Chapter I: the pecularities of formal and informal language
The differences between formal and informal language according to the vocabulary
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2.2.The differences between formal and informal language according to the vocabulary.
It is clear that formal and informal language differ from each other according the vocabulary. There are some rules according to the word choice: Word choice Usage of slangs Idioms Phrasal verbs Achronyms Initialisms It is a fact that the words of formal and informal languages differ from each other. Academic Skehan argued that we mostly use official words in formal language, but we use numerous common words in our informal speech[13,33]. There is given a dictionary which is based on formal and informal language.
Slang is a subset of a language used by one particular group. It consists of words and expressions which will not be found in the dictionary, and can be distortions of existing words or entirely invented terms. It is used in informal situations. It is not appropriate in formal situations. Slang is used by all kinds of groups of people who share situations or interests. The group which uses these words is always in the minority, and often uses slang to set themselves apart or make it difficult for ordinary people to understand them. When a particular new expression is known and used by a large majority of the population, it is no longer slang, but part of the regular language or usage. ,,Slang fulfills at least two different functions, depending on whose point of view you take” [3,19]. For the groups that use slang, it is a way to set them apart, to express them in a distinct and individual way, and sometimes to keep secrets from being known by others. But for the society in general and the development of the language, slang performs another role. For the language, slang is like a linguistic laboratory, where new words and forms can be tested out, applied to a variety of situations, and then either abandoned or incorporated into the regular language. It is like a trial period for new words. If they allow people to say something that cannot be said using traditional language, and a majority of people accept them, then these words and expressions join their regular language. After a period of between a few months and many years, slang is used by limited groups with something in common. The far majority never reach the popularity and level of use to become regular words, and are soon forgotten and not used. A few reach widespread usage and can be found in each new edition of the popular dictionaries. Many of the words we use every day and can find in the dictionary began life as slang. Even Shakespeare used slang. There are some examples for slangs in informal language: 1. Informal: The mob was very rowdy during the protest against cuts to university funding. Formal: The crowd was very rowdy during the protest against the cuts to university funding. 2. Informal: Lecturers still count on students to use correct grammar and punctuation in essays. Formal: Lecturers expect students to use correct grammar and punctuation in essays. 3. Informal: It was raining cats and dogs. Formal: It was raining very heavily. 4. Informal: I aced the test. Formal: I got an excellent grade. It is not possible to use idioms in formal language. However, people can use idioms in informal languages. For example: The software is a piece of cake. The software is a quite user-friendly. The software is extremely easy to use. This project is on the back burner( 0n the back burner=not a priority at the moment) There are some limitations according to the usage of phrasal verbs. We can not use all phrasal verbs in formal language, but we can use any kind of phrasal verbs in informal language. For example,, I will not put up with this” put up with this means tolerate. We should use the word ,,tolerate” in our formal speech. There are numerous examples with the using of phrasal verbs. Informal: The balloon was blown up for the experiment. Formal: The balloon was inflated for the experiment. Informal: The patient got over his illness. Formal: The patient recovered from his illness. Informal: The results of the study were mixed up. Formal: The results of the study were confused. It is clear that most of time we can not use abbreviations, acronyms and initializes in formal language. If you use an acronym or abbreviation, you should write it out the first time. When using acronyms, you should write entire name out the first time it appears, followed by the acronym. From then on, you can use the acronym, abbreviation by itself. For example, NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration KDOT Kansas Department of Transportation Acronyms TAFE Technical and Further Education ANZAC Australian and New Zealand Army Corps QANTAS Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Initialisms UTS University of Technology Sydney ISO International Standards Organization OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Download 59.98 Kb. Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: 
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