We all use register without even thinking about it—from casual language when talking to friends, to formal vocabulary when writing to a lawyer. But understanding the concept of register can help us adjust our diction and writing style based on the rhetorical situation at hand. This makes it easier to write well in different situations and more likely that our readers will understand what we mean.
There are four main types of register: informal, formal, consultative, and ceremonial. Informal register is the kind of everyday conversational language you would use with family, friends, and colleagues. It includes slang, contractions, and vernacular grammar, and it is more casual in tone than the formal register.
The informal register is the kind of language you might use at a social gathering, such as a birthday party or backyard barbecue. It may include swearing and off-color language, depending on the occasion. The formal register is the kind of language you use with people who are in authority or deserve your respect, such as a headteacher or police officer. You might use the consultative register to talk about a subject with someone who knows more than you do. In writing, you might use the formal register in letters of complaint or official speeches and essays.
Register is also the name of a type of memory in a computer. In computers, a register is a small unit of fast storage memory that is accessible to the central processing unit (CPU) and the arithmetic logic unit (ALU). Registers are used for storing inputs, outputs, or intermediate results of calculations.
A register is also the name of a book, document, or other record that lists names, events, or transactions. It is sometimes called a “book of entries” or a “record.” The term register is derived from the Latin word regesta, which means a list.
Register can also refer to:
Online registration: A process by which individuals sign up for a service, event, or program using the internet. This can often be done by providing personal information, payment details, and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the service or event.
The verb to register is to mark or indicate the presence of an individual or group in a particular place. The phrase to “register a protest” is used when a group or individual attempts to lodge an official objection against an action, decision, or other event that has already taken place.
In linguistics, the register of a text is its stylistic level—how formal or informal it is. A text can have multiple registers, and the overall effect of a piece of writing can change dramatically depending on which one is chosen. This article will look at the different registers of language and how to make sure your writing is appropriate for its intended audience.