Formal vs Informal usageStylistic variations

TESL 2200 Lecture 5

Vocabulary Quiz

For each of the six questions choose the one correct answer.

1. Dear Mr Smith, We are sorry to _____ that...

a) say you

b) let you know

c) inform you

d) explain you

2. Thank you for bringing this _____ to my attention.

a) thing

b) matter

c) stuff

d) items

3. I am extremely _____ the service I received...

a) dissatisfied with

b) dissatisfied from

c) cross about

d) cross for

4. Hi John, how's it going? _____ my holiday in Spain.

a) I am writing to give you some details regarding...

b) I intend to describe...

c) I want to tell you about...

d) I'd like to say you...

5. As you will see from my CV, I have _____ experience in this area.

a) masses of

b) a considerable amount of

c) loads of

d) great

6. That's all for now. See you tonight! _______ , Mary xxxx

a) Yours faithfully

b) Yours sincerely

c) Best wish

d) Love

Dress with style

Styles of language

•Styles are varieties of language which can be ranged on a continuum ranging from very formal to very informal.

Formal vs. informal style

• Formal styles are used in social situations which are formal, and informal styles are used in social situations which are informal.

Formal vs. informal style

• A typical formal language might be the sentence read out by a judge at the end of a trial.

• A typical informal speech would be produced in a relaxed conversation among close friends or family members.

When to use formal English

Have you ever…? • Sent a note to school• Ordered something from a catalogue• Written away for a brochure• Applied for a job in writing• Written a letter of complaint

• Written to a newspaper• Written to your employer• Written to your accountant• Written a report for an insurance

company• Written to a bank• Other

Formal vs. informal style

• A formal style will be characterized by detachment, precision, and "objectivity", but also rigidity and cognitive load;

• An informal style will be much lighter in form, more flexible, direct, and involved, but correspondingly more subjective, less accurate and less informative.

Advantages of being formal

• More formal messages have less chance to be misinterpreted by others who do not share the same context as the sender.

• Validity or comprehensibility of formal messages will extend over wider contexts: more people, longer time spans, more diverse circumstances, etc.

Disadvantages of being formal

• Formal speech is more static or rigid, and will less easily accommodate to phenomena that demand expressions with a meaning different from the ones found in dictionaries.

Disadvantage of being formal

•Informal speech, by definition, is flexible: meanings shift when the context changes.

• Formal speech is structurally more complex. Therefore, formal expressions require more time, attention and cognitive processing to be produced and understood.

Formality and the language producer

• Speech is likely to be more formal if the speaker is male, introverted and/or of a high education level.

Stylistic differences in lexis Consider the differences between

• Father was exceedingly fatigued subsequent to his extensive peregrination.

• Dad was very tired after his lengthy journey.

• The old man was bloody knackered after his long trip .

Some examples of formal and informal English words

• felicitations = congratulations to the bride;

• indisposed= ill; • erudite = well-read; • abscond= run away, • flit; remorseful = sad;

• condescending=snobbish; • consanguinary= related; • distinguish between = tell the

difference;• contributed = gave; • euphoria = happiness.

Conclusion

• The degree of formality of a speech-style will depend on the requirements of the situation, but that there will still be a subjective element, depending on whether the sender prefers accuracy over immediacy, detachment over involvement,or fears possible misinterpretation more than additional cognitive load.

• All the languages of the world would appear to demonstrate some degree of stylistic differentiation in this sense, reflecting the wide range of social relationships and social situations found, to a greater or lesser extent, in all human societies.

Task 1: Which one is formal and which one is informal?

1.totally opposed to2.throughly approve of3.I'm all for 4.I'm a great supporter of 5.don't approve of6. dead against 7.all for

Task 2: formal or informal letter?

• Read the following two letters and give examples of phrases that are specifically formal and informal

• What makes this letter formal or informal?

Dear Anne Thanks ever so much for your letter. It was

lovely to hear from you after all this time. We’re all keeping well here. Andy has left

school now, though he hasn’t got a job yet I’m afraid.

How’s life with you? We’d love to see you all again. Why don’t you spend a weekend with us when you’re free?

Give my love to Dave and the kids Love, Sue x

Dear Mrs Smith Thank you for your letter concerning

my National Insurance contributions. I confirm that I am able to attend for

the interview on 15th November 2003 as requested.

Yours sincerely S JOHNSON (Ms)

• Is clear and gives exact details – ‘I confirm that I am able to attend for the interview’

• Is brief and to the point - • Is cool, polite and business-like – ‘as

requested’• It is not ‘chatty’• Sounds more formal

Task 3: Re-write them in formal language

• Hope to see you soon• Write back soon and let me know• Hi! How are you doing?• Give my love to the kids• Don’t forget to send me some more samples• Don’t worry, it won’t happen again• I assure you

Task 4: Change the words which are underlined for a word or phrase

• The first one is done as an example

I got your letter of 15.6.03 about my insurance claim

Here you could say: I received your letter concerning my insurance claim

• When I took back the vacuum cleaner ….

• I have got hold of a copy of your brochure

• I have ordered the goods as you asked• I am not happy with the repair work• Please send me the right form• I have put in a Postal Order for £15• I would a like a new one

• I found that the lens was broken• It was bought on 16.03.2003• I ought to get my money back• I am not paying until the work is

carried out• I should like to arrange to come and

see you• Please let me have a sample copy

am entitled to dissatisfiedreceived obtaineddiscovered forwardenclose concerningAs requested appropriatereturned a refundpurchased make an appointment withholding payment

Task 5: Who wrote this letter?

• What kind of letter is it?• What is the main purpose of the letter?• Is this a formal or informal letter?• Look at this letter and write down what

is wrong with it.

• Xxx• Dear Bank Manager• I hope you are well and your business is ok. My

business isn’t good so I need your help. I want about £10,000 so that I can do some repairs to my shop and buy some things I need.

• I want you to loan me some money and I will pay it back later when my business gets better

• Let me know asap.• Thank you for your help• xxx

Formal or informal?

• I am sorry to inform you that... • phrasal verbs • I am very grateful for... • Why don't we... • I will not be able to attend the...

• idioms and slang • contracted verb forms like we've, I'm,

etc. • Give my regards to... • I look forward to hearing from you... • Let me know as soon as... • short sentences

Key

• I am sorry to inform you that... F • phrasal verbs I • I am very grateful for... F • Why don't we... I • I will not be able to attend the... F

• idioms and slang I • contracted verb forms like we've, I'm,

etc. I • Give my regards to... F • I look forward to hearing from you... F • Let me know as soon as... I • short sentences I

• Dear Tom, • Dear Ms Smithers, • Best wishes, • Yours faithfully, • I'm really sorry I...

• Unfortunately, we will have to postpone...

• We had a little bit of luck... • Our computers are used for a variety... • I use my pencil sharper for... • polite phrases • fewer passive verb forms

Key

• Dear Tom, I • Dear Ms Smithers, F • Best wishes, I • Yours faithfully, F • I'm really sorry I... I

• Unfortunately, we will have to postpone... F

• We had a little bit of luck... I • Our computers are used for a variety...

F • I use my pencil sharper for... I • polite phrases F • fewer passive verb forms I