1. i
NOT
English
Quarter 1, Wk.9 - Module 1
Give the Appropriate Communicative Styles
for Various Situations
Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines
9
2. ii
Hello, Mr Reyes. How are you
today?
Hey, buddy, what's up?
Good morning. May I speak to
the audience, please?
How's my little charm? Do you
miss mommy?
May the grace of God be with
you!
What I Know
Activity 1: Hi There!
Communicative styles differ from a specific group of people and the type of situation.
Study each expression or greeting below to gauge the level of formality of the language
used. Then, write them under the correct heading. Use your notebook.
Level of Formality Expression/Greeting
Intimate
Casual
Consultative
Formal
Frozen/Static
Activity 2: Familiar?
Using the K-W-L chart below, recall and write the information you remember in
class about the topic.
Topic: Communicative Styles
What I Know
about the Topic
What I Want to Know
about the Topic
What I Learned about
the Topic
3. 1
Lesson
Language Registers
1
What I Need to Know
After studying this module, learners are expected to familiarize types of language
registers, differentiate between formal and informal conversation, and provide the
appropriate communicative styles in different situations through script writing.
What’s New
Activity 1: Connecting Lives
Consider this situation: During the National Schools Press Conference
(NSPC), a student journalist of your school won the gold medal in
feature writing category. How do you think a parent, who has been
supportive, would speak to the child? Would the teacher and coach or
close friend talk the same way the parent does? Think about what each
of them would say to the student. Using the table below, write a
potential conversation between the following: parent-student,
teacher/coach-student, and friend-student.
4. 2
Activity 2: Answer Me
1. Based on the possible conversation in activity 1, what do you think is the
level of formality of the language used in each situation? Fill in the table
below by writing a check mark on the column that corresponds to your
answer.
Level of Formality Formal Informal
Parent-Child
Teacher/Coach-Student
Friend-Student
2. Why does our relationship with others affect the way we talk to them?
3. What is the importance of knowing the level of formality in a language?
What Is It
Language register is the degree of formality in a language. It differs with whom you
are talking to and the situation you are in. Martin Joos (1967), an American linguist and a
German professor, identified five speech styles. These are intimate, casual, consultative,
formal, and frozen.
1. Intimate ‒ This communication style is used mostly by
close family members or individuals, such as husband and
wife, parent and child, lovers, and siblings. So, it is
private in nature with the high occurrence of non-verbal
communication. The language used in this style is not
appropriate in public and professional gathering.
As portrayed by the picture, the couple does not need a
lot of words to express their intention for one another.
Their conversation usually involves the use of intimate
words or vocabularies. Honey, sweetie, darling,
sweetheart, and babe are most commonly used. Same
words can also be used to address a special person. For
example, a child wakes up early in the morning and is
greeted by his mother. The greeting would most likely be
good morning my dear, sweetie or darling.
2. Casual ‒ This is the register that is commonly
used by friends, peers, close acquaintances, co-
workers or colleagues. It is very informal that
vocabularies used in conversation must not be
adapted in formal situations. Colloquial terms,
contractions, slang, jargon, and even vernacular
language are mostly observed. To name a few,
words like bestie, bff, chill, cheesy, cool, and
acronyms like FYI (For Your Information), LOL
(Laugh Out Loud), OMG (Oh My God), and
expressions such as: Are you kidding me? What’s
up? I’m kinda… See ya! are normally used.
5. 3
3. Consultative ‒ The language used in this
style is standard. It means that words and
expressions are mutually acceptable by
persons involved. This is also the speech style
one uses when consulting an expert. So,
basically, it is a two-way communication.
Examples of this situation are the conversation
between doctor and patient, lawyer and client,
manager and subordinate, coach and player,
and teacher and student, and so forth.
If you were the patient in this picture, how would you speak with your doctor? Would
you say this, “I need you to check on my chest; I can hardly breathe.” Doesn’t it sound
demanding, uncourteous or impolite? You must always remember that the tone of such
conversation is respectful. Thus, you must not forget to use courtesy titles like “doctor or Dr.
Marquez”, “ Mr, or Mr. Tan” or “Mrs. or Mrs. Reyes”. Madam, ma’am and sir may be used to
address when speaking to strangers.
