'Language varies according to the social context in which speakers find themselves - The same speaker uses different linguistic varieties in different situations and for different purposes'.

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'Language varies according to the social context in which speakers find themselves. The same speaker uses different linguistic varieties in different situations and for different purposes'

Our use of language varies according to the situation in which we find ourselves. The term REGISTER is used to discuss the variety of language that we are required to use when in different situations.

REGISTER is discussed by considering these 3 concepts:

Field

The term FIELD is used when discussing language that is connected to a particular activity or subject matter. Activities and subjects require particular 'field-specific vocabularies' to be used when they are being discussed e.g. Ballet - pirouette. Football - goal.

Tenor - FORMALITY

While the field relates to what language is about, TENOR refers to the social relationship between those who are communicating e.g. speech between individuals of 'unequal' rank is unlikely to be less relaxed and more formal, than speech between equals.

Things that can be said in different ways, give verbal expression to the same meaning. This can show the 'social relationship' between two people.

Mode

This refers to