Discourse analysis

Frozen: Also referred to as static register. Printed unchanging language, such as Biblical quotations, often contains archaisms. Examples are the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America and other "static" vocalizations that are recited in a ritualistic monotone. The wording is exactly the same every time it is spoken.

Formal: One-way participation; no interruption; technical vocabulary or exact definitions are important; includes presentations or introductions between strangers.

Consultative: Two-way participation; background information is provided – prior knowledge is not assumed. "Back-channel behavior" such as "uh huh", "I see", etc. is common. Interruptions are allowed. Examples include teacher/student, doctor/patient, expert/apprentice, etc.

Casual: In-group friends and acquaintances; no background information provided; Ellipsis and slang common; interruptions common. This is common among friends in a social setting.

In the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) the entries are classified according to the use of an expression in different language situations. Generally, all entries are classified as 'standard'. Additionally, some expressions are categorized differently according to the particular contexts in which they are appropriately used. The main register labels in the Oxford Thesaurus of English (2006) are the following:

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  Informal: normally used only in contexts such as conversations or letters between friends
  
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  Vulgar slang: informal language that may cause offence […]
  
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  Formal: normally used only in writing such as official documents
  
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  Technical: normally used in technical and specialist language, though not necessarily restricted to any specific field
  
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  Literary: found only or mainly in literature written in an ‘elevated’ style
  
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