Ch 4
Register: From Spoken to Formal
Got a minute? · This book, it's great · one must · Dear Sir or Madam… · shifting register
frozen
The party of the first part hereby agrees… (legal)
formal
We would be grateful if you could reply by Friday.
neutral
Please reply by Friday.
informal
Can you let me know by Friday?
ellipsis
Got a minute? · Sounds good.
heads
This book, it's brilliant.
tails
It's brilliant, this book.
vague language
some biscuits and stuff · sort of green · or something
you
You should back up your files. (manuals, journalism)
one
One must take all factors into account. (very formal)
we
As we saw in Chapter 2… (inclusive, academic)
the reader
The reader will note that… (formal academic)
Hey Mr Brown, I would be most grateful if you could send the invoice.
Clash: informal greeting + very formal request.
Dear Mr Brown, could you send the invoice when you have a moment? Best wishes,
Consistent, polite neutral register.
Match greeting, request and sign-off.
The results were, frankly, a bit of a disaster.
Informal phrase in formal writing → emphasis, humour.
"Pursuant to our chat," she joked.
Formal phrase in speech → irony.
Hey Sir, I am writing to complain.
→
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to complain.
formal letter → formal greeting
Got your email. Will reply soon. Yours faithfully,
→
Thanks for your email — I'll reply soon. Best wishes,
match the sign-off to the register
One should check their work.
→
One should check one's work. / You should check your work.
keep one or you consistent
This essay, it argues that…
→
This essay argues that…
heads are spoken grammar
Shift register.
1
Say "Can you help me?" at five levels, from intimate to frozen.
2
Tell a short story using heads, tails and vague language.
3
Rewrite a text message to your friend as an email to a manager.
4
Find a register clash in an email you have received.
Recap
formal request
I would be grateful if …
We would be grateful if you could …
spoken: ellipsis
Got a … ? · Sounds …
Sounds good.
spoken: heads / tails
noun + pronoun / pronoun + noun
This book, it's great.
impersonal
one / the reader
One must …
consistency
match greeting, request, sign-off
Dear … / Best wishes
effect
deliberate shift
… frankly, a bit of a disaster