Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz 3120

Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Instructional Module for the Course

(COMM 1100 Purposive Communication)

Module 3: COMMUNICATION IN THE

MULTICULTURAL WORLD
Overview

Technology has indeed changed the way how we communicate with

one another.
From the traditional snail mail that we use in the early years, which
took months before our letter is received, we can now instantly send a
message to anyone around the globe using any messaging app. Of course,
this was made possible by the internet.
But other than making our communication faster, let us think how far
has the technology brought us in terms of communication? How does
technology changed today’s communication?

Objectives

After completing this module, you are expected to:

1. Determine culturally appropriate terms, expression, and images

(sensitivity to gender, race, class, etc); and

2. Adopt cultural and intercultural awareness sensitivity in

communication of ideas.

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Topic 2 Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written

Language

Difference of Language Varieties and Language Registers: An Introduction

Basically, a language variety is a cover up term of any of the overlapping

subcategories of a language including dialect, register, jargon and idiolect.

Like for example, in the US, English has lots of language varieties-we have the
American English and the British English, to name a few. Although, the main
language is the same, still it is not entirely similar in terms of the intonation,
pronunciation and even its vocabularies. The use of the English language depends
on the geographical location of a certain group of Americans.

Same goes to the Philippines. Although we speak the Filipino language, there
are still terms that has different meanings in other regions/places. Also, our
country, which has a very rich culture and is consists of many ethno-linguistic
groups, we speak a variety of dialects-Ilocano, Kapampangan, Bisaya, Pangalatok,
etc.

The term “variety” is coined to avoid the use of the term “language”, which
general refer to one’s standard language.

This is the main idea of what a language variety is.

The language register on the other hand, is the way how the speaker uses the
language depending on the situation/circumstance. It may be formal or informal
depending on the person whom the speaker is talking to. As mentioned earlier,
the way you communicate with the elderlies, your professors and high-profiled
people should be highly different from the way you communicate with your friends
and classmates.

This is what language register is all about.

Of course, there are still more about language varieties and language registers.

This will be presented later in this module.

Language Varieties

In sociolinguistics, language variety also called lect is a general term for any
distinctive form of a language or linguistic form of a language or linguistic
expression. Linguists commonly use language variety (or simply variety) as a cover

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term for any of the overlapping subcategories of a language including dialect,

register, jargon and idiolect.

Understanding Language Varieties

To understand the meaning of language varieties, it's important to consider

how lects differ from standard English. Even what constitutes standard English is
a topic of hot debate among linguists.

Standard English is a controversial term for a form of the English language

that is written and spoken by educated users. For some linguists, standard English
is a synonym for good or correct English usage. Others use the term to refer to a
specific geographical dialect of English or a dialect favored by the most powerful
and prestigious social group.

Varieties of language develop for a number of reasons: differences can

come about for geographical reasons; people who live in different geographic
areas often develop distinct dialects—variations of standard English. Those who
belong to a specific group, often academic or professional, tend to adopt jargon
that is known to and understood by only members of that select group. Even
individuals develop idiolects, their own specific ways of speaking.

Dialect

The word dialect—which contains "lect" within the term—derives from the
Greek words dia- meaning "across, between" and legein "speak." A dialect is a
regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar,
and/or vocabulary. The term dialect is often used to characterize a way of
speaking that differs from the standard variety of the language. Sarah Thomason
of the Linguistic Society of America notes:

"All dialects start with the same system, and their partly
independent histories leave different parts of the parent system
intact. This gives rise to some of the most persistent myths about
language, such as the claim that the people of Appalachia speak
pure Elizabethan English."

Certain dialects have gained negative connotations in the U.S. as well as in

other countries. Indeed, the term dialect prejudice refers to discrimination based
on a person's dialect or way of speaking. Dialect prejudice is a type of linguicism—
discrimination based on dialect. In their article "Applied Social Dialectology,"
published in "Sociolinguistics: An International Handbook of the Science
of Language and Society," Carolyn Temple and Donna Christian observe:

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"...dialect prejudice is endemic in public life, widely tolerated, and institutionalized

in social enterprises that affect almost everyone, such as education and the media.

There is limited knowledge about and little regard for linguistic study
showing that all varieties of a language display systematicity and that
the elevated social position of standard varieties has no scientific linguistic basis."

Due to this kind of dialectic prejudice, Suzanne Romaine, in "Language in

Society," notes: "Many linguists now prefer the term variety or lect to avoid the
sometimes pejorative connotations that the term 'dialect' has."