4. Formal ‒ If the consultative register is a
two-way communication, this style is one-way
in nature. The speaker must not be
interrupted. It also follows a commonly
accepted format where complete sentences
are required, and the use of slang and
contraction are prohibited. This style is used
in school, workplace, court hearing, and
business setting. Examples of this include
speeches, homilies, announcements,
business presentations, legal
pronouncements, teacher’s discussion on a
certain topic, and the like.
For instance, in a business meeting as shown by the picture above, the female
presenter speaks uninterruptedly while her colleagues listen attentively and wait for her
speech to end before asking questions. That is how formal the situation is, and that is why
everyone involved in gathering must act professionally.
5. Frozen ‒ This is the most formal style of
communication. It is also known as static
because the language used is intended to be
frozen or unchanged. This communicative
style does not require feedback from the
audience. It is usually observed in a very
formal and respectful setting like a couple’s
exchange of vows in a wedding ceremony or
reciting a pledge to the Alma Mater during
graduation exercises. Other examples are
constitution, laws, prayers, anthems, biblical
verses, and so forth.
As shown in the picture above, a woman performs the pledge of allegiance to the
Philippine flag. This further shows that the language is often learned by repetition.
6. 4
What’s More
Activity 1: Talk to Me
A. Study carefully the dialogues below. Then, tell whether they are
formal or informal. If it is formal, then write F in the box corresponding
each number and INF if informal.
1. “I am wondering if I may use your bike.”
2. “Hey buddy, want a ride?
3. “Give me your wallet, will you?
4. “May I speak with the principal, please?
5. “I’m kinda bored and sleepy right now dud.”
6. “Goodbye everyone and have a good day!”
7. “Cool, see ya later!
8. “Excuse me, could you tell me where the
guidance office is?”
9. “Nope, that isn’t the right way!”
10.“I appreciate your help. Thank you very much!”
B. Determine the appropriate communicative style of each dialogue
below. Write Frozen, Formal, Consultative, Casual or Intimate in
the each box.
1. “Good morning Sir Cabural, how are you doing today?”
2. “Lord, I thank you for this wonderful day You have given us.”
3. “That was great honey! I’m so proud of you!”
4. “Have you seen my wallet, buddy? I dunno!”
5. “Thank you so much for coming. Your presence is highly appreciated!”
7. 5
Hidden Words
1. REGISTER_______
2. ________________
3. ________________
4. ________________
5. ________________
6. ________________
7. ________________
8. ________________
9. ________________
Activity 2: Hidden Treasure
After learning the five styles of language registers, it is important to get
familiar with the terminologies used in the discussion so that they will
leave an imprint in your mind and enrich your vocabularies as well.
Your task is to find nine hidden words in a group of jumbled letters in the
box below. Your clue is going horizontal or vertical. Write them in the
space provided. Number 1 is done for you.
Activity 3: Individual Differences
Looking back to our discussion about language registers, identify the
differences among the speech styles using the graphic organizer below.
Communicative
Style
Description Examples
E G K R U T V N C T Z X Y
F S I Q C A S U A L T O V
U E N F O R M A L H G C S
T U T P N M B T C D S K N
E T I O S J B N K S X V R
C O M M U N I C A T I V E
C H A F L Y N N G Y P K G
R Q T U T O F N G L T E I
Q O E U A N O T Y E W P S
E T Y Q T B R N W Y Q Z T
Z X C B I W M Y J H B C E
T H B O V R A O B R Q Z R
F R O Z E N L S E Q B T K
8. 6
What I Have Learned
In order to deepen your understanding of the subject matter, you need to
undertake the following activities.
Activity 1: Q and A
Answer the following questions:
1. What is a language register?
2. What are the five communicative styles according to Martin Joos?
3. How are they different from each other?
4. What style would you use when talking with friends? Why?
5. Why is it important to get familiar with each speech style? Explain.
Activity 2: Journal Entry
Complete the paragraph below.
I learn that __________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
_________________________________________________________________________
I realize that_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
If given a chance, I will_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
9. 7
Activity 3: Connecting Ideas
Study the semantic web below and fill in the boxes with appropriate words
and descriptions. The small rectangular boxes are for Communicative Styles
and big rectangular boxes are for Phrasal Description of each communicative
style. You may refer your answers from pages 2 and 3.
