L Language techniques, tone and registers
AST WEEK, we reviewed the four rhetorical modes of discourse: description, narration, exposition and argument. We also looked at some strategies that writers or speakers use to carry out their purpose for writing or speaking. This week, we will look at language techniques, tone and language registers.
LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES
Language techniques, quite simply, refer to how language is used to guide readers or listeners to think in a particular way, in order to achieve a writer’s or speaker’s purpose. They include the use of figurative devices.
In a narrative about your experience studying communication studies over the last three months, you may opt to use metaphors, similes and hyperboles to tell of the wonderful time you are having. You could say:
At first, communication studies was a blur (metaphor). When I made up my mind to do well in the subject, I started paying attention in class and things became crystal clear (metaphor) to me. When I started purchasing Youthlink each week to read the study lessons, it was like a ray of sunshine (simile), lighting the dark paths of my comm studies journey (hyperbole). You can certainly see the difference between that account and this:
At first, I did not understand communication studies. When I made up my mind to do well in the subject, I started paying attention in class and things became very clear to me. When I started purchasing Youthlink each week to read the study lessons, it was clearer and I understood the material better.
The first account is a richer and more interesting telling of the experience.
A description about O’Neil, the athlete you met at ‘Champs’, whom we spoke about last week, may begin like this:
O’Neil stood like a Greek god. He was a tall, perfectly chiselled piece of dark chocolate
... . This description is very subjective and certainly hints at how the writer/speaker feels about O’Neil. An objective description would simply say that he appeared strong and goodlooking, was six feet tall, of dark complexion, and had an athletic build. Not half as interesting, nor as emotive as the first description, is it? Look at this persuasive excerpt and analysis borrowed from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zpr49j6/ revision/2
I am William Wallace. And I see a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny! You have come to fight as free men. And free men you are! What will you do without freedom? Will you fight? Yes! Fight and you may die. Run and you will live at least awhile. And dying in your bed many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance, to come back here as young men and tell our enemies that they may take our lives but they will never take our freedom!
ANALYSIS
William uses plenty of personal pronouns (I, you, our) to make the audience feel as though he is speaking to them on an individual level. The repeated use of ‘free’ emphasises the overall topic of his speech, and the benefit to the people listening. He repeatedly uses rhetorical questions, one after the other, to impact on the audience – they feel that they must fight to protect their freedom. The closing sentence is highly emotive. He uses the word ‘freedom’ to leave the overall message with his audience to consider for themselves. The skilful use of language techniques can help to make your speech or writing more effective and impactful.
TONE
The tone of a piece of communication refers to the writer’s/speaker’s attitude to the subject matter being discussed or to an audience. It can also be linked to his purpose for writing/speaking. This is usually seen through
the writer’s/speaker’s choice of words. The passage has to be evaluated in its entirety and the context should also be considered when evaluating the tone. Examples of tone are: sarcastic, hostile, restrained, emotional, humorous, calm, worried/concerned.
LANGUAGE REGISTERS
Language registers refers to the rage of language choices available for use in different situations. It is the level of formality and informality of the language used. There are six language registers: frozen, formal, onsultative, casual, intimate and private. These will be discussed in greater detail next week. The use of language registers is also based on the context of the communication, in terms of the purpose, the participants and the subject matter being discussed.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
For further reading you may consult chapter five of CAPE Communication Studies (Sonia Lee 2012). et al Next week, we will look more closely at language registers and the varieties of language. Thanks for the feedback! Let’s keep talking!!!