Levels of Formality part 1, 11th

Lesson Objective

Choose the right level of formality in langugae when writing.

Audience and levels of formality

START

Chapter 2, Topic 9

Choosing the right level of formality is important when speaking or writing. You need to be able to judge what is appropriate language for the audience or reader.

School teacher to parent" 'Would you and Rita be able to attend the school production of Romeo and Juliet next week?' School teacher to small child: 'Can you and Mummy come to the school play next week?' What vocabulary has been adapted by the teacher when speaking to the small child? Why?

Explore the skills

At a basic level, we all adapt our vocabulary according to our audience and purpose. For example:

We also adapt our language according to context. For example, what is the difference between formal and informal language? Consider the way you might speak or write to your close friends about everyday things.

ICON 1

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis

ICON 2

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis

ICON 3

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis

+ INFO

Well, you wouldn't believe it Carlos, but there's me, kicking a ball in our backyard when Utd's boss trots by!

Look carefully at examples A and B. Identify the formal and informal elements in each.

Dear Mr. Perez,I was very surprised by your kind invitation to attend a training session with Green Bay United on Monday, 23 March. I would be delighted to come and would like to thank you for noticing my skills when you passed by our house last week. Yours sincerely, Didier Brillianti

Build the skills

Formality in forms such as letters means beginning and ending in specific ways that you would not use in an email to a friend, for example.

The order of information is natural and logical: subject, thanks for the invitation, acceptance, further action, close of letter.

Start:

Dear Auntie Tanya, How are you? Thanks so much for ...

Imagine that you are related to the head teacher and know her well. Write a more informal reply to the invitation.

Top Tip

Be careful that your informal letters do not come across as rude. Make sure that you are confident about how the recipient will react to this style and tone. Formal language can also seem comic or rude if exaggerated or used in the wrong situation. For example, you wouldn't ask someone to move on a bus by saying: Excuse me, my good man, could I trouble you to shift your position so that my bodily form can be located alongside yours?

+ INFO