Register Theory Halliday

Question 1

Which are the three register variables? Decribe them.

Answer 1

Field is the topic of situation, tenor is the relationship between participants and mode is the mean of communication. All these 3 have an impact on the lanuage you will produce.

Question 2

Which are the linguistic implications in Field?

Answer 2

In a technical situation we may find: heavy use of technical terms, jargon, non-standard syntax. While in an everyday field we may find: everyday words, standard grammar structures, if there are technical words these would be signalled.

Question 3

Which are the three continua of Tenor?

Answer 3

Power; if it is equal or not, Contact; if it is frequent or occasional, and Affective Involvement; if it is low or high

Question 4

How does Tenor impact language in terms of the use of vocatives?

Answer 4

If we are equal we will use vocatives, if unequal we will use non-reciprocal vocatives (e.g doctor). If the contact is frequent we may use nicknames, if not, we do not use vocatives at all (bus drivers, cashier…). If the affective involvement is high, we can use dimintive forms and terms of endearment, if the affection is low, we use formal ‘given’ names.

Question 5

Which are the two possible distances of Mode?

Answer 5

The spatial or interpersonal distance and the experimental distance.

Question 6

Functions of each register variable in terms of meaning.

Answer 6

Field: ideational (relating experience)
Mode: textual (organizing information)
Tenor: interpersonal (interpersonal relationships)

Question 7

Functions of each register variable in terms of lexico-grammar.

Answer 7

Field: transitivity structure (who, what, why, how…)
Mode: textual structures (theme)
Tenor: mood structures (declarative, interrogative, exclamative, imperative)