Writing the Language anaLysis

The Language Analysis requires students to write a critical analysis of a given piece of written
communication commenting specifically on language registers, dialectal variation, attitudes
to language and communicative behaviours. Here are brief notes of these key terms that may
prove useful in the completion of this assignment.



Language Registers
This refers to the kinds of English appropriate to a particular purpose or situation. It refers to the
levels of formality/informality and tone that are correct for a specific context. A register can refer
to either written or spoken language. In deciding which register is suitable for a given situation
one has to consider factors such as the audience for which the communication is intended, the
nature of the subject matter being spoken or written about the medium which may may not
include non-verbal elements of communication and the writer's attitude towards the content he
writes about.

Language registers may be identified as:

1. Formal: for use in formal social settings e.g. ceremonies, services and in conversation
between strangers. It almost always involves the use of Standard English.

2. Casual: for use between friends/ acquaintances in a non-formal setting. Usually marked
by use of slang and ellipsis.

3. Intimate: for use between people who are very close. Usually marked by minimal
sentence structure, ellipsis, non-verbal elements of communication and specialized words
/expression restricted in meaning to those involved in this intimate relationship.

4. Consultative: for use in a situation in which the listener is expected to give some form of
continuous feedback based on the information provided by the speaker.

5. Frozen: for use in print and public speeches, sermons and recitations for which no direct
response from a reader/listener is expected.



Dialectal Variations
Dialectal variation refers to spoken and written different in the use of language within a speech
community; in our case English.

Speech related variation within the Caribbean may all be located on the creole continuum. This
is a spectrum of language variation linking the more standard end of the linguistic range to the
creole end. In short, the acrolect refers to the standard variety of the language, mesolect refers to
varieties which are closer in features to the standard language and which are used primarily in
the urban areas. The basilect represents the variety mainly used in the rural areas and which has
mainly creole features.

In commenting on dialectal variation the student needs to be aware of the different types of
English used and spoken in the Caribbean. Their difference is apparent in their accent and
inflection. These include:


1. Foreign English: used mainly by tourists and expatriates from other countries where
English is a major language. It may also be spoken by Caribbean nationals who try to
imitate the accent of tourists with whom they associate.

2. Radio and Television English: involve sound and the human voice in the electronic
media. Can be divided into four categories- newscasts, music programmes,
advertisements and general public features.

3. Erudite English: language containing features that show that the speaker is knowledge-
able of words, phrases and idioms, especially older one and foreign ones which are
considered to be difficult.

4. Colloquial English: refers to English which is characteristically West Indian without
being Creole English - marked by differences in pronunciation, pitch and syntax.

5. Rasta English: variety of English made popular by the Rastafarian cult which consists of
biblical and apocalyptic words; words related to Africa or things African, punning or
playing on words I words.

6. Profane English: refers to impolite and shocking expressions and obscenities (used in
cursing) involving God, religious things, sex, sexual organs and practices.



Attitudes to Language

Attitudes to the varieties of English spoken in the Caribbean result from a number of factors
including historical and social ones. Crucial to the attitude one adopts are two considerations -
the association of education, formality and good taste with standard English and the question as
to whether creole English is fitting and appropriate for certain uses. Attitudes to the use of
language may include: pride, confidence and celebration on the one hand, and contempt, shame
and even ridicule of the language one speaks. Code switching or adopting the variety of English
spoken by others can be a sign of lack of confidence and pride in one's mother tongue.





Communicative Behaviours
This refers to communicating impressions to others without being aware of doing so
(unconscious) and without even wishing to do so (inevitable). Such include six elements:

1. Vocalics: use of the volume, rate, tone, and pitch of the voice to give
dimension to meaning.

2. Proxemics: use of space to communicate


3. Artifacts: objects that relay a message about you.

4. Movement: posture, gesture, eye contact, facial expression that say something
about you.

5. Chronemics: attitude and use of time that communicate something about you.

6. Our Five Senses: these convey information to you about others.



Non-verbal communication has six basic functions:

i. substituting for words;
ii. reinforcing words;
iii. regulating how the verbal message is received;
iv. contradicting the verbal message;
v. managing impression or the way other people perceive you and
vi. establishing relationship.