There are also different types of lects which echo the types of language.
These are the following:

1. Regional dialect. It is a variety spoken in particular region.

2. Sociolect. This is also known as social dialect. It is a variety of language

(or register) used by a socio-economic class, a profession, an age group,
or any other social group.

3. Ethnolect. It is a lect spoken by a specific ethnic group.

4. Idiolect. It is the language or languages spoken by each individual. For

example, if you are multilingual and can speak in different registers and
styles, your idiolect comprises several languages. Each with multiple
registers and styles.

Slang
For certain other kinds of varieties, especially those referred to as slangs
and jargons, the set includes only a relatively small set of vocabulary items.

Slang may be characterized as a very informal language variety that

includes new and sometimes not polite words and meanings. It is often used
among particular groups of people, for example groups of teen-agers or
professional groups, and is usually not used in serious speech or writing. You can
get an idea of slang from a British perspective by consulting the online Dictionary
of Slang at http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/. Here is small selection of what this
dictionary presents under the letter K:

kerb crawler Noun. A person who drives slowly to view street

prostitutes, with the intention of procuring their services. {Informal}.
khyber (pass) Noun. Buttocks, anus. Cockney rhyming slang on 'arse'.
kiddie fiddler Noun. A paedophile. Derog.

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kipper Noun. The face. E.g."Did you see the miserable kipper on that
idiot stood at the back?" [Liverpool/North-west use.]
kisser Noun. Mouth. Origins in boxing.
knocking shop Noun. A brothel.
kooky Adj. Crazy, eccentric

We can observe that some of the expressions contain ordinary words in the
language, only with a special meaning attached to it, like kisser and knocking.
These words have acquiered new meanings in their polysemy networks. The new
meanings are usually based upon fanciful and creative metaphors and
metonymies.

In other cases the expressions contain special words that do not have any
«non-slang» meanings, like kooky.

Jargon

Jargon is a set of vocabulary items used by members of particular

professions, that is, their technical terms. For example, linguists have a large
vocabulary that is not well understood by non-linguists. Dictionary definitions of
jargon usually give examples like computer jargon and the jargon of the
advertising business, but all professions have their own jargons.

Honorifics and politeness in Korean

In Korean, personal and reflexive pronouns not only express differences of

person and number, but also the relative social hierarchy between the speaker and
the addressee or third-person referent. This phenomenon is well-known from
languages all over the world, for example the French tu / vous distinction and
similar distinctions in other European languages (Norwegian du / De, German du
/ Sie, Castilian tu / usted, Russian ty / Vy, and so on), but in Korean, the system
is much more elaborate.

As Sohn (1999 : 407) points out, language has essentially two functions –
transmission of information and knowledge on the one hand and establishment
and maintenance of human relationships on the other. It is the latter function that
is relevant to linguistic politeness. For example, Korean has two words meaning
‘I’: na and ce, and they are characterized as plain and humble, respectively. The
plain form is used when talking to a child or a younger adult, while the humble
form is used when talking to a senior or an adult equal. While Standard English
has the one pronoun you to refer to the addressee(s), Sohn (1999 : 207) presents
no less than 14 different forms.

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In fact, Korean has not less than six politeness levels, that are realized inter
alia in the pronoun system and in verbal inflections. Sohn (1999) defines the
politeness levels as follows (some details are left out):

• The plain level, which is the lowest level, is used, in general, by any speaker
to any child, to one’s own younger sibling, child, or grandchild regardless
of age, and to one’s daughter-inlaw, and also between intimate adult friends
whose friendship began in childhood.

• The intimate level is between close friends whose friendship began in

childhood or adolescence.

• The familiar level is slightly more formal than the intimate level, typically
used by a male adult to an adolescent such as a high school or college
student or to one’s son-in-law, or between two close adult friends whose
friendship began in adolescence.

• The blunt level, which is gradually disappearing from daily usage probably
due to its authoritative connotations, is sometimes used by a boss to his
subordinates or by an old generation husband to wife.

• The polite level is the most popular level towards an adult, and is used by
both males and females in daily conversations. It is less formal than the
deferential level.

• The deferential level is used in formal situations such as news reports and
public lectures.

Language Registers

Register is defined as the way a speaker uses language differently in

different circumstances. Think about the words you choose, your tone of voice,
even your body language. You probably behave very differently chatting with a
friend than you would at a formal dinner party or during a job interview. These
variations in formality, also called stylistic variation are known as registers in
linguistics.

They are determined by such factors as social occasion, context, purpose,

and audience. Registers are marked by a variety of specialized vocabulary and
turns of phrases, colloquialisms, the use of jargon, and a difference in intonation
and pace.

