Lesson 5 — Activity 1: Types of Language

As you learned in the previous activities, the way we communicate changes depending upon our audience and purpose.

This is certainly true when you are at work. You may need to communicate differently with your employers, co-workers, and the public than you do with your family and friends.

To choose the best way to communicate, we need to consider two ways in which we can classify language. We often say that language is either formal or informal.

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Formal language:

is usually used when we are speaking to or writing for people we do not know very well and people in positions of authority over us

is often used at work in letters, reports, and speeches

It is the way we speak when we want to make a good impression on the listener or reader. We choose our words and use our grammar carefully.

It is probably not a good idea to use informal language in a work presentation!

Formal language, especially when used in the workplace, may include a lot of jargon.

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Jargon:

is technical expressions that relate to a particular job or field

Here's an example:

Both doctors and computer technologists use jargon when discussing their work, but a doctor might not understand computer jargon, and a computer technologist would likely have trouble understanding medical jargon.

For a speaker, writer, or listener, too much jargon can interfere with the message to some audiences. People sometimes have difficulty understanding jargon.

Informal language:

is often used when we are speaking to or writing for our friends or other people we know well

It is more personal and friendly than formal language and may include slang.

Slang:

refers to popular new ways to express ideas

However, slang expressions are quickly outdated and replaced by new expressions that are current in the media.

Examples of slang: