Register as formality scale

[Guild of English Students]

• REGISTER - Definition: Type of language used when speaking to
others
• VERTICAL REGISTER - Definition: Language used varying in degrees of
formality
• HORIZONTAL REGISTER - Definition: Jargon, slang, etc. used in
communicating with your friends, colleagues, etc.

This diagram is from Quirk et al. (1985), who use the term attitude
rather than style or register
Formality scale

Very formal, Frozen, Rigid ← FORMAL Neutral INFORMAL → Very
informal, Casual, Familiar

In one prominent model, Joos (1961) describes five styles in spoken
English:
• Frozen: Printed unchanging language such as Biblical quotations;
often contains archaisms.
• Formal: One-way participation, no interruption. Technical
vocabulary; "Fuzzy semantics" or exact definitions are important.
Includes introductions between strangers.
• Consultative: Two-way participation. Background information is
provided — prior knowledge is not assumed. "Back-channel behaviour"
such as "uh huh", "I see", etc. is common. Interruptions are allowed.
• Casual: In-group friends and acquaintances. No background
information provided. Ellipsis and slang common. Interruptions common.
• Intimate: Non-public. Intonation more important than wording or
grammar. Private vocabulary.