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Registers are used in all forms of communication, including written, spoken,

and signed. Depending on grammar, syntax, and tone, the register may be
extremely rigid or very intimate. You don't even need to use an actual word to
communicate effectively. A huff of exasperation during a debate or a grin while
signing "hello" speaks volumes.

Categories of Registers

There are two categories of registers-the formal and informal registers in

spoken and written language.

Formal registers can include everything from an academic essay to

wedding vows. The academic essay is formal because it includes polished speech,
complex sentences, and precise vocabulary. The wedding vows are an example of
extremely formal language that must be said the same way each time as part of a
ritual.

There are also varieties of informal registers. Informal language occurs

between people who know each other well and who speak without trying to be
'proper'. Sometimes this includes speaking in slang and other times it's simply a
more casual delivery. For example, you might say, 'Could you bring us more coffee,
please?' to a waiter at a fancy restaurant, but at your favorite hangout you might
say, 'Can I get a little more coffee here?' when you've reached the bottom of your
cup.

The Five Registers of Language

There are five registers of language. These are frozen/static register,

formal/academic register, consultative register, casual register, and intimate
register.

• Frozen/Static Register: This register rarely or never changes. Examples

of frozen register include the Pledge of Allegiance or the Preamble to the
Constitution.

• Formal/Academic Register: This register includes academic language

from speeches, proclamations and formal announcements.

• Consultative Register: This register is formal and acceptable speech

often used in professional settings. Some examples of this register include
discourse between teachers and students, judges and lawyers, doctors and
patients, and between a superior and a subordinate.

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• Casual Register: This register is used among friends and peers, and
includes informal language including slang and colloquialisms. Casual
register is often used among friends, teammates, etc.

• Intimate Register: This register is reserved for close family members

such as parents and children and siblings, or intimate people such as
spouses.

How do you use and control register and formality consistently in

English?

Language register, or formality definition, is controlled by using three

language points such as grammar, vocabulary and punctuation.

Examples:

Grammar

Informal Formal
Joe and Charles attended the The meeting was attended by Joe
meeting. and Charles.

Joe and Charles thought the meeting The meeting was thought to have
was a success. been a success.

Robert Mortimer built the house in The house was built in 1789
1789 by Robert Mortimer.

Mary and Ryan went to a formal The formal dance was attended by
dance on Saturday. Mary and Ryan.

Thanks for your letter. We got it on Thank you for your letter we received
14 Sept. on the 14th of September 2018.

We’ve sent a copy to comp. H.Q. A copy has been sent to company
along with a memo re. your financial headquarters in addition to a
situation. I’ve set a meeting for 3 memorandum concerning your
financial situation.

Oct at 11 am to talk about another A meeting has been scheduled for the
bank loan. 3rd October 2018 at 11 am to discuss
your request for a further bank
So, please let us know if you can loan. Therefore, please inform us of
make it a.s.a.p. But, we might ask your availability for this meeting at
you a few things to do with your inc. the earliest opportunity.
and exp. before giving you a loan. However, a number of issues
concerning your income and

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Also, I need to get in touch with the expenditure may be queried prior to
G.M. to okay it. a loan being granted.

Plus, we’ll first have to think about Furthermore, the General Manager
the last time you didn’t keep up with needs to be contacted in order to
your payments. Anyway, in the authorise bank loans of this nature.
meantime, you need to fill in this
business plan. Bring it to the Moreover, your previous failure to
meeting with you. meet payment arrangements will first
have to be considered.
Nevertheless, in the interim, you are
required to complete the enclosed
business plan, which should be
brought to the meeting.

Vocabulary

Informal Formal
To get To receive
To buy To purchase
To set up To schedule
And Furthermore
But However
So Therefore

Punctuations

Register punctuation is defined as contraction and abbreviation both in

writing and speaking.

In formal language, a register has no contractions or abbreviations while

opposite goes to informal language.

Example:

Formal: I cannot (or can not) attend on Friday.

Informal: I can’t come on Friday.

References
Hickey, R. (n.d.). Variety Studies. Retrieved from

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https://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/ikos/EXFAC03-
AAS/h05/larestoff/linguistics/Chapter%207.(H05).pdf

Hermann, E. (2015). Language register: What is it and why does it matter in

education? Retrieved from
https://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/language-register-what-is-it-
and-why-does-it-matter/education

Nordquist, R. (2020). Definition and Examples of Language Varieties. Retrieved

from https://www.thoughtco.com/language-variety-sociolinguistics-
1691100

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