely Seem Enough Show LatinateGermanic © M. Grazia Busà 2013

9. More on formal and informal registers  Many English words have also been borrowed from French at different points in history  Words that entered the English vocabulary at times when the Normans had political and cultural power in Britain still enjoy greater prestige (are used in more formal styles) © M. Grazia Busà 2013

10. Some examples: Chef Cuisine Faux (cf. lat. false) Mutton Petite Veal Pork Legal words Cook Kitchen Fake Sheep Little, small Calf Pig FrenchGermanic © M. Grazia Busà 2013

11. Phrasal verbs  Phrasal verbs are typically used: ●in spoken language ●in informal registers  For most phrasal verbs, there is an equivalent but more formal, non-phrasal verb, often of Latin origin © M. Grazia Busà 2013

12. Some examples: Pick up Pick out Turn down Turn into Give away Sell out Go in Learn Select Decline Become Show Betray Enter Phrasal verb Non-phrasal verb © M. Grazia Busà 2013