Language Register
What I Can Do
A. Write a short conversation depicting different language registers in various
situations. Follow the guide in each number. Write it in the box.
1. Intimate ‒ can be a dialogue between a mother and a youngest child,
or between girlfriend and boyfriend.
Communicative
Styles
10. 8
2. Casual ‒ a conversation between close friends.
3. Consultative – can be a conversation between a guidance counselor
and a student.
4. Formal – think of an emcee introducing the valedictorian for his
graduation speech. Keep the speech short and simple.
B. Script Writing
Think of your best friend and the funniest experience you both shared.
Create a script of that story. Remember to be casual.
11. 9
WRITING RUBRIC
Summary
Every day in our lives we meet different people and situations. These people
describe us in the way we act and communicate to them. So it is an edge having a deeper
knowledge about how we should properly behave ourselves in front of others. It is also
expected of us being called as educated persons in our society. It just doesn’t come handy
though. It requires hard work.
So having learned from this module is already a reward. The language registers or
different communicative styles (frozen, formal, consultative, casual, and intimate) which we
had discussed will help us build sound relationship with others. In the end, what is important
is to be able to promote camaraderie instead of animosity.
Assessment: (Post-Test)
Determine which communicative style is appropriate in each situation below. Write
your answer before each number.
___________ 1. informing the students about the suspension of classes
___________ 2. talking to your class adviser
___________ 3. delivering a campaign speech during an SSG election
___________ 4. Reciting the pledge of allegiance to the Philippine flag
___________ 5. Praying the Lord’s Prayer
___________ 6. talking to someone special
___________ 7. Communicating with your coach while playing
___________ 8. sharing memorable experiences with a friend
___________ 9. Greeting your loved ones with fond words
___________ 10. chatting with colleagues
Criteria 1 2 3 4
Conventions
The final draft has
more than ten
grammar,
capitalization,
spelling, and
punctuation
errors.
There are more
than five
grammar,
capitalization,
spelling, or
punctuation
errors in the final
draft.
There are three
to five grammar,
capitalization,
spelling, or
punctuation
errors in the final
kl1draft.
There are no
grammar,
capitalization,
spelling, or
punctuation
errors in the final
draft.
Clarity
Ideas and scenes
seem to be
randomly
arranged.
The plot is a little
hard to follow.
The transitions are
sometimes not
clear.
The plot is pretty
well organized.
One idea or
scene may seem
out of place.
Clear transitions
are used.
The story is very
well organized.
One idea or
scene follows
another in a
logical sequence
with clear
transitions.
Dialogue
No line is evident
of the
characteristics of
the language
register assigned.
One or two lines
are evident of
the
characteristics of
the language
register assigned.
Some lines are
evident of the
characteristics of
the language
register assigned.
The lines are
evident of the
characteristics of
the language
register assigned.
12. 10
Key to Answers
A. What I Know
(Activity 1)
May the grace of God be with you! ‒ Frozen
Hello, Mr Reyes. How are you today? ‒ Consultative
Good morning. May I speak to the audience, please? ‒ Formal
How's my little charm? Do you miss mommy? ‒ Intimate
Hey, buddy, what's up? ‒ Casual
(Activity 2) ‒ Answers will vary
B. What’s New
(Activity 1) ‒ Answers will vary
(Activity 2)
Parent-Student ‒ Informal
Teacher/Coach-Student ‒ Formal
Friend-Student ‒ Informal
2-3 ‒ Answers will vary
C. What’s More
(Activity 1) Hidden Words
frozen consultative
communicative style
formal intimate
casual informal
(Activity 2) Individual Differences
Communicative Style
Description Examples
Frozen Answers will vary Answers will vary
Formal Answers will vary Answers will vary
Consultative Answers will vary Answers will vary
Casual Answers will vary Answers will vary
Intimate Answers will vary Answers will vary
(Activity 3) A. Talk to Me
1. F 6. F
2. INF 7. INF
3. INF 8. F
4. F 9. INF
5. INF 10. F
Activity 3) B. Talk to Me
1. Consultative 3. Intimate 5. Formal
2. Frozen 4. Casual
D. What I Have Learned ‒ Answers will vary
E. What Can I Do ‒ Answers will vary
