VARIETIES OF

WRITTEN AND
SPOKEN
LANGUAGE
VARIETIES The varieties and registers of spoken and
written language reflect the diverse ways

OF in which humans use language to

communicate across different contexts,

LANGUAGE purposes, and audiences. Understanding

these varieties and registers is crucial for
appreciating the richness of language and
its adaptability.
 Guess which country this word
belongs to:
Who spells this word…
colour
center

theatre
traveller
gray
 Guess which country this word
belongs to:
Who usually says this phrase…
I already ate.
I have already eaten.

Have you seen the movie yet.

Did you see the movie yet.

 Literary Language: Used in
literature, characterized by creative
and often complex syntax, rich
vocabulary, and figurative language.

Varieties in Poetry:
Written • Uses meter, rhyme, and other
Language poetic devices.

Prose:
• Narrative form in novels, short
stories, essays.
See the difference…

Prose Poetry
I miss you so much Your absence is the song of
that it feels as sorrow,
though a part of me is A melody I hum, yearning for
missing, waiting to be
tomorrow.
whole again only when
we're together. I miss you, a truth so stark,
A candle flickering in the dark.
 Academic Language: Formal and
Varieties in objective, used in scholarly articles,
Written textbooks, and research papers.
Language
Technical Writing: Specialized
language used in manuals, reports,
and scientific documentation.
 This is how Academic Writing is written

Varieties in The education of the 21st century is

characterized by a paradigm shift that
Written
integrates technology, critical thinking,
Language and global awareness into the learning
process. Unlike traditional education,
which often relied on rote memorization
and teacher-centered instruction,
contemporary education emphasizes
student-centered approaches that foster
creativity, collaboration, and problem-
solving skills.
 This is how Technical Writing is written

Varieties in
Written
Language
 Business Language: Used in
Varieties in professional settings, characterized
Written by clarity, brevity, and formality.
Language
Emails, Memos, Reports: Varying
levels of formality depending on the
audience and purpose.
 Journalistic Language: Found in
newspapers, magazines, and online
news, focusing on clarity,
Varieties in conciseness, and factual reporting.
Written
Language • Hard News: Objective and
straightforward reporting of events.
• Feature Articles: More descriptive
and interpretive
 Digital Communication: Informal
and often abbreviated language
Varieties in used in text messages, social media,
Written and online forums.
Language
Emojis and Acronyms: Common in
this variety (e.g., LOL, BRB).
 Legal Language: Formal and
Varieties in precise, used in legal documents,
Written contracts, and legislation.
Language
WORLD
ENGLISHES

The localized
varieties of English
as they are used or
spoken in certain
areas.
Three Concentric Circles of English by Braj Kachru
 SOCIAL FEATURES OF THE VARIETY OF
ENGLISH

PIDGIN - In linguistics, a pidgin is a simplified form of speech formed out of one or

more existing languages and used as a lingua franca by people who have no other
language in common. Also known as a pidgin language or an auxiliary language.

CREOLE - a pidgin that has become the native language of a speech community
Example: Chavacano (Zamboanga) -Spanish Creole
PIDGIN
At a ferry landing in the
Pacific island nation of
Vanuatu, a sign in Bislama
(an English-lexifier pidgin-
creole) can be translated as,
"If you want the ferry to
come, strike the gong.".
 CREOLE CONTINUUM

Acrolect: the variety of language in a creole continuum that approximates most

closely the standard variety of a major international language, as the English
spoken in Guyana or Jamaica.

Basilect: the variety of language in a creole continuum that is most distinct from
the acrolect.

Mesolect: any variety of language in a creole continuum that is intermediate

between the basilect and the acrolect.
ACROLECT vs. BASILECT (Jamaican
English)

ACROLECT BASILECT

Our Father in heaven, Wi Faada we iina evn,

hallowed be Your name. mek piipl av nof rispek fi yu an yu

niem.
Your kingdom come,
Mek di taim kom wen yu ruul iina evri
Your will be done, wie.

