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From: deb5@midway.uchicago.edu (Daniel von Brighoff)
Subject: Speech registers [Re: Brazilian polyglot (news item)
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References: <19961227011300.UAA03261@ladder01.news.aol.com> <7fbuazuxac.fsf@phoenix.cs.hku.hk> <E3r2pp.Muz@midway.uchicago.edu> <7fiv569efy.fsf@phoenix.cs.hku.hk>
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 1997 16:10:09 GMT
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In article <7fiv569efy.fsf@phoenix.cs.hku.hk>,
Lee Sau Dan ~{@nJX6X~} <sdlee@cs.hku.hk> wrote:
>>>>>> "Daniel" == Daniel von Brighoff <deb5@midway.uchicago.edu> writes:
>
>    >> Even those who are called monoglots can be claimed to know
>    >> several languages: a formal language for use with strangers or
>    >> seniors, an informal language for use with relatives and close
>    >> friends, another language for talking to little children, and
>    >> perhaps another for scolding people (swearing)...
>
>    Daniel> These are usually called "registers" and mastering two or
>    Daniel> more of them is usually considered a prerequisite for
>    Daniel> being called "fluent" in a language.  I've yet to
>    Daniel> encountre a "language" with only one register, used by all
>    Daniel> speakers at all times.
>
>In some places, e.g. former  European colonies, people usually use one
>language for a register, and another language for another.

I wouldn't phrase it that way.  I would say that they use different
languages in situations where speakers elsewhere use different registers
of the same language.  The individual languages they are using in this way
all have their own registers even if the speakers use one register to the
virtual exclusion of all the others.  (E.g. The fact that an Ivoirien may
use only a formal register of French because he only uses French in formal
situations does not change the fact that a great number of other registers
(from Biblical to blasphemous) are in common use elsewhere.)

-- 
	 Daniel "Da" von Brighoff    /\          Dilettanten
	(deb5@midway.uchicago.edu)  /__\         erhebt Euch
				   /____\      gegen die Kunst!