Mek we yu waahn apm pan ort apm,

 SINGAPORE ENGLISH
VOCABULARY
(Lexicon) words
1. actsy : show off
peculiar only to
2. Missy: nurse
some English
3. Chop: rubber stamp
varieties in
4. Marina kids: youngsters who
Southeast Asia
spend their leisure time at
Marina square
5. Graduate mothers: well
educated married
women
 MALAYSIAN ENGLISH
VOCABULARY
(Lexicon) words
1. popcorn : talkative person
peculiar only to
2. handphone: cellphone
some English
3. Chop: rubber stamp
varieties in
4. MC: medical certificate
Southeast Asia
5. red spot : popular girls
 PHILIPPINE ENGLISH
VOCABULARY
(Lexicon) words
peculiar only to Give some PHILIPPINE ENGLISH
some English WORDS uniquely used by
varieties in Filipinos and include its
Southeast Asia meaning.
 GROUP WORK:
“Scavenger Hunt”
Varieties of Spoken
Language
Try these TONGUE TWISTERS!

1. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

2. She sells seashells by the seashore.
3. How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?
4. Unique New York, unique New York, unique
New York.
5. Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said
the butter’s bitter. If I put it in my batter, it
will make my batter bitter.
Try these TONGUE TWISTERS!
1. Sally sells seashells by the seashore. The shells she
sells are surely seashells.
2. Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair.
Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't very fuzzy, was he?“
3. I saw Susie sitting in a shoeshine shop. Where she sits
she shines, and where she shines she sits.
4. A black bug bleeds black blood, but a blue bug bleeds
blue blood.
5. Six slippery snails slid slowly seaward
 ● Dialect
Varieties in the
● Accents
Spoken Language ● Registers
● Slangs and Jargons
● Code Switching
 A dialect is a variation of a language that's specific to a
Dialect particular group of people. This variation can be seen in
pronunciation, vocabulary, and even grammar.

Regional Dialects: Social Dialects:

Variations based on Variations based on
geographical areas social groups or classes
(e.g. Tagalog of N.E vs. (e.g. Millennials vs Gen
Tagalog of Batangas). Z).
 Differences in pronunciation that reflect regional
or social backgrounds without necessarily
Accent involving changes in grammar or vocabulary.
Accent
Differences in
pronunciation that
reflect regional or social
backgrounds without
necessarily involving
changes in grammar or
vocabulary.
Language 1. Frozen Register
- Also known as static register, it
Registers involves language that is fixed and
unchanging.
Language registers - This register is often used in
refer to the formal ceremonies, rituals, and
variations in legal documents.
language use
depending on Examples:
context, audience, • The text of the Constitution
and purpose. • Religious scriptures
• Traditional prayers
Language
2. Formal Register
Registers Used in professional, academic, and
official settings where respect,
Language registers politeness, and formality are required.
refer to the
variations in Examples:
language use • Academic settings
depending on • Business settings
context, audience, • Speeches and presentations
and purpose.
Language 3. Consultative Register
- This is a standard form of
Registers communication, often used in
professional and transactional
Language registers situations where some degree of
refer to the formality is needed but not as rigid
variations in as the formal register.
language use
depending on Examples:
context, audience, • Doctor-patient conversations
and purpose. • Teacher-student interactions
• Business meetings
Language 4. Casual Register
- Used in informal settings among
Registers friends, family, and peers. This
register is relaxed and often includes
Language registers
slang and idiomatic expressions.
refer to the
variations in
Examples:
language use
• Conversations with friends
depending on
• Social media interactions
context, audience,
• Personal letters or emails
and purpose.
Language 5. Intimate Register
- Used in private communications
Registers between close friends, family
members, or romantic partners.
Language registers - This register often includes pet
refer to the names, inside jokes, and personal
variations in references.
language use
depending on Examples:
context, audience, • Conversations between partners
and purpose. • Parent-child interactions
• Private text messages
SLANG vs. JARGON

● Slang: Informal language ● Jargon: Specialized

often used by particular language used by particular
groups, usually short- professional or interest
lived and dynamic. groups (e.g., medical
jargon, legal jargon).
 1. Speakers often switch languages or dialects to
match the linguistic preferences or expectations of
Code-Switching their audience.
2. Code-switching can signal belonging to a particular
social or cultural group.
Alternating between two
3. It allows speakers to express different facets of
or more languages or their identity.
dialects within a 4. Switching languages can help clarify a point or
conversation or even a emphasize a particular word or phrase.
single sentence. 5. When quoting someone, speakers may switch to
the language or dialect originally used by that
person to maintain accuracy.
6. Bilingual or multilingual speakers might find it
easier to express certain concepts in one language
over another,
GROUP WORK: INTERVIEW